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The Augustan Reprint Society
MATHIAS CASIMIRE
SARBIEWSKI
_The Odes of Casimire, Translated by G. Hils_
(1646)
With an Introduction by
Maren-Sofie Roestvig
Publication Number 44
Los Angeles
William Andrews Clark Memorial Library
University of California
1953
GENERAL EDITORS
RICHARD C. BOYS, _University of Michigan_
RALPH COHEN, _University of California, Los Angeles_
VINTON A. DEARING, _University of California, Los Angeles_
LAWRENCE CLARK POWELL, _Clark Memorial Library_
ASSISTANT EDITOR
W. EARL BRITTON, _University of Michigan_
ADVISORY EDITORS
EMMETT L. AVERY, _State College of Washington_
BENJAMIN BOYCE, _Duke University_
LOUIS BREDVOLD, _University of Michigan_
JOHN BUTT, _King's College, University of Durham_
JAMES L. CLIFFORD, _Columbia University_
ARTHUR FRIEDMAN, _University of Chicago_
EDWARD NILES HOOKER, _University of California, Los Angeles_
LOUIS A. LANDA, _Princeton University_
SAMUEL H. MONK, _University of Minnesota_
ERNEST C. MOSSNER, _University of Texas_
JAMES SUTHERLAND, _University College, London_
H. T. SWEDENBERG, JR., _University of California, Los Angeles_
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY
EDNA C. DAVIS, _Clark Memorial Library_
INTRODUCTION
Mathias Casimire Sarbiewski (1595-1640) vas a Polish Jesuit whose
neo-Latin Horatian odes and Biblical paraphrases gained immediate
European acclaim upon their first publication in 1625 and 1628.[1] The
fine lyric quality of Sarbiewski's poetry, and the fact that he often
fused classical and Christian motifs, made a critic like Hugo Grotius
actually prefer the "divine Casimire" to Horace himself, and his
popularity among the English poets is evidenced by an impressive number
of translations.
G. Hils's _Odes of Casimire_ (1646), here reproduced by permission from
the copy in the Henry E. Huntington Library, is the earliest English
collection of translations from the verse of the Polish Horace. It is
also the most important. Acknowledged translations of individual poems
appeared in Henry Vaughan's _Olor Iscanus_ (1651), Sir Edward
Sherburne's _Poems and Translations_ (1651), the _Miscellany Poems and
Translations by Oxford Hands_ (1685), Isaac Watts's _Horae Lyricae_
(1706), Thomas Brown's _Works_ (1707-8), and John Hughes's _The Ecstasy.
An Ode_ (1720). Unacknowledged paraphrases from Casimire include Abraham
Cowley's "The Extasie,"[2] John Norris's "The Elevation,"[3] and a
number of Isaac Watts's pious and moral odes.[4] Latin editions of
Casimire's odes appeared in London in 1684, and in Cambridge in 1684
and 1689.
Another striking example of the direct influence of Casimire upon
English poetry is presented by Edward Benlowes's _Theophila_ (1652).
This long-winded epic of the soul exhibits not only a general
indebtedness in imagery and ideas, but also direct borrowings of whole
lines from Hils's _Odes of Casimire_. One example will have to suffice:
Casimire, Ode IV, 44
_Theophila_, XIII, 68
Let th' _Goth_ his strongest chaines prepare,
The _Scythians_ hence mee captive teare,
My mind being free with you, I'le stare
The Tyrants in the face....
Then let fierce Goths their strongest chains prepare;
Grim Scythians me their slave declare;
My soul being free, those tyrants in the face I'll stare.
Casimire's greatest achievement was in the field of the philosophic
lyric, and in a number of cases he anticipated poetic techniques and
motifs which later grew popular also with the English poets. Thus, long
before Denham and Marvell, he practised the technique of investing the
scenes of nature with a moral or spiritual significance. A comparison
of Casimire's loco-descriptive first epode on the estate of the Duke of
Bracciano with Denham's _Cooper's Hill_ (1642) reveals that the Polish
poet was the first to mix description with moral reflection, and to
choose the gentle hills, the calmly flowing river, and a retired country
life as symbols of the Horatian golden mean.
Some of Casimire's richest imagery is found in his paraphrases of
_Canticles_, and particularly in Ode IV, 21. Parts of this ode provide a
striking parallel to the famous fifth stanza of Marvell's "The Garden."
In it Horace and Virgil meet with Solomon, the _hortus conclusus_ of the
Hebrew poet merging with the landscape of retirement as we find it in
Virgil's eclogues or in Horace's second and sixteenth epodes. Much of
Casimire's poetry, is indeed best understood as a conscious effort to
apply the allegorical technique of _Canticles_ to the classical _beatus
ille_-themes,[5] just as his thought presents an interesting combination
of Stoic and Platonic ideas.
The Polish poet, who was a university professor and a doctor of
theology, may easily have learned from the Hermetic writers how to
combine these great classical traditions. There is direct proof of
Casimire's familiarity with the Hermetic tradition in his Ode II, 5
("E Rebus Humanis Excessus"), which is a paraphrase of _Libellus I_,
sections 25 and 26.[6] Since Henry Vaughan was familiar with Casimire's
poetry, it is reasonable to suspect that Vaughan's own treatment of
Hermetic motifs owed much to this influence. If one compares Vaughan's
religious nature lyrics and Casimire's odes, a number of common poetical
motifs are easily found, and so we are here again faced with the fact
that themes which became popular in England in the mid-seventeenth
century were anticipated in the Latin odes of Casimire.[7]
Hermetic ideas are also encountered in Casimire's third epode,
which combines a Horatian Stoicism with a neo-Platonlc or Hermetic
interpretation of the classical landscape of retirement. An avowed reply
to Horace's second epode, it expands the Horatian philosophy through the
addition of three new themes: the theme of solitude, the theme of the
Earthly Paradise, and the theme of Nature as a divine hieroglyph. Its
presentation of the garden ecstasy of the retired _beatus vir_ thus
strikes the same note to which we know from Mildmay Fane's "To
Retiredness" and Andrew Marvell's "The Garden." In slightly adapted
form, these themes were to flourish in the poetry of the Countess
of Winchilsea, Isaac Watts, John Hughes, and a number of early
eighteenth-century nature poets.
In the Romantic period Casimire's fame was again revived. While still a
young man, Coleridge planned a complete translation of Casimire's odes,
but never finished more than the ode "Ad Lyram." It was also Coleridge
who said that with the exception of Lucretius and Statius he knew no
Latin poet, ancient or modern, who could be said to equal Casimire
in boldness of conception, opulence of fancy, or beauty of
versification.[8] A knowledge of the themes and techniques of this
Latin poet should therefore be of interest to all students of English
poetry.
