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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Sacrifice to the Infernal Powers. |
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Sacrifice to the Infernal Powers.
Four Bullocks first, with Hides of sable Hue,The Priestess here before the Altars plac'd:
And full upon their Foreheads downwards pour'd
The Wine: Then plucking from between their Horns
Their foremost Hairs, into the holy Fire
The first Oblation flings: invoking loud
Great Hecatè, potent in Hell, and Heav'n.
Some, sticking Knives beneath, in Bowls receive
The tepid Blood: Æneas with his Sword
Himself dispatches to th' infernal Pow'rs,
The Mother of the Furies, and to Earth
Her Sister Deity, a black Ewe Lamb,
And, Proserpine, a barren Cow to Thee.
Then, to the Stygian Monarch he begins
The nightly Sacrifice: the solid Flesh
Of Bulls upon the flaming Altar lays,
And o'er their burning Entrails pours the Oil.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |