Persius. But, however, this is the most Poetical Description of any in our Author: And since he and Lucan were so great Friends, I know not but Lucan might help him in two or three of these Verses, which seem to be written in his stile; certain it is that besides this Description of a Shipwreck, and two Lines more, which are at the End of the Second Satyr, our Poet has written nothing Elegantly. I will therefore Transcribe both the passages, to justifie my Opinion. The following are the last Verses saving one of the Second Satyr. Compositum jus, fasque animi; sanciosque recessus Mentis, & incoctum generoso pectus honesto: The others are those in this present Satyr, which are subjoyn'd. -- trabe ruptâ, Bruttia Saxa Prendi. Amicu inops Remque omnem, surdaque vola Condidit lonio: Jacet ipse in Littore; & una Ingentes de puppe Dei: Jamque obvia Mergis Costa vatis lacera. 5 From thy new hope, &c. The Latin is, Nunc & de Cespile vivo, frange aliquid. Casaubon only opposes the Cespes vivus, which word for word is the living Turf, to the Harvest or Annual Income; I suppose the Poet rather means, sell a piece of Land already Sown, and give the Money of it to my Friend who has lost all by Shipwreck; That is, do not stay till thou hast Reap'd, but help him immediately, as his Wants require. Not Beg with a Blue Table &c. Holiday Translates it a Green Table: The sence is the same, for the Table was painted of the Sea Colour; which the Shipwrecked Person carried on his back, expressing his Losses thereby, to excite the Charity of the Spectators. Or without Spices, &c. The Bodies of the Rich, before they were burnt, were Imbalm'd with Spices, or rather Spices were put into the Urn, with the Relicks of the Ashes. Our Author here Names Cinnamon and Cassia, which Cassia was sophisticated with Cherry Gum: And probably enough by the Jews, who Adulterate all things which they sell. But whether the Ancients were acquainted with the Spices of the Molucca Islands, Ceylon, and other parts of the Indies; or whether their Pepper and Cinnamon &c. were the same with ours, is another Question. As for Nutmegs and Mace, 'tis plain that the Latin Names of them are Modern. 8 Cæsar salutes, &c. The Casar here mention'd is Caius Caligula, who affected to Triumph over the Germans, whom he never Conquer'd, as he did over the Britains; and accordingly sent Letters, wrapt about with Laurels, to the Senate, and the Empress Casonia, whom I here call Queen, though I know that name was not us'd amongst the Romans; but the word Empress wou'd not stand in that Verse: For which reason I Adjourn'd it to another. The Dust which was to be swept away from the Altars, was either the Ashes which were left there, after the last Sacrifice for Victory, or might perhaps mean the Dust or Ashes which were left on the Altars since some former Defeat of the Romans by the Germans: After which overthrow, the Altars had been neglected. Casonia, Wife to Caius Caligula, who afterwards, in the Reign of Claudius, was propos'd, but ineffectually, to be Marry'd to him, after he had Executed Messalina for Adultery. 10 The Captive Germans, &c. He means only such as were to pass for Germans in the Triumph'; Large-Body'd Men, as they are still, whom the Empress Cloath'd new, with Course Garments, for the greater Ostentation of the Victory. 11 Know, I have vow'd Two Hundred Gladiators. A hundred pair of Gladiators were beyond the Purse of a private Man to give; therefore this is only a threatning to his Heir, that he cou'd do what he pleas'd with his Estate. 12 should 'st thou demand of me my Torch, &c. Why should'st thou, who art an Old Fellow, hope to outlive me, and be my Heir, who am much Younger. He who was first in the Course, or Race, delivered the Torch, which he carried, to him who was Second. 13 Well Fed, and Fat as Cappadocian Slaves. Who were Famous for their Lustiness, and being, as we call it, in good likeing. They were set on a Stall when they were expos'd to Sale, to show the good Habit of their Body, and made to play Tricks before the Buyers, to show their Activity and Strength. Then say, Chrysippus, &c. Chrysippus, the Stoick, invented a kind of Argument, consisting of more than three Propositions, which is called Sorites, or a heap. But as Chrysippus cou'd never bring his propositions to a certain stint, so neither can a Covetous Man bring his Craving Desires to any certain Measure of Riches, beyond which he cou'd not wish for any more. The others are not likely to mislead. Many of his proper names are eccentric. Greek and Roman names may sometimes owe their forms to misprints, but even Ben Jonson regularly appears as Johnson. INDEX OF FIRST LINES A King is sought to guide the growing State A quire of bright Beauties in Spring did appear Acis, the Lovely Youth, whose loss I mourn All humane things are subject to decay Behold yon Mountains hoary height Blind Love, to this hour By a dismal Cypress lying Dim, as the borrow'd beams of Moon and Stars Fair Iris and her Swain Fair Iris I love and hourly I dye Fair, Kind, and True, a Treasure each alone Farewell, too little and too lately known Fools, which each man meets in his Dish each Day For since 'twas mine, the white hath lost its Hiew Full twenty years and more, our lab'ring Stage Gallants, a bashful Poet bids me say Gallants, by all good Signs it does appear Griev'd tho I am, an Ancient Friend to lose Happy and free, securely blest Has Winter caus'd thee, Friend, to change thy Seat He who cou'd view the Book of Destiny He who in impious times untainted stood He who writ this, not without Pains and Thought Hold! are you mad? you damn'd, confounded Dog How happy the Lover How unhappy a Lover am I. How wretched is the Fate of those who write I'm thinking (and it almost makes me mad) I beg a Boon, that, e're you all disband 231 372 I Feed a Flame within which so torments me I had forgot one half, I do protest I look'd and saw within the Book of Fate I never did on cleft Pernassus dream I Quak'd at heart for fear the Royal Fashion If for thy self thou wilt not watch thy Whore In Days of Old, when Arthur fill'd the Throne In thriving Arts long time had Holland grown Is it not strange to hear a Poet say Is this thy daily course? The glaring Sun: Ladies! (I hope there's none behind to hear,) Like some raw Sophister that mounts the Pulpit . Make ready fair Lady to night Mark how the Lark and Linnet sing Most Modern Wits such monstrous Fools have shown Much Time and Trouble this poor Play has cost My Part being small, I have had time to day New Ministers, when first they get in place O sylvan Prophet! whose eternal Fame Of all Dramatique Writing, Comick Wit Of Bodies chang'd to various Forms I sing Of gentle Blood, his Parents only Treasure Our Hero's happy in the Plays Conclusion Our Play's a Parallel: The Holy League Our Vows are heard betimes! and Heaven takes care. |