Maren-Sofie Roestvig
University of Oslo
NOTES TO THE INTRODUCTION
1. For a complete bibliography, see Carlos Sommervogel, Bibliotheque de
la Compagnie de Jesus (Bruxelles et Paris, 1896), VII, 627-646.
2. In the preface to _The Ecstasy. An Ode_ (1720), John Hughes comments
on Cowley's indebtedness, in "The Extasie," to Casimire.
3. Norris's indebtedness has been pointed out by Hoxie N. Fairchild,
_Religious Trends in English Poetry_ (New York, 1939- ), I, 110, n. 21.
4. Compare Watts's "False Greatness," "'Tis Dangerous to Follow the
Multitude," and "The Kingdom of the Wise Man" to Casimire's Ode IV, 34;
IV, 10; and IV, 3.
5. By this term is understood the themes presented in Horace's second
epode on the happy country life.
6. Hermes Trismegistus, _Hermetica_, ed. Walter Scott (Oxford, 1924-36),
I, 129.
7. No study has as yet been made of Casimire's influence upon English
literature, but I hope shortly to publish the results of my own
investigation of this problem.
8. Coleridge prefaced his translation of the ode "Ad Lyram" with this
remark. See also _Biographia Literaria_, ed. John Shawcross (Oxford,
1907), II, 209. For further critical estimates, see Sir John Bowring,
trans., _Specimens of the Polish Poets_ (London, 1827), and Caecilius
Metellus, pseud., "On the Life and Writings of Casimir," _The Classical
Journal_, XXV (1822), 103-110.
* * * * *
* * * *
The
ODES
of
CASIMIRE
Translated by
_G. H._
[Illustration]
LONDON,
Printed by _T. W._ for _Humphrey Moseley_,
at the signe of the Princes Armes in
_Pauls_ Church-yard, _1646_.
[Illustration]
The
ODES of
CASIMIRE
_Translated by_
G. H.
_Printed for _Humphrey Moseley_ at the Princes-Armes
in Pauls Churchyard 1646. W. M. sculp:_
[Decoration]
_Od. 1. Lib. 1._
Cum infestae Thracum Copiae Pannonia excessissent.
[Decoration]
Od. 1. Lib. 1.
When the hatefull forces of the Thracians departed out of
_Pannonia_.
Jam minae saevi cecidere belli:
Jam profanatis male pulsa terris
Et salus, & pax niveis revisit
Oppida bigis:
Iam fides, & fas, & amaena praeter
Faustitas, laeto volat arva curru:
Iam fluunt passim pretiosa largis
Saecula rivis.
Candidi soles veterisq; venae
Fontibus nati revocantur Anni:
Grandinat Gemmis, riguoq; Coelum
Depluit Auro.
The threats of cruell Warre now cease:,
In stead of them safety and peace,
Banish'd th'unhallowed earth, doe please
'Returne in their white Waine;
Faith joyn'd with Truth, and Plenty too
O're pleasant fields doe nimbly goe;
The precious Ages past, doe flow
With liberall streames againe.
Cleare dayes, such yeares as were of old
Recalled are, o'th' ancient mold,
The Heavens hayle Pearles, and molten Gold
Doth raine down-right in showres;
Meq; veraci cecinisse plectro
Inter Octobreis, tua festa, pompas,
Prisca _Saturni_ rediisse saecla,
Approbat Orbis.
Aurei patrum niveiq; mores,
Exul & sera procul usq; Thule,
Candor, & pulchro remeare virtus
Audet _Olympo_.
Whilst I with my Prophetique string
Thy Winter feastivalls doe sing,
The whole world doth with Ecchoes ring
Old _Saturn's_ age is ours.
Our Fathers pure and golden rule
Exil'd as farre as farthest Thule,
Justice from bright _Olympus_ schoole
Comes boldly back againe.
Lactis, & fusi per aprica mellis
Garruli Campos secuere rivi:
Et superfuso tumuere plenae
Nectare ripae.
Laetior vulgo seges inquietis
Fluctuat culmis, titubantq; frugum
Uberes Campi, nec avara sulcis
Invidet aestas.
Pastor Erranteis comitatus Hoedos
Provocat raucas calamo cicadas:
Mugiunt Colles, & anhela fessis
Silva Iuvencis.
The streams which Milk and Honey yeild,
Their passage cut through open field,
And the full banks with Nectar swell'd
Doe drowne the flowrie plaine.
The glad Corne in the restles stalke
Waves, and the fields as wee doe walke,
So fruitfull reele, to any balke
The Heat no spight doth owe.
The Herdsmans Pipe to's wandring Goats,
Provokes the Grashoppers hoarse notes;
The tyred Herd with strayned throats,
Makes Hills and Woods to low.
Pace subsultant juga, pace rident
Tetrica rupes: leve separatos
Otium colleis amat, & sequestri
Gaudia pagi.
Te _Ceres_ flavis redimita culmis,
Magne pacati moderator orbis,
Te suis AEstas opulenta Circum-
fundit aristis.
Supplici Myrtus tibi servit umbra,
Serviunt Lauri: tibi celsa longe
Quercus assurgit, tremuloq; pinus
Vertice nutat.
Siderum praeses, dominusq; terrae,
Lucida Romam speculatus aree,
Regna tranquillet, Cupidoq; patrem
Te velit orbi.
The Mountaines leape, and rough Rocks smile
For gentle Peace rejoyceth still
Such solitary roomes to fill
Hills set apart, 'lone Townes.
_Ceres_ with yellow Chaplet, and
The Summer rich with eares doth stand,
Great Prince of our appeased Land,
Thee to encompasse round.
The Myrtle begs with humble shade
To serve thee and the Laurel's glade;
The lofty Oake doth rise; Its head
The trembling Pine doth bow;
Hee that o're Starrs and earth hath powre,
Beholding us, from his bright Towre,
Calms all, and sets thee father o're
The covetous world below.
Laurus annosum tibi signet aevum:
Fata te norint, properentque parcae
Nescium carpi tibi destinatos
Stamen in annos.
Quaeq; formosos sedet inter igneis,
Sedulam pro te miserata _Romam_
Virgo, quam circum glomerantur albis
Astra choreis.
Curet effusas Latii querelas,
Virginum castas juvenumque voces
Curet, & votis procerum reclinem
accommodet aurem.
The Laurell signe long life to thee,
Let Fates and destinies agree
To twine thy thred, which cannot bee
Cut 'till th'appointed time.
May shee amidst those glorious fires,
For thy sake, pittying our desires,
'Bout whom the beauteous starrs inquires,
And flowing measures swim;
May shee, I say, our Country's griefe
Cure, and the chast complaints releive
Of all our youth, and willing eares
Apply to th' praiers of all our Peeres.
Ad Aurelium Lycum.
_Ode 2. Lib. 1._
Ne plus aequo de adversa fortuna queratur.
To _Aurelius Lycas_.
Ode 2. Li. 1.
_That hee would not complaine too much of adverse fortune._
Indignas, Lyce, naenias,
Et maestum gemitu pectus, & hispidis
Frontem nubibus expedi,
Cum Sol non solito lumine riserit,
Et fortuna volubilis
Fati difficilem jecerit aleam.
Quod vexant hodie Noti,
Cras lambent hilares aequor AEtesiae.
Moestum sol hodie caput,
Cras laetum roseo promet ab aequore.
Alterno redeunt choro
Risus & gemitus, & madidis prope
Sicci cum Lacrymis joci.
Nascuntur mediis gaudia luctibus,
Sic fatis placitum. suis
Tempestiva fluunt fata periculis.
Unmanly howlings, _Lycuas_, leave,
Thy sad breast doe not vex, nor grieve;
Thy rugged brow from cloudes set free,
Although with usuall beames 'on thee
The Sun not shines; or fortune late
Hath throwne the hardest chance of Fate.
With th' waves, that South windes tosse to day,
The cheerfull Easterne gales will play;
The Sun that now hangs downe his head,
With joy from blushing _Thetis_ bed
I'th' morne will rise. Laughter and woe
Keepe time, and in their courses goe.
Cleare merriment succeeds wet eyes,
And joyes in mid'st of sorrows rise.
Thus pleaseth it the Fates, that flow
With various hazards here below.
Fessos duxit heri boves,
Dat magnis hodie jura Quiritibus:
Et quae bobus ademerat,
Imponit Gabiis, & Curibus juga.
Idem Phosphorus aspicit
Magnum quem tenuem viderat Hesperus.
Quod si seria ludicris
Fortuna placeat texere; Rusticus
Hesternam repetet casam,
Ridentis populi non humilis jocus:
Et queis rexerat omnia,
Findet laurigeris ligna securibus.
Quod si defuerit salix
Fasces pauperibus subjiciet focis.
Hee who his Oxen tyr'd, did drive,
Doth lawes to day, to th' City give:
And the same yokes he tooke from those,
Upon the Citizens impose.
The day-starre great, that man doth see,
Whom th'Evening saw in low degree.
But if the things that serious are
With Fortunes pastimes to compare
Doth please you; See, this Country-man
Betakes himselfe to's farme againe,
Of's jeering neighbours th'only sport,
And with those Axes which i'th' Court
Hee ruled all with, Cleaves his wood,
Whose Helves are made of Laurell good.
And if a want of wood there growes,
The _Fasces_ on the fire he throwes.
Ad _Tarquinium Lavinum_.
Od. 13. lib. 1.
Non si Sol semel occidit,
Non rubris iterum surget ad Indiis;
Nec si quos celeris rotae
Sors non exiguo proruit impetu,
Non lapsos iterum levet,
Arguto docilis ludere cum joco.
Ne spem projice, _Tarquini_:
Cujus paene retro lambere pulverem
Et vestigia diceris,
Cum fortuna levem verterit orbitam,
Effusam super & luto
Fumantem poteris cernere purpuram.
Tunc & risibus abstine,
Neu turpi domino Lumina paveris:
Neu calces nimium, memor
Fortunae geminam saepe jaci pilam.
To _Tarquinius Lavinus_.
_Ode 13. lib. 1._
As if the Sun that once doth set,
From th' blushing East a new birth doth not get
As if that those whom Fortunes frowne
By the swift violence of her wheele, throwes down,
Shee would not raise again with ease,
So active in such nimble sports as these.
Despaire not (Sir) whose footsteps now
Thou'rt said to kisse, and lick the dust of's shooe,
Let Fortune her light wheele but turne,
And then _Tarquinius_, thou shalt soon discerne
From his proud height, him downward thrust,
His trampled robes smoking in mire and dust.
Thy jeeres and laughter then forbeare,
His all-bespattred lookes thou shalt not feare,
Nor trample on, remembring how
Fortune a double ball doth often throw.
Ad _Publium Memmium_.
_Ode 2. Lib. 2._
Vitae humanae brevitatem benefactis extendendam esse.
Qua tegit Canas modo bruma valleis,
Sole vicinos jaculante monteis
Deteget rursum. Tibi cum nivosa
Bruma senecta
In caput seris cecidit pruinis,
Decidet nunquam. Cita fugit AEstas,
Fugit Autumnus, fugient propinqui
Tempora veris:
At tibi frigus, capitiq; cani
Semper haerebunt, neq; multa Nardus
Nec parum gratum repetita dement
Serta colorem.
Una quem nobis dederat juventus:
Una te nobis rapiet senectus:
Sed potes, _Publi_, geminare magna
Saecula fama,
Quem sui raptum gemuere cives.
Hic diu vixit. Sibi quisq; famam
Scribat Haeredem: rapiunt avarae
Cetera Lunae.
To _Publius Memmius_.
_Ode 2. Lib. 2._
_That the shortnesse of mans life is to bee lengthened
by good deeds._
The Valleys, now, all clad in gray
By Winter, when Sol darts his ray
On neighbouring hills, hee'l naked lay,
As heretofore.
But when the winter of thy yeares
With snow, within thy locks appeares,
When hoary frost shall dye thine haires,
It parts no more.
Summer, and Autumn's quickly gone,
Th'approaching Spring will passe as soon:
Gray hayres, and chilling cold alone
With thee will stay.
To thy ill colour, Nard distill'd,
Nor the renew'd perfumes o'th' field
Of flowres, can any vertue yeild,
Or tak't away.
Thee, whom thy youth hath giv'n to day.
At night old age will take away.
Thy time to double, is, to lay
A fame most bright.
Whom snach'd by death, his friends bemone,
He hath liv'd long. Let every one
Write Fames sole heire: that's free alone,
From th' rape of night.
E Rebus Humanis Excessus.
_Ode 5. Lib. 2._
_A Departure from things humane._
_Ode 5. Lib. 2._
Humana linquo: tollite praepetem
Nubesque ventique. Ut mihi devii
Montes resedere, & volanti
Regna porcul, populosque vastos
Subegit aer! jam radiantia
Delubra Divum, jam mihi regiae
Turres recessere, & relicta in
Exiguum tenuantur urbes;
Totasq; qua se cunque ferunt vaga
Despecto Gentes. O lacrymabilis
Jncerta fortuna! o fluentum
Principia, interitusque rerum!
