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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Place (Pleasant.)
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
233
Place (Pleasant.)
See Fountain. Italy.
—
Æneas
from the Ocean spies
A spacious Wood: Thro' which the pleasant Stream
Of gulphy Tyber rolls his yellow Sand,
And disembogues his Waves into the Sea.
Here various Birds, accustom'd to the Banks
And Chanel of the River, all around,
And all above, with sweet melodious Songs
Soften'd the Air, and flutter'd in the Grove.—
A spacious Wood: Thro' which the pleasant Stream
Of gulphy Tyber rolls his yellow Sand,
And disembogues his Waves into the Sea.
Here various Birds, accustom'd to the Banks
And Chanel of the River, all around,
And all above, with sweet melodious Songs
Soften'd the Air, and flutter'd in the Grove.—
Smooth lay the verdant Plain, and all around
With mild Ascent swell'd slow the rising Ground.
By unperceiv'd Degrees the Mountain grew,
Easy to tread, and graceful to the View.
Here chrystal Fountains, from the living Stone,
In winding Streams thro' flow'ry Meadows run:
There ancient venerable Woods extend,
Which from the fierce meridian Beams defend:
These in the sultry Heat of Summer made
A welcome Coolness, and refreshing Shade.
Of various Kinds the Trees: the sailing Fir;
The close-grain'd Cornel, tough, and fit for War:
Jove's fav'rite Oak; the fun'ral Cypress' Height:
The honey'd Ilex wherein Bees delight:
And prescient Lawrel, lovely to the Sight:
With dancing Leaves the bushy Box appears:
Its creeping Trails the winding Ivy rears:
And round the friendly Elm the purple Vine adheres.—
With mild Ascent swell'd slow the rising Ground.
By unperceiv'd Degrees the Mountain grew,
Easy to tread, and graceful to the View.
Here chrystal Fountains, from the living Stone,
In winding Streams thro' flow'ry Meadows run:
There ancient venerable Woods extend,
Which from the fierce meridian Beams defend:
These in the sultry Heat of Summer made
A welcome Coolness, and refreshing Shade.
Of various Kinds the Trees: the sailing Fir;
The close-grain'd Cornel, tough, and fit for War:
Jove's fav'rite Oak; the fun'ral Cypress' Height:
The honey'd Ilex wherein Bees delight:
And prescient Lawrel, lovely to the Sight:
With dancing Leaves the bushy Box appears:
Its creeping Trails the winding Ivy rears:
And round the friendly Elm the purple Vine adheres.—
A pleasing Creek Thessalia's Coast can show,
Two Arms project, and shape it like a Bow:
'Twould make a Bay, but the transparent Tide
Does scarce the yellow-gravell'd Bottom hide:
For the quick Eye may thro' the liquid Wave
A firm unweedy level Beach perceive.
A Grove of fragrant Myrtle near it grows,
Whose Boughs, tho' thick, a beauteous Grot disclose:
The well-wrought Fabrick, to discerning Eyes,
Rather by Art than Nature seems to rise.—
Two Arms project, and shape it like a Bow:
'Twould make a Bay, but the transparent Tide
Does scarce the yellow-gravell'd Bottom hide:
For the quick Eye may thro' the liquid Wave
A firm unweedy level Beach perceive.
A Grove of fragrant Myrtle near it grows,
Whose Boughs, tho' thick, a beauteous Grot disclose:
The well-wrought Fabrick, to discerning Eyes,
Rather by Art than Nature seems to rise.—
235
A Plain diffus'd it's bow'ring Verdure wide,
With trembling Pines, which to the Zephyrs sigh'd:
Lawrels with Berries crown'd, the Boughs inwove,
And the soft Cypress ever whisp'ring Love.
Midst these a Brook in winding Murmurs stray'd,
Chiding the Pebbles over which it play'd.
'Twas Love's Elysium.—
With trembling Pines, which to the Zephyrs sigh'd:
Lawrels with Berries crown'd, the Boughs inwove,
And the soft Cypress ever whisp'ring Love.
Midst these a Brook in winding Murmurs stray'd,
Chiding the Pebbles over which it play'd.
'Twas Love's Elysium.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |