The satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis translated into English verse by Mr. Dryden and several other eminent hands ; together with the satires of Aulus Persius Flaccus, made English by Mr. Dryden ; with explanatory notes at the end of each satire ; to which is prefix'd a discourse concerning the original and progress of satire ... by Mr. Dryden. Works. English. 1693 Juvenal. 1693 Approx. 759 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 242 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A46439 Wing J1288 ESTC R12345 12538247 ocm 12538247 62894 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A46439) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 62894) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 212:7) The satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis translated into English verse by Mr. Dryden and several other eminent hands ; together with the satires of Aulus Persius Flaccus, made English by Mr. Dryden ; with explanatory notes at the end of each satire ; to which is prefix'd a discourse concerning the original and progress of satire ... by Mr. Dryden. Works. English. 1693 Juvenal. Persius. Works. English. Dryden, John, 1631-1700. [4], xxxix [i.e. liii], [2], 315 p.; [4], 87 p. Printed for Jacob Tonson ..., London : 1693. Translation from Latin. The 4th satire (unsigned) was translated by R. Duke. "The satires of Aulus Persius Flaccus" has special t.p. First ed. Cf. BM. 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Satire, English -- Translations from Latin. 2002-07 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2002-09 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2002-10 Olivia Bottum Sampled and proofread 2002-10 Olivia Bottum Text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-12 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion THE SATIRES OF JUVENAL , AND PERSIUS . THE SATIRES OF Decimus Junius Juvenalis . Translated into ENGLISH VERSE . BY Mr. DRYDEN , AND Several other Eminent Hands . Together with the SATIRES OF Aulus Persius Flaccus . Made English by Mr. Dryden . With Explanatory Notes at the end of each SATIRE . To which is Prefix'd a Discourse concerning the Original and Progress of SATIRE . Dedicated to the Right Honourable Charles Earl of Dorset , &c. By Mr. DRYDEN . Quicquid agunt homines , votum , timor , Ira , voluptas , Gaudia , discursus , nostri est farrago libelli . LONDON , Printed for Iacob Tonson at the Iudge's - Head in Chancery-Lane , near Fleetstreet MDCXCIII . Where you may have Compleat Sets of Mr. Dryden's Works , in Four Volumes in Quarto , the Plays being put in the order they were Written . TO THE Right Honourable CHARLES , Earl of Dorset and Middlesex , Lord Chamberlain of Their Majesties Household : Knight of the Most Noble Order of the GARTER , &c. My Lord , THE Wishes and Desires of all good Men , which have attended your Lordship from your First appearance in the World , are at length accomplish'd in your obtaining those Honours and Dignities , which you have so long deserv'd . There are no Factions , tho irreconcilable to one another , that are not united in their Affection to you , and the Respect they pay you . They are equally pleas'd in your Prosperity , and wou'd be equally concern'd in your Afflictions . Titus Vespasian was not more the Delight of Human-kind . The Universal Empire made him only more known , and more Powerful , but cou'd not make him more belov'd . He had greater Ability of doing Good , but your Inclination to it , is not less ; And tho' you could not extend your Beneficence to so many Persons , yet you have lost as few days as that Excellent Emperour ; and never had his Complaint to make when you went to Bed , that the Sun had shone upon you in vain , when you had the Opportunity of relieving some unhappy man. This , My Lord , has justly acquir'd you as many Friends , as there are Persons who have the Honour to be known to you : Meer Acquaintance you have none : You have drawn them all into a nearer Line : And they who have Convers'd with you , are for ever after inviolably yours . This is a Truth so generally acknowedg'd , that it needs no Proof : 'T is of the Nature of a first Principle , which is receiv'd as soon as it is propos'd ; and needs not the Reformation which Descartes us'd to his : For we doubt not , neither can we properly say , we think we admire and love you , above all other men : There is a certainty in the Proposition , and we know it . With the same Assurance I can say , you neither have Enemies , nor can scarce have any ; for they who have never heard of you , can neither Love or Hate you : And they who have , can have no other notion of you , than that which they receive from the Publick , that you are the best of Men. After this , my Testimony can be of no farther use , than to declare it to be Day-light at High-Noon : And all who have the benefit of sight , can look up , as well , and see the Sun. 'T is true , I have one Priviledge which is almost particular to my self , that I saw you in the East at your first arising above the Hemisphere : I was as soon Sensible as any Man of that Light , when it was but just shooting out , and beginning to Travel upwards to the Meridian . I made my early Addresses to your Lordship , in my Essay of Dramatick Poetry ; and therein bespoke you to the World : Wherein , I have the right of a First Discoverer . When I was my self , in the Rudiments of my Poetry , without Name , or Reputation in the World , having rather the Ambition of a Writer , than the skill ; when I was Drawing the Out-Lines of an Art without any Living Master to Instruct me in it ; an Art which had been better Prais'd than Study'd here in England , wherein Shakespear who Created the Stage among us , had rather Written happily , than knowingly and justly ; and Iohnson , who by studying Horace , had been acquainted with the Rules , yet seem'd to envy to Posterity that Knowledge , and like an Inventer of some useful Art , to make a Monopoly of his Learning : When thus , as I may say , before the use of the Loadstone , or knowledge of the Compass , I was sailing in a vast Ocean , without other help , than the Pole-Star of the Ancients , and the Rules of the French Stage amongst the Moderns , which are extreamly different from ours , by reason of their opposite taste ; yet even then , I had the presumption to Dedicate to your Lordship : A very unfinish'd Piece , I must Confess , and which only can be excus'd , by the little Experience of the Author , and the Modesty of the Title , An Essay . Yet I was stronger in Prophecy than I was in Criticism : I was Inspir'd to foretell you to Mankind , as the Restorer of Poetry , the greatest Genius , the truest Judge , and the best Patron . Good Sence and good Nature , are never separated , tho' the Ignorant World has thought otherwise . Good Nature , by which I mean Beneficence and Candor , is the Product of right Reason : Which of necessity will give Allowance to the Failings of others , by considering that there is nothing perfect in Mankind ; and by distinguishing that which comes nearest to Excellency , tho not absolutely free from Faults , will certainly produce a Candor in the Judge . 'T is incident to an Elevated Understanding , like your Lordships , to find out the Errors of other men : But 't is your Prerogative to pardon them ; to look with Pleasure on those things , which are somewhat Congenial , and of a remote Kindred to your own Conceptions : And to forgive the many Failings of those , who with their wretched Art , cannot arrive to those Heights that you possess , from a happy , abundant , and Native Genius . Which are as inborn to you , as they were to Shakespear ; and for ought I know to Homer ; in either of whom we find all Arts and Sciences , all Moral and Natural Philosophy , without knowing that they ever Study'd them . There is not an English Writer this day living , who is not perfectly convinc'd , that your Lordship excels all others , in all the several parts of Poetry which you have undertaken to adorn . The most Vain , and the most Ambitious of our Age have not dar'd to assume so much , as the Competitours of Themistocles : They have yielded the first place , without dispute ; and have been arrogantly content , to be esteem'd as second to your Lordship ; and even that also , with a Longo , sed proximi Intervallo . If there have been , or are any , who go farther in their Self-conceipt , they must be very singular in their Opinion : They must be like the Officer , in a Play , who was call'd Captain , Lieutenant , and Company . The World will easily conclude , whether such unattended Generals can ever be capable of making a Revolution in Parnassus . I will not attempt in this place , to say any thing particular of your Lyrick-Poems , though they are the Delight and Wonder of this Age , and will be the Envy of the next . The Subject of this Book confines me to Satire : And in that , an Author of your own Quality , ( whose Ashes I will not disturb , ) has given you all the Commendation , which his self-sufficiency cou'd afford to any Man : The best Good Man , with the worst-Natur'd Muse. In that Character , methinks I am reading Iohnson's Verses to the Memory of Shakespear : An Insolent , Sparing , and Invidious Panegyrick : Where good Nature , the most God-like Commendation of a Man , is only attributed to your Person , and deny'd to your Writings : for they are every where so full of Candour , that like Horace , you only expose the Follies of Men , without Arraigning their Vices ; and in this excel him , That You add that pointedness of Thought , which is visibly wanting in our Great Roman . There is more of Salt in all your Verses , than I have seen in any of the Moderns , or even of the Ancients : But you have been sparing of the Gaul ; by which means you have pleas'd all Readers , and offended none . Donn alone , of all our Countrymen , had your Talent ; but was not happy enough to arrive at your Versification . And were he Translated into Numbers , and English , he wou'd yet be wanting in the Dignity of Expression . That which is the prime Vertue , and chief Ornament of Virgil , which distinguishes him from the rest of Writers , is so conspicuous in your Verses , that it casts a shadow on all your Contemporaries ; we cannot be seen , or but obscurely , while you are present . You equal Donn , in the Variety , Multipicity , and Choice of Thoughts ; you excel him in the Manner , and the Words . I Read you both , with the same Admiration , but not with the same Delight . He affects the Metaphysicks , not only in his Satires , but in his Amorous Verses , where Nature only shou'd reign ; and perplexes the Minds of the Fair Sex with nice Speculations of Philosophy , when he shou'd ingage their hearts , and entertain them with the softnesses of Love. In this ( if I may be pardon'd for so bold a truth ) Mr. Cowley has Copy'd him to a fault : so great a one , in my Opinion , that it throws his Mistress infinitely below his Pindariques , and his latter Compositions ; which are undoubtedly the best of his Poems , and the most Correct . For my own part , I must avow it freely to the World , that I never attempted any thing in Satier , wherein I have not study'd your Writings as the most perfect Model . I have continually laid them before me ; and the greatest Commendation , which my own partiality can give to my Productions , is that they are Copies , and no farther to be allow'd , than as they have True it is , that some bad Poems , though not all , carry their Owners Marks about ' em . There is some peculiar aukardness , false Grammar , imperfect Sense , or at the least Obscurity ; some Brand or other on this Buttock , or that Ear , that 't is notorious who are the Owners of the Cattel , though they shou'd not Sign it with their Names . But your Lordship , on the contrary , is distinguish'd , not only by the Excellency of your Thoughts ▪ but by your Stile , and Manner of expressing them . A Painter judging of some Admirable Pi●●e , may affirm with certainty , that it was of Holben , or Vandyke : But Vulgar Designs , and Common Draughts , are easily mistaken , and misapply'd . Thus , by my long Study of your Lordship , I am arriv'd at the knowledge of your particular manner . In the Good Poems of other Men , like those Artists , I can only say , this is like the Draught of such a one , or like the Colouring of another . In short , I can only be sure , that 't is the Hand of a good Master : But in your Performances 't is scarcely possible for me to be deceiv'd . If you write in your strength , you stand reveal'd at the first view ; and shou'd you write under it , you cannot avoid some Peculiar Graces , which only cost me a second Consideration to discover you : For I may say in , with all the severity of Truth , that every Line of yours is precious . Your Lordship 's only fault is , that you have not written more : Unless I cou'd add another , and that yet greater , but I fear for the Publick , the Accusation wou'd not be true , that you have written , and out of a vicious Modesty will not Publish . Virgil has confin'd his Works within the compass of Eighteen Thousand Lines , and has not treaced many Subjects ; yet he ever had , and ever will have the Reputation of the best Poet. Martial says of him , that he cou'd have excell'd Vasius in Tragedy , and Horace in Lyrick Poetry , but out of deference to his Friends he attempted neither . The same p●evalence of Genius is in your Lordship , but the World cannot pardon your concealing it on the same consideration ; because we have neither a Living Varius , nor a Horace , in whose Excellencies both of Poems , Odes and Satires , you had equall'd them , if our Language had not yielded to the Roman Majesty , and length of time had not added a Reverence to the Works of Horace . For good Sense is the same in all or most Ages ; and course of Time rather improves Nature , than impairs her . What has been , may be again : Another Homer , and another Virgil may possibly arise from those very Causes which produc'd the first : Though it wou'd be impudence to affirm that any such have yet appear'd . 'T is manifest , that some particular Ages have been more happy than others in the production of Great Men ▪ in all sorts of Arts and Sciences : As that of Eurypides , Sophocles , Aristophanes , and the rest for Stage-Poetry amongst the Greeks : That of Augustus , for Heroick , Lyrick , Dramatick , Elegiaque , and indeed all sorts of Poetry ; in the Persons of Virgil , Horace , Varius , Ovid , and many others ; especially if we take into that Century the latter end of the Commonwealth ; wherein we find Varro , Lucr●tius , and Catullus : And at the same time liv'd Cicero and Salust , and Caesar. A Famous Age in Modern Times , for Learning in every kind , was that of Lorenzo de Medici , and his Son Lee the Tenth . Wherein Painting was reviv'd , and Poetry flourish'd , and the Greek Language was restor'd . Examples in all these are obvious : But what I wou'd infer , is this ; That in such an Age 't is possible some Great Genius may arise , to equal any of the Antients ; abating only for the Language . For great Contemporaries whet and cultivate each other : And mutual Borrowing ▪ and Commerce , makes the Common Riches of Learning , as it does of the Civil Government . But suppose that Homer and Virgil were the only of their Species , and that Nature was so much worn out in producing them , that she is never able to bear the like again ; yet the Example only holds in Heroick Poetry : In Tragedy and Satire I offer my self to maintain against some of our Modern Criticks , that this Age and the last , particularly in England , have excell'd the Ancients in both those kinds ; and I wou'd instance in Shakespear of the former , of your Lordship in the latter sort . Thus I might safely confine my self to my Native Country : But if I wou'd only cross the Seas , I might find in France a living Horace and a Iuvenal , in the Person of the admirable Boileau : Whose Numbers are Excellent , whose Expressions are Noble , whose Thoughts are Just , whose Language is Pure , whose Satire is pointed , and whose Sense is close ; What he borrows from the Ancients , he repays with Usury of his own : in Coin as good , and almost as Universally valuable : For setting prejudice and Partiality apart , though he is our Enemy , the Stamp of a Louis , the Patron of all Arts , is not much inferiour to the Medal of an Augustus Caesar. Let this be said without entring into the interests of Factions and Parties ; and relating only to the Bounty of that King to Men of Learning and Merit : A Praise so just , that even we who are his Enemies , cannot refuse it to him . Now if it may be permitted me to go back again , to the Consideration of Epique Poetry , I have confess'd , that no Man hitherto has reach'd , or so much as approach'd to the Excellencies of Homer or of Virgil ; I must farther add , that Statius , the best Vers●ficator next to Virgil , knew not how to Design after him , though he had the Model in his Eye ; that Lucan is wanting both in Design and Subject , and is besides too full of Heat , and Affectation ; that amongst the Moderns , Ariosto neither Design'd Justly , nor observ'd any Unity of Action , or Compass of Time , or Moderation in the Vastness of his Draught ; his Style is Luxurious , without Majesty , or Decency ; and his Adventures , without the compass of Nature and Possibility : Tasso , whose Design was Regular , and who observ'd the Rules of Unity in Time and Place , more clos●ly than Virgil ▪ yet was not so happy in his Action ; he confesses himself to have been too Lyrical , that is ▪ to have written beneath the Dignity of Heroick Verse , in his Episodes of Sophr●nia , Erminia , and Armida ; his Story is not so pleasing as Ariostos ; he is too flatu●●nt sometimes ▪ and sometimes too dry ; many times unequal , and almost always forc'd ; and besides , is full of Conceipts , points of Epigram and 〈◊〉 ; all which are not only below the Dignity of Heroick Verse , but contrary to its Nature : Virgil and Homer have not one of them . And those who are guilty of so boyish an Ambition in so grave a Subject , are so far from being consider'd as Heroique Poets ▪ that they ought to be turn'd down from Homer to the Anthologia , from Virgil to Martial and Owen's Epigrams , and from Spencer to Fleck●● that is , from the top to the bottom of all Poetry . But to return to Tasso , he borrows from the Invention of Boyard● , and in his Alteration of his Poem , which is infinitely for the worse , imitates Homer so very 〈◊〉 , that ( for Example ) he gives the King of Ierusalem Fifty Sons , only because Homer had bestow'd the like number on King Priam ; he kills the youngest in the same manner , and has provided his Hero with a Patroclus , under another Name , only to bring him back to the Wars , when his Friend was kill'd . The French have perform'd nothing in this kind , which is not far below those two Italians , and subject to a thousand more Reflections , without examining their Saint Lewis , their Pucelle , or their Alarique : The English have only to boast of Spencer and Milton , who neither of them wanted either Genius , or Learning , to have been perfect Poets ; and yet both of them are liable to many Censures . For there is no Uniformity in the Design of Spencer : He aims at the Accomplishment of no one Action : He raises up a Hero for every one of his Adventures ; and endows each of them with some particular Moral Virtue , which renders them all equal , without Subordination or Preference . Every one is mot Valiant in his own Legend ; only we must do him that Justice to observe , that Magnanimity , which is the Character of Prince Arthur , shines throughout the whole Poem ; and Succours the rest , when they are in Distress . The Original of every Knight , was then living in the Court of Queen Elizabeth : And he attributed to each of them that Virtue , which he thought was most conspicuous in them : An Ingenious piece of Flattery , tho' it turn'd not much to his Account . Had he liv'd to finish his Poem , in the six remaining Legends , it had certainly been more of a piece ; but cou'd not have been perfect , because the Model was not true . But Prince Arthur , or his chief Patron , Sir Philip Sidney , whom he intended to make happy , by the Marriage of his Gloriana , dying before him , depriv'd the Poet , both of Means and Spirit , to accomplish his Design : For the rest , his Obsolete Language , and the ill choice of his Stanza , are faults but of the Second Magnitude : For notwithstanding the first he is still Intelligible , at least , after a little practice ; and for the last , he is the more to be admir'd ; that labouring under such a difficulty , his Verses are so Numerous , so Various , and so Harmonious , that only Virgil , whom he profestly imitated , has surpass'd him , among the Romans ; and only Mr. Waller among the English. As for Mr. Milton , whom we all admire with so much Justice , his Subject is not that of an Heroique Poem ; properly so call'd : His Design is the Losing of our Happiness ; his Event is not prosperous , like that of all other Epique Works : His Heavenly Machines are many , and his Humane Persons are but two . But I will not take Mr. Rymer's Work out of his Hands . He has promis'd the World a Critique on that Author ; wherein , tho' he will not allow his Poem for Heroick , I hope he will grant us , that his Thoughts are elevated , his Words Sounding , and that no Man has so happily Copy'd the Manner of Homer ; or so copiously translated his Grecisms , and the Latin Elegancies of Virgil. 'T is true , he runs into a flat of Thought , sometimes for a Hundred Lines together , but 't is when he is got into a Track of Scripture : His Antiquated words were his Choice , not his Necessity ; for therein he imitated Spencer , as Spencer did Chawcer . And tho' , perhaps , the love of their Masters , may have transported both too far ▪ in the frequent use of them ; yet in my Opinion , Obsolete Words may then be laudably reviv'd , when either they are more Sounding , or more Significant than those in practice : And when their Obscurity is taken away , by joining other Words to them which clear the Sense ; according to the Rule of Horace , for the admission of new Words . But in both cases , a Moderation is to be observ'd , in the use of them : For unnecessary Coynage , as well as unnecessary Revival , runs into Affectation ; a fault to be avoided on either hand . Neither will I Justifie Milton for his Blank Verse , tho' I may excuse him , by the Example of Hannibal Caro , and other Italians , who have us'd it : For whatever Causes he alledges for the abolishing of Rhyme ( which I have not now the leisure to examine ) his own particular Reason is plainly this , that Rhyme was not his Talent ; he had neither the Ease of doing it , nor the Graces of it ; which is manifest in his Iuvenilia , or Verses written in his Youth : Where his Rhyme is always constrain'd and forc'd , and comes hardly from him at an Age when the Soul is most pliant ; and the Passion of Love , makes almost every Man a Rhymer , tho' not a Poet. By this time , My Lord , I doubt not but that you wonder , why I have run off from my Biass so long together , and made so tedious a Digression from Satire to Heroique Poetry . But if You will not excuse it , by the tattling Quality of Age , which , as Sir William Davenant says , is always Narrative ; yet I hope the usefulness of what I have to say on this Subject , will qualifie the remoteness of it ; and this is the last time I will commit the Crime of Prefaces ; or trouble the World with my Notions of any thing that relates to Verse . I have then , as You see , observ'd the Failings of many great Wits amongst the Moderns , who have attempted to write as Epique Poem : Besides these , or the like Animadversions of them by other Men , there is yet a farther Reason given , why they cannot possibly succeed , so well as the Ancients , even tho' we cou'd allow them not to be Inferiour , either in Genius or Learning , or the Tongue in which they write ; or all those other wonderful Qualifications which are necessary to the forming of a true Accomplish'd Heroique Poet. The fault is laid on our Religion : They say that Christianity is not capable of those Embellishments which are afforded in the Belief of those Ancient Heathens . And 't is true , that in the severe notions of our Faith ; the Fortitude of a Christian consists in Patience , and Suffering for the Love of God , what ever hardships can befall him in the World ; not in any great Attempt ; or in performance of those Enterprises which the Poets call Heroique ; and which are commonly the Effects of Interest , Ostentation , Pride and Worldly Honour . That Humility and Resignation are our prime Vertues ; and that these include no Action , but that of the Soul : When as , on the Contrary , an Heroique Poem requires , to its necessary Design , and as its last Perfection , some great Action of War , the Accomplishment of some Extraordinary Undertaking ; which requires the Strength and Vigour of the Body , the Duty of a Souldier , the Capacity and Prudence of a General ; and , in short , as much , or more of the Active Virtue , than the Suffering . But to this , the Answer is very Obvious . God has plac'd us in our several Stations ; the Virtues of a private Christian are Patience , Obedience , Submission , and the like ; but those of a Magistrate , or General , or a King , are Prudence , Counsel , active Fortitude , coercive Power , awful Command , and the Exercise of Magnanimity , as well as Justice . So that this Objection hinders not , but that an Epique Poem , or the Heroique Action of some Great Commander , Enterpris'd for the Common Good , and Honour of the Christian Cause , and Executed happily , may be as well Written now , as it was of old by the Heathens ; provided the Poet be endu'd with the same Talents ; and the Language , though not of equal Dignity , yet as near approaching to it , as our Modern Barbarism will allow , which is all that can be expected from our own or any other now extant , though more Refin'd , and therefore we are to rest contented with that only Inferiority , which is not possibly to be Remedy'd . I wish . I cou'd as easily remove that other difficulty which yet remains . 'T is Objected by a great French Critique , as well as an Admirable Poet , yet living , and whom I have mention'd with that Honour , which his Merit exacts from me , I mean Boileau , that the Machines of our Christian Religion in Heroique Poetry , are much more feeble to Support that weight than those of Heathenism . Their Doctrine , grounded as it was on Ridiculous Fables , was yet the Belief of the Two Victorious Monarchies , the Grecian , and Roman . Their Gods did not only interest themselves in the Event of Wars ( which is the Effect of a Superiour Providence ) but also espous'd the several Parties , in a Visible Corporeal Descent , mannag'd their Intrigues , and Fought their Battels sometimes in Opposition to each other : Tho' Virgil ( more discreet than Homer in that last Particular ) has contented himself with the Partiality of his Deities , their Favours , their Counsels or Commands , to those whose Cause they had espous'd , without bringing them to the Outrageousness of Blows . Now , our Religion ( says he ) is depriv'd of the greatest part of those Machines ; at least the most Shining in Epique Poetry . Tho' St. Michael in Ariosto seeks out Discord , to send her amongst the Pagans , and finds her in a Convent of Friars , where Peace should Reign , which indeed is fine Satire ; and Satan , in Tasso , excites Solyman , to an Attempt by Night on the Christian Camp , and brings an Host of Devils to his Assistance ; yet the Arch-Angel , in the former Example , when Discord was restive , and would not be drawn from her belov'd Monastery with fair Words , has the Whip-hand of her , Drags her out with many stripes , sets her , on Gods-name , about her business ; and makes her know the difference of Strength betwixt a Nuncio of Heaven , and a Minister of Hell : The same Angel , in the latter Instance from Tasso ( as if God had never another Messenger , belonging to the Court , but was confin'd like Iupiter to Mercury , and Iuno to Iris , ) when he sees his time , that is , when half of the Christians are already kill'd , and all the rest are in a fair way to be Routed , stickles betwixt the Remainders of God's Host , and the Race of Fiends ; Pulls the Devils backward by their Tails , and drives them from their quarry ; or otherwise the whole business had miscarri'd , and Ierusalem remain'd untaken . This , says Boileau , is a very unequal Match for the Poor Devils ; who are sure to come by the worst of it in the Combat ; for nothing is more easie , than for an Almighty Power to bring his old Rebels to Reason , when he Pleases . Consequently , what pleasure , what Entertainment can be rais'd from so pitiful a Machine ? Where we see the Success of the Battel , from the very beginning of it ? Unless that , as we are Christians , we are glad that we have gotten God on our side , to maul our Enemies , when we cannot do the work our selves . For if the Poet had given the Faithful more Courage , which had cost him nothing , or at least have made them exceed the Turks in Number , he might have gain'd the Victory for us Christians , without interessing Heaven in the quarrel ; and that with as much ease , and as little Credit to the Conqueror , as when a Party of a Hundred Souldiers defeats another which consists only of Fifty . This , my Lord , I confess is such an Argument against our Modern Poetry , as cannot be answer'd by those Mediums , which have been us'd . We cannot hitherto boast , that our Religion has furnish'd us with any such Machines , as have made the Strength and Beauty of the Ancient Buildings . But , what if I venture to advance an Invention of my own , to supply the manifest defect of our new Writers : I am sufficiently sensible of my weakness , and 't is not very probable , that I shou'd succeed in such a Project , whereof I have not had the least hint from any of my Predecessors , the Poets , or any of their Seconds , and Coadjutors , the Critiques . Yet we see the Art of War is improv'd in Sieges , and new Instruments of Death are invented daily . Something new in Philosophy and the Mechanicks is discover'd almost every Year : And the Science of Former Ages is improv'd by the Succeeding . I will not detain you with a long Preamble to that , which better Judges will , perhaps , conclude to be little worth . 'T is this , in short , That Christian Poets have not hitherto been acquainted with their own Strength . If they had search'd the Old Testament as they ought , they might there have found the Machines which are proper for their Work ; and those more certain in their effect , than it may be the New-Testament is , in the Rules sufficient for Salvation . The perusing of one Chapter in the Prophecy of Daniel , and Accommodating what there they find , with the Principles of Platonique Philosophy , as it is now Christianis'd , wou'd have made the Ministry of Angels as strong an Engine , for the Working up Heroique Poetry , in our Religion , as that of the Ancients has been to raise theirs by all the Fables of their Gods , which were only receiv'd for Tuths by the most ignorant , and weakest of the People . 'T is a Doctrine almost Universally receiv'd by Christians , as well Protestants as Catholicks , that there are Guardian Angels appointed by God Almighty , as his Vicegerents , for the Protection and Government of Cities , Provinces , Kingdoms , and Monarchies ; and those as well of Heathens , as of true Believers . All this is so plainly prov'd from those Texts of Daniel , that it admits of no farther Controversie . The Prince of the Persians , and that other of the Grecians , are granted to be the Guardians and Protecting Ministers of those Empires . It cannot be deny'd , that they were opposite , and resisted one another . St. Michael is mention'd by his Name , as the Patron of the Iews , and is now taken by the Christians , as the Protector General of our Religion . These Tutelar Genij , who presided over the several People and Regions committed to their Charge , were watchful over them for good , as far as their Commissions cou'd possibly extend . The General Purpose , and Design of all , was certainly the Service of their Great Creatour . But 't is an undoubted Truth , that for Ends best known to the Almighty Majesty of Heaven , his Providential Designs for the benefit of his Creatures , for the Debasing and Punishing of some Nations , and the Exaltation and Temporal Reward of others , were not wholly known to these his Ministers ; else why those Factious Quarrels , Controversies , and Battels amongst themselves , when they were all United in the same Design , the Service and Honour of their common Master ? But being instructed only in the General , and zealous of the main Design ; and as Finite Beings , not admitted into the Secrets of Government , the last resorts of Providence , or capable of discovering the final Purposes of God , who can work Good out of Evil , as he pleases ; and irresistably sways all manner of Events on Earth , directing them finally for the best , to his Creation in General , and to the Ultimate End of his own Glory in Particular : They must of necessity be sometimes ignorant of the Means conducing to those Ends , in which alone they can jarr , and oppose each other . One Angel , as we may suppose the Prince of Persia , as he is call'd , judging , that it would be more for God's Honour , and the Benefit of his People , that the Median and Persian Monarchy , which deliver'd them from the Babylonish Captivity , shou'd still be uppermost : And the Patron of the Grecians , to whom the Will of God might be more particularly Reveal'd , contending on the other side , for the Rise of Alexander and his Successors , who were appointed to punish the Backsliding Iews , and thereby to put them in mind of their Offences , that they might Repent , and become more Virtuous , and more Observant of the Law Reveal'd . But how far these Controversies and appearing Enmities of those glorious Creatures may be carri'd ; how these Oppositions may best be manag'd , and by what Means conducted , is not my business to shew or determine : These things must be left to the Invention and Judgment of the Poet : If any of so happy a Genius be now living , or any future Age can produce a Man , who being Conversant in the Philosophy of Plato , as it is now accommodated to Christian use ; for ( as Virgil gives us to understand by his Example ) that is the only proper of all others for an Epique Poem , who to his Natural Endowments , of a large Invention , a ripe Judgment , and a strong Memory , has join'd the knowledge of the Liberal Arts and Sciences , and particularly , Moral Philosophy , the Mathematicks , Geography and History , and with all these Qualifications is born a Poet ; knows , and can practice the variety of Numbers , and is Master of the Language in which he Writes ; if such a Man , I say , be now arisen , or shall arise , I am vain enough to think , that I have propos'd a Model to him , by which he may build a Nobler , a more Beautiful and more Perfect Poem , than any yet extant since the Ancients . There is another part of these Machines yet wanting ; but by what I have said , it wou'd have been easily supply'd by a Judicious Writer . He cou'd not have fail'd , to add the opposition of ill Spirits to the good ; they have also their Design , ever opposite to that of Heaven ; and this alone , has hitherto been the practice of the Moderns : But this imperfect System , if I may call it such , which I have given , will infinitely advance and carry farther that Hypothesis of the Evil Spirits contending with the Good. For being so much weaker since their Fall , than those blessed Beings , they are yet suppos'd to have a permitted Power from God , of acting ill , as from their own deprav'd Nature they have always the Will of designing it . A great Testimony of which we find in Holy Writ , when God Almighty suffer'd Satan to appear in the Holy Synod of the Angels , ( a thing not hitherto drawn into Example by any of the Poets , ) and also gave him Power over all things belonging to his Servant Iob , excepting only Life . Now what these Wicked Spirits cannot compass , by the vast disproportion of their Forces , to those of the Superiour Beings : They may by their Fraud and Cunning carry farther , in a seeming League , Confederacy or Subserviency to the Designs of some good Angel , as far as consists with his purity , to suffer such an aid , the end of which may possibly be disguis'd , and conceal'd from his finite Knowledge . This is indeed to suppose a great Errour in such a Being : Yet since a Devil can appear like an Angel of Light ; since Craft and Malice may sometimes blind for a while a more perfect Understanding ; and lastly , since Milton has given us an Example of the like nature , when Satan appearing like a Cherub , to Vriel , the Intelligence of the Sun , Circumvented him even in his own Province , and pass'd only for a Curious Traveller through those new Created Regions , that he might observe therein the Workmanship of God , and praise him in his Works . I know not why , upon the same supposition , or some other , a Fiend may not deceive a Creature of more Excellency than himself , but yet a Creature ; at least by the connivance , or tacit permission of the Omniscient Being . Thus , my Lord , I have as briefly as I cou'd , given your Lordship , and by you the World a rude draught of what I have been long labouring in my Imagination . And what I had intended to have put in practice , ( though far unable for the attempt of such a Poem ) and to have left the Stage , to which my Genius never much inclin'd me , for a Work which wou'd have taken up my Life in the performance of it . This too , I had intended chiefly for the Honour of my Native Country , to which a Poet is parcicularly oblig'd : Of two Subjects , both relating to it , I was doubtful , whether I shou'd chuse that of King Arthur , Conquering the Saxons ; which being farther distant in Time , gives the greater Scope to my Invention : Or that of Edward the Black Prince in subduing Spain , and Restoring it to the Lawful Prince , though a Great Tyrant , Don Pedro the Cruel : Which for the compass of Time , including only the Expedition of one Year : For the greatness of the Action , and its answearable Event ; for the Magnanimity of the English Hero , oppos'd to the Ingratitude of the person whom he restor'd ; and for the many Beautiful Episodes , which I had interwoven with the principal Design , together with the Characters of the chiefest English Persons ; wherein , after Virgil and Spencer , I wou'd have taken occasion to represent my living Friends and Patrons of the Noblest Families , and also shadow'd the Events of future Ages , in the Succession of our Imperial Line . With these helps , and those of the Machines , which I have mention'd ; I might perhaps have done as well as some of my Predecessors ; or at least chalk'd out a way , for others to amend my Errors in a like Design . But being encourag'd only with fair Words , by King Charles II , my little Sallary ill paid , and no prospect of a future Subsistance , I was then Discourag'd in the beginning of my Attempt ; and now Age has overtaken me ; and Want , a more insufferable Evil , through the Change of the Times , has wholly disenabl'd me . Tho' I must ever acknowledge , to the Honour of your Lordship , and the Eternal Memory of your Charity , that since this Revolution , wherein I have patiently suffer'd the Ruin of my small Fortune , and the loss of that poor Subsistance which I had from two Kings , whom I had serv'd more Faithfully than Profitably to my self ; then your Lordship was pleas'd , out of no other Motive , but your own Nobleness , without any Desert of mine , or the least Sollicitation from me , to make me a most bountiful Present , which at that time , when I was most in want of it , came most seasonably and unexpectedly to my Relief . That Favour , my Lord , is of it self sufficient to bind any Grateful Man , to a perpetual Acknowledgment , and to all the future Service , which one of my mean Condition , can be ever able to perform . May the Almighty God return it for me , both in Blessing you here , and Rewarding you hereafter . I must not presume to defend the Cause for which I now suffer , because your Lordship is engag'd against it : But the more you are so , the greater is my Obligation to you : For your laying aside all the Considerations of Factions and Parties , to do an Action of pure disinteress'd Charity . This is one amongst many of your shining Qualities , which distinguish you from others of your Rank : But let me add a farther Truth , That without these Ties of Gratitude , and abstracting from them all , I have a most particular Inclination to Honour you ; and if it were not too bold an Expression , to say , I Love you . 'T is no shame to be a Poet , tho' 't is to be a bad one . Augustus Caesar of old , and Cardinal Richlieu of late , wou'd willingly have been such ; and David and Solomon were such . You , who without Flattery , are the best of the present Age in England , and wou'd have been so , had you been born in any other Country , will receive more Honour in future Ages , by that one Excellency , than by all those Honours to which your Birth has intitl'd you , or your Merits have acquir'd you . Ne , forte , pudori , Sit tibi Musa Lyrae solers , & Cantor Apollo . I have formerly said in this Epistle , that I cou'd distinguish your Writings from those of any others : 'T is now time to clear my self from any imputation of Self-conceipt on that Subject . I assume not to my self any particular lights in this Discovery ; they are such only as are obvious to every Man of Sense and Judgment , who loves Poetry , and understands it . Your Thoughts are always so remote from the common way of thinking , that they are , as I may say , of another Species , than the Conceptions of other Poets ; yet you go not out of Nature for any of them : Gold is never bred upon the Surface of the Ground ; but lies so hidden , and so deep , that the Mines of it are seldom found ; but the force of Waters casts it out from the Bowels of Mountains , and exposes it amongst the Sands of Rivers ; giving us of her Bounty , what we cou'd not hope for by our search . This Success attends your Lordship's Thoughts , which wou'd look like Chance , if it were not perpetual , and always of the same tenour . If I grant that there is Care in it , 't is such a Care as wou'd be ineffectual , and fruitless in other Men. 'T is the Cariosa felicitas which Petronius ascribes to Horace in his Odes . We have not wherewithal to imagine so strongly , so justly , and so pleasantly : In short , if we have the same Knowledge , we cannot draw out of it the same Quintessence ; we cannot give it such a Turn , such a Propriety , and such a Beauty . Something is deficient in the Manner , or the Words , but more in the Nobleness of our Conception . Yet when you have finish'd all , and it appears in its full Lustre , when the Diamond is not only found , but the Roughness smooth'd , when it is cut into a Form , and set in Gold , then we cannot but acknowledge , that it is the Perfect Work of Art and Nature : And every one will be so vain , to think he himself cou'd have perform'd the like , till he attempts it . 'T is just the Description that Horace makes of such a Finish'd Piece : It appears so easie , Vt sibi quivis speret idem , sudet multum , frustraque laboret , ausus idem . And besides all this , 't is Your Lordships particular Talent to lay your Thoughts so close together , that were they closer , they wou'd be crouded , and even a due connexion wou'd be wanting . We are not kept in expectation of two good lines , which are to come after a long Parenthesis of twenty bad ; which is the April Poetry of other Writers , a mixture of Rain and Sun-shine by fits : You are always bright , even almost to a fault , by reason of the excess . There is continual abundance , a Magazine of Thought , and yet a perpetual Variety of Entertainment ; which creates such an Appetite in your Reader , that he is not cloy'd with any thing , but satisfy'd with all . 'T is that which the Romans call Coena dubia ; where there is such plenty , yet withall so much Diversity , and so good Order , that the choice is difficult betwixt one Excellency and another ; and yet the Conclusion , by a due Climax , is evermore the best ; that is , as a Conclusion ought to be , ever the most proper for its place . See , my Lord , whether I have not studi'd Your Lordship with some Application : And since You are so Modest , that You will not be Judge and Party , I appeal to the whole World , if I have not drawn Your Picture to a great degree of likeness , tho' 't is but in Meniature : And that some of the best Features are yet wanting . Yet what I have done is enough to distinguish You from any other , which is the Proposition that I took upon me to demonstrate . And now , my Lord , to apply what I have said , to my present Business ; the Satires of Iuvenal and Persius , appearing in this New English Dress , cannot so properly be Inscrib'd to any Man as to Your Lordship , who are the First of the Age in that way of Writing . Your Lordship , amongst many other Favours , has given me Your Permission for this Address ; and You have particularly Encourag'd me by Your Perusal and Approbation of the Sixth and Tenth Satires of Iuvenal , as I have Translated them . My fellow Labourers , have likewise Commission'd me , to perform in their behalf this Office of a Dedication to you ; and will acknowledge with all possible Respect and Gratitude , your Acceptance of their Work. Some of them have the Honour to be known to your Lordship already ; and they who have not yet that happiness , desire it now . Be pleas'd to receive our common Endeavours with your wonted Candor , without Intitleing you to the Protection of our common Failings , in so difficult an Undertakeing . And allow me your Patience , if it be not already tir'd with this long Epistle , to give you from the Best Authors , the Origine , the Antiquity , the Growth , the Change , and the Compleatment of Satire among the Romans . To Describe , if not Define , the Nature of that Poem , with it's several Qualifications and Virtues , together with the several sorts of it . To compare the Excellencies of Horace , Persius and Iuvenal , and shew the particular Manners of their Satires . And lastly , to give an Account of this New Way of Version which is attempted in our Performance . All which , according to the weakness of my Ability , and the best Lights which I can get from others , shall be the Subject of my following Discourse . The most Perfect Work of Poetry , says our Master Aristotle , is Tragedy . His Reason is , because it is the most United ; being more severely confin'd within the Rules of Action , Time and Place . The Action is entire of a Piece , and one , without Episodes : The Time limited to a Natural Day : And the Place Circumbscrib'd at least within the Compass of one Town , or City . Being exactly Proportion'd thus , and Uniform in all it's Parts , The Mind is more Capable of Comprehending the whole Beauty of it without distraction . But after , all these Advantages , an Heroique Poem is certainly the greatest Work of Human Nature . The Beauties and Perfections of the other are but Mechanical ; those of the Epique are more Noble . Tho' Homer has limited his Place to Troy , and the Fields about it ; his Actions to Forty Eight Natural Days , whereof Twelve are Holy-days , or Cessation from business , during the Funerals of Patroclus . To proceed , the Action of the Epique is greater : The Extention of Time enlarges the Pleasure of the Reader , and the Episodes give it more Ornament , and more Variety . The Instruction is equal ; but the first is only Instructive , the latter Forms a Hero , and a Prince . If it signifies any thing which of them is of the more Ancient Family , the best and most absolute Heroique Poem was written by Homer , long before Tragedy was Invented : But , if we consider the Natural Endowments , and acquir'd Parts which are necessary to make an accomplish'd Writer in either Kind , Tragedy requires a less and more confin'd Knowledge : moderate Learning , and Observation of the Rules is sufficient , if a Genius be not wanting . But in an Epique Poet , one who is worthy of that Name , besides an Universal Genius , is requir'd Universal Learning , together with all those Qualities and Acquisitions which I have nam'd above , and as many more as I have through haste or negligence omitted . And after all , he must have exactly Study'd Homer and Virgil , as his Patterns , Aristotle and Horace as his Guides , and Vida and Bossu , as their Commentators , with many others both Italian and French Critiques , which I want leisure here to R●commend . In a Word , what I have to say , in Relation to This Subject , which does not Particularly concern Satire , is , That the greatness of an Heroique Poem , beyond that of a Tragedy , may easily be discover'd by observing , how few have attempted that Work , in comparison of those who have Written Drama's ; and of those few , how small a number have Succeeded . But leaving the Critiques on either side to contend about the preference due to this or that sort of Poetry ; I will hasten to my present business , which is the Antiquity and Origine of Satire , according to those Informations which I have receiv'd from the Learned Casaubon , Heinsius , Rigaltius , Dacier and the Dauphin's Iuvenal ; to which I shall add some Observations of my own . There has been a long Dispute amongst the Modern Critiques , whether the Romans deriv'd their Satire from the Grecians , or first Invented it themselves . Iulius Scaliger and Heinsius , are of the first Opinion ; Casaubon , Rigaltius , Dacier , and the Publisher of the Dauphin's Iuvenal maintain the Latter . If we take Satire in the general signification of the Word , as it is us'd in all Modern Languages , for an Invective , 't is certain that it is almost as old as Verse ; and tho' Hymns , which are praises of God , may be allow'd to have been before it , yet the defamation of others was not long after it . After God had Curs'd Adam and Eve in Paradise , the Husband and Wife excus'd themselves , by laying the blame on one another ; and gave a beginning to those Conjugal Dialogues in Prose ; which the Poets have perfected in Verse . The Third Chapter of Iob is one of the first Instances of this Poem in Holy Scripture : Unless we will take it higher , from the latter end of the second ; where his Wife advises him to curse his Maker . This Original , I confess , is not much to the Honour of Satire ; but here it was Nature , and that deprav'd : When it became an Art , it bore better Fruit. Only we have learnt thus much already , that Scoffs and Revilings are of the growth of all Nations ; and consequently that neither the Greek Poets borrow'd from other People their Art of Railing , neither needed the Romans to take it from them . But considering Satire as a Species of Poetry ; here the War begins amongst the Criticks . Scaliger the Father will have it descend from Greece to Rome ; and derives the word Satyre , from Satyrus , that mixt kind of Animal , or , as the Ancients thought him , Rural God , made up betwixt a Man and a Goat ; with a Humane Head , Hook'd Nose , Powting Lips , a Bunch , or Struma under the Chin , prick'd Ears , and upright Horns ; the Body shagg'd with hair , especially from the waste , and ending in a Goat , with the legs and feet of that Creature . But Casaubon , and his Followers , with Reason , condemn this derivation ; and prove that from Satyrus , the word Satira , as it signifies a Poem , cannot possibly descend . For Satira is not properly a Substantive , but an Adjective ; to which , the word Lanx , in English a Charger , or large Platter , is understood : So that the Greek Poem made according to the Manners of a Satyr , and expressing his Qualities , must properly be call'd Satyrical , and not Satire : And thus far 't is allow'd , that the Grecians had such Poems ; but that they where wholly different in Specie , from that to which the Romans gave the Name of Satire . Aristotle divides all Poetry , in relation to the Progress of it , into Nature without Art : Art begun , and Art Compleated . Mankind , even the most Barbarous have the Seeds of Poetry implanted in them . The first Specimen of it was certainly shewn in the Praises of the Deity , and Prayers to him : And as they are of Natural Obligation , so they are likewise of Divine Institution . Which Milton observing , introduces Adam and Eve , every Morning adoring God in Hymns and Prayers . The first Poetry was thus begun , in the wild Notes of Nature , before the invention of Feet , and Measures . The Grecians and Romans had no other Original of their Poetry . Festivals and Holydays soon succeeded to Private Worship , and we need not doubt but they were enjoyn'd by the true God to his own People ; as they were afterwards imitated by the Heathens ; who by the light of Reason knew they were to invoke some Superiour Being in their Necessities , and to thank him for his Benefits . Thus the Grecian Holydays were Celebrated with Offerings to Bacchus and Ceres , and other Deities , to whose Bounty they suppos'd they were owing for their Corn and Wine , and other helps of Life . And the Ancient Romans , as Horace tells us , paid their thanks to Mother Earth , or Vesta , to Silvanus , and their Genius , in the same manner . But as all Festivals have a double Reason of their Institution ; the first of Religion , the other of Recreation , for the unbending of our Minds : So both the Grecians and Romans agreed , after their Sacrifices were perform'd , to spend the remainder of the day in Sports and Merriments ; amongst which , Songs and Dances , and that which they call'd Wit , ( for want of knowing better , ) were the chiefest Entertainments . The Grecians had a notion of Satyres , whom I have already describ'd ; and taking them , and the Sileni , that is the young Satyrs and the old , for the Tutors , Attendants , and Humble Companions of their Bacchus , habited themselves like those Rural Deities , and imitated them in their Rustick Dances , to which they join'd Songs , with some sort of rude Harmony , but without certain Numbers ; and to these they added a kind of Chorus . The Romans also ( as Nature is the same in all places ) though they knew nothing of those Grecian Demi-Gods , nor had any Communication with Greece , yet had certain Young Men , who at their Festivals , Danc'd and Sung after their uncouth manner , to a certain kind of Verse , which they call'd Saturnian ; what it was , we have no very certain light from Antiquity to discover ; but we may conclude , that , like the Grecian , it was void of Art , or at least with very feeble beginnings of it . Those Ancient Romans , at these Holydays , which were a mixture of Devotion and Debauchery , had a Custom of reproaching each other with their Faults , in a sort of Extempore Poetry , or rather of tunable hobling Verse ; and they answer'd in the same kind of gross Raillery ; their Wit and their Musick being of a piece . The Grecians , says Casaubon , had formerly done the same , in the Persons of their petulant Satyrs : But I am afraid he mistakes the matter , and confounds the Singing and Dancing of the Satyrs , with the Rustical Entertainments of the first Romans . The Reason of my Opinion is this ; that Casaubon finding little light from Antiquity , of these beginnings of Poetry , amongst the Grecians , but only these Representations of Satyrs , who carry'd Canisters and Cornucopias full of several Fruits in their hands , and danc'd with them at their Publick Feasts : And afterwards reading Horace , who makes mention of his homely Romans , jesting at one another in the same kind of Solemnities , might suppose those wanton Satyrs did the same . And especially because Horace possibly might seem to him , to have shewn the Original of all Poetry in general , including the Grecians , as well as Romans : Though 't is plainly otherwise , that he only describ'd the beginning , and first Rudiments of Poetry in his own Country . The Verses are these , which he cites from the First Epistle of the Second Book , which was Written to Augustus . Agricolae prisci , fortes , parvoque beati , Condita post frumenta , levantes tempore festo Corpus & ipsum animum spe fini● dura ferentem , Cum sociis operum , & pueris , & conjuge fidâ , Tellurem Porco , Silvanum lacte piabant ; Floribus & vino Genium memorem brevis aevi : Fescennina per hunc inventa licentia morem Versibus alternis , opprobria rustica fudit . Our Brawny Clowns of Old , who turn'd the soyl , Content with little , and inur'd to toyl , At Harvest home , with Mirth and Country Cheer Restor'd their Bodies for another year : Refresh'd their Spirits , and renew'd their Hope , Of such a future Feast , and future Crop. Then with their Fellow-joggers of the Ploughs , Their little Children , and their faithful Spouse ; A Sow they slew to Vesta's Deity ; And kindly Milk , Silvanus , pour'd to thee . With Flow'rs , and Wine , their Genius they ador'd ; A short Life , and a merry , was the word . From flowing Cups defaming Rhymes ensue , And at each other homely Taunts they threw . Yet since it is a hard Conjecture , that so Great a Man as Casaubon shou'd misapply what Horace writ concerning Ancient Rome , to the Ceremonies and Manners of Ancient Greece , I will not insist on this Opinion , but rather judge in general , that since all Poetry had its Original from Religion , that of the Grecians and Rome had the same beginning : Both were invented at Festivals of Thanksgiving : And both were prosecuted with Mirth and Raillery , and Rudiments of Verses : Amongst the Greeks , by those who Represented Satyrs ; and amongst the Romans by real Clowns . For , Indeed , when I am Reading Casauban , on these two Subjects , methinks I hear the same Story told twice over with very little alteration . Of which Dacier takeing notice , in his Interpretation of the Latine Verses which I have Translated , says plainly , that the begining of Poetry was the same , with a small variety in both Countries : And that the Mother of it in all Nations , was Devotion . But what is yet more wonderful , that most Learned Critique takes notice also , in his Illustrations on the First Epistle of the Second Book , that as the Poetry of the Romans , and that of the Grecians , had the same beginning at Feasts of Thanksgiving , as it has been Observ'd ; and the old Comedy of the Greeks which was Invective , and the Satire of the Romans which was of the same Nature , were begun on the very same Occasion , so the Fortune of both in process of time was just the same ; the old Comedy of the Grecians was forbidden , for it s too much License in exposing of particular Persons , and the Rude Satire of the Romans was also Punish'd by a Law of the Decemviri , as Horace tells us , in these Words , Libertasque recurrentes accepta per Annos Lusit amabiliter , donec jam saevus apertam In rabiem verti caepit jocus ; & per honestas Ire domos impune minax : Doluere cruento Dente lacessiti ; fuit intactis quoque cura Conditione super communi : Quinetiam Lex , Paenaque lata , malo quae nollet carmine quemquam Describi , vertere modum formidine fustis ; Ad benedicendum delectandumque redacti . The Law of the Decemviri , was this . Siquis Occentassit malum Carmen , sive Condidisit , quod Infamiam faxit , Flagitiumve alteri , Capital esto . A strange likeness , and barely possible : But the Critiques being all of the same Opinion , it becomes me to be silent , and submit to better Judgments than my own . But to return to the Grecians , from whose Satyrick Drama's , the Elder Scaliger and Heinsius , will have the Roman Satire to proceed , I am to take a View of them first , and see if there be any such Descent from them as those Authors have pretended . Thespis , or whosoever he were that Invented Tragedy , ( for Authors differ ) mingl'd with them a Chorus and Dances of Satyres , which had before been us'd , in the Celebration of their Festivals ; and there they were ever afterwards retain'd . The Character of them was also kept , which was Mirth and Wantonness : And this was given , I suppose , to the folly of the Common Audience ▪ who soon grow weary of good Sense ; and as we daily see , in our own Age and Country , are apt to forsake Poetry , and still ready to return , to Buffoonry and Farce . From hence it came , that in the Olympique-Games , where the Poets contended for Four Prizes , the Satyrique Tragedy was the last of them : for in the rest , the Satyrs were excluded from the Chorus . Amongst the Plays of Eurypides , which are yet remaining , there is one of these Satyriques , which is call'd the Cyclops ; in which we may see the nature of those Poems ; and from thence conclude , what likeness they have to the Roman Satire . The Story of this Cyclops , whose Name was Polyphemus , so famous in the Grecian Fables , was , That Vlysses , who with his Company was driven on that Coast of Sicily , where those Cyclops Inhabited , coming to ask Relief from Silenus , and the Satyres , who were Herdsmen to that One-ey'd Gyant , was kindly receiv'd by them , and entertain'd ; till being perceiv'd by Polyphemus , they were made Prisoners , against the Rites of Hospitality , for which Vlysses Eloquently pleaded , were afterwards put down into the Den , and some of them devour'd : After which , Vlysses having made him Drunk , when he was asleep , thrust a great Firebrand into his Eye , and so Revenging his Dead Followers , escap'd with the remaining Party of the Living : And Silenus and the Satyrs , were freed from their Servitude under Polyphemus , and remitted to their first Liberty , of attending and accompanying their Patron Bacchus . This was the Subject of the Tragedy , which being one of those that end with a happy Event , is therefore by Aristotle , judg'd below the other sort , whose Success is unfortunate . Notwithstanding which , the Satyrs , who were part of the Dramatis Personae , as well as the whole Chorus , were properly introduc'd into the Nature of the Poem , which is mix'd of Farce and Tragedy . The Adventure of Vlysses was to entertain the Judging part of the Audience , and the uncouth Persons of Silenus , and the Satyrs , to divert the Common People , with their gross Railleries . Your Lordship has perceiv'd , by this time , that this Satyrique Tragedy , and the Roman Satire have little Resemblance in any of their Features . The very Kinds are different : For what has a Pastoral Tragedy to do with a Paper of Verses Satirically written ? The Character and Raillery of the Satyres is the only thing that cou'd pretend to a likeness : Were Scaliger and Heinsius alive to maintain their Opinion . And the first Farces of the Romans , which were the Rudiments of their Poetry , were written before they had any Communication with the Greeks ; or , indeed , any Knowledge of that People . And here it will be proper to give the Definition of the Greek Satyrique Poem from Casaubon , before I leave this Subject . The Satyrique , says he , is a Dramatick Poem , annex'd to a Tragedy ; having a Chorus , which consists of Satyrs : The Persons Represented in it , are Illustrio●s Men : The Action of it is great ; the Stile is partly Serious , and partly Jocular ; and the Event of the Action most commonly is Happy . The Grecians , besides these Satyrique Tragedies , had another kind of Poem , which they call'd Silli ; which were more of kin to the Roman Satire : Those Silli were indeed Invective Poems , but of a different Species from the Roman Poems of Ennius , Pacuvi●s , Lucilius , Horace , and the rest of their Successors . They were so call'd , says Casaubon in one place , from Silenus , the Foster-Father of Bacchus ; but in another place , bethinking himself better , he derives their Name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , from their Scoffing and Petulancy . From some Fragments of the Silli , written by Timon , we may find , that they were Satyrique Poems , full of Parodies ; that is , of Verses patch'd up from great Poets , and turn'd into another Sence than their Author intended them . Such amongst the Romans is the Famous Cento of Ausonius ; where the words are Virgil's : But by applying them to another Sense , they are made a Relation of a Wedding-Night ; and the Act of Consummation fulsomly describ'd in the very words of the most Modest amongst all Poets . Of the same manner are our Songs , which are turn'd into Burlesque ; and the serious words of the Author perverted into a ridiculous meaning . Thus in Timon's Silli the words are generally those of Homer , and the Tragick Poets ; but he applies them Satyrically , to some Customs and Kinds of Philosophy , which he arraigns . But the Romans not using any of these Parodies in their Satyres ▪ sometimes , indeed , repeating Verses of other Men , as Persius cites some of Nero's ; but not turning them into another meaning , the Silli cannot be suppos'd to be the Original of Roman Satire . To these Silli consisting of Parodies , we may properly add , the Satires which were written against particular Persons ; such as were the lambiques of Archil●cus against Lycambes , which Horace undoubtedly imitated in some of his Odes and Epodes , whose Titles bear sufficient witness of it : I might also name the Invective of Ovid against Ibis ; and many others : But these are the Under-wood of Satire , rather than the Timber-Trees : They are not of General Extension , as reaching only to some Individual Person . And Horace seems to have purg'd himself from those Sple●etick Reflections in those Odes and Epodes , before he undertook the Noble Work of Satires ; which were properly so call'd . Thus , my Lord , I have at length disengag'd my self from those Antiquities of Greece ; and have prov'd , I hope , from the best Critiques , that the Roman Satire was not borrow'd from thence , but of their own Manufacture : I am now almost gotten into my depth ; at least by the help of Dacier , I am swimming towards it . Not that I will promise always to follow him , any more than be follows Casaubon ; but to keep him in my Eye , as my best and truest Guide ; and where I think he may possibly mislead me , there to have recourse to my own lights , as I expect that others should do by me . Quintilian says , in plain words , Satira quidem tota , nostra est : And Horace had said the same thing before him , speaking of his Predecessor in that sort of Poetry , Et Gra●cis intacti Carminis Author . Nothing can be clearer than the Opinion of the Poet , and the Orator , both the best Criticks of the two best Ages of the Roman Empire , than that Satire was wholly of Latin growth , and not transplanted to Rome from Athens . Yet , as I have said , Scaliger , the Father , according to his Custom , that is , insolently enough , contradict● them both ▪ and gives no better Reason , than the derivation of Satyrus from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Salacitas ; and so from the Lechery of those Fauns , thinks he has sufficiently pro●'d , that Satyre is deriv'd from them . As if Wantonness and lubrici●y , were Essential to that sort of Poem , which ought to be avoided in it . His other Allegation , which I have already mention'd , is as pitiful : That the Satyres carried Platters and Canisters full of Fruit , in their 〈◊〉 . If they had enter'd empty-handed , had they been ever the less Satyres ? Or were the Fruits and Flowers , which they offer'd , any thing of kin to Satyre ? Or any Argument that this Poem was Originally Gr●cian ▪ Causaubon judg'd better , and his Opinion is grounded on sure Authority ; that Satyre was deriv'd from Satura ▪ a Roman word , which signifies Full , and Abundant ; and full also of Variety , in which nothing is w●nting to its due Perfection . 'T is thus , says Dacier , that we lay a full Colour , when the Wool has taken the whole Tincture , and 〈◊〉 in as much of the Dye as it can receive . According to this Derivation , from Sa●● comes Satura , or Satira : According to the n●w spelling ; as 〈◊〉 and max●mus are now spell'd optimus and 〈◊〉 . Satura ▪ as I hav● formerly noted , is an Adjective , and relates to the word Lanx ▪ which is understood . And this Lanx , in English a Charger , or large Platter , was yearly fill'd with all sorts of Fruits , which were offer'd to the Gods at their Festivals , as the Premices , or First Gatherings . These Offerings of several sorts thus mingl'd , 't is true , were not unknown to the Grecians , who call'd them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a Sacrifice of all sorts of Fruits ; and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , when they offer'd all kinds of Grain . Virgil has mention'd these Sacrifices in his Georgiques . Lancibus & pandis , fumantia reddimus Exta : And in another place , Lancesque & liba feremus . That is , we offer the smoaking Entrails in great Platters ; and we will offer the Chargers , and the Cakes . This word Satura has been afterward apply'd to many other sorts of Mixtures ; as Festus calls it a kind of Olla , or hotch-potch , made of several sorts of Meats . Laws were also call'd Leges Saturae ; when they were of several Heads and Titles ; like our tack'd Bills of Parliament . And per Saturam legem ferre , in the Roman Senate , was to carry a Law without telling the Senatours , or counting Voices when they were in haste . Salust uses the word per Saturam Sententias exquirere ; when the Majority was visibly on one side . From hence it might probably be conjectur'd , that the Discourses or Satyres of Ennius , L●cilius , and Horace , as we now call them , took their Name ; because they are full of various Matters , and are also Written on various Subjects , as Porphyrius says . But Dacier affirms , that it is not immediately from thence that these Satyres are so call'd : For that Name had been us'd formerly for other things , which bore a nearer resemblance to those Discourses of Horace . In explaining of which , ( continues Dacier ) a Method is to be pursu'd , of which Casaubon himself has never thought , and which will put all things into so clear a light , that no farther room will be left for the least Dispute . During the space of almost four hundred years , since the Building of their City , the Romans had never known any Entertainments of the Stage : Chance and Jollity first found out those Verses which they call'd Saturnian , and Fescennine : Or rather Humane Nature , which is inclin'd to Poetry , first produc'd them , rude and barbarous , and unpolish'd , as all other Operations of the Soul are in their beginnings , before they are Cultivated with Art and Study . However , in occasions of Merriment they were first practis'd ; and this rough-cast unhewn Poetry , was instead of Stage-Plays for the space of an hundred and twenty years together . They were made extempore , and were , as the French call them , Impromptus : For which the Tars●ans of Old were much Renown'd ; and we see the daily Examples of them in the Italian Farces of Harlequin , and Scaramucha . Such was the Poetry of that Salvage People , before it was tu●'d into Numbers , and the Harmony of Verse . Little of the Saturnian Verses is now remaining ; we only know from Authors , that they were nearer Prose than Poetry , without feet , or measure . They were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , but not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : Perhaps they might be us'd in the solemn part of their Ceremonies , and the Fescennine , which were invented after them , in their Afternoons Debauchery , because they were scoffing , and obscence . The Fescennine and Saturnian were the same ; for as they were call'd Saturnian from their Ancientness , when Saturn Reign'd in Italy ; they were also call'd Fescennine , from Fescenina , a Town in the same Country , where they were first practis'd . The Actors with a Gross and Rustick kind of ●aillery , reproach'd each other with their Failings ; and at the same time were nothing sparing of it to their Audience . Somewhat of this Custom was afterwards retain'd in their Saturnalia , or Feasts of Saturn , Celebrated in December ; at least all kind of freedom in Speech was then allow'd to Slaves , even against their Masters ; and we are not without some imitation of it in our Christmas Gambols . Souldiers also us'd those Fescennine Verses , after Measure and Numbers had been added to them , at the Triumph of their Generals : Of which we have an Example , in the Triumph of Iulius Caesar over Gaul , in these Expressions . Caesar Gallias subegit , Nicomedes Caesarem : Ecce Caesar nunc triumphat , qui subegit Gallias ; Nicomedes non triumphat , qui subegit Caesarem . The vapours of Wine made those first Satyrical Poets amongst the Romans ; which , says Dacier , we cannot better represent , than by imagining a Company of Clowns on a Holyday , dancing Lubberly , and upbraiding one another in Extempore Doggrel , with their Defects and Vices , and the Stories that were told of them in Bake-houses , and Barbers Shops . When they began to be somewhat better bred , and were entring , as I may say , into the first Rudiments of Civil Conversation , they left these Hedge Notes , for another sort of Poem , somewhat polish'd , which was also full of pleasant Raillery , but without any mixture of obscenity . This sort of Poetry appear'd under the name of Satire , because of its variety : And this Satire was adorn'd with Compositions of Musick , and with Dances : but Lascivious Postures were banish'd from it . In the Tuscan Language , says Livy , the word Hister signifies a Player : And therefore those Actors , which were first brought from Etruria to Rome , on occasion of a Pestilence ; when the Romans were admonish'd to avert the Anger of the Gods by Plays , in the Year ab Vrbe Condita , cccxc . Those Actors , I say , were therefore call'd Histriones : And that Name has since remain'd , not only to Actors Roman born , but to all others of every Nation . They Play'd not the former extempore stuff of Fescennine Verses , or Clownish Jests ; but what they Acted , was a kind of civil cleanly Farce , with Musick and Dances , and Motions that were proper to the Subject . In this Condition Livius Andronicus found the Stage , when he attempted first , instead of Farces , to supply it with a Nobler Entertainment of Tragedies and Comedies . This Man was a Grecian born , and being made a Slave by Livius Salinator , and brought to Rome , had the Education of his Patron 's Children committed to him . Which trust he discharg'd , so much to the satisfaction of his Master , that he gave him his Liberty . Andronicus thus become a Freeman of Rome , added to his own Name that of Livius his Master ; and , as I observ'd , was the