Lift me up quickly on your wings,
Ye Clouds, and Winds; I leave all earthly things;
How Devious Hills give way to mee!
And the vast ayre brings under, as I fly,
Kingdomes and populous states! see how
The Glyst'ring Temples of the Gods doe bow;
The glorious Tow'rs of Princes, and
Forsaken townes, shrunke into nothing, stand:
And as I downward looke, I spy
Whole Nations every where all scattred lye.
Oh the sad change that Fortune brings!
The rise and fall of transitory things!
Hic ducta primis oppida moenibus
Minantur in Coelum: hic veteres ruunt
Murique turresq;: hic supinas
Paene cinis sepelivit arces.
Hic mite Coelum, sed rapidae ruunt
In Bella Gentes: hic placida sedent
In pace, sed late quietos
Dira lues populatur agros.
Here walled townes that threatned Heav'n,
Now old and ruin'd, with the earth lye even:
Here stately Pallaces, that thrust
Their heads i'th'ayre, lye buried all in dust.
Here the Ayre Temp'rate is and mild,
But the fierce people rush to warres, most wild:
Here in a joyfull peace they rest,
But Direfull Murraines their quiet fields lay wast.
Hic paene tellus tota micantibus
Ardet sub armis: stant acies adhuc
Pendente fatorum sub ictu,
Et dubio furor haesitavit
In bella passu: parte alia recens
Jam mista Mavors agmina mutuam
Collisit in mortem, & Cadentum
Caede virum, Cumulisque latos
Insternit agros: hic Mareotica
Secura merces aequora navigant,
Portusq; certatim frequentes
Centum operis populisque fervent.
Here the whole Land doth scorching lye
Under the glittering Armes o' th'Enemy:
Under the hovering stroke o' th' Fates
The Armies yet both stand; and fury waites
With doubfull steps, upon the warre;
Fresh courage here, the mingled troopes prepare.
Each against other fiercely run,
And mutually they worke destruction:
The slaughtered heapes in reeking gore
With bloudy covering spread the fields all o're:
Here on safe Seas, as joyfull prize
Is strip'd away th'AEgyptian Merchandize,
Whilst the full Havens thick beset,
Doe furiously with fierce contention fret.
Nec una Marti causa, nec unius
Sunt Arma moris. Bellat Adultera
Ridentis e vultu voluptas,
Inq; _Helena_ procus ardet orbis.
Hic verba bellis vindicat: hic canis,
Heu vile furtum! Se mala comparant;
Rarum sub exemplo superbit,
Nec sceleris scelus instar omne est.
_Mars_ hath his divers Causes, and
His severall fashion'd weapons to command.
From the Adultresse smiling lookes
Pleasure doth fight, and unto Warre provokes,
The doting world with _Helen_ burnes.
This sordid man, oh base advantage! turnes
Revenge of vvords to blowes;
Mischiefe begets it selfe, from mischiefe growes.
Small sins by example higher dare,
Nor doth all sin, alvvaies like sin appeare.
Eous illinc belligera latet
Sub Classe pontus: Jam _Thetis_ aenea
Mugire flammarum procella, &
Attonitae trepidare cautes,
Et ipsa circum littora percuti
Majore fluctu. Sistite barbari,
Ferroq; neu simplex, & igni &
Naufragio geminate fatum.
There th'Easterne Sea lyes coverd o're
With vvarlike Fleets: _Thetis_ begins to rore
With stormes of flaming Brasse, and here
Th'astonish'd Rocks all trembling stand with feare.
The troubled Sea vvith vvinds beset
With stronger vvaves 'gainst the full shore doth beat.
Forbeare, cruell men to multiply
With fire, Sword-vvrack your single destiny.
Parumne Tellus in miseras patet
Immensa mortes? hinc miserabili
Quassata terrarum tumultu
Stare pavent titubantq; regna,
Unaq; tandem funditus obruunt
Cives ruina. Stat tacitus cinis,
Cui serus inscribat viator:
_Cum populo jacet hic & ipso
Cum Rege Regn[um]._ Quid memorem super-
Infusa totis aequora portubus
Urbes inundare, & repenti
Tecta Deum sonuisse fluctu.
Regumq; Turres, & pelago Casas
Jamjam latentes? jam video procul
Merceisq; differri, & natantem
Oceano fluitare gazam.
Is the large Earth too narrovv grovvne,
Such slaughters, such dire tragedies to ovvne?
Large Kingdomes there, brought under thrall
With Tumult, stagger, and for feare doe fall;
Where in one Ruine wee may see
The dying people all o'rewhelmed lye.
The silent dust remaines, to let
The weary Pilgrim this Inscription set
(In after times, at hee goes by)
_King, Kingdome, People here entombed lye_.
What should I name the raging Seas,
Whole Havens over-flowing, and with these
I'th' sudden floud whole Cities drown'd
The shaken Temples of the Gods that found?
Kings Pallaces what should I name
Now sunke i'th' deepe, small Cottages i'th' same?
Vast wealth I see swept downe with th' tyde
Rich treasure in the Ocean floting glyde.
Alterna rerum militat efficax
In damna mundus. Cladibus instruit
Bellisq; rixisq; & ruinis
Sanguineam libitina scenam,
Suprema doxec stelligerum dies
Claudat Theatrum. Quid morer hactenus
Viator aurarum & serenas
Sole domos aditurus usque
Humana mirer? tollite praepetem
Festina vatem, tollite nubila
Qua solis & Lunae Labores
Caeruleo vehit aethra Campo.
The active world t'each others harmes
Doth daily fight, and the pale Goddesse armes
The bloudy scene with slaughters, warrs,
With utter ruins, and with deadly jarrs;
Thus there's no _Exit_ of our woes,
Till the last day the Theater shall close,
Why stay I then, when goe I may--
To'a house enlightned by the Suns bright ray?
Shall I still dote on things humane?
Lift up your longing Priest, yee Clouds, oh deigne
Lift m'up where th'aire a splendour yeilds
Lights the sun's chariot through the azure fields.
Ludor? sequaces aut subeunt latus
Ferunt; venti? Jamque iterum mihi
Et regna decrevere, & immensae
Ante oculos periere gentes;
Suoque semper terra minor Globo
Jam jamque cerni difficilis, suum
Vanescit in punctum? o refusum
Numinis Oceanum! o carentem
Mortalitatis portubus insulam!
O clausa nullis marginibus freta!
Haurite anhelantem, & perenni
_Sarbivium_ glomerate fluctu.
Am I deceived? or doe I see
The following winds on their wings mounting me,
And now againe Great kingdomes lye
Whole Nations perishing before mine eye?
The earth which alwayes lesse hath beene
Then's Globe, and now, just now can scarce be seene,
Into it's point doth vanish, see!
Oh the brim'd Ocean of the Deitie!
Oh Glorious Island richly free
From the cold Harbours of mortality!
Yee boundlesse Seas, with endlesse flouds of rest
Girt round _Sarbinius_ your panting Priest.
Ad Publium Memmium.
Od. 7. Lib. 2.
Esset humanis aliquod levamen
Cladibus, si res caderent eadem
Qua mora surgunt; sed humant repentes
Alta ruinae.
Nil diu felix stetit; inquieta
Urbium currunt hominumq; Fata:
Totq; vix horis jacuere, surgunt
Regna quot annis.
Casibus longum dedit ille tempus,
Qui diem regnis satis eruendis
Dixit: elato populos habent mo-
menta sub ictu.
Parce crudeles, moriture _Publi_,
Impio divos onerare questu,
Densa vicinis nimium vagari
Funera tectis.
Quae tibi primum dedit hora nasci,
Haec mori primum dedit. Ille longum
Vixit, aeternum sibi qui merendo
Vindicat aevum.
To _Publius Memmius_.
_Ode 7. Lib. 2._
Amidst our losse it were some ease,
If things did fall, with the same stay, and leisure
They rise; but sudden ruines seize
On our most lofty things, and richest treasure.
Nothing long time hath happy been.
The restlesse Fates of peopled-Cities, passe:
In a few hour's destroy'd w'have seen,
In many yeares what never raised was.
He gave to Chance long time, that said
One day's enough, whole Kingdomes t'overthrow:
Each moment holds a people swayd
Under a fatall and exalted blow.
Being neere thy death, then, _Publius_, spare
To load the Gods, with thy blasphemous plaints;
That Funeralls so frequent are,
Or death so much thy neighbours house haunts.
The houre, that first to thee gave life,
That thou should'st likewise dye, gave first to thee.
He hath liv'd long, who well doth strive
Sure alwaies of eternall life to bee.
Ad Asterium. Ode 8. lib 2.
At nos inani pascit imagine
Fortuna rerum. Ludimur _Asteri_,
Umbris amicorum; & doloso
Verba simul placuere fuco,
Res esse stulti credimus. at simul
Sors infidelem corripuit rotam,
Gaudent recedenti Sodales
Non eadem dare verba Divae.
Plerumq; falsis nominibus placent
Humana. Rari pollicitis data
Aequamus: & minor loquaci
Relligio solet esse voto.
To Asterius. _Od 8. l. 2._
VV'Are mock'd with 'baytes that fortune flings
And fed with th'empty husks of things:
Shadowes, not friends we entertaine;
W'are pleas'd with the deceitfull traine
Of words, and thinke them deeds. But when
Th'unconstant wheele shall turne agen
To th' parting Goddesse, wee shall see
Those friends the selfe-same words deny.
Things Humane under false names please.
Our gifts match not our promises;
Religion, lesse to be doth use,
Then the large language of our vowes.
Ex sacro Salomonis Epithal.
Ode 19. l. 2.
Similis est dilectus meus capreae, hinnuloque cervorum.
Out of _Solomon's_ sacred Mariage Song.
_Ode 19. Lib. 2._
Vitas sollicitae me similis caprae,
Quam vel nimbisoni sibilus Africi,
Vel motum subitis murmur Etesiis
Vano corripit impetu.
Nam seu prima metum bruma trementibus
Incussit foliis, sive Diespiter
Elisit resonis tela Cerauniis,
Incerta trepidat fuga.
At qui non ego te quaerere desinam,
Clamatura retro, _Christe_, Revertere: &
Rursus, cum rapido fugeris impetu,
Clamatura, Revertere.
Thou shunnest me, like to a fearfull Roe,
Which, as the stormy North-winds blow,
Or the rough noise o' th' suddaine Easterne blast,
Is snatch'd away with forcelesse hast.
For th'early frost the trembling leaves doth fright,
Or else the Father of the light
Hath hewne from th'ecchoing rocks his thundring darts,
Hee hastens with such doubtfull starts.
But till I find thee, I'le not cease, nor rest,
But cry aloud, Returne, o Christ:
And when with swifter speed thou fly'st away,
Returne againe, o Christ, I'le say.
O seu te Libani terga virentia,
Seu formosa rubrae culta Bethuliae,
Seu pinguis Solymae, sive procul cavae
Cingunt rura Capharniae;
Tandem sollicitae pone modum fugae.
Nam non effugies, Te mihi sedulis
Aether excubiis prodet, & aureis
Prodet Cynthia cornibus.
Te neglecta gemunt littora, te procul
Suspirat tacitis aura Pavoniis,
Te noctis vigiles, te mihi vividis
Signant sidera nutibus.
The tops of _Lebanus_, so green and gay,
The faire tilths of _Bethulia_,
Encompasse thee, old _Salem_'s fruitfull Land,
Or else _Capharnia_ low doth stand.
At length give o're thy sad and carefull flight:
Thou shalt not scape me, th'evening bright
With its so watchfull Centry, thee'l betray,
And th'Moone with golden hornes doth stray.
By th'grones of the neglected shores I'le find
Thee; and by th'sighs o'th' Westerne wind;
Thee the night's watch, the starrs that walke about
With lively signes will point thee out.
Dirae in Herodem.
Ode 24. l. 2.
_Dirae_ in _Herodem_.
_Ode 24. Lib. 2._
Devota sacrae progenies domus!
Fatale monstrum! prodigialium
Monstrum parentum! seu Libyssa
Marmaricis leae pavit antris,
Seu te maligno sidere degener
Pardus marita tigride prodidit,
Furoris haeredem paterni;
Sive gregis populator Afri
Nudum sub alto destituit jugo;
Seu belluosis fluctibus exspuit
Irata tempestas nocentem
Alitibusq; ferisq; praedam;
Thou Cursed off-spring of that sacred place!
Thou fatall monster of prodigious race!
A Libyan Lyonesse in some Affrick den
Gave nourishment to thee, thou shame of men.
Or mungrill Libard with a shee-Tiger, hurl'd
Thee, with a mischiefe, into th'hatefull world,
Heyre to the fury of thy Syre, and damm;
Or some wild Wolfe left thee a naked shame:
Under a huge hard rock: some angry storme,
From waves, with things so full of divers forme,
For birds and beasts, spew'd th'up a banefull prey;
Tuo severas pectore marmora
Duxere venas, marmora rupibus
Decisa, quas Gaetula caelebs
Deucalio super arva iecit:
Te sede primum livida regia
Megaera fixit: Tisiphone dedit
Sceptrum cruentandum feraq;
Imposuit Diadema fronti; &
Regale nuper cum premeres ebur
Adsedit altis fulta curulibus,
Et per Palaestinos Tyrannis
Explicuit sua signa campos.
