Memoirs of the Life of Barton Booth ... With his Character. To which are added Several Poetical Pieces, Written by Himself, viz. Translations from Horace, Songs, Odes, &c. To which is likewise annexed, the Case of Mr. Booth's last illness, and what was observ'd (particularly with regard to the Quick-Silver found in his Intestines) upon the Opening of his Body, in the Presence of Sir Hans Sloan by Mr. Alexander Small, Surgeon. Publish'd by an Intimate Acquaintance of Mr. Booth, By Consent of his Widow |
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An Imitation of the First Ode of Horace, Book III.
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 | Memoirs of the Life of Barton Booth |  |
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An Imitation of the First Ode of Horace, Book III.
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Great Liberties are taken with the Original: sometimes he is closely follow'd, and as often intirely forsaken. If the Reader please to look upon this Attempt as an Amusement only, 'tis all can be desir'd. My Obligations to a Friend, who deserves infinitely more than I have said of her, interrupted my first Design, and led me into the Digression which occasion'd the Conclusion. B. Booth.
I hate the common Herd. Hence ye profane!
A silent uncorrupted Train,
Virgins, and blooming Youths, attend my Lyre:
Lo! great Apollo's sacred Choir,
With Strains unheard before, their Priest inspire.
Empires mighty Monarchs Sway;
Those mighty Monarchs Jove obey:
He bends the Heavens with his Imperial Nod,
Prostrate the Giants fell, and own'd the Conqu'ror God.
A silent uncorrupted Train,
Virgins, and blooming Youths, attend my Lyre:
Lo! great Apollo's sacred Choir,
With Strains unheard before, their Priest inspire.
Empires mighty Monarchs Sway;
Those mighty Monarchs Jove obey:
He bends the Heavens with his Imperial Nod,
Prostrate the Giants fell, and own'd the Conqu'ror God.
Some of the first Post of Honour claim,
Proud of their Birth and ancient Name;
Rivall'd by Those, whose wide-spread Furrows bear
The various Harvest of the Year:
Vain is their Contest, vain their Boast,
In Death is all Distinction lost:
While o'er the impious Courtier's Head,
Threat'ning aloft, the Dagger hung;
In vain the costly Feast was spread,
In vain the charming Minstrel sung:
Sleep weighs his Eyelids down no more,
Nor Philomel's sweet Strains his murder'd Peace restore.
Proud of their Birth and ancient Name;
Rivall'd by Those, whose wide-spread Furrows bear
The various Harvest of the Year:
Vain is their Contest, vain their Boast,
In Death is all Distinction lost:
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Threat'ning aloft, the Dagger hung;
In vain the costly Feast was spread,
In vain the charming Minstrel sung:
Sleep weighs his Eyelids down no more,
Nor Philomel's sweet Strains his murder'd Peace restore.
Lolling at Ease in humble Cells,
Gentle Morpheus ever dwells:
Or by the hoary Forest's Side,
Or where the murm'ring Waters glide.
Seek what Nature can suffice;
And fearless view the troubled Shore,
When the black Tempest veils the Skies,
And the tumultuous Surges roar.
Gentle Morpheus ever dwells:
Or by the hoary Forest's Side,
Or where the murm'ring Waters glide.
Seek what Nature can suffice;
And fearless view the troubled Shore,
When the black Tempest veils the Skies,
And the tumultuous Surges roar.
Whither, at length, will Human Pride aspire!
The Great their Fathers' Palaces disdain,
Encumb'ring with vast Tow'rs the Main:
From the contracted Latian Shore,
Old Ocean's various Broods retire,
And distant, and more spacious Seas explore.
Go climb thy lofty Argos' Side;
Or trust thy Courser's swift Career;
Or in thy marble Tow'rs confide;
Vain is thy Flight, alas! from Care,
There's no Retreat, proud Man, from Guilt and Fear.
The Great their Fathers' Palaces disdain,
Encumb'ring with vast Tow'rs the Main:
From the contracted Latian Shore,
Old Ocean's various Broods retire,
And distant, and more spacious Seas explore.
Go climb thy lofty Argos' Side;
Or trust thy Courser's swift Career;
Or in thy marble Tow'rs confide;
Vain is thy Flight, alas! from Care,
There's no Retreat, proud Man, from Guilt and Fear.
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Since then, fair Peace and Innocence,
Disdaining Pomp, and Pow'r, and Pride,
United shed their sweetest Influence,
Where artless Maids, and lab'ring Hinds reside,
Grant my Desire! A homely Seat,
Far from the Guilty, and the Great;
A limpid Stream—an antient Grove;
And Health and Joy to her I love;
Grant my Desire, propitious Jove!
Disdaining Pomp, and Pow'r, and Pride,
United shed their sweetest Influence,
Where artless Maids, and lab'ring Hinds reside,
Grant my Desire! A homely Seat,
Far from the Guilty, and the Great;
A limpid Stream—an antient Grove;
And Health and Joy to her I love;
Grant my Desire, propitious Jove!
Happy the Hour when first our Souls were join'd!
The social Virtues, and the chearful Mind
Have ever crown'd our Days, beguil'd our Pain;
Strangers to Discord, and her clam'rous Train.
Connubial Friendship, Hail! but haste away,
The Lark and Nightingale reproach thy Stay;
From splendid Theatres to rural Scenes,
Joyous retire!—so bounteous Heaven ordains.
There we may dwell in Peace—
There bless the rising Morn, and flow'ry Field,
Charm'd with the guiltless Sports the Woods and Waters yield.
The social Virtues, and the chearful Mind
Have ever crown'd our Days, beguil'd our Pain;
Strangers to Discord, and her clam'rous Train.
Connubial Friendship, Hail! but haste away,
The Lark and Nightingale reproach thy Stay;
From splendid Theatres to rural Scenes,
Joyous retire!—so bounteous Heaven ordains.
There we may dwell in Peace—
There bless the rising Morn, and flow'ry Field,
Charm'd with the guiltless Sports the Woods and Waters yield.
| Memoirs of the Life of Barton Booth | |