first Author of a Regular Play in that Commonwealth . Being already instructed in his Native Country , in the Manners and Decencies of the Athenian Theater , and Conversant in the Archaea Comaedia , or old Comedy of Aristophanes , and the rest of the Grecian Poets ; he took from that Model his own designing of Plays for the Roman Stage . The first of which was represented in the Year 514. since the building of Rome , as Tully , from the Commentaries of Atticus , has assur'd us ; it was after the end of the first Punick War , the year before Ennius was born . Dacier has not carry'd the matter altogether thus far ; he only says , that one Livius Andronicus was the first Stage-Poet at Rome : But I will adventure on this hint , to advance another Proposition , which I hope the Learned will approve . And though we have not any thing of Andronicus remaining to justifie my Conjecture , yet 't is exceeding probable , that having read the Works of those Grecian Wits , his Countrymen , he imitated not only the ground-work , but also the manner of their Writing . And how grave soever his Tragedies might be , yet in his Comedies he express'd the way of Aristophanes , Eupolis , and the rest , which was to call some Persons by their own Names , and to expose their Defects to the laughter of the People . The Examples of which we have in the foremention'd Aristophanes , who turn'd the wise Socrates into Ridicule ; and is also very free with the management of Cleon , Alcibiades , and other Ministers of the Athenian Government . Now if this be granted , we may easily suppose , that the first hint of Satirical Plays on the Roman Stage , was given by the Greeks . Not from their Satyrica , for that has been reasonably exploded in the former part of this Discourse : But from their old Comedy , which was imitated first by Livius Andronicus . And then Quintilian and Horace must be cautiously Interpreted , where they affirm , that Satire is wholly Roman ; and a sort of Verse , which was not touch'd on by the Grecians . The reconcilement of my Opinion to the Standard of their Judgment , is not however very difficult , since they spoke of Satire , not as in its first Elements , but as it was form'd into a separate Work ; begun by Ennius , pursu'd by Lucilius , and compleated afterwards by Horace . The Proof depends only on this Postulatum , that the Comedies of Andronicus , which were imitations of the Greek , were also imitations of their Railleries , and Reflections on particular Persons . For if this be granted me , which is a most probable Supposition , 't is easie to infer , that the first light which was given to the Roman Theatrical Satire , was from the Plays of Livius Andronicus . Which will be more manifestly discover'd , when I come to speak of Ennius : In the mean time I will return to Dacier . The People , says he , ran in Crowds to these New Entertainments of Andronicus , as to Pieces which were more Noble in their kind , and more perfect than their former Satires , which for some time they neglected and abandon'd . But not long after , they took them up again , and then they joyn'd them to their Comedies : Playing them at the end of every Drama ; as the French continue at this Day to Act their Farces ; in the nature of a separate Entertainment , from their Tragedies . But more particularly they were joyn'd to the Atellane Fables , says Casaubon ; which were Plays invented by the Osci . Those Fables , says Valerius Maximus , out of Livy , were temper'd with the Italian severity , and free from any note of Infamy , or Obsceneness ; and as an old Commentator on Iuvenal affirms , the Exodiarii , which were Singers and Dancers , enter'd to entertain the People with light Songs , and Mimical Gestures , that they might not go away oppress'd with Melancholly , from those serious Pieces of the Theater . So that the Ancient Satire of the Romans was in Extemporary Reproaches : The next was Farce , which was brought from Tuscany : To that Succeeded the Plays of Andronicus , from the old Comedy of the Grecians : And out of all these , sprung two several Branches of new Roman Satire ; like different Cyens from the same Root . Which I shall prove with as much Brevity as the Subject will allow . A Year after Andronicus had open'd the Roman Stage , with his new Drama's , Ennius was Born : who , when he was grown to Mans Estate , haveing seriously consider'd the Genius of the People , and how eagerly they follow'd the first Satires , thought it wou'd be worth his Pains , to refine upon the Project , and to write Satires not to be Acted on the Theater , but Read. He preserv'd the Ground-work of their Pleasantry , their Venom , and their Raillery on particular Persons , and general Vices : And by this means , avoiding the danger of any ill Success , in a Publick Representation , he hop'd to be as well receiv'd in the Cabinet , as Andronicus had been upon the Stage . The Event was answerable to his Expectation . He made Discourses in several sorts of Verse , vari'd often in the same Paper ; Retaining still in the Title , their Original Name of Satire . Both in relation to the Subjects and the variety of Matters contain'd in them , the Satires of Horace are entirely like them ; only Ennius , as I said , con●ines not himself to one sort of Verse , as Horace does ; but takeing Example from the Greeks , and even from Homer himself , in his Margites , which is a kind of Satire , as Scaliger observes , gives himself the License , when one sort of Numbers comes not easily , to run into another , as his Fancy Dictates . For he makes no difficulty , to mingle Hexameters with ●ambique Trimeters ; or with Trochaique Tetrameters ; as appears by those Fragments which are yet remaining of him : Horace has thought him worthy to be Copy'd ; inserting many things of his into his own Satires , as Virgil has done into his Aeneids . Here we have Dacier making out that Ennius was the first Satyrist in that way of Writing , which was of his Invention ; that is , Satire abstracted from the Stage , and new modell'd into Papers of Verses , on several Subjects . But he will have Ennius take the Ground-work of Satire from the first Farces of the Romans ; rather than from the form'd Plays of Livius Andronicus , which were Copy'd from the Grecian Comedies . It may possibly be so ; but Dacier knows no more of it than I do . And it seems to me the more probable Opinion , that he rather imitated the ●ine Railleries of the Greeks , which he saw in the Pieces of Andronicus , than the Coursness of his old Country men , in their Clownish Extemporary way of jee●ing . But besides this , 't is Universally Granted , that Ennius though an Italian , was excellently Learn'd in the Greek Language . His Verses were stuff'd with Fragments of it , even to a fault : And he himself believ'd , according to the Pith●gor●●● Opinion , that the Soul of Homer was transfus'd into him : Which Persius observes , in his Sixth Satire : Postquam destertuit esse M●o●ides . But this being only the private Opinion of so inconsiderable a Man as I am , I leave it to the farther Disquisition of the Critiques , if they think it worth their notice . Most e●ident it is , that whether he imitated the Roman Farce , or the Greek Co●●●dies , he is to be acknowledg'd for the first Author of Roman Satire ; as it is properly so call'd ; and distinguish'd from any sort of Stage-Play . Of Pac●vi●s , who succeeded him , there is little to be said , because there is so little remaining of him : Only that ●e is taken to be the Nephew of Ennius , his Sisters Son ; that in probability he was instructed by his Uncle , in his way of Sati●● , which we are told he had Copy'd ; but what Advances he made we know not . Lucilius came into the World , when Pacuvius flourish'd most ; he also made Satires after the manner of Ennius , but he gave them a more gra●eful turn ; and endeavour'd to imitate more closely the vetu● Comaedia of the Greeks : Of the which the old Original Roman Satire had no Idea , till the time of Livius Andronicus . And though Horace seems to have made Luciliu● the first Author of Satire in Verse , amongst the Romans ; in these Words , Quid cum est Lucilius ausus Primus in hun● operis componere carmina morem : He is only thus to be understood , That Lucilius had given a more graceful turn to the Satire of Ennius and Pacuvius ; not that he invented a new Satire of his own : And Quintilian seems to Explain this Passage of Horace in these words ; Satira quidem tota nostra est , in qua primus insignem laudem adeptus est Lucilius . Thus , both Horace and Quintilian , give a kind of Primacy of Honour to Lucilius , amongst the Latin Satirists . For as the Roman Language grew more Refin'd , so much more capable it was of receiving the Grecian Beauties in his time : Horace and Quintilian cou'd mean no more , than that Lucilius writ better than Ennius and Pacuvius : And on the same account we prefer Horace to Lucilius : Both of them imitated the old Greek Comedy ; and so did Ennius and Pacuvius before them . The polishing of the Latin Tongue , in the Succession of Times , made the only difference . And Horace himself , in two of his Satires , written purposely on this Subject , thinks the Romans of his Age , were too Partial in their Commendations of Lucilius ; who writ not only loosely , and muddily , with little Art , and much less Care , but also in a time when the Latin Tongue was not yet sufficiently purg'd from the Dregs of Barbarism ; and many significant and sounding Words , which the Romans wanted , were not admitted even in the times of Lucretius and Cicero ; of which both complain . But to proceed , Dacier justly taxes Casaubon , for saying . That the Satires of Lucilius were wholly different in Specie , from those of Ennius and Pacuvius . Casaubon was led into that mistake , by Diomedes the Grammarian , who in effect says this . Satire amongst the Romans , but not amongst the Greeks , was a biteing invective Poem , made after the Model of the Ancient Comedy ; for the Reprehension of Vices : Such as were the Poems of Lucilius , of Horace , and of Persius . But in former times , the Name of Satire was given to Poems , which were compos'd of several sorts of Verses ; such as were made by Ennius , and Pacuvius ; more fully expressing the Etymology of the word Satire , from Satura , which we have observ'd . Here 't is manifest , that Diomedes makes a Specifical Distinction betwixt the Satires of Ennius , and those of Lucilius . But this , as we say in English , is only a Distinction without a Difference ; for the Reason of it , is ridiculous , and absolutely false . This was that which cozen'd honest Casaubon , who relying on Diomedes , had not sufficiently examin'd the Origine and Nature of those two Satires ; which were entirely the same , both in the Matter and the Form. For all that Lucilius perform'd beyond his Predecessors , Ennius and Pacuvius , was only the adding of more Politeness , and more Salt ; without any change in the Substance of the Poem : And tho' Lucilius put not together in the same Satire several sorts of Verses , as Ennius did ; yet he compos'd several Satires , of several sorts of Verses ; and mingl'd them with Greek Verses : One Poem consisted only of Hexameters ; and another was entirely of lambiques ; a third of Trochaiques ; as is visible by the Fragments yet remaining of his Works . In short , if the Satires of Lucilius are therefore said to be wholly different from those of Ennius because he added much more of Beauty and Polishing to his own ' Poems , than are to be found in those before him ; it will follow from hence , that the Satires of Horace are wholly different from those of Lucilius , because Horace has not less surpass'd Lucilius in the Elegancy of his Writing , than Lucilius surpass'd Ennius in the turn and Ornament of his . This Passage of Diomedes has also drawn Do●sa , the Son , into the same Error of Casaubon , which , I say , not to expose the little Failings of those Judicious Men , but only to make it appear , with how much Diffidence and Caution we are to Read their Works ; when they treat a Subject of so much Obscurity , and so very ancient , as is this of Satire . Having thus brought down the History of Satire from its Original , to the times of Horace , and shewn the several changes of it . I shou'd here discover some of those Graces which Horace added to it , but that I think it will be more proper to defer that Undertaking , till I make the Comparison betwixt him and Iuvenal . In the mean while , following the Order of Time , it will be necessary to say somewhat of another kind of Satire , which also was descended from the Ancient : 'T is that which we call the Varronian Satire , but which Varro himself calls the Menippean ; because Varro , the most Learn'd of the Romans , was the first Author of it , who imitated , in his Works , the Manners of Menippus the Gadarenian , who profess'd the Philosophy of the Cyniques . This sort of Satire was not only compos'd of several sorts of Verse , like those of Ennius , but was also mix'd with Prose ; and Greek was sprinkl'd amongst the Latin. Quintilian , after he had spoken of the Satire of Lucilius , adds what follows . There is another and former kind of Satire , Compos'd by Terentius Varro , the most Learn'd of the Romans : In which he was not satisfy'd alone , with mingling in it several sorts of Verse . The only difficulty of this Passage , is , that Quintilian tells us , that this Satire of Varro was of a former kind . For how can we possibly imagine this to be , since Varro , who was contemporary to Cicero , must consequently be after Lucilius ? But Quintilian meant not , that the Satire of Varro was in order of Time before Lucilius ; he wou'd only give us to understand , that the Varronian Satire , with mixture of several sorts of Verses , was more after the manner of Ennius and Pacuvius , than that of Lucilius , who was more severe , and more correct ; and gave himself less liberty in the mixture of his Verses , in the same Poem . We have nothing remaining of those Varronian Satires , excepting some inconsiderable Fragments ; and those for the most part much corrupted . The Titles of many of them are indeed preserv'd , and they are generally double : From whence , at least , we may understand , how many various Subjects were treated by that Author . Tully , in his Academicks , introduces Varro himself giving us some light concerning the Scope and Design of these Works . Wherein , after he had shewn his Reasons why he did not ex professo write of Philosophy , he adds what follows . Notwithstanding , says he , that those Pieces of mine , wherein I have imitated Menippus , though I have not Translated him , are sprinkled with a kind of mirth , and gayety : Yet many things are there inserted , which are drawn from the very intrails of Philosophy , and many things severely argu'd : Which I have mingl'd with Pleasantries on purpose , that they may more easily go down with the Common sort of Unlearn'd Readers . The rest of the Sentence is so lame , that we can only make thus much out of it ; that in the Composition of his Satires , he so temper'd Philology with Philosophy , that his Work was a mixture of them both . And Tully himself confirms us in this Opinion ; when a little after he addresses himself to Varro in these words . And you your self have compos'd a most Elegant and Compleat Poem ; you have begun Philosophy in many Places : Sufficient to incite us , though too little to Instruct us . Thus it appears , that Varro was one of those Writers whom they call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , studious of laughter ; and that , as Learned as he was , his business was more to divert his Reader , than to teach him . And he Entitled his own Satires Menippean : Not that Menippus had written any Satires , ( for his were either Dialogues or Epistles ) but that Varro imitated his Style , his Manner , and his Facetiousness . All that we know farther of Menippus , and his Writings , which are wholly lost ; is , that by some he is esteem'd , as , amongst the rest , by Varro : By others he is noted of Cynical Impudence , and Obsc●nity : That he was much given to those Parodies , which I have already mention'd ; that is , he often quoted the Verses of Homer and the Tragick Poets , and turn'd their serious meaning into something that was Ridiculous ; whereas Varro's Satires are by Tully call'd Absolute , and most Elegant , and Various Poems . Lucian , who was emulous of this Menippus , seems to have imitated both his Manners and his Style in many of his Dialogues ; where Menippus himself is often introduc'd as a Speaker in them , and as a perpetual B●assoon : Particularly his Character is express'd in the ●●ginning of that Dialogue which is call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . But Varro , in imitating him , avoids his impudence and ●ilthine●s , and only expresses his witty Pleasantry . This we may believe for certain , That as his Subjects were various , so most of them were Tales or Stories of his own invention . Which is also manifest from Antiquity , by those Authors who are acknowledg'd to have written Varro●ian Satires , in imitation of his : Of whom the Chief is Pe●ronius Arbiter , whose Satire , they say , is now Printing in ●olland , wholly recover'd , and made compleat : When 't is made publick , it will easily be seen by any one Sentence , whether it be supposititious , or genuine . Many of L●cian's Dialogues may also properly be call'd Varronian Satires ; particularly his True History : And consequently the G●lde● Ass of Apuleius , which is taken from him . Of the same stamp is the Mock Deification of Claudius , by Se●eca : And the Symposium or Caesars of Iulian the Emperour . Amongst the Moderns we may reckon the Eucomium Moriae of Erasmus , Barclay's Euphormi● , and a Volume of German Authors , which my ingenious Friend Mr. Charles Killigrew once lent me . In the English I remember none , which are mix'd with Prose , as Varro's were : But of the same kind is Mother Hubbard's Tale in Spencer ; and ( if it be not too vain , to mention any thing of my own ) the Poems of Abs●lo● , and Mac Fleckno . This is what I have to say in General of Satire : Only as Dacier has observ'd before me , we may take notice , That the word Satire is of a more general signification in Latin , than in French , or English. For amongst the Romans it was not only us'd for those Discourses which decry'd Vice , or expos'd Folly ; but for others also , where Virtue was recommended . But in our Modern Languages we apply it only to invective Poems , where the very Name of Satire is formidable to those Persons ▪ who wou'd appear to the World , what they are not in themselves . For in English , to say Satire , is to mean Reflection , as we use that word in the worst Sense ; or as the French call it , more properly , Medisance . In the Criticism of Spelling , it ought to be with i and not with y ; to distinguish its true derivation from Sat●ra , not from Satyrus . And if this be so , then 't is false spell'd throughout this Book : For here 't is written Satyr . Which having not consider'd at the first , I thought it not worth Correcting afterwards . But the French are more nice , and never spell it any other ways than Satire . I am now arriv'd at the most difficult part of my Undertaking , which is , to compare Horace with Iuvenal and Persius : 'T is observ'd by Rigaltius , in his Preface before Iuvenal , written to Thuanus , that these three Poets have all their particular Partisans , and Favourers : Every Commentator , as he has taken pains with any of them , thinks himself oblig'd to perfer his Author to the other two : To find out their Failings , and decry them , that he may make room for his own Darling . Such is the partiality of Mankind , to set up that Interest which they have once espous'd , though it be to the prejudice of Truth , Morality , and common Justice . And especially in the productions of the Brain . As Authors generally think themselves the best Poets , because they cannot go out of themselves , to judge sincerely of their Betters : So it is with Critiques , who , having first taken a liking to one of these Poets , proceed to Comment on him , and to Illustrate him ; after which they fall in love with their own Labours , to that degree of blind fondness , that at length they defend and exalt their Author , not so much for his sake as for their own . 'T is a folly of the same Nature , with that of the Romans themselves , in their Games of the Circus ; the Spectators were divided in their Factions , betwixt the Veneti and the Prasini : Some were for the Charioteer in Blue , and some for him in Green. The Colours themselves were but a Fancy ; but when once a Man had taken pains to set out those of his Party , and had been at the trouble of procuring Voices for them , the Case was alter'd : He was concern'd for his own Labour : And that so earnestly , that Disputes and Quarrels , Animosities , Commotions , and Bloodshed , often happen'd : And in the Declension of the Grecian Empire , ●the very Soveraigns themselves ingag'd in it , even when the Barbarians were at their doors ; and stickled for the pre●erence of Colours , when the safety of their People was in question . I am now , my self , on the brink of the same Precipice ; I have spent some time on the Translation of Iuvenal , and Persius : And it behoves me to be wary , lest , for that Reason , I shou'd be partial to them , or take a prejudice against Horace . Yet , on the other side , I woul'd not be like some of our Judges , who wou'd give the Cause for a Poor Man , right or wrong : For though that be an Errour on the better hand , yet it is still a partiality : And a Rich Man , unhear'd , cannot be concluded an Oppressor . I remember a saying of K. Charles the Second , on Sir Matthew Hales , ( who was doubtless an Uncorrupt and Upright Man ) That his Servants were sure to be Cast on any Trial , which was heard before him : Not that he thought the Judge was possibly to be brib'd ; but that his Integrity might be too scrupulous : And that the Causes of the Crown were always suspicious , when the Priviledges of Subjects were concern'd . It had been much fairer , if the Modern Critiques , who have imbark'd in the Quarrels of their favourite Authors , had rather given to each his proper due ; without taking from another's heap , to raise their own . There is Praise enough for each of them in particular , without encroaching on his Fellows , and detracting from them , or Enriching themselves with the Spoils of others . But to come to particulars : Heinsius and Dacier , are the most principal of those , who raise Horace above Iuvenal and Persius . Scaliger the Father , Rigaltius , and many others , debase Horace , that they may set up Iuvenal : And Casaubon , who is almost single , throws Dirt on Iuvenal and Horace , that he may exalt Persius , whom he understood particularly well , and better than any of his former Commentators ; even Stelluti who succeeded him . I will begin with him , who in my Opinion defends the weakest Cause , which is that of Persius ; and labouring , as Tacitus professes of his own Writing , to divest my self of partiality , or prejudice , consider Persius , not as a Poet , whom I have wholly Translated , and who has cost me more labour and time , than Iuvenal ; but according to what I judge to be his own Merit ; which I think not equal in the main , to that of Iuvenal or Horace ; and yet in some things to be preferr'd to both of them . First , then , for the Verse , neither Casaubon himself , nor any for him , can defend either his Numbers , or the Purity of his Latin. Casaubon gives this point for lost ; and pretends not to justifie either the Measures , or the Words of Persius : He is evidently beneath Horace and Iuvenal , in both . Then , as his Verse is scabrous , and hobbling , and his Words not every where well chosen , the purity of Latin being more corrupted , than in the time of Iuvenal , and consequently of Horace , who writ when the Language was in the heighth of its perfection ; so his diction is hard ; his Figures are generally too bold and daring ; and his Tropes , particularly his Metaphors , insufferably strain'd . In the third place , notwithstanding all the diligence of Casaubon , Stelluti , and a Scotch Gentleman ( whom I have hear'd extreamly commended for his Illustrations of him : ) yet he is still obscure : Whether he affected not to be understood , but with difficulty ; or whether the fear of his safety under Nero , compell'd him to this darkness in some places ; or that it was occasion'd by his close way of thinking , and the brevity of his Style , and crowding of his Figures ; or lastly , whether after so long a time , many of his Words have been corrupted , and many Customs , and Stories relating to them , lost to us ; whether some of these Reasons , or all , concurr'd to render him so cloudy ; we may be bold to affirm , that the best of Commentators can but guess at his Meaning , in many passages : And none can be certain that he has divin'd rightly . After all , he was a Young Man , like his Friend and Contemporary Lucan : Both of them Men of extraordinary Parts , and great acquir'd Knowledge , considering their Youth . But neither of them had arriv'd to that Maturity of Judgment , which is necessary to the accomplishing of a form'd Poet. And this Consideration , as on the one hand it lays some Imperfections to their charge , so on the other side 't is a candid excuse for those Failings , which are incident to Youth and Inexperience ; and we have more Reason to wonder , how they , who Dyed before th● Thirtieth Year of their Age , cou'd write so well , and think so strongly ; than to accuse them of those Faults , from which Humane Nature , and more especially in Youth , can never possibly be exempted . To consider Persius yet more closely : He rather insulted over Vice and Folly , than expos'd them , like I●venal and Horace . And as Chaste , and Modest as he is esteem'd , it cannot be deny'd , but that in some places , he is broad and fulsom , as the latter Verses of the Fourth Satire , and of the Sixth , sufficiently witness . And 't is to be believ'd , that he who commits the same Crime often , and without Necessity , cannot but do it with some kind of Pleasure . To come to a conclusion , He is manifestly below Horace ; because ●e borrows most of his greatest Beauties from him : And Casaubon is so far from denying this ; that he has written a Treatise purposely concerning it ; wherein he shews a multitude of his Translations from Horace , and his imitations of him , for the Credit of his Author ; which he calls Imitatio Horatiana . To these defects , which I casually observ'd , while I was Translating this Author , Scaliger had added others : He calls him , in plain terms , a silly Writer , and a trifler ; full of Ostentation of his Learning ; and after all , unworthy to come into Competition with Iuvenal and Horace . After such terrible Accusations , 't is time to hear what his Patron Casaubon can alledge in his Defence . Instead of answering , he excuses for the most part ; and when he cannot , accuses others of the same Crimes . He deals with Scaliger , as a Modest Scholar with a Master . He Compliments him with so much Reverence , that one wou'd swear he Fear'd him as much at least as he Respected him . Scaliger will not allow Persius to have any Wit : Casaubon Interprets this in the mildest Sense ; and confesses his Author was not good at turning things into a pleasant Ridicule ; or in other words , that he was not a laughable Writer . That he was ineptus , indeed , but that was , non aptissimus ad jocandum . But that he was Ostentatious of his Learning , that , by Scaliger's good Favour , he denies . Persius shew'd his Learning , but was no Boaster of it ; he did ostendere , but not ostentare ; and so , he says , did Scaliger : Where , methinks , Casaubon turns it handsomly , upon that supercilious Critick , and silently insinuates , that he himself was sufficiently vain-glorious ; and a boaster of his own Knowledge . All the Writings of this Venerable Censor , continues Casaubon , which are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , more golden , than Gold it self , are every where smelling of that Thyme , which , like a Bee , he has gather'd from Ancient Authors : But far be Ostentation and Vain-Glory from a Gentleman , so well Born , and so Nobly Educated as Scaliger : But , says Scaliger , he is so obscure , that he has got himself the Name of Scotinus , a dark Writer . Now , says Casaubon , 't is a wonder to me , that any thing cou'd be obscure to the Divine Wit of Scaliger ; from which nothing cou'd be hidden . This is indeed a strong Compliment , but no Defence . And Casaubon , who cou'd not but be sensible of his Author 's blind side , thinks it time to abandon a Post that was untenable . He acknowledges that Persius is obscure in some places ; but so is Plato , so is Thucydides ; so are Pindar , Theocritus , and Aristophanes amongst the Greek Poets ; and even Horace and Iuvenal , he might have added , amongst the Romans . The Truth is , Persius is not sometimes , but generally obscure : And therefore Casaubon , at last , is forc'd to excuse him , by alledging that it was se defende●do , for fear of Nero ; and that he was commanded to Write so cloudily by Cornutus , in virtue of Holy Obedience to his Master . I cannot help my own Opinion ; I think Cornutus needed not to have Read many Lectures to him on that Subject . Persius was an apt Scholar ; and when he was bidden to be obscure , in some places , where his Life and Safety were in question , took the same Counsel for all his Book ; and never afterwards Wrote ten Lines together clearly . Casaubon , being upon this Chapter , has not fail'd , we may be sure , of making a Compliment to his own dear Comment . If Persiu● , says he , be in himself obscure , yet my Interpretation has made him intelligible . There is no question , but he deserves that Praise , which he has given to himself : But the Nature of the thing , as Lucretius says , will not admit of a perfect Explanation . Besides many Examples which I cou'd urge ; the very last Verse of his last Satire , upon which he particularly values himselfe in his Preface , is not yet sufficiently explicated . 