The Marble quarry, 'mid'st the raging Sea,
It's rigid veynes, from thy rough bosome drew;
Marble, from those rocks hewne, _Deucalion_ threw
Over _Gaetulian_ fields: _Megara_ first
Fix'd th'in thy regall seat, on thee accurst
Then _Tisiphon_ the Scepter did bestow,
And set the Diadem on thy savage brow:
And as thy princely Ivory, of late
Thou proudly lean'dst upon, close by thee sate
With stately columnes prop'd, fell tyrannie,
Her Ensignes, who through _Palestine_ let fly:
Tremensq; & atrum sanguine a manu
Telum coruscans secum Odia, & Minas,
Caedemque & insanos tumultus,
Funeraq; & populorum iniquas
Strages, & indignum excidium retro
Lactantis aevi traxit, & inclyta
Regnorum, inexhaustasque longis
Cladibus evacuavit urbies.
Illam & parentum dira gementium
Lamenta, Questusque, & Gemitus retro,
Luctusque vicatim secuti, &
Irriguis Lacrymae catervis.
And her black sword with bloudy trembling hand
Did brandish round, when straight at her command
Hatreds, and strifes appear'd, murder and rage
The horrid ruine of the new-borne age,
Shee drew along; Tumultuous madness, all
The slaughter'd peoples unjust funerall:
Each famous kingdome, inexhausted towne
In a large streame of bloud by her, o're-throwne.
Next followed Her, the plaints, and direfull grones
Of sighing parents, rob'd of their little ones,
Whole tydes of teares, sobs, and lamentings great
And mourning in each corner of the street.
Quod si caducis decidit amnibus
Praesagus imber, quid pluvias sequi
Cunctantur ultrices procellae,
Et volucrum strepitu quadrigarum
Incussus aether pigra tonitrua &
Immugientum fulmina nubium
Compescit, indulgentque metae
Aeriis vaga tela pennis?
But if this show'r, from this sad cause begun,
In too too narrow rivulets doth run;
Why doe revenging stormes so much delay
To back the rayne? what doth their fury stay?
Why doth the shaken sky with rustling noise
Of the Sun's chariot, bridle in the voice
Of the slow thunder? why the lightning stop
From breaking through the clouds with hideous clap?
Those ayrie feather'd arrowes in the darke
That stray, why do they spare their cursed marke?
At nil trisulcis Acroceraunia
Dejecta flammis, nil Rhodopes jugum,
Quassaeve peccavere Cautes
Aemathiae, risi forte dirum
Inominatis marmora partubus
Fudere monstrum: rumpite, rumpite
Monteisque, facundasque Regum
Fulmina praecipitate rupeis.
_Acroceraunia_ with his three-fork'd flame.
And that huge Hill the Thracian Queen gave name,
_AEmathia's_ craggy trembling rocks may passe
Guiltlesse; they have not sin'd at all, alasse!
Unlesse their Marble, with a prodigious birth,
This direfull Monster teem'd, t'infest the earth:
Breake then the mountaines, break yee lightnings,
Throw headlong downe ye fruitfull rocks of Kings.
Exspiret auras; occidat, occidat
Funestus, execrabilis, efferus
Sector; crematuramque taxum
Ipse super cumulumque regni
Summum cadaver fumet, & aera
Caelumque diro liberet halitu
Fatale monstrum, dissidentum
Ludibrium Furiarum, & Orci.
May hee exspire! oh may the murth'rer fall!
Most execrable, cruell, tragicall!
Upon his kingdom's pile, and flaming yew
Let his high carkasse blaze; the ayre anew
May th' monster purge from his infectious breath,
The mocke of wrangling furyes, and of death.
Perrumpe tractus impenetrabileis
Ignava tellus, desuper ardua
Volvente saxorum ruina:
Quam pelagus super, & refusis
Bis terque Nereus Syrtibus insonet.
Audimur. Ingens sidera verberat,
Spumamque, limumque, & rapaceis
Oceanus glomeravit undas:
Oh breake your entrayles, sluggish earth, and downe
Let the high ruins of the rocks be throwne;
'Gainst which the waves o'th'raging Sea may rore
And _Nereus_ with his Quicksands Boyling o're:
Wee're heard. The climbing surges strike the stars
And the big Ocean all her strength prepares;
Her foame, and slimy mud sh'hath heap'd together
Devouring waves toss'd with the worst of weather:
Jam nutat aether, jam barathrum prope,
Vastisque campi dissidiis hiant:
Jam fractus illabetur orbis
Sacrilego capiti. i, profunda
Inexpiato pollue Tartara
Tyranni leto: solus & igneum
Insume Cocytum, & frementem
Sulphureis Acheronta ripis.
The firmament doth shake, & Hell so neere
Through the earths large chinks, which gapeth doth appear:
The shatt'red world now falls on's impious head,
Goe, Tyrant with thy death unpardoned,
Even Hell it selfe pollute, possesse, alone,
_Cocytus_, and sulphureous _Acheron_.
Ex sacro Salomonis Epithalamio.
Fulcite me floribus, &c.
Adiuro vos, filiae Jerusalem, ne suscitetis, &c.
Ecce iste venit, saliens in montibus, transiliens colles, &c.
ODE 25. LIB. 2.
Out of _Solomons_ sacred Marriage Song, Cant. 2.
_Stay me with flagons, &c._
_I charge O yee daughters of _Jerusalem_, that yee stirre
not up, nor wake, &c._
_Behold hee commeth leaping upon the Mountaines &c._
ODE 25. LIB. 2.
Me stipate rosariis,
Me fulcite crocis, me violariis,
Me vallate Cydoniis,
Me canis, sociae, spargite liliis:
Nam visi mora Numinis
Mi sacris animam torret in ignibus.
Vos o, vos ego filiae
Caelestis Solymae; vos Galaditides,
Vos o per capreas ego
Errantesq; jugis hinnuleos precor,
Antiqui genus Isaci,
Quae saltus Libani, quae viridem vago
Carmelum pede visitis,
Nymphae nobilium gloria montium:
Stay mee with saffron, underneath me set
Full banks of Roses, beds of violet;
Refresh mee with the choicest fruit, and spread
The whitest Lillies round about my head:
For the delay of the seene-pow're divine
In sacred flames, consumes this breast of mine.
Yee Daughters of that holy Citie, yee!
Yee Sisters! I, 'tis I, that humbly pray!
O, I, intreat you, by each Hind, and Roe,
That straying o're the tops of Hills doe goe,
Yee stock of ancient _Isaac_, yee that move
With nimble foot through _Lebanus_ sweet grove,
O're _Carmels_ fragrant top! yee Nymphs so faire
The glory of the noble Hills that are,
Ne vexate tenacibus
Acclinem violis: neu strepitu pedum,
Neu plausae sonitu manus
Pacem solliciti rumpite somnii:
Donec sponsa suo leves
Somnos ex oculis pollice terserit:
Donec Lucifer aureus
Rerum paciferum ruperit otium.
Molest not my beloved with your cryes,
Amongst the twining Violets that lyes:
Doe not with claps of hands, or noise of feet,
Awake her, from her carefull slumbers yet:
Untill my Spouse, of her owne selfe, shall rise
And wipe away the soft sleep, from her eyes;
Untill the golden day-starre shall release
All things from silent rest, and gentle peace.
Summis ecce venit jugis
Formosae soboles matris, & unica
Formosi soboles patris:
Silvarumq; super colla comantium,
Et intonsum Libani caput,
Magnorumq; salit terga cacuminum, ac
Proceras nemorum domos
Prono transiliens praeterit impetu:
Veloci similis caprae
Qua visis humili in valle leonibus,
Per praerupta, per ardua
Sublimi volucris fertur anhelitu.
Behold from tops of yonder hills doth come
The blessed off-spring of's faire mothers womb,
The only issue of's bright father too,
On the thick tops o'th' groves doth leaping goe,
The unshorne head of _Lebanus_ so hye
Hee leaps, and the great backs of Mountaines by,
The stately dwellings of the woods hee skips,
And down again with nimble foot hee trips:
Like to a frighted, and swift running Roe.
Beholding Lions in a vale below,
With an amazed haste, and deep fetch'd breath
Through uncouth places runs t'escape his death.
Ad Egnatium Nollium.
AEquo semper rectoq; animo, adversus fortunae inconstantiam
standum esse.
_Ode 4. Lib. 3._
To _Egnatius Nollius_.
_That we ought to be of an even and upright mind, against
the inconstancy of fortune._
_Ode 4. Lib. 3._
Sive te molli vehet aura vento,
Sive non planis agitabit undis,
Vince Fortunam, dubiasque _Nolli_,
Lude per artes.
Riserit? vultum generosus aufer.
Fleverit? dulci refer ora risu:
Solus, & semper tum esse quovis
Disce tumultu.
Ipse te clausus modereris urbem
Consul aut Caesar; quoties minantum
Turba fatorum quatient serenam
Pectoris arcem.
Art thou blow'n on, with gentle gale,
Or in rough waters forc'd to sayle?
Still conquer Fortune, make but sports
Of her, and her uncertain Arts.
Laughs shee? turne bravely away thy face.
Weeps shee? bring't back, with smiling grace:
When shee's most busie, be thou than
Retyr'd, and alwayes thine own man.
Thus close shut up, thine owne free state
Thou best mayst rule, chiefe Magistrate;
When the fierce Fates shall most molest,
The serene palace of thy brest.
Cum leves visent tua tecta casus,
Laetus occurres: praeeunte luctu
Faustitas & pax subeunt eosdem
Saepe Penates.
Dextra sors omnis gerit hoc sinistrum,
Quod facit molleis: habet hoc sinistra
Prosperum, quem nunc ferit, imminenteis
Durat in ictus.
Ille qui longus fuit, esse magnus
Desinit moeror, facilem ferendo
Finge Fortunam; levis esse longo
Discit ab usu.
When light mischance, thy fort, or thee
Shall visit; meet it merrily:
Good luck, and peace, in that house stay
Where mourning, first, hath led the way.
In dext'rous chance, this hurt we see,
It makes us soft: Extremity--
This, prosperous hath, wheresoe're it hits,
It hardens, and for danger fits.
The griefe that hath been of such length,
Doth 'bate its violence and strength.
By bearing much, make fortune frees
Shee learnes, by custome, light to be.
Ad Marcum Silicernium.
Veras esse divitias, quae a bonis animi petuntur.
_Ode 6. Lib. 3._
Nunquam praecipiti credulus aleae
Cum Fatis avidas composui manus,
Ut mecum taciti foedere praelii
Aequa pace quiescerent.
Quid Fortuna ferat crastina, nesciam,
Haeres ipse neci. Quas dedit, auferet,
Non avellet opes, quae procul extime
Semotae spatio jacent.
Quae possunt adimi, non mea credidi;
Nunquam pauperior, si mens integer.
Regnum, _Marce_, mei si bene de meis
Vectigalia censibus--
Intra me numerem. Pars animi latet
Ingens, divitibus laetior Indiis,
Quo non ter spatio longius annuo
Itur navibus, aut equis.
Sed mens assiduum visitur in diem
Hospes saepe sui; non ebur, aut novas
Mercatura dapes, ipsa sui satis
Dives, si sibi cernitur.
To Marcus Silicernius.
_That those are the true riches which are fetch'd
from the goods of the mind._
_Ode 6. lib. 3._
A rash believer of their ticklish play,
With Fates, I ne're joyn'd greedy hands in hast.
From the strict course of private jarres, that they
With mee, in such an equall peace should rest.
I know not what to morrow's fortune brings
Heire to my selfe alone. The wealth she gave
Lyes in my outmost roomes, 'mongst worst of things;
Which, without force, she may for taking have.
Things can be ta'ne away, I ne're thought mine;
Not poorer I, if mine owne selfe compleat.
I kingdome, _Marcus_, of my selfe I find
If the great custome of mine owne estate--
Within me I could in just numbers cast.
A great part of my mind lyes close, more wide
Then the rich Indyes are, to which at most
But thrice a yeare, we can but sayle or ride.
But my rich mind, oft to it selfe a guest,
By its owne selfe is daily visited;
Not 'bout to buy Toyes for a roome, or feast,
If of its selfe it's seen, it's richly fed.
_Ad Aurelium Fuscum._
Omnia humana Caduca, incertaque esse.
_Ode 12. Lib. 3._
Si primum vacuis demere corticem
Rebus. _Fusce_, velis, cetera diffluunt
Vernae more nivis, quae modo nubium
Leni tabuit halitu.
Formosis reseces fortia; displicent.
Externis trahimur; si male Dardanis
Respondens Helenae pectus amoribus
Famosus videat Paris;
Nusquam per medii praelia Nerei
Ventorumque minas splendida deferat
Graii furta thori sed bene mutuo
Rerum consuluit jugo
Naturae Dominus, quod niveis nigra,
Laetis occuluit tristia. Qui bona
Rerum de vario deliget agmine,
Consulto sapiet Deo.
To _Aurelius Fuscus_.
_That all humane things are fraile and uncertaine._
Ode 12. Lib. 3.
If the first barke, _Fuscus_, thou would'st but pare
From empty things, the rest will flow,
And vanish quite like vernal snow;
Which melts away, with the mild breath o'th' ayre.
Valour from beauty sever'd, slowly moves.
Meere outsides please: had _Paris_ seene
Faire _Helens_ heart, how foule 't had beene,
How ill requiting to the _Trojan_ Loves,
Ne're, through the midst of _Nereus_ broyles, had hee
Or the winds anger, borne away
O'th' Grecian bed that beauteous prey.
But Nature's Lord, the mutuall yoke, we see,
Of things hath ord'red well, that black with white,
Sad things with joyfull cov'red lye.
And from this various mixture, hee
The best would choose, from Heav'n must learne the right.
_Ad Caesarem Pausilipium._
Regnum sapientis.
_Ode 3. Lib. 4._
To Caesar Pausilipius.
_The kingdome of a wise man._
_Ode 3. Lib. 4._
Late minaces horruimus Lethi
Regnare Thracas. Latius imperat,
Qui solus, exemptusque vulgo
Certa sui tenet arma voti.
Imbelle pectus parce fidelibus
Munire parmis; neu latus aspero
Lorica cinctu, neu decorum
Arcus amet pharetraque collum.
The large-commanding Thracians wee
Have fear'd. More large command hath hee,
Who all alone himselfe retyres,
And keepes sure guard o're his desires.
Thy unwarlike breast, with shield of proofe
Forbeare to fortifie; throw off
From thy unpractic'd sides the shirt
Of Mayle, so hard about thee girt.
Let not the Quiver and the bow
Such homage to thy soft neck doe.
An Cimber, an te lectus ab ultimis
Pictus Britannis ambiat, an Geta,
Nil allabores; ipse miles,
Ipse tibi pugil, ipse Ductor.
Exile regnum, _Pausilipi_, sumus:
Sed se obsequentem qui sibi subdidit,
Hic grande fecit, si suasmet
Ipse roget peragatque leges.
Whether't bee _Dane_, or _Pict_, ta'ne out
From farthest _Brittaine_, hems th'about
Or _Goth_, ne're labour much to know
Thine owne Commander, Champion too.
Wee are--'tis true a kingdome small;
But, _Pausilipius_, hee that shall
His flatt'ring selfe, t' himselfe subdue,
A businesse great doth undergoe;
If his owne lawes hee can perswade,
And doth performe them being made,
Armata Regem non faciet cohors,
Non tincta vulgi purpura sanguine,
Aut nobili stellatus auro
Frontis apex, teretique gemma.
Rex est, profanos qui domuit metus:
Qui cum stat unus, castra sibi facit;
Casumq; fortunamque pulchro
Provocat assiduus duello.
An host, makes no Kings title good,
Nor Robes deepe dy'd in peoples blood.
A high brow set with starrs of gold,
Or Jems more glorious to behold.
Hee who hath tam'd all coward feares,
And his owne Guard himselfe prepares,
Who practic'd, in faire combate, first
Dares Chance and Fortune do their worst;
Non ille vultum fingit ad improbi
Decreta vulgi, non popularia
Theatra, non illum trophaea,
Non volucri movet aura plausu.
Beatus, a quo non humilem gravis
Fortuna vocem, non tumidam levis
Expressit umquam curiosis
Dum tacitus premit ora fatis.
That man's a King. Hee doth not faine
His lookes to th' votes o'th' vulgar straine,
The popular stage, and publike showes
Ne're moves him, nor the ayre that blowes
With swift applause; Hee's blest whose sprite
Fall Fortune sad, or fall she light,
Hath ne're exprest, to th'standers by,
A low complaint, or haughty cry;
But, lest the curious Fates displease--
Hee should, holds modestly his peace.
Ad prima si quis vulnera non gemit,
Solo peregit bella silentio:
Celare qui novit sinistros,
Ille potest bene ferre casus.
Ille, & caducis se licet undi;
Suspendat auris pontus, & in caput
Unius & flammas, & undam, &
Vertat agens maria omnia Auster,
Rerum ruinas, mentis ab ardua
Sublimis aula, non sine gaudio
Spectabit, & late ruenti
Subjiciens sua collo caelo
At's first wounds, who nor grones, nor quakes,
A Conquest with his silence makes:
Hee that mischance knowes how to hide,
The worst of ills, can best abide.
Hee, though the Sea should every where
Hang up its waves i'th' flitting ayre;
And the rough winds on him, should presse
Flames mix'd with billowes, nay whole Seas,
From the high Court of's lofty mind
I'th' midst o'th' ruine, sport can find;
Sets to his neck to th' falling skye,
Mundum decoro vulnere fulciet;
Interq; caeli fragmina, lugubre
Telluris insistet sepulchrum, ac
Incolumis morientis aevi
Heres, ab alto prospiciet, magis
Haec magnae quam sint quae pedibus premit,
Quam quae relinquet; jam tum Olympi
Non dubius moriturus hospes.
And props the world most valiantly:
To the now gasping Age safe heyre,
Leans on the Earth's sad sepulchre,
Whence, 'midst the fragments of the skye,
Hee sees most clearly from on hye,
How much more great those things appeare,
Hee treads on, then indeed they are,
Being then prepar'd, and ready drest
To dye _Olympus_ certaine guest.
Quo cum volentem fata reduxerint,
Nil interest, an morbus, an hosticus
Impellat ensis, quo supremum
Urget itur. Semel advehemur
Quam navigamus semper in insulam
Seu lata magnis stravimus aequora
Regis carinis; seu Quirites,
Exigua vehimur phaselo.
Illo beatum margine me meus
Exponat asser. Cur ego sistere
Aeterno reformidens quietus
Littore, si peritura linquam?
Where, when by th' Fates hee's gladly brought,
Whether disease, it matter's not,
Or enemies sword, doth thrust him on,
When his last journey he must run.
To th' Port wee are but once brought in
To which w'have alwayes sayling bin:
Whether, as mighty Princes, wee
In gallant ships have spread the Sea;
Or, as the common sort of men,
In smaller Barks, have carryed been.
May my poore bottome to that brinke
Mee happy bring; why should I shrinke--
Safe on th'Aeternall shore to stand,
If with such trash I can shake hand?
_Ad Q. Delliam._
Non tam populari exemplo, quam potius rationis ductu
vitam esse instituendam.
_Ode 10. Lib. 4._
To Q. Dellius.