To his young brows his own all-dazzling wreath. I therefore, although last and least, my place Among the learned in the laurel grove Will hold, and where the conqu'ror's ivy twines, Away, then, sleepless Care, Complaint, away, But thou my Father, since to render thanks And bear them treasur'd in a grateful mind! To hope longevity, and to survive Your master's funeral, not soon absorb'd In the oblivious Lethæan gulf, Shall to futurity perhaps convey This theme, and by these praises of my sire ΤΟ SALSILLUS, A ROMAN POET MUCH INDISPOSED The original is written in a measure called Scazon, which signifies limping, and the measure is so denominated, because, though in other respects Iambick, it terminates with a Spondee, and has consequently a more tardy movement. The reader will immediately see that this property of the Latin verse cannot be imitated in English My halting Muse, that dragg'st by choice along Thy slow, slow step, in melancholy song, And lik'st that pace, expressive of thy cares, Not less than Diopeia's sprightlier airs, When, in the dance, she beats, with measur'd tread, Heav'n's floor, in front of Juno's golden bed; Salute Salsillus, who to verse divine Prefers, with partial love, such lays as mine. To prove himself a witness of the truth, How wise her elders, and how learn'd her youth. Much good, Salsillus! and a body free From all disease, that Milton asks for thee, Who now endur'st the languor, and the pains, That bile inflicts, diffused through all thy veins, Relentless malady! not mov'd to spare By thy sweet Roman voice, and Lesbian air! Health, Hebe's sister sent us from the skies, And thou, Apollo, whom all sickness flies, Pythius, or Pæan, or what name divine Soe'er thou choose, haste, heal a priest of thine! Ye groves of Faunus, and ye hills, that melt With vinous dews, where meek Evander dwelt! If aught salubrious in your confines grow, Strive which shall soonest heal your poet's wo, That, render'd to the Muse he loves, again He may enchant the meadows with his strain. Numa, reclin'd in everlasting ease, Amid the shade of dark embow'ring trees, Viewing with eyes of unabated fire His lov'd Ægeria, shall that strain admire : So sooth'd, the tumid Tiber shall revere The tombs of kings, nor desolate the year, Shall curb his waters with a friendly rein, And guide them harmless, till they meet the main, TO GIOVANNI BATTISTA MANSO, MARQUIS OF VILLA. MILTON'S ACCOUNT OF MANSO. Giovanni Battista Manso, Marquis of Villa, is an Italian nobleman of the highest estimation among his countrymen, for genius, literature, and military accomplishments. To him Torquato Tasso addressed his Dialogues on Friendship, for he was much the friend of Tasso, who has also celebrated him among the other Princes of his country, in his poem, entitled, Gerusalemme Conquistata, book xx. Fra cavalier magnanimi, e cortesi, During the Author's stay at Naples, he received at the hands of the Marquis a thousand kind offices and civilities, and, desirous not to appear ungrateful, sent him this poem a short time before his departure from that city. THESE verses also to thy praise the Nine, (For thou wast Tasso's friend) from age to age, And, next, the Muse consign'd (not unaware Should aught absorb of theirs which thou couldst save, All future ages thou hast deign'd to teach The life, lot, genius, character of each, To his great theme, the life of Homer drew. I, therefore, though a stranger youth, who come Chill'd by rude blasts, that freeze my northern home, Thee dear to Clio, confident proclaim, And thine, for Phœbus's sake, a deathless name. We too, where Thames with his unsullied waves Who trod, a welcome guest, your happy shore. Yes-dreary as we own our Northern clime, |