Poems and Translations :: :: University of Virginia Library

Taught by the Muse, He stop'd the Fall
Of rapid Floods, and charm'd the Wind;
The list'ning Oaks obey'd the Call,
And left their wond'ring Hills behind.

IV

Whom should I first record, but Jove,
Whose Sway extends o'er Sea and Land,
The King of Men and Gods above,
Who holds the Seasons in Command?

V

To rival Jove shall none aspire,
None shall to equal Glory rise;
But Pallas claims beneath her Sire,
The second Honours of the Skies.

VI

To Thee, O Bacchus, great in War,
To Dian will I strike the String,
Of Phœbus wounding from afar,
In Numbers like his own I'll sing.

VII

The Muse Alcides shall resound;
The Twins of Leda shall succeed;
This for the standing Fight renown'd,
And that for managing the Steed.

VIII

Whose Star shines innocently still;
The Clouds disperse, the Tempests cease,
The Waves obedient to their Will,
Sink down, and hush their Rage to Peace.

IX

Next shall I Numa's pious Reign,
Or thine, O Romulus, relate;
Or Rome by Brutus free'd again,
Or haughty Cato's Glorious Fate?

X

Or dwell on noble Paulus' Fame?
Too lavish of the Patriots Blood?
Or Regulus' Immortal Name,
Too obstinately Just and Good?

XI

These with Camillus brave and bold,
And other Chiefs of matchless Might,
Rome's Virtuous Poverty of old,
Severely season'd to the Fight.

XII

Like Trees, Marcellus' Glory grows,
With an insensible Advance;
The Julian Star, like Cynthia, glows,
Who leads the Planetary Dance.

XIII

The Fates, O Sire of Human Race,
Entrust Great Cæsar to thy Care,
Give Him to hold thy second Place,
And reign thy sole Vicegerent here.

XIV

And whether India he shall tame,
Or to his Chains the Seres doom;
Or mighty Parthia dreads his Name,
And bows her haughty Neck to Rome.

XV

While on our Groves thy Bolts are hurl'd,
And thy loud Car shakes Heav'n above,
He shall with Justice awe the World,
To none Inferior but to Jove.