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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Minerva. Pallas.
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Minerva. Pallas.
High on her Helmet, menacing before,
The horrid Typhon's Form Minerva bore:
Tho' slain above, below the Monster lives,
Dies in this Part, and in this Part survives.
Pointed with polish'd Steel, her weighty Spear,
Rose like a lofty Beam, erect in Air:
Whilst o'er her Shield, which bore the Gorgon's Head,
With friendly Care her shining Robe she spread.—
The horrid Typhon's Form Minerva bore:
Tho' slain above, below the Monster lives,
Dies in this Part, and in this Part survives.
Pointed with polish'd Steel, her weighty Spear,
Rose like a lofty Beam, erect in Air:
Whilst o'er her Shield, which bore the Gorgon's Head,
With friendly Care her shining Robe she spread.—
—They carve in Gold,
With Scales of Serpents, angry Pallas' Shield,
The dreadful Ægis: and the twisted Snakes,
And in the Goddess' Breast the Gorgon's Head,
Turning it's Eyes, and terrible in Death.—
With Scales of Serpents, angry Pallas' Shield,
The dreadful Ægis: and the twisted Snakes,
And in the Goddess' Breast the Gorgon's Head,
Turning it's Eyes, and terrible in Death.—
'Twas now the Feast when each Athenian Maid
Her yearly Homage to Minerva paid:
In Canisters, with Garlands cover'd o'er,
High on their Heads their mystic Gifts they bore.—
Her yearly Homage to Minerva paid:
In Canisters, with Garlands cover'd o'er,
High on their Heads their mystic Gifts they bore.—
Herself she blazons with a glitt'ring Spear,
And crested Helm that veil'd her braided Hair,
And Shield, and Breast Plate, Implements of War.
Struck with her pointed Lance, the teeming Earth
Seem'd to produce a new surprizing Birth:
When, from the Glebe, the Pledge of Conquest sprung,
A Tree, pale-green, with fairest Olives hung.—
And crested Helm that veil'd her braided Hair,
And Shield, and Breast Plate, Implements of War.
Struck with her pointed Lance, the teeming Earth
Seem'd to produce a new surprizing Birth:
When, from the Glebe, the Pledge of Conquest sprung,
A Tree, pale-green, with fairest Olives hung.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |