Medulla Poetarum Romanorum Or, the Most Beautiful and Instructive Passages of the Roman Poets. Being a Collection, (Disposed under proper Heads,) Of such Descriptions, Allusions, Comparisons, Characters, and Sentiments, as may best serve to shew the Religion, Learning, Politicks, Arts, Customs, Opinions, Manners, and Circumstances of the Antients. With Translations of the same in English Verse. By Mr. Henry Baker |
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Arms. Armour.
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Arms. Armour.
See Battle. Hero. Sling. Warrior.
With Nails and Teeth, at first, the Warriors fought,Or Stones, or Staves: the Weapons Nature taught:
Fire too they us'd, as soon as Fire was found;
And lastly, Steel and Brass were made to wound.—
Wond'ring, he turns and poises in his Hands
The dreadful crested Helm, which vomits Flames:
The fatal Sword: the Corslet stiff with Brass,
Sanguine, immense: as when an Azure Cloud
Glows, gilded by the Sun, and burns from far:
The polish'd Cuisses next, of Gold refin'd,
And ductile Silver: and the Spear: and last
Th' unutterable Texture of the Shield.—
The dreadful crested Helm, which vomits Flames:
The fatal Sword: the Corslet stiff with Brass,
Sanguine, immense: as when an Azure Cloud
Glows, gilded by the Sun, and burns from far:
The polish'd Cuisses next, of Gold refin'd,
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Th' unutterable Texture of the Shield.—
Himself his Corslet laces to his Breast,
Squalid with Gold and Brass: then fits his Sword,
His Helmet, and his double Crimson Plume.
Next his long Spear, Auruncean Actor's Spoil,
Which in the middle of the spacious Court,
Against a lofty Pillar leaning stood,
He grasps; and shakes it quiv'ring in the Air.—
Squalid with Gold and Brass: then fits his Sword,
His Helmet, and his double Crimson Plume.
Next his long Spear, Auruncean Actor's Spoil,
Which in the middle of the spacious Court,
Against a lofty Pillar leaning stood,
He grasps; and shakes it quiv'ring in the Air.—
—The greatest Part throw Balls
Of livid Lead: Part brandish in their Hands
Two Darts: a yellow Cap of Wolf-skin made
Covers their Heads: Their left Foot bare: Their Right
In the raw Leather of a Shoe inclos'd.—
Of livid Lead: Part brandish in their Hands
Two Darts: a yellow Cap of Wolf-skin made
Covers their Heads: Their left Foot bare: Their Right
In the raw Leather of a Shoe inclos'd.—
Piles in their Hands, and goring Pikes they bear,
And with round pointed Sabine, Jav'lins fight.—
And with round pointed Sabine, Jav'lins fight.—
—Round missile Darts they throw:
But these by Custom to a pliant Thong
Are ty'd: a Buckler on their left they wear,
And crooked Faulchions weild in closer Fight.—
But these by Custom to a pliant Thong
Are ty'd: a Buckler on their left they wear,
And crooked Faulchions weild in closer Fight.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |