Poems and Translations :: :: University of Virginia Library

Poems and Translations

By Christopher Pitt

Pitt, Christopher (1699-1748)

[dedication]

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TO Mr. Christopher Pitt, ON HIS Poems and Translations.

An Epistle to Dr. Edward Young, at Eastbury in Dorsetshire, on the Review at Sarum, 1722.

On the approaching Delivery of Her Royal Highness, in the Year 1721.

The First Hymn of Callimachus to Jupiter.

The Second Hymn of Callimachus to Apollo.

To Sir James Thornhill, on his excellent Painting the Rape of Helen, at the Seat of General Erle in Dorsetshire.

Part of the second Book of Statius.

On the Death of a Young Gentleman.

Christ's PASSION, From a Greek Ode of Mr. Masters, formerly of New College.

On the King's Return, In the YEAR, 1720.

ON THE MASQUERADES.

On a Shadow.

To Cælia playing on a Lute.

To the Unknown Author of The Battle of the Sexes.

The Twelfth Ode of the first Book of Horace, translated.

The 22d Ode of the first Book of Horace.

A PROLOGUE For the STROLLERS.

The 8th Psalm Translated.

Psalm the 24th Paraphras'd.

Psalm the 29th.

Psalm the 46th Paraphras'd.

Psalm the 90th Paraphras'd.

The 139th Psalm paraphras'd in Miltonick Verse.

Psalm the 144th Paraphras'd.

The 3d Chapter of Job.

The 25th Chapter of Job Paraphras'd.

The Song of Moses, in the 15th Chapter of Exodus, paraphras'd.

The Third Ode of the 2d Book of Horace paraphras'd.

The Third Ode of the 4th Book of Horace Paraphrased.

On the approaching Congress of Cambray.

THE FABLE OF The Young Man and his Cat.

To Mr. Pope, on his Translation of Homer's Iliad.

Part of the First Æneid of Virgil translated.

ON HIS MAJESTY'S Playing with a Tyger in Kensington Gardens.

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107

Psalm the 46th Paraphras'd.

I

On God we build our sure Defence,
In God our Hope repose;
His Hand protects us in the Fight,
And guards us from our Woes.

II

Then, be the Earth's unwieldy Frame
From its Foundations hurl'd,
We may, unmov'd with Fear, enjoy
The Ruins of the World.

108

III

What tho' the solid Rocks be rent,
In Tempests whirl'd away?
What tho' the Hills should burst their Roots,
And roll into the Sea?

IV

Thou Sea, with dreadful Tumults swell,
And bid thy Waters rise
In furious Surges, till they dash
The Flood-gates of the Skies.

V

Our Minds shall be serene and calm,
Like Siloah's peaceful Flood;
Whose soft and silver Streams refresh
The City of our God.

109

VI

Within the proud delighted Waves,
The wanton Turrets play;
The Streams lead down their humid Train,
Reluctant to the Sea.

VII

Amid the Scene the Temple floats,
With its reflected Tow'rs,
Gilds all the Surface of the Flood,
And dances to the Shores.

VIII

With wonder see what mighty Pow'r
Our sacred Sion chears,
Lo! there amidst her stately Walls,
Her God, her God appears.

110

IX

Fixt on her Basis she shall stand,
And innocently proud,
Smile on the Tumults of the World,
Beneath the Wings of God.

X

See! how their Weakness to proclaim,
The Heathen Tribes engage?
See! how with fruitless Wrath they burn,
And Impotence of Rage!

XI

But God has spoke; and lo! the World,
His Terrors to display,
With all the melting Globe of Earth
Drops silently away.

111

XII

Still to the mighty Lord of Hosts
Securely we resort;
For Refuge fly to Jacob's God,
Our Succour and Support.

XIII

Hither ye numerous Nations croud,
In silent Rapture stand,
And see o'er all the Earth display'd
The Wonders of his Hand.

XIV

He bids the Din of War be still,
And all its Tumults cease;
He bids the guiltless Trumpet sound
The Harmony of Peace.

112

XV

He breaks the tough reluctant Bow,
He bursts the brazen Spear,
And in the crackling Fire his Hand
Consumes the blazing Car.

XVI

Hear then his formidable Voice,
“Be still, and know the Lord;
“By all the Heathen I'll be fear'd;
“By all the Earth ador'd.

XVII

Still to the mighty Lord of Hosts,
Securely we resort;
For Refuge fly to Jacob's God;
Our Succour and Support.