 | Miscellanies in Verse and Prose |  |
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BOOK II.
Argument.
Rufinus, alarm'd at Stilicho's Approach, procures the Barbarian Nations to invade the Roman Provinces, and besiege Constantinople itself. Stilicho hastens to its Relief, but just as he was going to give the Barbarians Battle, Rufinus prevails upon the Emperor to dispatch an Order to him not to engage, and to send back his Troops. Stilicho, tho' with Reluctance, obeys; but the Soldiers, knowing who had procur'd the Order, resolve to revenge it on Rufinus, and advance in a Body to the Imperial City. The Emperor with Rufinus coming out, according to the Roman Custom, to salute the Legions, they contrive to enclose them, and, while Rufinus suspected not their Design, fall on him at once, and cut him to pieces. The Insults offer'd to his Body, and Æacus's Sentence upon his Ghost at his Entrance into the Infernal Regions.
The
Alps reduc'd, and all th'Hesperian Reign
Sav'd and defended from th' Usurper's Chain,
Heav'n to due Height the Victor did prefer,
More gaily shining with this added Star;
When, Stilicho, to Thee the Roman Pow'r
Commits her Fate in this important Hour;
And both th'Imperial Brothers to thy Hand
Intrust their Legions, with Supreme Command.
Rufinus then, whose Crimes can brook no Stay,
And whose polluted Jaws still thirst for Prey,
Projects new Wars, and Scenes of endless Woes,
With wonted Rage, to vex the World's Repose.
Thus with himself; O! how shall I suspend
Th'approaching Ruin, or my Life defend?
What Arts employ to stem the rising Tide,
Which rolls resistless on from ev'ry Side?
Here fierce Revenge, and cruel Hate abound;
There furious Hosts encompass me around.
What shall I now attempt? Nor Arms remain,
Nor any Hope the Prince's Grace to gain.
Th'impending Danger strikes my Soul with Dread,
And sharpen'd Swords are brandish'd at my Head.
What then is left? but Mischief to create,
And plunge the guiltless People in my Fate?
Pleas'd then I am, with the whole World to fall,
In common Ruin thus involving all:
Nor otherwise will I conclude the Strife,
Nor quit my Pow'r, before I quit my Life.
Sav'd and defended from th' Usurper's Chain,
Heav'n to due Height the Victor did prefer,
More gaily shining with this added Star;
When, Stilicho, to Thee the Roman Pow'r
Commits her Fate in this important Hour;
And both th'Imperial Brothers to thy Hand
Intrust their Legions, with Supreme Command.
Rufinus then, whose Crimes can brook no Stay,
And whose polluted Jaws still thirst for Prey,
177
With wonted Rage, to vex the World's Repose.
Thus with himself; O! how shall I suspend
Th'approaching Ruin, or my Life defend?
What Arts employ to stem the rising Tide,
Which rolls resistless on from ev'ry Side?
Here fierce Revenge, and cruel Hate abound;
There furious Hosts encompass me around.
What shall I now attempt? Nor Arms remain,
Nor any Hope the Prince's Grace to gain.
Th'impending Danger strikes my Soul with Dread,
And sharpen'd Swords are brandish'd at my Head.
What then is left? but Mischief to create,
And plunge the guiltless People in my Fate?
Pleas'd then I am, with the whole World to fall,
In common Ruin thus involving all:
Nor otherwise will I conclude the Strife,
Nor quit my Pow'r, before I quit my Life.
He said; and pours unnumber'd Martial Swarms,
As Æolus lets loose th'imprison'd Storms;
He gives the Reins to War; his barb'rous Art
Marks out the Path to Blood thro' ev'ry Part.
Some o'er the frozen Danube speed their Way;
And Chariots roll, where Oars were wont to play:
And from the Caspian Streights Some seek the Prey;
Thro' cold Armenia's trackless Snows they wade,
And all at once the wealthy East invade.
The Cappadocian Fields now smoke around,
And high Argæus, for swift Steeds renown'd.
The gushing Gore do's Halys' Waters stain;
Nor craggy Taurus can their March restrain.
The lovely Meadows of the Syrian Soil
Are ravag'd, and become th'Invader's Spoil;
And soft Orontes, (where, in spritely Dance,
To the loud Pipe the shouting Quires advance,
And the pleas'd People mix in merry Play,)
Now hears the Trumpets sound, and Coursers neigh.
As Æolus lets loose th'imprison'd Storms;
He gives the Reins to War; his barb'rous Art
Marks out the Path to Blood thro' ev'ry Part.
Some o'er the frozen Danube speed their Way;
And Chariots roll, where Oars were wont to play:
And from the Caspian Streights Some seek the Prey;
Thro' cold Armenia's trackless Snows they wade,
And all at once the wealthy East invade.
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And high Argæus, for swift Steeds renown'd.
The gushing Gore do's Halys' Waters stain;
Nor craggy Taurus can their March restrain.
The lovely Meadows of the Syrian Soil
Are ravag'd, and become th'Invader's Spoil;
And soft Orontes, (where, in spritely Dance,
To the loud Pipe the shouting Quires advance,
And the pleas'd People mix in merry Play,)
Now hears the Trumpets sound, and Coursers neigh.
Hence Asia sighs; and Europe, in Distress,
Far as Dalmatia the proud Getes oppress;
From all the Fields between the Pontic Main
And Adriatic, flies th'affrighted Swain,
And leaves disherited the wasted Plain;
Like Libya's panting Coast, a desart Land,
Parch'd with the Sun, nor till'd by human Hand.
The rolling Ruin o'er Thessalia spreads;
No rural Pipes chear Pelion's silent Meads;
Th'Emathian Harvest the fierce Flame devours,
The Mysian Pastures, and the Thracian Tow'rs.
The Mischief now above Lamenting grows,
'Tis a wide Course of Universal Woes;
The Desolation reaches ev'ry Coast,
And Sense of Ill in frequent Ill is lost.
Far as Dalmatia the proud Getes oppress;
From all the Fields between the Pontic Main
And Adriatic, flies th'affrighted Swain,
And leaves disherited the wasted Plain;
Like Libya's panting Coast, a desart Land,
Parch'd with the Sun, nor till'd by human Hand.
The rolling Ruin o'er Thessalia spreads;
No rural Pipes chear Pelion's silent Meads;
Th'Emathian Harvest the fierce Flame devours,
The Mysian Pastures, and the Thracian Tow'rs.
The Mischief now above Lamenting grows,
'Tis a wide Course of Universal Woes;
The Desolation reaches ev'ry Coast,
And Sense of Ill in frequent Ill is lost.
Alas! how perishing is Human Joy!
What trifling Causes noblest Things destroy!
An Empire, by such Seas of Blood obtain'd,
So dearly kept, so honourably gain'd;
The Labour of a thousand Chiefs to raise,
And all the Roman Arms in happy Days;
One subtle Traytor levels with the Ground,
And in a Moment basely do's confound!
What trifling Causes noblest Things destroy!
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So dearly kept, so honourably gain'd;
The Labour of a thousand Chiefs to raise,
And all the Roman Arms in happy Days;
One subtle Traytor levels with the Ground,
And in a Moment basely do's confound!
The City which o'erlooks the Thracian Shore,
And proudly rivals Rome's Imperial Pow'r,
No longer is alarm'd with Arms from far,
But sees at home the dire approaching War;
Astonish'd hears the rattling Trumpets sound,
While the strong Jav'lins on the Walls rebound.
These mount the Works, and those with watchful Care,
To guard the Port, a Line of Ships prepare.
And proudly rivals Rome's Imperial Pow'r,
No longer is alarm'd with Arms from far,
But sees at home the dire approaching War;
Astonish'd hears the rattling Trumpets sound,
While the strong Jav'lins on the Walls rebound.
These mount the Works, and those with watchful Care,
To guard the Port, a Line of Ships prepare.
The welcome Siege do's impiously impart
A brutal Pleasure to Rufinus' Heart;
From his high Tow'r insulting he beheld
The dreadful Carnage of the neighb'ring Field.
Here captive Matrons walk, in Shackles bound;
There one, half-dead, sinks in the Waters drown'd.
This ev'n in Flight is reach'd by swifter Death,
And, in the Gate, That gasps away his Breath.
His hoary Hairs avail the Sire no more;
Mothers are bath'd in their own Childrens Gore.
Rufinus smiles; one only Grief he knows,
That his own Hand can deal no deadly Blows,
He sees devouring Flames roll fiercely on,
And partial spare his favour'd Seats alone;
And, vaunting in his Crime, is proud to show
Which Side he favours, and avows the Foe;
He only is indulg'd, (he boasts,) the Grace
Their Camp to visit free, from Place to Place;
To meet, and to conclude the glorious Peace!
A brutal Pleasure to Rufinus' Heart;
From his high Tow'r insulting he beheld
The dreadful Carnage of the neighb'ring Field.
Here captive Matrons walk, in Shackles bound;
There one, half-dead, sinks in the Waters drown'd.
This ev'n in Flight is reach'd by swifter Death,
And, in the Gate, That gasps away his Breath.
His hoary Hairs avail the Sire no more;
Mothers are bath'd in their own Childrens Gore.
Rufinus smiles; one only Grief he knows,
That his own Hand can deal no deadly Blows,
He sees devouring Flames roll fiercely on,
And partial spare his favour'd Seats alone;
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Which Side he favours, and avows the Foe;
He only is indulg'd, (he boasts,) the Grace
Their Camp to visit free, from Place to Place;
To meet, and to conclude the glorious Peace!
Oft to the hostile Congress as he bends,
A Band of Clients on his Steps attends;
And, mingling with Barbarians, not to want
Barbarian Marks entire in ev'ry Point,
Their hideous Habit he affects, and wears
The Hides of Lions, and the Spoils of Bears,
Thick Bridles, monstrous Quivers, rattling Bows;
And by his Dress his Inclination shows.
He who th'Ausonian Chair and Rights possest,
Blush'd not t'assume, with Insolence profest,
The Getes rude Customs, and their savage Vest:
While, by their shagged Master trampled down,
The vanquish'd Laws resign the Latian Gown.
A Band of Clients on his Steps attends;
And, mingling with Barbarians, not to want
Barbarian Marks entire in ev'ry Point,
Their hideous Habit he affects, and wears
The Hides of Lions, and the Spoils of Bears,
Thick Bridles, monstrous Quivers, rattling Bows;
And by his Dress his Inclination shows.
He who th'Ausonian Chair and Rights possest,
Blush'd not t'assume, with Insolence profest,
The Getes rude Customs, and their savage Vest:
While, by their shagged Master trampled down,
The vanquish'd Laws resign the Latian Gown.
What were the People's Looks? and what were then
The stolen Murmurs of unhappy Men?
For none in Public dar'd to vent his Grief,
Or by Complaining gain a short Relief.
This Yoke accurs'd how long shall we sustain?
Or when an End to such Oppressions gain?
From these wild Whirlwinds and perpetual Tears,
Who shall release us, and remove our Fears?
Rufinus there devours the ready Prey,
And here Barbarian Troops obstruct our Way,
Depriv'd of Succour both by Land and Sea.
Around the Fields the roaming Ruin flies,
But greater Horrour do's the Towns surprize.
Awake at length, and stretch thy pious Hand,
O Stilicho, to save thy sinking Land.
Here are thy Children, thy ennobled House,
Here first thy Arms receiv'd the plighted Spouse;
Here happy Signs presag'd thy Genial Bed,
And the pleas'd Court the nuptial Torch display'd.
Auspicious Leader, do not make Delay,
Wait not for Troops, but come thyself away:
Strait at thy Presence the fierce War shall cease,
And the fell Monster's Rage subside to Peace.
The stolen Murmurs of unhappy Men?
For none in Public dar'd to vent his Grief,
Or by Complaining gain a short Relief.
This Yoke accurs'd how long shall we sustain?
Or when an End to such Oppressions gain?
From these wild Whirlwinds and perpetual Tears,
Who shall release us, and remove our Fears?
Rufinus there devours the ready Prey,
And here Barbarian Troops obstruct our Way,
Depriv'd of Succour both by Land and Sea.
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But greater Horrour do's the Towns surprize.
Awake at length, and stretch thy pious Hand,
O Stilicho, to save thy sinking Land.
Here are thy Children, thy ennobled House,
Here first thy Arms receiv'd the plighted Spouse;
Here happy Signs presag'd thy Genial Bed,
And the pleas'd Court the nuptial Torch display'd.
Auspicious Leader, do not make Delay,
Wait not for Troops, but come thyself away:
Strait at thy Presence the fierce War shall cease,
And the fell Monster's Rage subside to Peace.
Such were the Sorrows of the suff'ring East;
When soon as Spring the Winter's Rage represt,
And from the Hills the Snows dissolving run,
His March the Heroe readily begun;
And leaving Italy in Peace behind,
Advanc'd intrepid to the Parts assign'd.
Rang'd each apart, distinctly he commands
The Gallic Troops and Oriental Bands.
Such various Tongues, an Host so widely spread,
Ne'er march'd before beneath one common Head.
Here loosely girt, th'Armenian Wings appear,
Clad in green Garments and with curling Hair;
There the fierce Gauls with yellow Locks proceed,
Whom the swift Rhone, or slower Arar breed,
Or whom, new-born, the Rhine's deep Current try'd,
Or whom Garumna washes with his Tide,
When swell'd with Torrents from the troubled Main,
The refluent River floats the cover'd Plain.
One Soul inspires them all; they lay aside
The vengeful Thoughts, that did their Hearts divide.
With Rage of Civil Wars tho' late they glow'd,
And Martial Heat fermented in their Blood,
The Victors and the Vanquish'd friendly join,
Nor proudly those insult, nor these repine;
But all beneath th'illustrious Chief unite,
In Council cool, as ardent in the Fight.
Such was the Host, that follow'd from afar,
From ev'ry Region, Xerxes to the War;
Which, as 'tis said, did drink whole Rivers dry,
And shaded with their Darts th'unclouded Sky;
When thro' pierc'd Rocks his Fleet he did convey,
And laid a Bridge a-cross th'insulted Sea.
When soon as Spring the Winter's Rage represt,
And from the Hills the Snows dissolving run,
His March the Heroe readily begun;
And leaving Italy in Peace behind,
Advanc'd intrepid to the Parts assign'd.
Rang'd each apart, distinctly he commands
The Gallic Troops and Oriental Bands.
Such various Tongues, an Host so widely spread,
Ne'er march'd before beneath one common Head.
Here loosely girt, th'Armenian Wings appear,
Clad in green Garments and with curling Hair;
There the fierce Gauls with yellow Locks proceed,
Whom the swift Rhone, or slower Arar breed,
Or whom, new-born, the Rhine's deep Current try'd,
Or whom Garumna washes with his Tide,
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The refluent River floats the cover'd Plain.
One Soul inspires them all; they lay aside
The vengeful Thoughts, that did their Hearts divide.
With Rage of Civil Wars tho' late they glow'd,
And Martial Heat fermented in their Blood,
The Victors and the Vanquish'd friendly join,
Nor proudly those insult, nor these repine;
But all beneath th'illustrious Chief unite,
In Council cool, as ardent in the Fight.
Such was the Host, that follow'd from afar,
From ev'ry Region, Xerxes to the War;
Which, as 'tis said, did drink whole Rivers dry,
And shaded with their Darts th'unclouded Sky;
When thro' pierc'd Rocks his Fleet he did convey,
And laid a Bridge a-cross th'insulted Sea.
Scarce had he pass'd the craggy Alps, before
The fierce Barbarians trembled at his Pow'r;
They roam no more; their Strength compacted held,
And drew a Line of Works along the Field.
A double Trench is form'd; a lofty Mound
With sharpen'd Piles secures th'included Ground,
And, like a sudden Wall, the heavy Train
Of Carriages are planted on the Plain.
The fierce Barbarians trembled at his Pow'r;
They roam no more; their Strength compacted held,
And drew a Line of Works along the Field.
A double Trench is form'd; a lofty Mound
With sharpen'd Piles secures th'included Ground,
And, like a sudden Wall, the heavy Train
Of Carriages are planted on the Plain.
Now Pangs of Fear Rufinus' Heart assail,
His Looks are anxious, and his Face is pale;
Alternate Doubts his tortur'd Thoughts distress,
Whether to fly, or supplicate for Peace,
Or with a bold Revolt, himself to throw
On the sure Friendship of the trusty Foe.
His Looks are anxious, and his Face is pale;
Alternate Doubts his tortur'd Thoughts distress,
Whether to fly, or supplicate for Peace,
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On the sure Friendship of the trusty Foe.
What now avail his Heaps of plunder'd Ore?
His ravish'd Riches, and unnumber'd Store!
His Palaces with polish'd Marble bright,
And Domes contending with the Heav'ns in Height?
He marks th'Avenger's March, and counts the Days,
His Life computing by the Length of Ways;
Grieves to behold an End approach of Woes,
And, by his Heart condemn'd, feels no Repose;
Starts from his Bed, and, with wild Horrors rent,
Is punish'd by the Dread of Punishment.
But soon his Rage returns, and he resumes
The Zeal of Mischief, that himself becomes;
Then to Arcadius' Presence boldly ran,
And with a mingled Terror thus began.
His ravish'd Riches, and unnumber'd Store!
His Palaces with polish'd Marble bright,
And Domes contending with the Heav'ns in Height?
He marks th'Avenger's March, and counts the Days,
His Life computing by the Length of Ways;
Grieves to behold an End approach of Woes,
And, by his Heart condemn'd, feels no Repose;
Starts from his Bed, and, with wild Horrors rent,
Is punish'd by the Dread of Punishment.
But soon his Rage returns, and he resumes
The Zeal of Mischief, that himself becomes;
Then to Arcadius' Presence boldly ran,
And with a mingled Terror thus began.
By thy Imperial
Brother's Star, the Fame
Of thy great Father's consecrated Name;
By thy own Bloom of youthful Years, I pray,
Turn from my Head the lifted Sword away;
From Stilicho's injurious Threats defend;
See how the Gauls to my Destruction bend,
And those whose Regions lye, if such there be,
Beyond Britannia and the farthest Sea.
What listed Legions to the Field are led?
What Hosts are arm'd against a single Head?
Whence all this Thirst of Blood? the Cause is clear,
'Tis Stilicho's Ambition kindles War:
He scorns an Equal, and, with lawless Soul,
Himself wou'd rule alone from Pole to Pole.
Libya and Italy his proud Command
Confess, with Spain and all the Gallic Land.
Not the Sun's Round, nor Nature's largest Line
So vast a Lust of Empire can confine.
Whatever Wealth thy happy Sire obtain'd
In Peace, or in successful Battles gain'd,
His is the Whole; nor will his craving Breast
Resign the Riches he has once possest.
But let him live in Peace, and govern all,
And let Rufinus, for his Honour, fall;
Yet why shou'd He, with lawless Arms, prepare
From Thee to ravish thy Imperial Share?
Let him resign Illyria, and the Band
Of Eastern Troops, dividing the Command
Of either Army with an equal Hand.
Crush his big Pride, and vindicate thy Due,
And heir thy Father's Throne and Legions too.
But if thou meanly dar'st to hesitate,
And dost not instantly sorbid my Fate,
By Hell and Heav'n I swear, this Head alone
Shall not be lost; the Danger is thy own;
More Blood shall mix with mine, nor will I go
An unattended Ghost to Shades below,
Nor shall the Victor safely strike the Blow.
Of thy great Father's consecrated Name;
By thy own Bloom of youthful Years, I pray,
Turn from my Head the lifted Sword away;
From Stilicho's injurious Threats defend;
See how the Gauls to my Destruction bend,
And those whose Regions lye, if such there be,
Beyond Britannia and the farthest Sea.
What listed Legions to the Field are led?
What Hosts are arm'd against a single Head?
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'Tis Stilicho's Ambition kindles War:
He scorns an Equal, and, with lawless Soul,
Himself wou'd rule alone from Pole to Pole.
Libya and Italy his proud Command
Confess, with Spain and all the Gallic Land.
Not the Sun's Round, nor Nature's largest Line
So vast a Lust of Empire can confine.
Whatever Wealth thy happy Sire obtain'd
In Peace, or in successful Battles gain'd,
His is the Whole; nor will his craving Breast
Resign the Riches he has once possest.
But let him live in Peace, and govern all,
And let Rufinus, for his Honour, fall;
Yet why shou'd He, with lawless Arms, prepare
From Thee to ravish thy Imperial Share?
Let him resign Illyria, and the Band
Of Eastern Troops, dividing the Command
Of either Army with an equal Hand.
Crush his big Pride, and vindicate thy Due,
And heir thy Father's Throne and Legions too.
But if thou meanly dar'st to hesitate,
And dost not instantly sorbid my Fate,
By Hell and Heav'n I swear, this Head alone
Shall not be lost; the Danger is thy own;
More Blood shall mix with mine, nor will I go
An unattended Ghost to Shades below,
Nor shall the Victor safely strike the Blow.
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He said; th'inglorious Prince a Mandate sign'd,
With mean Submission, to Rufinus' Mind,
And sent a Herald suddenly to bear
Th'extorted Order, and forbid the War.
With mean Submission, to Rufinus' Mind,
And sent a Herald suddenly to bear
Th'extorted Order, and forbid the War.
Mean time the Prospect of the neighb'ring Foe
Provokes a Hero's Joy in Stilicho;
Their Lines and Ramparts only now between,
With a loud Voice he fires his eager Men.
In the left Wing th'Armenians march, the right
The Gauls compose, and wish th'expected Fight.
There might you see the foamy Coursers bound,
And Clouds of Dust ascend, and roll around,
And purple Snakes in streaming Ensigns fly,
With angry Hissings thro' the glowing Sky.
Provokes a Hero's Joy in Stilicho;
Their Lines and Ramparts only now between,
With a loud Voice he fires his eager Men.
In the left Wing th'Armenians march, the right
The Gauls compose, and wish th'expected Fight.
There might you see the foamy Coursers bound,
And Clouds of Dust ascend, and roll around,
And purple Snakes in streaming Ensigns fly,
With angry Hissings thro' the glowing Sky.
The Fields of Thessaly, the Centaur's Cave,
The River which did young Achilles lave,
And OEta's gloomy Grove, the horrid Blaze
Of Arms enlighten with their flashing Rays;
Cold Ossa thunders with the Martial Sound,
And high Olympus shakes with Shouts around.
Th'impatient Legions, prodigal of Light,
Glow with fresh Ardour of th'approaching Fight.
The Rocks and Rivers scarcely can restrain
Th'impetuous Troops from rushing on amain.
And had the Foe adventur'd then t'engage
In open Field, and dar'd to meet their Rage,
Greece had not such repeated Slaughters view'd,
Nor Pelops' Cities been in Blood embru'd,
But still th'Arcadian Tow'rs, and Sparta still had stood.
Nor had the Seas blaz'd with Corinthian Flames,
Nor hostile Shackles drag'd Athenian Dames;
For one auspicious Day had put a Close
To Waste and War, and giv'n the World Repose.
But see how great an Enterprize was crost
By Fortune's Spite, and what a Triumph lost!
Just as th'embattled Horse had form'd their Line,
And the shrill Trumpets Clangor gave the Sign,
The Royal Order came, to countermand
The Fight, and reach'd th'advancing Leader's Hand.
Amaz'd he stood, with Rage and Grief possest,
Alternate swelling in his generous Breast;
Astonish'd to behold with what a Sway,
Rufinus bore down all Things in his Way.
He weighs on either Hand the Chances run,
Whether to press with Resolution on,
Or drop the great Design so well begun.
He burns with Zeal to curb the growing Ill,
Yet fears to disobey his Prince's Will:
His Duty awes his Valour; Public Good
On this Side urges and inflames his Blood,
And Dread of Envy now on that withstood.
Then to the Stars his lifted Hands he spread,
And from his Soul thus, ardently, he said;
The River which did young Achilles lave,
And OEta's gloomy Grove, the horrid Blaze
Of Arms enlighten with their flashing Rays;
Cold Ossa thunders with the Martial Sound,
And high Olympus shakes with Shouts around.
Th'impatient Legions, prodigal of Light,
Glow with fresh Ardour of th'approaching Fight.
The Rocks and Rivers scarcely can restrain
Th'impetuous Troops from rushing on amain.
And had the Foe adventur'd then t'engage
In open Field, and dar'd to meet their Rage,
Greece had not such repeated Slaughters view'd,
Nor Pelops' Cities been in Blood embru'd,
But still th'Arcadian Tow'rs, and Sparta still had stood.
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Nor hostile Shackles drag'd Athenian Dames;
For one auspicious Day had put a Close
To Waste and War, and giv'n the World Repose.
But see how great an Enterprize was crost
By Fortune's Spite, and what a Triumph lost!
Just as th'embattled Horse had form'd their Line,
And the shrill Trumpets Clangor gave the Sign,
The Royal Order came, to countermand
The Fight, and reach'd th'advancing Leader's Hand.
Amaz'd he stood, with Rage and Grief possest,
Alternate swelling in his generous Breast;
Astonish'd to behold with what a Sway,
Rufinus bore down all Things in his Way.
He weighs on either Hand the Chances run,
Whether to press with Resolution on,
Or drop the great Design so well begun.
He burns with Zeal to curb the growing Ill,
Yet fears to disobey his Prince's Will:
His Duty awes his Valour; Public Good
On this Side urges and inflames his Blood,
And Dread of Envy now on that withstood.
Then to the Stars his lifted Hands he spread,
And from his Soul thus, ardently, he said;
Ye Gods! not yet with Roman Woes-appeas'd,
If to subvert our Empire you are pleas'd,
If by One Blow whole Ages are design'd
To sink, and you abandon Human-Kind,
Let o'er the Globe the rushing Main be hurl'd,
Or wand'ring Phaeton confound the World:
Why is Rufinus made your Instrument?
So base an Author will disgrace th'Event.
Just in the Start of Battle we're compell'd
To sheath the shining Sword, and leave the Field.
Ye Walls and Cities to the Flames consign'd,
You I attest, with what reluctant Mind,
I now submit, and to the destin'd Fate,
O Grief! O Shame! permit the Roman State.
Recall your Ensigns, Soldiers, from the War,
Turn back, and to your sev'ral Climes repair;
We must obey; let not the Trumpet blow;
Dismount the ready Arrow from the Bow;
And, so Rufinus bids, release the Foe.
If to subvert our Empire you are pleas'd,
If by One Blow whole Ages are design'd
To sink, and you abandon Human-Kind,
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Or wand'ring Phaeton confound the World:
Why is Rufinus made your Instrument?
So base an Author will disgrace th'Event.
Just in the Start of Battle we're compell'd
To sheath the shining Sword, and leave the Field.
Ye Walls and Cities to the Flames consign'd,
You I attest, with what reluctant Mind,
I now submit, and to the destin'd Fate,
O Grief! O Shame! permit the Roman State.
Recall your Ensigns, Soldiers, from the War,
Turn back, and to your sev'ral Climes repair;
We must obey; let not the Trumpet blow;
Dismount the ready Arrow from the Bow;
And, so Rufinus bids, release the Foe.
He said; a Clamour instantly began
With surly Sound, and thro' the Squadrons ran;
Louder than Billows on the Rocky Shore,
Or Thunders bursting with resistless Roar.
The Troops of East and West, with gen'rous Pride,
Demand the Fight, refusing to divide;
Their Leader's Truth unblemish'd they defend;
Each claim'd him theirs, and zealously contend;
A warm, but glorious Mutiny arose,
And in these Words their common Passion flows.
With surly Sound, and thro' the Squadrons ran;
Louder than Billows on the Rocky Shore,
Or Thunders bursting with resistless Roar.
The Troops of East and West, with gen'rous Pride,
Demand the Fight, refusing to divide;
Their Leader's Truth unblemish'd they defend;
Each claim'd him theirs, and zealously contend;
A warm, but glorious Mutiny arose,
And in these Words their common Passion flows.
Who strikes the Sword, just lifted, from our Hands?
And who to slack the bended Bow commands?
Who basely dares the brandish'd Spear controul?
Valour, once heated, knows not how to cool.
The Weapons urge th'avenging Arm amain,
Nor can the Scabbard the dry Blade retain.
Still shall the Getes by our Dissensions thrive?
See a new Face of Civil War revive.
Why, gen'rous Chieftain, why dost thou divide
United Eagles, Troops in Blood ally'd?
One Body firm are We, and Thou our Head,
Prepar'd to march where-ever thou shalt lead.
Thee will we follow ev'n to Thule's Coast,
Condemn'd to Night and Hyperborean Frost:
Thee we'll attend to Libya's sultry Sands,
To India's Ocean, and the farthest Lands.
With Thee we'll drink Hydaspes' golden Stream,
Bear ev'ry Toil, and suffer each Extream.
If thou command'st, the Southern Climes to try;
The glowing Southern Climates we'll defy;
Or Infant Nilus' secret Source to find,
We'll traverse Nile, and leave the World behind.
Where-ever Stilicho his Tent shall rear,
That is our Country, and our Home is there.
And who to slack the bended Bow commands?
188
Valour, once heated, knows not how to cool.
The Weapons urge th'avenging Arm amain,
Nor can the Scabbard the dry Blade retain.
Still shall the Getes by our Dissensions thrive?
See a new Face of Civil War revive.
Why, gen'rous Chieftain, why dost thou divide
United Eagles, Troops in Blood ally'd?
One Body firm are We, and Thou our Head,
Prepar'd to march where-ever thou shalt lead.
Thee will we follow ev'n to Thule's Coast,
Condemn'd to Night and Hyperborean Frost:
Thee we'll attend to Libya's sultry Sands,
To India's Ocean, and the farthest Lands.
With Thee we'll drink Hydaspes' golden Stream,
Bear ev'ry Toil, and suffer each Extream.
If thou command'st, the Southern Climes to try;
The glowing Southern Climates we'll defy;
Or Infant Nilus' secret Source to find,
We'll traverse Nile, and leave the World behind.
Where-ever Stilicho his Tent shall rear,
That is our Country, and our Home is there.
But the wise Chief restrain'd their eager Zeal;
Desist, he said; your Martial Ardour quell;
Let this dark Storm of threatning Envy fall
Without Effect, and not o'erwhelm us all.
Not Conquest's self will for the Shame atone,
To seem to conquer for myself alone.
Retire, ye trusty Bands, your Rage forbear;
Farewell, my Friends, Companions of the War!
Desist, he said; your Martial Ardour quell;
Let this dark Storm of threatning Envy fall
Without Effect, and not o'erwhelm us all.
189
To seem to conquer for myself alone.
Retire, ye trusty Bands, your Rage forbear;
Farewell, my Friends, Companions of the War!
Nor more he said, but quick, without Delay,
Turn'd back, and march'd reluctantly away.
Thus the stern Lyon, with an empty Maw,
(Of Prey defeated,) and a bloodless Paw,
Retreats impatient, when with Darts and Fire
The Shepherds make the Royal Beast retire:
He hangs his Main, and o'er his Eye-balls hid,
Turn'd to the Ground, draws down the low'ring Lid;
And, inward roaring with a sullen Sound,
To find a Pass explores the Forest round.
Turn'd back, and march'd reluctantly away.
Thus the stern Lyon, with an empty Maw,
(Of Prey defeated,) and a bloodless Paw,
Retreats impatient, when with Darts and Fire
The Shepherds make the Royal Beast retire:
He hangs his Main, and o'er his Eye-balls hid,
Turn'd to the Ground, draws down the low'ring Lid;
And, inward roaring with a sullen Sound,
To find a Pass explores the Forest round.
The Legions then that saw themselves dismist,
Gave a loud Groan, with manly Grief opprest;
Their shining Helmets are bedew'd with Tears,
And ev'ry Token of Distress appears:
With the deep Sobs, that from their Bosoms break,
Their Voice is choak'd, and their strong Corslets shake.
Gave a loud Groan, with manly Grief opprest;
Their shining Helmets are bedew'd with Tears,
And ev'ry Token of Distress appears:
With the deep Sobs, that from their Bosoms break,
Their Voice is choak'd, and their strong Corslets shake.
Then we're betray'd, they cry, and must no more
Serve the lov'd Leader, whom we serv'd before.
And dost thou thus thy faithful Bands despise,
So often try'd, and crown'd with Victories?
Are we so vile? and has th'Hesperian Land
More happily deserv'd thy wish'd Command?
What Pleasure now to view our old Abodes,
Our dearer Children, and our Household Gods?
Without Thee, Nothing profits or delights;
For now Rufinus' Tyranny affrights.
Studious in Mischief, insolent and hard,
Some curs'd Design perhaps he has prepar'd,
To give us up, abandon'd and undone,
Slaves to th'Alani, or the hideous Hunn.
But our warm Spirits are not sunk so low,
Nor such a Penury of Arms we know;
Tho' to the West remanded, thou shalt be
Our Chief; we'll own no other Head but Thee;
Our Faith, tho' absent, still shall be the same,
Still, unrevok'd, pursue thy honour'd Name;
And soon the Victim, due to Thee, shall bleed,
And thou shalt hear, and shalt applaud the Deed.
Serve the lov'd Leader, whom we serv'd before.
And dost thou thus thy faithful Bands despise,
So often try'd, and crown'd with Victories?
Are we so vile? and has th'Hesperian Land
More happily deserv'd thy wish'd Command?
What Pleasure now to view our old Abodes,
Our dearer Children, and our Household Gods?
190
For now Rufinus' Tyranny affrights.
Studious in Mischief, insolent and hard,
Some curs'd Design perhaps he has prepar'd,
To give us up, abandon'd and undone,
Slaves to th'Alani, or the hideous Hunn.
But our warm Spirits are not sunk so low,
Nor such a Penury of Arms we know;
Tho' to the West remanded, thou shalt be
Our Chief; we'll own no other Head but Thee;
Our Faith, tho' absent, still shall be the same,
Still, unrevok'd, pursue thy honour'd Name;
And soon the Victim, due to Thee, shall bleed,
And thou shalt hear, and shalt applaud the Deed.
Now from th'Hæmonian Coast, the grieving Bands
Proceeding, reach'd the Macedonian Lands
And Thessalonian Walls, without Delay;
Deep at their Heart, their smother'd Sorrow lay,
And silent to Revenge prepar'd the watchful Way.
A Place to favour their Design, they wait,
And Time adapted to perform their Hate;
Yet in an Host, of Youths compos'd, not One
By hasty Words made the bold Project known;
And all Posterity, thro' ev'ry Age,
Shall stand amaz'd, that in the Heat of Rage,
Such Multitudes the Purpose still conceal'd,
Nor once th'important Enterprize reveal'd;
That no free Talk, nor License of the Bowl
Threw out the fervent Purpose of their Soul;
But the same Constancy thro' all prevail'd,
And a whole People the big Thought conceal'd.
Heber and Rhodopé in haste they pass,
And take their March across the Plains of Thrace;
To the fam'd Town at length the Squadrons came,
Which boasts from Hercules its honour'd Name.
Proceeding, reach'd the Macedonian Lands
And Thessalonian Walls, without Delay;
Deep at their Heart, their smother'd Sorrow lay,
And silent to Revenge prepar'd the watchful Way.
A Place to favour their Design, they wait,
And Time adapted to perform their Hate;
Yet in an Host, of Youths compos'd, not One
By hasty Words made the bold Project known;
And all Posterity, thro' ev'ry Age,
Shall stand amaz'd, that in the Heat of Rage,
Such Multitudes the Purpose still conceal'd,
Nor once th'important Enterprize reveal'd;
191
Threw out the fervent Purpose of their Soul;
But the same Constancy thro' all prevail'd,
And a whole People the big Thought conceal'd.
Heber and Rhodopé in haste they pass,
And take their March across the Plains of Thrace;
To the fam'd Town at length the Squadrons came,
Which boasts from Hercules its honour'd Name.
When Stilicho's Retreat Rufinus knew;
And that the Gothick Host now nearer drew,
In haughty Triumph he erects his Head,
Thinks all is safe, and deems the Danger fled;
Affects to grasp the Scepter in his Hand,
And proudly thus harangues his trusty Band.
And that the Gothick Host now nearer drew,
In haughty Triumph he erects his Head,
Thinks all is safe, and deems the Danger fled;
Affects to grasp the Scepter in his Hand,
And proudly thus harangues his trusty Band.
We've conquer'd; and our Enemy is gone;
And now with Ease the Kingdom is our own;
We dread no Foe; for singly whom he fear'd,
Who shall attack thus compass'd with a Guard?
Or dare to face me, thus for War supply'd,
Who naked and unarm'd their Pow'r defy'd?
Go, Stilicho, and now at Distance due,
Contrive my Exile, and my Hate pursue;
While Length of Lands and rolling Seas divide
Rufinus safely from thy baffled Pride;
For while I live, 'twill scarcely be thy Chance
O'er the rough Alps presumptuously t'advance.
Securely there at Distance wage the War,
And strain the Bow, and cast the Dart from far;
Fierce draw thy Sword, and try from Italy
To reach thy Thrusts, against these Walls and Me.
Can no Examples, plac'd before thy Eyes,
Curb thy rash Rage, and teach thee to be wise?
Did any ever urge me, but their Hate
Caus'd their own Ruin, and procur'd their Fate?
From half the World by Me thou art expell'd,
Stripp'd of thy Troops, and forc'd to quit the Field.
Now, my brave Friends, the jovial Hour ordains
To form the Feast, and pay the Soldiers Pains;
And the large Donative, with gen'rous Pride,
To the new Legions liberally divide:
To-morrow's Light shall smile upon my Vows,
While my Demands, the Prince, tho' lothe, allows,
Constrain'd t'admit me Partner in his Throne;
By which at once successfully I shun
The Guilt of Usurpation, and the Shame
Of a mean Station and a private Name.
And now with Ease the Kingdom is our own;
We dread no Foe; for singly whom he fear'd,
Who shall attack thus compass'd with a Guard?
Or dare to face me, thus for War supply'd,
Who naked and unarm'd their Pow'r defy'd?
Go, Stilicho, and now at Distance due,
Contrive my Exile, and my Hate pursue;
While Length of Lands and rolling Seas divide
Rufinus safely from thy baffled Pride;
For while I live, 'twill scarcely be thy Chance
O'er the rough Alps presumptuously t'advance.
Securely there at Distance wage the War,
And strain the Bow, and cast the Dart from far;
192
To reach thy Thrusts, against these Walls and Me.
Can no Examples, plac'd before thy Eyes,
Curb thy rash Rage, and teach thee to be wise?
Did any ever urge me, but their Hate
Caus'd their own Ruin, and procur'd their Fate?
From half the World by Me thou art expell'd,
Stripp'd of thy Troops, and forc'd to quit the Field.
Now, my brave Friends, the jovial Hour ordains
To form the Feast, and pay the Soldiers Pains;
And the large Donative, with gen'rous Pride,
To the new Legions liberally divide:
To-morrow's Light shall smile upon my Vows,
While my Demands, the Prince, tho' lothe, allows,
Constrain'd t'admit me Partner in his Throne;
By which at once successfully I shun
The Guilt of Usurpation, and the Shame
Of a mean Station and a private Name.
His wicked Crew (their Hands with Rapine stain'd,
Whose Wealth was all by publick Plunder gain'd,)
Congratulate this Speech with loud Acclaim,
And promise to support the glorious Scheme.
Their Band of Friendship is their common Guilt;
Sear'd were their Hearts, and no Compunction felt.
With brutal Mirth, the jovial Plan they form,
What Dames to ravish, and what Towns to storm;
Devoted Cities greedily survey,
And vainly portion out the promis'd Prey.
Whose Wealth was all by publick Plunder gain'd,)
Congratulate this Speech with loud Acclaim,
And promise to support the glorious Scheme.
Their Band of Friendship is their common Guilt;
Sear'd were their Hearts, and no Compunction felt.
With brutal Mirth, the jovial Plan they form,
What Dames to ravish, and what Towns to storm;
Devoted Cities greedily survey,
And vainly portion out the promis'd Prey.
193
Now Night began upon her sable Breast
To lull the Labours of the World to Rest;
When fierce Rufinus, whose uneasy Mind
Was toss'd with Cares, at length to Sleep resign'd;
Scarcely he slumbers, when, with dire Affright,
The Ghosts of those he murder'd, haunt his Sight;
And one, distinct to View above the rest,
Thus seem'd to speak, and hastily addrest.
To lull the Labours of the World to Rest;
When fierce Rufinus, whose uneasy Mind
Was toss'd with Cares, at length to Sleep resign'd;
Scarcely he slumbers, when, with dire Affright,
The Ghosts of those he murder'd, haunt his Sight;
And one, distinct to View above the rest,
Thus seem'd to speak, and hastily addrest.
Come, quit thy Bed, nor vex thy anxious Heart
All Means to weigh, and new Designs to start;
The Day, now breaking, shall thy Labours close,
And give to Thee thy long-desir'd Repose:
Rais'd high above the Croud thou shalt return,
And on their Hands triumphantly be borne.
This, in fallacious Terms, the Spectre said;
Nor did he find, by the false Omen led,
The dubious Speech presag'd his sever'd Head.
All Means to weigh, and new Designs to start;
The Day, now breaking, shall thy Labours close,
And give to Thee thy long-desir'd Repose:
Rais'd high above the Croud thou shalt return,
And on their Hands triumphantly be borne.
This, in fallacious Terms, the Spectre said;
Nor did he find, by the false Omen led,
The dubious Speech presag'd his sever'd Head.
On Hæmus' Height now sparkling Phosphor shone,
And Titan rapid roll'd his Chariot on,
To view at last a Sight desir'd of All,
The World's Redemption, and Rufinus' Fall;
He sprung from Bed, and bade them strait with Care
The spacious Palace for the Feast prepare;
And on the Gold, he promis'd to divide,
Stamps his own Image with Imperial Pride;
Goes forth t'harangue the Troops, with Pride elate,
Tow'ring above his Prince, in regal State:
Sure of the Throne, a costly Garb he wears,
And wontonly assumes luxurious Airs;
As if the Diadem and Purple Vest
Had crown'd his Head, and his vile Shoulders drest.
And Titan rapid roll'd his Chariot on,
To view at last a Sight desir'd of All,
The World's Redemption, and Rufinus' Fall;
He sprung from Bed, and bade them strait with Care
The spacious Palace for the Feast prepare;
And on the Gold, he promis'd to divide,
Stamps his own Image with Imperial Pride;
Goes forth t'harangue the Troops, with Pride elate,
Tow'ring above his Prince, in regal State:
194
And wontonly assumes luxurious Airs;
As if the Diadem and Purple Vest
Had crown'd his Head, and his vile Shoulders drest.
To the South Quarter where the City bends,
A narrow Space of Land alone extends,
Sav'd from the Sea, while the repining Main
Surrounds the rest, and threats the neighb'ring Plain.
Here, bright in Arms, th'avenging Troops unfold
Their marshall'd Numbers regular and bold;
On the left Wing the Foot are plac'd; the Horse
Possess the right, a formidable Force:
The gen'rous Steeds resist the Rider's Hand,
Press on the Bridle, and the Race demand.
Some with their nodding Crests the Sight amaze,
And shifting Colours round their Shoulders blaze;
Sheath'd all in Steel, and wrought with Art so nice,
The supple Metal to the Body plies.
The dread Appearance seem'd a moving Train
Of breathing Images and Iron Men.
The Horse were clad the same; their Fronts severe,
And ample Shoulders, Iron Armour wear:
Each kept his Rank, well-disciplin'd and true,
A beauteous Horror, and a solemn View.
As the Wind falls, the Serpents cease to fly,
And peaceful on the flagging Banners lye.
A narrow Space of Land alone extends,
Sav'd from the Sea, while the repining Main
Surrounds the rest, and threats the neighb'ring Plain.
Here, bright in Arms, th'avenging Troops unfold
Their marshall'd Numbers regular and bold;
On the left Wing the Foot are plac'd; the Horse
Possess the right, a formidable Force:
The gen'rous Steeds resist the Rider's Hand,
Press on the Bridle, and the Race demand.
Some with their nodding Crests the Sight amaze,
And shifting Colours round their Shoulders blaze;
Sheath'd all in Steel, and wrought with Art so nice,
The supple Metal to the Body plies.
The dread Appearance seem'd a moving Train
Of breathing Images and Iron Men.
The Horse were clad the same; their Fronts severe,
And ample Shoulders, Iron Armour wear:
Each kept his Rank, well-disciplin'd and true,
A beauteous Horror, and a solemn View.
As the Wind falls, the Serpents cease to fly,
And peaceful on the flagging Banners lye.
Arcadius first the honour'd Ensigns greets,
Rufinus next with Salutations meets;
Smooth to deceive, around the Ranks he moves,
Admires their Ardour, and their Zeal approves;
Each by his Name he calls, and smiles to tell,
Their Sires, and Sons, and Families are well.
With Cunning while they meet his vain Design,
And busily in feign'd Petitions joyn,
Unheeded they prepare to bend their Train,
Cast in a sudden Circle on the Plain;
The Space begins to lessen; either Wing
Wheels gently round, to form a hollow Ring;
And leisurely approaching o'er the Field,
They joyn at once, and mingle Shield to Shield.
Thus the keen Huntsman, o'er the destin'd Ground,
His Toils the spacious Forest spreads around;
And thus th'industrious Fisher, in the Sea
Drives dext'rously to Shore the finny Prey;
Contracts his Net, and artfully provides
To close the Meshes, and the gaping Sides.
Rufinus next with Salutations meets;
195
Admires their Ardour, and their Zeal approves;
Each by his Name he calls, and smiles to tell,
Their Sires, and Sons, and Families are well.
With Cunning while they meet his vain Design,
And busily in feign'd Petitions joyn,
Unheeded they prepare to bend their Train,
Cast in a sudden Circle on the Plain;
The Space begins to lessen; either Wing
Wheels gently round, to form a hollow Ring;
And leisurely approaching o'er the Field,
They joyn at once, and mingle Shield to Shield.
Thus the keen Huntsman, o'er the destin'd Ground,
His Toils the spacious Forest spreads around;
And thus th'industrious Fisher, in the Sea
Drives dext'rously to Shore the finny Prey;
Contracts his Net, and artfully provides
To close the Meshes, and the gaping Sides.
The rest shut out, the Troops alone surround
Him and Arcadius on the fatal Ground:
Yet did he not, on his own Schemes intent,
Suspect the Fraud, nor what the Legions meant.
But boldly fastning on the Prince's Vest,
Requir'd him now to finish his Request,
To mount the Throne, and in that very Hour
Proclaim him Partner of th'Imperial Pow'r.
When suddenly they draw their glitt'ring Swords,
And a big Voice roars out these thund'ring Words:
Him and Arcadius on the fatal Ground:
Yet did he not, on his own Schemes intent,
Suspect the Fraud, nor what the Legions meant.
But boldly fastning on the Prince's Vest,
Requir'd him now to finish his Request,
To mount the Throne, and in that very Hour
Proclaim him Partner of th'Imperial Pow'r.
When suddenly they draw their glitt'ring Swords,
And a big Voice roars out these thund'ring Words:
196
Traytor, cou'dst thou conceive a Hope so vain,
On Us, on Us, to fix the servile Chain!
Know'st thou not whence we come? Shall we endure
To bend so low, to recognize thy Pow'r,
To be thy menial Guard, and call Thee Lord,
Who have so often, with vindictive Sword,
Laws, and their Rights, to distant Realms restor'd?
Twice we the Rage of Civil War have quell'd,
Twice o'er the rugged Alps our March have held;
So many Fights have taught us, with Disdain,
To serve no Tyrant, and to wear no Chain!
On Us, on Us, to fix the servile Chain!
Know'st thou not whence we come? Shall we endure
To bend so low, to recognize thy Pow'r,
To be thy menial Guard, and call Thee Lord,
Who have so often, with vindictive Sword,
Laws, and their Rights, to distant Realms restor'd?
Twice we the Rage of Civil War have quell'd,
Twice o'er the rugged Alps our March have held;
So many Fights have taught us, with Disdain,
To serve no Tyrant, and to wear no Chain!
He shook all o'er, no Hope of Flight appears,
And all around him shines an Host of Spears;
He stares astonish'd, while the furious Band
With Swords encompass him on either Hand.
Thus the fierce Bear, among the Mountains caught,
His native Haunt, and to the Circus brought,
Leaps out dismay'd, while, shouting on his Ear,
The Keeper goads him forward with his Spear:
Uprear'd, he casts around his glaring Eyes,
And views the Theatre with wild Surprize,
Scar'd with the Multitude's promiscuous Cries.
And all around him shines an Host of Spears;
He stares astonish'd, while the furious Band
With Swords encompass him on either Hand.
Thus the fierce Bear, among the Mountains caught,
His native Haunt, and to the Circus brought,
Leaps out dismay'd, while, shouting on his Ear,
The Keeper goads him forward with his Spear:
Uprear'd, he casts around his glaring Eyes,
And views the Theatre with wild Surprize,
Scar'd with the Multitude's promiscuous Cries.
When one, more daring, of his own Accord,
Sprung thro' the Ranks, grasping his naked Sword;
“With this, with this Right Hand, do's Stilicho,
“Whom thou didst vaunt to vanquish, strike the Blow;
“Thus executes a just Avenger's Part,
“And, absent, pierces thus thy Traytor Heart!
Sprung thro' the Ranks, grasping his naked Sword;
“With this, with this Right Hand, do's Stilicho,
“Whom thou didst vaunt to vanquish, strike the Blow;
197
“And, absent, pierces thus thy Traytor Heart!
He said, and plung'd the Weapon in his Side.
Auspicious Hand! first in this Crimson dy'd.
That thus began the welcome Vengeance, due
To the vex'd World, and such a Monster slew.
All then at once with their sharp Spears contend
The Trunk to mangle, and the Members rend;
With Groves of Piles they stab him o'er and o'er,
And blush to draw them back undrench'd in Gore:
These tear his greedy Jaws, and rolling Eyes,
And others make his sever'd Arms their Prize:
This lops the Feet, the Shoulders That, and One
Cuts from the broken Back the bending Bone;
This snatch'd the Liver; That the panting Heart;
And This the Lungs, dividing ev'ry Part.
No Room is left to glut their greedy Rage,
Nor can the Subject their fierce Spite assuage:
Ev'n finish'd thus, they scarcely give him o'er,
And the hew'd Corps is almost seen no more.
So reek'd th'Aonian Mount, when Pentheus slain
Was drag'd, and mangled by the madding Train;
Or when Actæon, at the fatal Cave,
To his own Hounds the vengeful Goddess gave.
Can this reverse the Mischiefs thou hast done,
Blind Fortune, and thy mighty Crimes atone?
Can one poor Death so many Thousands pay?
Now to the Nations portion out the Prey;
His hated Head to the rough Thracians give,
And let the harass'd Greeks the Trunk receive;
But what shall other ruin'd Realms require?
For ev'ry Land there's not a Limb entire.
Auspicious Hand! first in this Crimson dy'd.
That thus began the welcome Vengeance, due
To the vex'd World, and such a Monster slew.
All then at once with their sharp Spears contend
The Trunk to mangle, and the Members rend;
With Groves of Piles they stab him o'er and o'er,
And blush to draw them back undrench'd in Gore:
These tear his greedy Jaws, and rolling Eyes,
And others make his sever'd Arms their Prize:
This lops the Feet, the Shoulders That, and One
Cuts from the broken Back the bending Bone;
This snatch'd the Liver; That the panting Heart;
And This the Lungs, dividing ev'ry Part.
No Room is left to glut their greedy Rage,
Nor can the Subject their fierce Spite assuage:
Ev'n finish'd thus, they scarcely give him o'er,
And the hew'd Corps is almost seen no more.
So reek'd th'Aonian Mount, when Pentheus slain
Was drag'd, and mangled by the madding Train;
Or when Actæon, at the fatal Cave,
To his own Hounds the vengeful Goddess gave.
Can this reverse the Mischiefs thou hast done,
Blind Fortune, and thy mighty Crimes atone?
Can one poor Death so many Thousands pay?
Now to the Nations portion out the Prey;
198
And let the harass'd Greeks the Trunk receive;
But what shall other ruin'd Realms require?
For ev'ry Land there's not a Limb entire.
The People leave the Town, and swarm amain,
Free from all Fear, to view him on the Plain;
Nor Shame the Maids, nor Years the Sires restrain.
Widows, whose Husbands he had murder'd, fly,
With childless Mothers, to the common Joy,
Insult him dead, and now with Fury burn,
His Limbs to trample, and the Monster spurn:
They dip their Feet with Pleasure in his Gore,
Nor less are eager, with a stony Show'r,
To crush his batter'd Head, which, mounted high
On a Spear's Point, now nodded in the Sky,
And, to the hissing Croud in Triumph shown,
Returns with fitting Honour to the Town:
His Right Hand too, in Mockery and Scorn,
To sue for Alms from Door to Door is borne,
And the just Punishment, by this Disgrace,
Of the vile Owner's Lust of Lucre pays:
For imitating Life, they make it strain
And clench the Fingers, at the Touch of Gain.
Free from all Fear, to view him on the Plain;
Nor Shame the Maids, nor Years the Sires restrain.
Widows, whose Husbands he had murder'd, fly,
With childless Mothers, to the common Joy,
Insult him dead, and now with Fury burn,
His Limbs to trample, and the Monster spurn:
They dip their Feet with Pleasure in his Gore,
Nor less are eager, with a stony Show'r,
To crush his batter'd Head, which, mounted high
On a Spear's Point, now nodded in the Sky,
And, to the hissing Croud in Triumph shown,
Returns with fitting Honour to the Town:
His Right Hand too, in Mockery and Scorn,
To sue for Alms from Door to Door is borne,
And the just Punishment, by this Disgrace,
Of the vile Owner's Lust of Lucre pays:
For imitating Life, they make it strain
And clench the Fingers, at the Touch of Gain.
Learn to distrust Prosperity from hence,
And fear the just Awards of Providence.
That Hand, which scarcely had a Sceptre miss'd,
Which the aw'd Nobles had so often kiss'd,
Unbury'd long, and from the Body torne,
To beg an Alms ev'n after Death is borne.
Whoever, swell'd with lucky Fortune, rears
His Crest aloft, and insolently bears,
Here let him see, with Popular Disdain
Drag'd thro' the Roads and Streets, that haughty Man,
Who Monuments, that ev'n with Temples vy'd,
Rais'd for himself with boundless Cost and Pride:
Ev'n He, to whom the Crown was almost giv'n,
Now naked lies, to feed the Fowls of Heav'n;
Who made before the trembling World comply,
Now cannot one poor Spot of Earth enjoy,
But roll'd in Dust by ev'ry common Slave,
Is piece-meal cover'd, and yet wants a Grave.
And fear the just Awards of Providence.
That Hand, which scarcely had a Sceptre miss'd,
Which the aw'd Nobles had so often kiss'd,
199
To beg an Alms ev'n after Death is borne.
Whoever, swell'd with lucky Fortune, rears
His Crest aloft, and insolently bears,
Here let him see, with Popular Disdain
Drag'd thro' the Roads and Streets, that haughty Man,
Who Monuments, that ev'n with Temples vy'd,
Rais'd for himself with boundless Cost and Pride:
Ev'n He, to whom the Crown was almost giv'n,
Now naked lies, to feed the Fowls of Heav'n;
Who made before the trembling World comply,
Now cannot one poor Spot of Earth enjoy,
But roll'd in Dust by ev'ry common Slave,
Is piece-meal cover'd, and yet wants a Grave.
Heav'n own'd the Death, and Earth the Load obscene
Of his vile Corps, refuses as unclean:
The Stars respire, and to the Lakes below,
A Guest abhorr'd, do's his grim Shadow go.
At his Approach stood Æacus aghast,
And Cerb'rus hoarsly bay'd him as he past:
The Ghosts of those he slew, around him meet,
And drag him to the awful Judgment-Seat;
In Crouds they gather; as the vengeful Bees
In buzzing Swarms the daring Shepherd seize,
That robs their Honey; with their busy Wings
They seek his Face, and shoot their little Stings;
And, shelter'd by the Rock, their Forces bend,
Their Seats to cover, and their Combs defend.
Of his vile Corps, refuses as unclean:
The Stars respire, and to the Lakes below,
A Guest abhorr'd, do's his grim Shadow go.
At his Approach stood Æacus aghast,
And Cerb'rus hoarsly bay'd him as he past:
The Ghosts of those he slew, around him meet,
And drag him to the awful Judgment-Seat;
In Crouds they gather; as the vengeful Bees
In buzzing Swarms the daring Shepherd seize,
That robs their Honey; with their busy Wings
They seek his Face, and shoot their little Stings;
And, shelter'd by the Rock, their Forces bend,
Their Seats to cover, and their Combs defend.
