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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Policy of State. |
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Policy of State.
To strictest
Justice many Ills belong,
And Honesty is often in the Wrong:
Chiefly when stubborn Rules her Zealots push,
To favour those whom Fortune means to crush.
But thou, Oh royal Ptolemy! be wise:
Change with the Gods, and fly whom Fortune flies.
And Honesty is often in the Wrong:
Chiefly when stubborn Rules her Zealots push,
To favour those whom Fortune means to crush.
But thou, Oh royal Ptolemy! be wise:
Change with the Gods, and fly whom Fortune flies.
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Not Earth from yon high Heav'n which we admire,
Not from the watry Element the Fire,
Are sever'd by Distinctions half so wide,
As Int'rest and Integrity divide.
The mighty Pow'r of Kings no more prevails,
When Justice comes with her deciding Scales:
Freedom for all Things, and a lawless Sword,
Alone support an arbitrary Lord.
He that is cruel, must be bold in Ills,
And find his Safety from the Blood he spills.
For Piety, and Virtue's starving Rules,
To mean Retirements let 'em lead their Fools:
There may they still ingloriously be good:
None can be safe in Courts, who blush at Blood.
The Prudent on the Prosp'rous still depends,
And, none but Fools, chuse Wretches for their Friends.—
Not from the watry Element the Fire,
Are sever'd by Distinctions half so wide,
As Int'rest and Integrity divide.
The mighty Pow'r of Kings no more prevails,
When Justice comes with her deciding Scales:
Freedom for all Things, and a lawless Sword,
Alone support an arbitrary Lord.
He that is cruel, must be bold in Ills,
And find his Safety from the Blood he spills.
For Piety, and Virtue's starving Rules,
To mean Retirements let 'em lead their Fools:
There may they still ingloriously be good:
None can be safe in Courts, who blush at Blood.
The Prudent on the Prosp'rous still depends,
And, none but Fools, chuse Wretches for their Friends.—
And vers'd in wicked Policies of State.
Old Kings long harden'd in the regal Trade,
By Int'rest and by Craft alone are sway'd:
But new Ones make some Conscience of their Trust,
And to their People are benign and just.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |