306:323,000[' ]| 306:323,000[' ]| 306:323,000[' ]| 306:323,001[A ]| In every clime, from Ganges' distant stream 306:323,002[A ]| To Gades, gilded by the western beam, 306:323,003[A ]| Few, from the clouds of mental error free, 306:323,004[A ]| In its true light, or good or evil, see. ~~ 306:323,005[A ]| For what, with reason, do we seek or shun? 306:323,006[A ]| What plan, how happily soe'er begun, 306:323,007[A ]| That, when achiev'd, we do not wish undone? 306:323,008[A ]| The gods have heard, with too indulgent ears, 306:323,009[A ]| And crush'd whole families beneath their prayers. 306:323,010[A ]| Bewilder'd thus, by folly or by fate, <10> 306:323,011[A ]| We beg pernicious gifts in every state: 306:323,012[A ]| A copious tide, a full and rapid flow 306:323,013[A ]| Of eloquence, lays many a speaker low; 306:324,014[A ]| E'en strength itself is fatal; Milo tries 306:324,015[A ]| His wondrous arms, and in the trial dies. 306:324,016[A ]| But heaps of wealth have still more dangerous prov'd, 306:324,017[A ]| (Too anxiously amass'd, too fondly lov'd,) 306:324,018[A ]| Heaps, which o'er common fortunes proudly rise, 306:324,019[A ]| As o'er the dolphin towers the whale in size. 306:324,020[A ]| Hence, in those dreadful times, at Nero's word, <20> 306:324,021[A ]| The ruffian bands unsheath'd the murderous sword, 306:324,022[A ]| Rush'd to the swelling coffers of the great, 306:324,023[A ]| And seiz'd the rich domain, and lordly seat; 306:324,024[A ]| While sweetly in their cock-lofts slept the poor, 306:324,025[A ]| And heard no soldier thundering at their door. 306:324,026[A ]| The traveller, freighted with a little wealth, 306:324,027[A ]| Sets forth at night, and makes his way by stealth; 306:324,028[A ]| E'en then, he fears the bludgeon and the blade, 306:324,029[A ]| And starts at every rush's waving shade: 306:324,030[A ]| While, void of care, the beggar trips along, <30> 306:324,031[A ]| And, in the spoiler's presence, trolls his song. 306:325,032[A ]| The first great wish we all with rapture own, 306:325,033[A ]| The general cry, to every temple known, 306:325,034[A ]| Is gold, gold, gold! "O give us gold, ye powers, 306:325,035[A ]| And let our neighbour's coffer yield to ours!" 306:325,036[A ]| Yet none from earthen bowls destruction sip: 306:325,037[A ]| Dread then the baneful draught, when at thy lip 306:325,038[A ]| The goblet mantles, grac'd with gems divine, 306:325,039[A ]| And the broad gold inflames the Setine wine. 306:325,040[A ]| And do we now admire the stories told <40> 306:325,041[A ]| Of the two Sages, so renown'd of old; 306:325,042[A ]| How This for ever laugh'd, whene'er he stept 306:325,043[A ]| Across the threshold; That, for ever wept? 306:325,044[A ]| But all can laugh: ~~ the wonder yet appears, 306:325,045[A ]| What source supplied the eternal stream of tears! 306:326,046[A ]| Democritus, at every step he took, 306:326,047[A ]| His sides with unextinguish'd laughter shook, 306:326,048[A ]| Though in his days, O Thrace, thy simple towns 306:326,049[A ]| No fasces, litters knew, no purple gowns. ~~ 306:326,050[A ]| What! had he seen, in his triumphal car, <50> 306:326,051[A ]| Amid the dusty Cirque conspicuous far, 306:326,052[A ]| The Praetor perch'd aloft, superbly drest 306:326,053[A ]| In Jove's gay tunic, with a trailing vest 306:326,054[A ]| Of Tyrian tapestry, and o'er him spread 306:326,055[A ]| A crown, too bulky for a mortal head, 306:327,056[A ]| Which a poor slave supports, ordain'd to ride 306:327,057[A ]| In the same car, forsooth, to check his pride! 306:327,058[A ]| Add too, the ivory sceptre in his hands, 306:327,059[A ]| The trumpeters, and the dependant bands 306:327,060[A ]| That stalk before him; add the friends in white, <60> 306:327,061[A ]| That lead his steeds, allur'd to grace the sight, 306:327,062[A ]| By the fond prospect of a dole at night. 306:327,063[A ]| Yes, in those times, in every varied scene 306:327,064[A ]| The good old man found matter for his spleen: 306:327,065[A ]| A wondrous Sage! Whose story makes it clear, 306:327,066[A ]| That men may rise in folly's atmosphere, 306:327,067[A ]| Beneath Boeotian fogs, of soul sublime, 306:327,068[A ]| And great examples to the coming time. 306:327,069[A ]| He laugh'd aloud to see the vulgar cares, 306:327,070[A ]| Laugh'd at their joys, and sometimes at their tears; <70> 306:328,071[A ]| Himself, the while, would mock at Fortune's frown, 306:328,072[A ]| And when she threaten'd, bid her hang or drown. 306:328,073[A ]| Learn hence, that when we crowd each sacred shrine, 306:328,074[A ]| And fix our tablets on the powers divine, 306:328,075[A ]| Dangerous or useless favours we require, 306:328,076[A ]| And grow most wretched through our own desire. 306:328,077[A ]| What crowds by envied Power, the wish of all, 306:328,078[A ]| Are hurl'd from high; press'd in their rapid fall, 306:328,079[A ]| By cumbrous names! ~~ the statues tumbled down, 306:328,080[A ]| And dragg'd by hooting thousands through the town; <80> 306:328,081[A ]| The cars upturn'd, the wheels to shivers broke, 306:328,082[A ]| And the steeds fractur'd by the axe's stroke! ~~ 306:328,083[A ]| Then roar the fires; the sooty artist blows, 306:328,084[A ]| And all Sejanus in the furnace glows; 306:328,085[A ]| Sejanus once so honour'd, so ador'd, 306:328,086[A ]| And only second to the world's great lord, 306:329,087[A ]| Runs glittering from the mould, in cups and cans, 306:329,088[A ]| And such mean things, in pitchers, pots, and pans. 306:329,089[A ]| "Hang out your laurels, and of triumph full, 306:329,090[A ]| Lead to the Capitol a milk-white bull; <90> 306:329,091[A ]| For lo! Where great Sejanus by the throng, 306:329,092[A ]| A joyful spectacle, is dragg'd along. 306:329,093[A ]| What an ill-favoured wretch! Well, for my part, 306:329,094[A ]| I never lov'd him ~~ that is, in my heart. 306:330,095[A ]| But tell me; why was he adjudged to bleed? 306:330,096[A ]| And who discover'd, and who prov'd the deed? 306:330,097[A ]| Prov'd? tush! a huge epistle came, they say, 306:330,098[A ]| From Capreae." "Good, I'm satisfied: but pray, 306:330,099[A ]| What think the people of their favourite's fate?" ~~ 306:330,100[A ]| They follow fortune as of old, and hate <100> 306:330,101[A ]| With their whole souls the victim of the state. 306:330,102[A ]| Yet would the herd, thus zealous, thus on fire, 306:330,103[A ]| Had Nurscia met the Tuscan's fond desire, 306:330,104[A ]| And crush'd th' unwary prince, have all combin'd, 306:330,105[A ]| And hail'd Sejanus Master of mankind. 306:330,106[A ]| For since their votes have been no longer bought, 306:330,107[A ]| All public care has vanish'd from their thought; 306:331,108[A ]| And they who once, with unresisted sway, 306:331,109[A ]| Gave armies, empire, every thing, away, 306:331,110[A ]| For two poor claims have long resign'd the whole, <110> 306:331,111[A ]| And only ask, ~~ the Circus and the dole. 306:331,112[A ]| "But there are more to suffer." "So 'tis said; 306:331,113[A ]| So fierce a fire for one was never made. 306:332,114[A ]| I met my friend Brutidius, and I fear, 306:332,115[A ]| From his pale looks, he thinks there's danger near; 306:332,116[A ]| Heavens! if the baffled Ajax once be led 306:332,117[A ]| To deem our zeal too luke-warm, ~~ we are sped. 306:332,118[A ]| Swift then, let's fly our loyalty to show, 306:332,119[A ]| And trample on the carcase of his foe: 306:332,120[A ]| But hear me; ~~ lest our slaves the fact forswear, <120> 306:332,121[A ]| And drag us to the bar, look they be there." 306:332,122[A ]| Thus of the favourite's fall the converse ran, 306:332,123[A ]| And thus the whisper pass'd from man to man. 306:332,124[A ]| Lur'd by the splendour of his happier hour, 306:332,125[A ]| Would'st thou possess Sejanus' wealth and power; 306:332,126[A ]| See crowds of suppliants at thy levee wait, 306:332,127[A ]| Give this to sway the army, that the state; 306:332,128[A ]| And keep a prince in ward, who sits the while, 306:332,129[A ]| With his Chaldean flock, in Capreae's isle? 306:333,130[A ]| Yes, yes, thou would'st, (thy secret thoughts I see,) <130> 306:333,131[A ]| Have cohorts, legions, armies, just as he; 306:333,132[A ]| 'Tis nature this: e'en they who want the will, 306:333,133[A ]| Pant for the dreadful privilege to kill. 306:333,134[A ]| And yet, what great delight can power bestow, 306:333,135[A ]| Since every joy is balanc'd by its woe! 306:333,136[A ]| Or would'st thou, rather than assume the gown 306:333,137[A ]| Of him whom public rage dragg'd up and down, 306:333,138[A ]| At Gabii or Fidenae laws propound, 306:333,139[A ]| For faulty measures, and for wares unsound, 306:333,140[A ]| And take the tarnish'd robe, and petty state, <140> 306:333,141[A ]| Of poor Ulubrae's ragged magistrate? 306:334,142[A ]| You grant me then, Sejanus grossly err'd, 306:334,143[A ]| Nor knew what prayer his folly had preferr'd: 306:334,144[A ]| For when he rashly begg'd for too much power, 306:334,145[A ]| And too much wealth, he did but climb a tower 306:334,146[A ]| Of giddy height, a heavier fall to prove, 306:334,147[A ]| Hurl'd with tremendous ruin from above. 306:334,148[A ]| What wrought the Pompeys, what the Crassi's doom, 306:334,149[A ]| And his, who bow'd the stubborn neck of Rome, 306:334,150[A ]| But power supreme, obtain'd by force or fraud, <150> 306:334,151[A ]| And boundless vows heard by some angry god? 306:334,152[A ]| For few th' ambitious chiefs who breathe in peace, 306:334,153[A ]| Till wearied nature sends a kind release. 306:334,154[A ]| The urchin, whom a slave conducts to school, 306:334,155[A ]| Has scarce acquir'd his first and easiest rule, 306:335,156[A ]| Ere ardent hopes his little bosom seize, 306:335,157[A ]| To rival Tully and Demosthenes 306:335,158[A ]| In eloquence and fame: for this he prays, 306:335,159[A ]| And plagues Minerva through her sacred days. 306:335,160[A ]| Yet both these orators, in evil hours, <160> 306:335,161[A ]| Proved the sad victims of persuasive powers; 306:335,162[A ]| Both found it fatal to harangue too well, 306:335,163[A ]| And that by steel, and this by poison, fell: 306:335,164[A ]| While meaner speakers unmolested stood, 306:335,165[A ]| Nor smear'd the rostrum with their wretched blood. 306:336,166[A ]| "O happy Rome! That happen'd to be sav'd 306:336,167[A ]| By me, her consul sole." ~~ 306:337,168[A ]| Such had his pleadings been, no haughty lord 306:337,169[A ]| Had deem'd the jingle worthy of his sword: 306:337,170[A ]| Yet such would I prefer, the scorn of Rome, <170> 306:337,171[A ]| To that Philippic which provok'd his doom, 306:337,172[A ]| That second burst, where eloquence divine 306:337,173[A ]| Pour'd on the ear from every nervous line. 306:337,174[A ]| And he too fell, whom Athens, wondering, saw 306:337,175[A ]| Her fierce democracy, at will, o'er awe; 306:337,176[A ]| Fell by a cruel death: some angry power 306:337,177[A ]| Scowl'd with dire influence on his natal hour. ~~ 306:337,178[A ]| Blear'd with the glowing mass, the luckless sire, 306:337,179[A ]| From anvils, sledges, bellows, tongs, and fire, 306:337,180[A ]| From tempering swords, his own more safe employ, <180> 306:337,181[A ]| To study rhetoric sent his hopeful boy. 306:337,182[A ]| The spoils of War; the trunk in triumph placed, 306:337,183[A ]| And with the gleanings of the battle graced, 306:337,184[A ]| Crush'd helms, and batter'd shields; and streamers borne 306:337,185[A ]| From vanquish'd fleets, and beams from chariots torn, 306:338,186[A ]| And captives rang'd around in mournful state, 306:338,187[A ]| Are priz'd as blessings scarcely known to fate; 306:338,188[A ]| Fir'd with the love of these, what countless swarms, 306:338,189[A ]| Barbarians, Romans, Greeks, have rush'd to arms, 306:338,190[A ]| All danger slighted, and all toil defied, <190> 306:338,191[A ]| And madly conquer'd, or as madly died. 306:338,192[A ]| So much the raging thirst of fame exceeds 306:338,193[A ]| The generous warmth which prompts to worthy deeds, 306:338,194[A ]| That none confess fair Virtue's genuine power, 306:338,195[A ]| Or woo her to their breast, without a dower. 306:338,196[A ]| Yet has this wild desire, in other days, 306:338,197[A ]| This boundless avarice of a few for praise, 306:338,198[A ]| This frantic rage for names to grace a tomb, 306:338,199[A ]| Involv'd their country in one general doom: 306:338,200[A ]| Vain rage! The roots of the wild fig-tree rise, <200> 306:338,201[A ]| Strike through the marble, and ~~ their memory dies; 306:338,202[A ]| For, like their mouldering tenants, tombs decay, 306:338,203[A ]| And with the dust they hide, are swept away. 306:338,204[A ]| Produce the urn that Hannibal contains, 306:338,205[A ]| And weigh the mighty dust which yet remains: 306:339,206[A ]| And is this all! Yet this was once the bold, 306:339,207[A ]| The aspiring chief, whom Afric could not hold, 306:339,208[A ]| Afric, outstretch'd from where the Atlantic roars, 306:339,209[A ]| To Nilus; from the Line, to Lybia's shores! 306:339,210[A ]| Spain conquer'd, o'er the Pyrenees he bounds; <210> 306:339,211[A ]| Nature oppos'd her everlasting mounds, 306:339,212[A ]| Her Alps, and snows: through these he bursts his way, 306:339,213[A ]| And Italy already owns his sway ~~ 306:339,214[A ]| Still thundering on ~~ "think nothing done," he cries, 306:339,215[A ]| "Till low in dust our haughty rival lies; 306:339,216[A ]| Till through he smoaking streets I lead my powers, 306:339,217[A ]| And plant my standard on her hated towers." 306:339,218[A ]| Big words! But view his figure, view his face: 306:339,219[A ]| O, for some master-hand the chief to trace, 306:339,220[A ]| As through the Etrurian swamps, by rains increas'd, <220> 306:339,221[A ]| Spoil'd of an eye he flounc'd, on his Getulian beast! 306:340,222[A ]| But what ensued, illusive glory! say? ~~ 306:340,223[A ]| Subdued on Zama's memorable day, 306:340,224[A ]| He flies in exile to a foreign state, 306:340,225[A ]| With headlong haste; and at a despot's gate 306:340,226[A ]| Sits, wond'rous suppliant! of his fate in doubt, 306:340,227[A ]| Till the Bithynian's morning nap be out. 306:340,228[A ]| Just to his fame, what death has Heaven assigned 306:340,229[A ]| This great controller of all human kind? 306:340,230[A ]| Did hostile armies give the fatal wound, <230> 306:340,231[A ]| Or mountains press him, struggling, to the ground? 306:340,232[A ]| No; three small drops, within a ring conceal'd, 306:340,233[A ]| Aveng'd the blood he pour'd on Cannae's field! 306:340,234[A ]| Go, madman, go! The paths of fame pursue, 306:340,235[A ]| Climb other Alps, and other realms subdue, 306:340,236[A ]| To please the rhetoricians, and become, 306:340,237[A ]| A Declamation for the boys of Rome! 306:341,238[A ]| One world the ambitious Youth of Pella found 306:341,239[A ]| Too small; and toss'd his feverish limbs around, 306:341,240[A ]| And gasp'd for breath, as if confin'd the while, <240> 306:341,241[A ]| Unhappy prince, in Gyarae's rocky isle: 306:341,242[A ]| But, entering Babylon, found ample room 306:341,243[A ]| Within the narrow limits of a tomb! 306:341,244[A ]| Death, the great teacher, Death alone proclaims 306:341,245[A ]| The true dimensions of our puny frames. 306:341,246[A ]| The daring tales in Grecian story found, 306:341,247[A ]| Were once believed: ~~ of Athos sail'd around, 306:342,248[A ]| Of fleets that bridges o'er the waves supplied, 306:342,249[A ]| Of chariots rolling on the stedfast tide, 306:343,250[A ]| Of lakes exhausted, and of rivers quaft <250> 306:343,251[A ]| By countless nations, at a morning's draught, 306:343,252[A ]| With all that Sostratus so wildly sings, 306:343,253[A ]| Besotted poet, of the king of kings. 306:343,254[A ]| But how return'd he, say? this soul of fire, 306:343,255[A ]| This fierce barbarian, whose impatient ire 306:343,256[A ]| Severer chastisement to Eurus gave, 306:343,257[A ]| Than e'er he suffer'd in the Aeolian cave; 306:343,258[A ]| Chain'd Neptune, and was wond'rous clement found, 306:343,259[A ]| For that he branded not the slave he bound! ~~ 306:343,260[A ]| But how did he return? his navy lost, <260> 306:343,261[A ]| In a small bark he fled the fatal coast, 306:343,262[A ]| And forc'd a dreadful passage through the flood, 306:343,263[A ]| Choak'd with his slaughter'd troops, and red with blood. 306:343,264[A ]| So Xerxes sped; so speed the conquering race; 306:343,265[A ]| They catch at glory, and they clasp disgrace! 306:343,266[A ]| "Life! length of life!" for this, with earnest cries, 306:343,267[A ]| Or sick or well, we supplicate the skies. 306:343,268[A ]| Pernicious prayer! for mark, what ills attend 306:343,269[A ]| Still on the old, as to the grave they bend: 306:343,270[A ]| A ghastly visage to themselves unknown, <270> 306:343,271[A ]| For a smooth skin, a hide with scurf o'ergrown, 306:343,272[A ]| And such a flabby cheek as an old ape, 306:343,273[A ]| In Tabraca's thick woods, might haply scrape. 306:344,274[A ]| In youth a thousand different features strike; 306:344,275[A ]| All have their charms, but have not charms alike: 306:345,276[A ]| While age presents one universal face ~~ 306:345,277[A ]| A faultering voice, a weak and trembling pace, 306:345,278[A ]| An ever-dropping nose, a forehead bare, 306:345,279[A ]| And toothless gums to mump his wretched fare. 306:345,280[A ]| He grows, poor wretch, (now, in the dregs of life,) <280> 306:345,281[A ]| So loathsome to himself, his child, his wife, 306:345,282[A ]| That those who hop'd the legacy to share, 306:345,283[A ]| And flatter'd long, disgusted disappear. 306:345,284[A ]| The sluggish palate dull'd, the feast no more 306:345,285[A ]| Excites the same sensations as of yore; 306:345,286[A ]| Taste, feeling, all, a universal blot, 306:345,287[A ]| And e'en the rites of love remember'd not: 306:345,288[A ]| Or if ~~ through the long night he feebly strives, 306:345,289[A ]| To raise a flame where not a spark survives; 306:345,290[A ]| While Venus marks the effort with distrust, <290> 306:345,291[A ]| And hates the grey decrepitude of lust. 306:345,292[A ]| But lo! Another loss: the warbling quire, 306:345,293[A ]| In him no sentiments of joy inspire; 306:346,294[A ]| The sweetest airs escape him; and the lute, 306:346,295[A ]| That thrills the general ear, to him is mute. 306:346,296[A ]| He sits, perhaps, too distant: bring him near; 306:346,297[A ]| Alas! 'tis still the same: he scarce can hear 306:346,298[A ]| The deep-ton'd horn, the trumpet's clanging sound, 306:346,299[A ]| And the loud blast that shakes the benches round. 306:346,300[A ]| E'en at his ear his boy, to tell the hour, <300> 306:346,301[A ]| Or who's arriv'd, must shout with all his power. 306:346,302[A ]| Add that a fever scarce can warm his veins, 306:346,303[A ]| And thaw the little blood which yet remains; 306:346,304[A ]| That ills of every kind, and every name, 306:346,305[A ]| Rush in, and seize the unresisting frame. 306:346,306[A ]| Ask you how many? I could sooner say 306:346,307[A ]| How many drudges Hippia kept in pay, 306:346,308[A ]| How many wards by Irus were undone, 306:346,309[A ]| How many patients kill'd by Themison; 306:346,310[A ]| How many men by Maura over-toil'd, <310> 306:346,311[A ]| How many provinces by Basil spoil'd, 306:346,312[A ]| How many boys by Hirrus: in a word, 306:346,313[A ]| How many villas call my quondam barber lord! 306:346,314[A ]| These their shrunk shoulders, those their hams bemoan; 306:346,315[A ]| This hath no eyes, and envies that with one; 306:347,316[A ]| This a sad spectacle of pity stands, 306:347,317[A ]| Helpless and weak, and fed by others' hands; 306:347,318[A ]| While that, accustom'd, at the sight of food, 306:347,319[A ]| To stretch his jaws, gapes like the callow brood 306:347,320[A ]| Of Progne, when from bill to bill she flies, <320> 306:347,321[A ]| Hungry herself, distributing supplies. 306:347,322[A ]| But other ills, and worse, succeed to those: 306:347,323[A ]| His limbs long since were gone; his memory goes. 306:347,324[A ]| Poor driveller! he forgets his servants quite, 306:347,325[A ]| Forgets, at morn, with whom he supp'd at night; 306:347,326[A ]| Forgets the children he begot and bred; 306:347,327[A ]| And makes a strumpet heiress in their stead: 306:347,328[A ]| So much avails it the rank arts to use, 306:347,329[A ]| Gain'd by long practice in the loathsome stews! 306:347,330[A ]| But grant his senses unimpair'd remain; <330> 306:347,331[A ]| Still woes on woes succeed, a dreadful train! 306:347,332[A ]| He sees his sons, his daughters, all expire, 306:347,333[A ]| Sees his lov'd consort on the funeral pyre, 306:347,334[A ]| Sees brothers, sisters, friends, to ashes turn, 306:347,335[A ]| And all he lov'd, or lov'd him, in an urn. 306:347,336[A ]| Lo here, the dreadful fine we ever pay, 306:347,337[A ]| For life protracted to a distant day! 306:347,338[A ]| To see our house by sickness, pain, pursued, 306:347,339[A ]| And scenes of death incessantly renew'd: 306:347,340[A ]| In sable weeds to waste the joyless years, <340> 306:347,341[A ]| And drop at last mid solitude and tears. 306:347,342[A ]| The Pylian's (if we credit Homer's page) 306:347,343[A ]| Was only second to the raven's age. 306:348,344[A ]| "O happy, sure, beyond the common rate, 306:348,345[A ]| Who warded off so long the stroke of fate! 306:348,346[A ]| Who told his years by centuries, who so oft 306:348,347[A ]| Quaff'd the new must! O happy, sure" ~~ But soft; 306:348,348[A ]| This happy man of destiny complain'd, 306:348,349[A ]| Curs'd his gray hairs, and every god arraign'd; 306:348,350[A ]| What time he lit the pyre, with streaming eyes, <350> 306:348,351[A ]| And round his son saw the dark flames arise. 306:348,352[A ]| "Tell me," he cried, with wild, distracted air, 306:348,353[A ]| Ye faithful friends, who these sad duties share, 306:348,354[A ]| What monstrous crimes have rouz'd the Almighty's hate, 306:348,355[A ]| That thus, in vengeance, he protracts my date?" 306:349,356[A ]| So Peleus question'd heaven, Laertes so; 306:349,357[A ]| (Their hoary heads bow'd to the grave with woe,) 306:349,358[A ]| While one bewail'd his son, at Ilium slain, 306:349,359[A ]| One his, long wandering o'er the faithless main. 306:349,360[A ]| While Troy yet flourish'd, had her sovereign died, <360> 306:349,361[A ]| With what solemnity, what funeral pride, 306:349,362[A ]| Had he descended, every duty paid, 306:349,363[A ]| To old Assaracus' illustrious shade! ~~ 306:349,364[A ]| Hector himself, bedew'd with many a tear, 306:349,365[A ]| Had join'd his brothers to support the bier; 306:349,366[A ]| Long trains of Trojan dames, in sable vests, 306:349,367[A ]| Follow'd Polyxena, and beat their breasts, 306:349,368[A ]| And rent their garments, as the funeral cry, 306:349,369[A ]| By wild Cassandra led, had pierc'd the sky: 306:349,370[A ]| Had he but fall'n, ere his adulterous boy <370> 306:349,371[A ]| Spread his bold sails, and left the shores of Troy. 306:349,372[A ]| But what did lengthen'd life avail the sire? 306:349,373[A ]| To see his realm laid waste by sword and fire. 306:349,374[A ]| Then too, too late, the feeble soldier tried 306:349,375[A ]| Unequal arms, and flung his crown aside; 306:349,376[A ]| Totter'd the murderer of his son to meet, 306:349,377[A ]| And fell, without an effort, at his feet, 306:349,378[A ]| Like a lean ox, that, old and useless now, 306:349,379[A ]| Is led to slaughter from the ungrateful plow. 306:349,380[A ]| Yet, happier than the partner of his cares, <380> 306:349,381[A ]| He died, at least, a man, while, chang'd with years, 306:349,382[A ]| She, in a brute, retain'd her ancient lore, 306:349,383[A ]| And bark'd and howl'd, at those she curs'd before. 306:350,384[A ]| Enough of these: I hasten to supply 306:350,385[A ]| The rest from Rome; and pass in silence by, 306:350,386[A ]| The fall of Mithridates, sad event; 306:350,387[A ]| And Croesus, whom "that old man eloquent" 306:350,388[A ]| Wisely forbad in fortune to confide, 306:350,389[A ]| Or take the name of Happy till he died. 306:350,390[A ]| That Marius, exil'd from his native plains, <390> 306:350,391[A ]| Was hid in fens, discover'd, bound in chains; 306:351,392[A ]| That, bursting these, to Africa he fled, 306:351,393[A ]| And, through the crealms he conquer'd, begg'd his bread, 306:351,394[A ]| Arose from age, from treacherous age alone: 306:351,395[A ]| For what had Rome or earth so happy known, 306:351,396[A ]| Had he, in that blest moment, ceas'd to live, 306:351,397[A ]| When, grac'd with all that victory could give, 306:351,398[A ]| "Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war," 306:351,399[A ]| He first alighted from his Cimbric car! 306:351,400[A ]| Campania, prescient of Pompey's fate, <400> 306:351,401[A ]| Sent a kind fever to arrest his date: 306:351,402[A ]| When lo! A thousand suppliant altars rise, 306:351,403[A ]| And public vows obtain him of the skies. 306:351,404[A ]| Ill done! that head, thus rescued from the grave, 306:351,405[A ]| Fell mangled by a vile Egyptian slave ~~ 306:352,406[A ]| Cethegus knew no punishment so dire, 306:352,407[A ]| No pain; unmaim'd did Lentulus expire, 306:352,408[A ]| And Catiline, though vanquish'd, sunk entire. 306:352,409[A ]| Whene'er the fane of Venus meets her eye, 306:352,410[A ]| The anxious mother breathes a secret sigh, <410> 306:352,411[A ]| For handsome boys; but asks, with bolder prayer, 306:352,412[A ]| That all her girls be exquisitely fair! 306:352,413[A ]| "Why not?" she cries, "Latona, in the sight 306:352,414[A ]| Of Dian's beauty, took unblam'd delight." 306:352,415[A ]| True; but Lucretia curs'd her fatal charms, 306:352,416[A ]| When spent with struggling in a Tarquin's arms; 306:352,417[A ]| And poor Virginia would have chang'd her face, 306:352,418[A ]| For Rutila, the scandal of her race. 306:352,419[A ]| "But boys may still be fair." No, they destroy 306:352,420[A ]| Their parents' peace, and murder all their joy; <420> 306:352,421[A ]| For rarely are those jarring blessings join'd, 306:352,422[A ]| A beauteous body and a virtuous mind, 306:352,423[A ]| Though the strict house like ancient Sabines live, 306:352,424[A ]| And every hour some moral precept give. 306:352,425[A ]| Besides, should Nature, in her kindest mood, 306:352,426[A ]| Confer th' ingenuous flush of modest blood, 306:353,427[A ]| The disposition chaste as unsunn'd snow; 306:353,428[A ]| And what can nature more than these bestow, 306:353,429[A ]| These, which no art, no care, can give? e'en then, 306:353,430[A ]| They cannot hope, they must not, to be men. <430> 306:353,431[A ]| Smit with their charms, the imps of hell appear, 306:353,432[A ]| And pour their proffers in a parent's ear, 306:353,433[A ]| For prostitution, ~~ infamously bold, 306:353,434[A ]| And trusting to the almighty power of gold: 306:354,435[A ]| While youths, in shape and air less form'd to please, 306:354,436[A ]| No tyrants mutilate, no Neros seize. 306:354,437[A ]| Go now, and triumph in your beauteous boy, 306:354,438[A ]| Your Ganimede; whom other ills annoy, 306:354,439[A ]| And other dangers wait: his charms once known, 306:354,440[A ]| He stands profess'd, the favourite of the town; <440> 306:354,441[A ]| And dreads, incessant dreads, on every hand, 306:354,442[A ]| The fierce revenge a husband's wrongs demand: 306:354,443[A ]| For sure detection follows soon or late; 306:354,444[A ]| Born under Mars, he cannot 'scape his fate. 306:354,445[A ]| Oft on the adulterer too, the furious spouse 306:354,446[A ]| Inflicts worse evils than the law allows; 306:354,447[A ]| By blows, stripes, gashes some are robb'd of breath, 306:354,448[A ]| And others by the mullet rack'd to death. 306:354,449[A ]| "But my Endymion will more lucky prove, 306:354,450[A ]| And serve a beauteous mistress, all for love." <450> 306:354,451[A ]| No; he will soon to ugliness be sold, 306:354,452[A ]| And serve a toothless grandam, all for gold. 306:354,453[A ]| Servilia will not miss him; jewels, clothes, 306:354,454[A ]| All, all she sells, and all on him bestows; 306:355,455[A ]| For women nought to the dear youth deny, 306:355,456[A ]| Or think his favours can be bought too high: 306:355,457[A ]| When love's the word, the naked sex appear, 306:355,458[A ]| And every woman is a spendthrift here. 306:355,459[A ]| "But if my son with virtue be endued, 306:355,460[A ]| What harm will beauty do him?" nay, what good? <460> 306:355,461[A ]| What slew Hippolitus of old, and chas'd 306:355,462[A ]| Bellerophon from home, belied, disgrac'd, 306:355,463[A ]| But charms like those you fatally require, 306:355,464[A ]| And chastity, that spurn'd each loose desire? 306:355,465[A ]| Then, then did Phaedra redden, then her pride 306:355,466[A ]| Took fire, to be so stedfastly denied; 306:355,467[A ]| Then, then did Sthenoboea glow with shame, 306:355,468[A ]| And both burst forth with unexampled flame. 306:355,469[A ]| A woman scorn'd, is pitiless as fate, 306:355,470[A ]| For then the dread of shame adds stings to hate. <470> 306:355,471[A ]| But Silius comes; ~~ now be thy judgment tried: 306:355,472[A ]| Shall he accept, or not, the proffer'd bride, 306:356,473[A ]| And marry Caesar's wife? Hard point in truth: 306:356,474[A ]| Lo, this most noble, this most beauteous youth, 306:356,475[A ]| Is hurried off, a helpless sacrifice 306:356,476[A ]| To the lew'd glance of Messalina's eyes! 306:356,477[A ]| Now bring the victim: in the nuptial vest 306:356,478[A ]| Already see the impatient empress drest, 306:356,479[A ]| The genial couch prepar'd, th' accustom'd sum 306:356,480[A ]| Told out, the augurs and the notaries come. <480> 306:356,481[A ]| "But why all these?" you think, perhaps, the rite 306:356,482[A ]| Were better known to few, and kept from sight: 306:357,483[A ]| Not so the lady; she abhors a flaw, 306:357,484[A ]| And wisely calls for every form of law. 306:357,485[A ]| But what shall Silius do? refuse to wed? 306:357,486[A ]| That instant, see him number'd with the dead. 306:357,487[A ]| Consent? he lives but till the scandal, clear 306:357,488[A ]| To town and country, reach the emperor's ear; 306:357,489[A ]| For he be sure, the last, his house's shame will hear. 306:357,490[A ]| Then let him, if a day's precarious life <490> 306:357,491[A ]| Be worth his study, make the fair his wife; 306:357,492[A ]| For wed or not, poor youth! 'tis still the same, 306:357,493[A ]| And still the axe must mangle that fine frame. 306:357,494[A ]| Say then, must man, depriv'd all power of choice, 306:357,495[A ]| Ne'er raise to Heaven the supplicating voice? 306:358,496[A ]| Not so; but to the gods his fortunes trust: 306:358,497[A ]| Their thoughts are wise, their dispensations just. 306:358,498[A ]| What best may profit or delight they know, 306:358,499[A ]| And real good, for fancied bliss bestow; 306:358,500[A ]| With eyes of pity they our frailties scan; <500> 306:358,501[A ]| More dear to them, than to himself, is man. 306:358,502[A ]| By blind desire, by headlong passion driven, 306:358,503[A ]| For wife, and heirs we daily weary Heaven; 306:358,504[A ]| Yet still 'tis Heaven's prerogative to know, 306:358,505[A ]| If heirs, or wife, will bring us weal or woe. 306:358,506[A ]| But, that thou may'st (for still 'tis good to prove 306:358,507[A ]| Thy humble hope) ask something from above; 306:358,508[A ]| Thy pious offerings to the temples bear, 306:358,509[A ]| And, while the altars blaze, be this thy prayer. 306:358,510[A ]| O Thou, who see'st the wants of human kind, <510> 306:358,511[A ]| Grant me all health of body, health of mind; 306:359,512[A ]| A soul prepar'd to meet the frowns of fate, 306:359,513[A ]| And look undaunted on a future state; 306:359,514[A ]| That reckons death a blessing, yet can bear 306:359,515[A ]| Existence nobly, with its weight of care; 306:359,516[A ]| That anger and desire alike restrains, 306:359,517[A ]| And counts Alcides' toils and cruel pains, 306:359,518[A ]| Superior to the feasts, the wanton sport, 306:359,519[A ]| And morbid softness of the Assyrian court. 306:359,520[A ]| This, thou to give thyself may'st well suffice: ~~ <520> 306:359,521[A ]| The only path to peace through virtue lies. 306:359,522[A ]| O Fortune, Fortune! all thy boasted powers 306:359,523[A ]| Would shrink to nothing, were but prudence ours: 306:360,524[A ]| But man, fond man, exalts thee to the spheres, 306:360,525[A ]| And clothes thee in the attributes he fears.