200
A Place there lies, where, deeply hid from Light,
Cocytus' Stream and Phlegethon's unite,
Unpleasing Rivers; that is fill'd with Tears,
And this a Flood of rolling Fire appears.
Betwixt them both, a Tower its frightful Frame
Erects sublime, and seems a Pile of Flame;
On its left Side, of Adamant compos'd,
Hoarse Phlegethon its burning Waves disclos'd;
The right Side sadly sounds with sobbing Cries
Of deep Cocytus, and incessant Sighs.
Hither at Death all mortal Minds descend,
And, undistinguish'd, their last Lot attend.
Stripp'd of their Honours and their Titles vain,
Kings here are mingled with the Vulgar Train.
Minos, the dire Inquisitor, sublime
Plac'd on his Throne, examines ev'ry Crime,
Divides the Guilty from the Just; and those
Who, with Defiance, to confess refuse,
To his fierce Brother's Rod he hurrys thence,
To bear the Pains of hard Impenitence:
For near him, Radamanthus sits, who weighs
The Life at large, and rigidly surveys;
To Crimes the proper Punishments assigns,
And Criminals in Shapes of Beasts confines.
The Cruel, Bears, the Robbers, Wolves become,
The Traytors Foxes, by impartial Doom;
Those who in Sloth, and wanton Lust and Wine,
Indulging Riot, sunk their Hours supine,
Are sent into the Limbs of sordid Swine.
The pratling Babler, who with leaky Tongue
Bewray'd all Secrets, to his Neighbour's Wrong,
Swims a mute Fish, and, in the watry Maze,
For Tatling with Eternal Silence pays.
When these for full three thousand Years have past
Thro' various Figures, the strict Judge at last
In Lethé purges them, so Fates ordain,
And to their Human Form recalls again.
Then, as he sate in Judgment to decide
The dubious Causes, and in Order try'd,
Lo! from afar Rufinus' Ghost he spy'd;
He view'd him rigidly with frowning Eyes,
And the Throne trembled while aloud he cries;
Cocytus' Stream and Phlegethon's unite,
Unpleasing Rivers; that is fill'd with Tears,
And this a Flood of rolling Fire appears.
Betwixt them both, a Tower its frightful Frame
Erects sublime, and seems a Pile of Flame;
On its left Side, of Adamant compos'd,
Hoarse Phlegethon its burning Waves disclos'd;
The right Side sadly sounds with sobbing Cries
Of deep Cocytus, and incessant Sighs.
Hither at Death all mortal Minds descend,
And, undistinguish'd, their last Lot attend.
Stripp'd of their Honours and their Titles vain,
Kings here are mingled with the Vulgar Train.
Minos, the dire Inquisitor, sublime
Plac'd on his Throne, examines ev'ry Crime,
Divides the Guilty from the Just; and those
Who, with Defiance, to confess refuse,
To his fierce Brother's Rod he hurrys thence,
To bear the Pains of hard Impenitence:
For near him, Radamanthus sits, who weighs
The Life at large, and rigidly surveys;
To Crimes the proper Punishments assigns,
And Criminals in Shapes of Beasts confines.
The Cruel, Bears, the Robbers, Wolves become,
The Traytors Foxes, by impartial Doom;
Those who in Sloth, and wanton Lust and Wine,
Indulging Riot, sunk their Hours supine,
Are sent into the Limbs of sordid Swine.
201
Bewray'd all Secrets, to his Neighbour's Wrong,
Swims a mute Fish, and, in the watry Maze,
For Tatling with Eternal Silence pays.
When these for full three thousand Years have past
Thro' various Figures, the strict Judge at last
In Lethé purges them, so Fates ordain,
And to their Human Form recalls again.
Then, as he sate in Judgment to decide
The dubious Causes, and in Order try'd,
Lo! from afar Rufinus' Ghost he spy'd;
He view'd him rigidly with frowning Eyes,
And the Throne trembled while aloud he cries;
Hither, thou Scandal of the Worlds above,
Thou Sink of Gold unglutted, hither move;
Who didst thro' unexampled Crimes aspire,
And nothing wou'dst not dare for proffer'd Hire;
Venal Interpreter of Sacred Laws,
The vilest Vice, which most my Vengeance draws;
Who for thy Country's Ruin tempted forth
The dire Barbarians of the frozen North;
By whose unnumber'd Carnages, the Shore
Of crowded Hell has oft been cover'd o'er.
Such open Deeds, 'twere Madness to deny,
Sear'd on thy Breast the Spots obscenely lie,
And Blots of branded Sin thy blemish'd Image dye.
Thy Crimes refuse Disguise. Whatever Pain
My Stores of Vengeance awfully contain,
Thou shalt endure; the Rock that threats to fall,
The rolling Wheel; thou shalt sustain them all:
Thy Thirst unquench'd still flatt'ring to relieve,
The brimming Waters shall thy Lips deceive;
The Vultur shall from other Food withdraw,
And on thy Entrails glut his greedy Maw.
All Others, who these dreadful Tortures bear,
But Parts of Thee, enormous Villain, were.
What, to be nam'd with Thee, did he, who flung
The mimic Thunders, as he drove along?
Or Tantalus, with his presumptuous Tongue?
Or Tityus, when with unpermitted Love,
Latona's Honour to pollute he strove?
If all their Facts shou'd be in one combin'd,
Thou hast surpass'd them, Monster unconfin'd.
Who can inflict, with a vindictive Hand,
The Pains that these unequall'd Crimes demand?
How shall I justly punish all thy Deeds,
When one alone all Punishment exceeds?
Hence, bear him hence, and clear him from our Coasts,
The Shame of Shades, and chase him from the Ghosts;
T've seen him is enough; now spare our Sight,
And cleanse again the Sacred Realms of Night:
With Scourges drive him down below the Ground,
Beneath the Styx and Erebus profound;
Below the Titans Den, below the Womb
Of Tartarus, and Chaos' horrid Gloom:
Plunge, plunge him deep, where Night's Foundations lie;
Chain'd to a Rock, there let him vainly cry,
While Heav'n rolls round the Stars, and while the Shore
The Billows beat, and blustring Tempests roar.
Thou Sink of Gold unglutted, hither move;
Who didst thro' unexampled Crimes aspire,
And nothing wou'dst not dare for proffer'd Hire;
Venal Interpreter of Sacred Laws,
The vilest Vice, which most my Vengeance draws;
Who for thy Country's Ruin tempted forth
The dire Barbarians of the frozen North;
By whose unnumber'd Carnages, the Shore
Of crowded Hell has oft been cover'd o'er.
Such open Deeds, 'twere Madness to deny,
Sear'd on thy Breast the Spots obscenely lie,
And Blots of branded Sin thy blemish'd Image dye.
202
My Stores of Vengeance awfully contain,
Thou shalt endure; the Rock that threats to fall,
The rolling Wheel; thou shalt sustain them all:
Thy Thirst unquench'd still flatt'ring to relieve,
The brimming Waters shall thy Lips deceive;
The Vultur shall from other Food withdraw,
And on thy Entrails glut his greedy Maw.
All Others, who these dreadful Tortures bear,
But Parts of Thee, enormous Villain, were.
What, to be nam'd with Thee, did he, who flung
The mimic Thunders, as he drove along?
Or Tantalus, with his presumptuous Tongue?
Or Tityus, when with unpermitted Love,
Latona's Honour to pollute he strove?
If all their Facts shou'd be in one combin'd,
Thou hast surpass'd them, Monster unconfin'd.
Who can inflict, with a vindictive Hand,
The Pains that these unequall'd Crimes demand?
How shall I justly punish all thy Deeds,
When one alone all Punishment exceeds?
Hence, bear him hence, and clear him from our Coasts,
The Shame of Shades, and chase him from the Ghosts;
T've seen him is enough; now spare our Sight,
And cleanse again the Sacred Realms of Night:
With Scourges drive him down below the Ground,
Beneath the Styx and Erebus profound;
203
Of Tartarus, and Chaos' horrid Gloom:
Plunge, plunge him deep, where Night's Foundations lie;
Chain'd to a Rock, there let him vainly cry,
While Heav'n rolls round the Stars, and while the Shore
The Billows beat, and blustring Tempests roar.
| Miscellanies in Verse and Prose | |