'T is true , Holiday has endeavour'd to justifie his Construction ; but Stelluti is against it : And , for my part , I can have but a very dark Notion of it . As for the Chastity of his Thoughts , Casaubon denies not , but that one particular passage , in the Fourth Satire , At , si unctus cesses , &c. is not only the most obscure , but the most obscene of all his Works : I understood it ; but for that Reason turn'd it over . In defence of his boistrous Metaphors , he quotes Longinus , who accounts them as instruments of the Sublime : Fit to move and stir up the Affections , particularly in Narration . To which it may be reply'd , That where the Trope is far fetch'd , and hard , 't is fit for nothing but to puzzle the Understanding : And may be reckon'd amongst those things of Demosthenes , which Aeschines , call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that is Prodigies , not Words . It must be granted to Casaubon , that the Knowledge of many things is lost in our Modern Ages , which were of familiar notice to the Ancients : And that Satire is a Poem of a difficult Nature in it self , and is not written to Vulgar Readers . And through the Relation which it has to Comedy , the frequent change of Persons , makes the Sense perplex'd ; when we can but Divine , who it is that speaks : Whether Persius himself , or his Friend and Monitor ; or , in some places , a third Person . But Casaubon comes back always to himself , and concludes , that if Persius had not been obscure , there had been no need of him for an Interpreter . Yet when he had once enjoyn'd himself so hard a Task , he then consider'd the Greek Proverb , that he must 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; either eat the whole Snail , or let it quite alone ; and so , he went through with his laborious Task , as I have done with my difficult Translation . Thus far , my Lord , you see it has gone very hard with Persius : I think he cannot be allow'd to stand in competition , either with Iuvenal or Horace . Yet , for once , I will venture to be so vain , as to affirm , That none of his hard Metaphors , or forc'd Expressions , are in my Translation : But more of this in its proper place , where I shall say somewhat in particular , of our general performance , in making these two Authors English. In the mean time I think my self oblig'd , to give Persius his undoubted due ; and to acquaint the World , with Casaubon , in what he has equall'd , and in what excell'd his two Competitors . A Man who is resolv'd to praise an Author , with any appearance of Justice , must be sure to take him on the strongest side ; and where he is least liable to Exceptions . He is therefore oblig'd to chuse his Mediums accordingly : Casaubon , who saw that Persius cou'd not laugh with a becomeing Grace , that he was not made for jeasting , and that a merry Conceit was not his Talent , turn'd his Feather , like an Indian , to another light , that he might give it the better Gloss. Moral Doctrine , says he , and Urbanity , or well-manner'd Wit , are the two things which constitute the Roman Satire . But of the two , that which is most Essential to this Poem , and is as it were the very Soul which animates it , is the scourging of Vice , and Exhortation to Virtue . Thus Wit , for a good Reason , is already almost out of Doors : And allow'd only for an Instrument , a kind of Tool , or a Weapon , as he calls it , of which the Satyrist makes use , in the compassing of his Design . The End and Aim of our three Rivals , is consequently the same . But by what Methods they have prosecuted their intention , is farther to be consider'd . Satire is of the nature of Moral Philosophy ; as being instructive : He therefore , who instructs most Usefully , will carry the Palm from his two Antagonists . The Philosophy in which Persius was Educated , and which he professes through his whole Book , is the Stoick : The most noble , most generous , most beneficial to Humane Kind , amongst all the Sects , who have given us the Rules of Ethiques , thereby to form a severe Virtue in the Soul ; to raise in us an undaunted Courage , against the assaults of Fortune ; to esteem as nothing the things that are without us , because they are not in our Power ; not to value Riches , Beauty , Honours , Fame , or Health , any farther than as conveniences , and so many helps to living as we ought , and doing good in our Generation . In short , to be always Happy , while we possess our Minds , with a good Conscience , are free from the slavery of Vices , and conform our Actions and Conversation to the Rules of right Reason . See here , my Lord , an Epitome of Epictetus ; the Doctrine of Zeno , and the Education of our Persius . And this he express'd , not only in all his Satires , but in the manner of his Life . I will not lessen this Commendation of the Stoick Philosophy , by giving you an account of some Absurdities in their Doctrine , and some perhaps Impieties , if we consider them by the Standard of Christian Faith : Persius has ●aln into none of them : And therefore is free from those imputations . What he teaches , might be taught from Pulpits , with more profit to the Audience , than all the nice Speculations of Divinity , and Controversies concerning Faith ; which are more for the Profit of the Shepherd , than for the Edification of the Flock . Passion , Interest , Ambition , and all their Bloody Consequences of Discord and of War , are banish'd from this Doctrine . Here is nothing propos'd but the quiet and tranquility of Mind ; Virtue lodg'd at home , and afterwards diffus'd in her general Effects , to the improvement , and good of Humane Kind . And therefore I wonder not , that the present Bishop of Salisbury , has recommended this our Author , and the Tenth Satyr of Iuvenal , in his Pastoral Letter , to the serious perusal and Practice of the Divines in his Diocese , as the best Common Places for their Sermons , as the Store-Houses and Magazines of Moral Virtues , from whence they may draw out , as they have occasion , all manner of Assistance , for the accomplishment of a Virtuous Life , which the Stoicks have assign'd for the great End and Perfection of Mankind . Hererin , then it is , that Persius has excell'd both Iuvenal and Horace . He sticks to his one Philosophy : He shifts not sides , like Horace , who is sometimes an Epicuraean , sometimes a Stoick , sometimes an Eclectick ; as his present Humour leads him : Nor declaims like Iuvenal against Vices , more like an Orator , than a Philosopher . Persius is every where the same : True to the Dogma's of his Master : What he has learnt , he teaches vehemently ; and what he teaches , that he Practices himself . There is a Spirit of sincerity in all he says : You may easily discern that he is in earnest , and is perswaded of that Truth which he inculcates . In this I am of opinion , that he excels Horace , who is commonly in jeast , and laughs while he instructs : And is equal to Iuvenal , who was as honest and serious as Persius , and more he cou'd not be . Hitherto I have follow'd Casaubon , and enlarg'd upon him ; because I am satisfi'd that he says no more than Truth ; the rest is almost all frivolous . For he says that Horace being the Son of a Tax-gatherer , or a Collector , as we call it , smells every where of the meanness of his Birth , and Education : His conceipts are vulgar , like the Subjects of his Satires ; that he does Plebeium sapere ; and Writes not with that Elevation , which becomes a Satyrist : That Persius being nobly born , and of an opulent Family , had likewise the advantage of a better Master ; Cornutus being the most Learned of his time , a Man of a most Holy Life ; the chief of the Stoick Sect at Rome ; and not only a great Philosopher , but a Poet himself ; and in probability a Coadjutor of Persius . That , as for Iuvenal , he was long a Declaimer , came late to Poetry ; and had not been much conversant in Philosophy . 'T is granted that the Father of Horace was Libertinus , that is one degree remov'd from his Grandfather , who had been once a Slave : But Horace , speaking of him , gives him the best Character of a Father , which I ever read in History : And I wish a witty Friend of mine now living had such another . He bred him in the best School , and with the best Company of young Noblemen . And Horace , by his gratitude to his Memory , gives a certain Testimony that his Education was ingenuous . After this , he form'd himself abroad , by the Conversation of Great Men. Brutus found him at Athens , and was so pleas'd with him , that he took him thence into the Army , and made him Tribunus Militum , a Colonel in a Legion , which was the Preferment of an Old Souldier . All this was before his Acquaintance with Mecenas , and his introduction into the Court of Augustus , and the familiarity of that great Emperour : Which , had he not been well-bred before , had been enough to civilise his Conversation , and render him accomplish'd , and knowing in all the Arts of Complacency and good behaviour ; and , in short , an agreeable Companion for the retir'd hours and privacies of a Favourite , who was first Minister . So that , upon the whole matter , Persius may be acknowledg'd to be equal with him , in those respects , tho' better born , and Iuvenal inferiour to both . If the Advantage be any where , 't is on the side of Horace ; as much as the Court of Augustus Caesar , was superiour to that of Nero. As for the Subjects which they treated , it will appear hereafter , that Horace writ not vulgarly on vulgar Subjects : Nor always chose them . His Stile is constantly accommodated to his Subject , either high or low : If his fault be too much lowness , that of Persius is the fault of the hardness of his Metaphors , and obscurity : And so they are equal in the failings of their Stile ; where Iuvenal manefestly Triumphs over both of them . The Comparison betwixt Horace and Iuvenal is more difficult ; because their Forces were more equal : A Dispute has always been , and ever will contin●e , betwixt the Favourers of the two Poets . Non nostrum est tantas componere lites . I shall only venture to give my own Opinion , and leave it for better Judges to determine . If it be only argu'd in general , which of them was the better Poet ; the Victory is already gain'd on the side of Horace . Virgil himself must yield to him in the delicacy of his Turns , his choice of Words , and perhaps the Purity of his Latin. He who says that Pindar is inimitable , is himself inimitable in his Odes . But the Contention betwixt these two great Masters , is for the Prize of Satire . In which Controversie , all the Odes , and Epodes of Horace are to stand excluded . I say this , because Horace has written many of them Satirically , against his private Enemies : Yet these , if justly consider'd , are somewhat of the Nature of he Greek Silli , which were Invectives against particular Sects and Persons . But Horace had purg'd himself of this Choler , before he enter'd on those Discourses , which are more properly call'd the Roman Satire : He has not now to do with a Lyce , a Canidi● , a Cassius Severus , or a Menas ; but is to correct the Vices and the Follies of his Time , and to give the Rules of a Happy and Virtuous Life . In a word , that former sort of Satire , which is known in England by the Name of Lampoon , is a dangerous sort of Weapon , and for the most part Unlawful . We have no Moral right on the Reputation of other Men. 'T is taking from them , what we cannot● restore to them . There are only two Reasons , for which we may be permitted to write Lampoons ; and I will not promise that they can always justifie us : The first is Revenge , when we have been affronted in the same Nature , or have been any ways notoriously abus'd , and can make our selves no other Reparation . And yet we know , that , in Christian Charity , all Offences are to be forgiven ; as we expect the like Pardon for those which we daily commit against Almighty God. And this Consideration has often made me tremble when I was saying our Saviour's Prayer ; for the plain Condition of the forgiveness which we beg , is the pardoning of others the Offences which they have done to us : For which Reason I have many times avoided the Commission of that Fault ; ev'n when I have been notoriously provok'd . Let not this , my Lord , pass for Vanity in me : For 't is truth . More Libels have been written against me , than almost any Man now living : And I had Reason on my side , to have defended my own Innocence : I speak not of my Poetry , which I have wholly given up to the Criticks ; let them use it , as they please ; Posterity , perhaps , may be more favourable to me : For Interest and Passion , will lye bury'd in another Age : And Partiality and Prejudice be forgotten . I speak of my Morals , which have been sufficiently aspers'd : That only sort of Reputation ought to be dear to every honest Man , and is to me . But let the World witness for me , that I have been often wanting to my self in that particular ; I have seldom answer'd any scurrilous Lampoon : When it was in my power to have expos'd my Enemies : And being naturally vindicative , have suffer'd in silence ; and possess'd my Soul in quiet . Any thing , tho' never so little , which a Man speaks of himself , in my Opinion , is still too much , and therefore I will wave this Subject ; and proceed to give the second Reason , which may justifie a Poet , when he writes against a particular Person ; and that is , when he is become a Publick Nuisance . All those , whom Horace in his Satires , and Persius and Iuvenal have mention'd in theirs , with a Brand of infamy , are wholly such . 'T is an Action of Virtue to make Examples of vicious Men. They may and ought to be upbraided with their Crimes and Follies : Both for their own amendment , if they are not yet incorrigible ; and for the Terrour of others , to hinder them from falling into those Enormities , which they see are so severely punish'd , in the Persons of others : The first Reason was only an Excuse for Revenge : But this second is absolutely of a Poet's Office to perform : But how few Lampooners are there now living , who are capable of this Duty ! When they come in my way , 't is impossible sometimes to avoid reading them . But , good God , how remote they are in common Justice , from the choice of such Persons as are the proper Subject of Satire ! And how little Wit they bring , for the support of their injustice ! The weaker Sex is their most ordinary Theme : And the best and fairest are sure to be the most severely handled . Amongst Men , those who are prosperously unjust , are Intitled to a Panegyrick . But afflicted Virtue is insolently stabb'd with all manner of Reproaches . No Decency is consider'd , no fulsomness omitted ; no Venom is wanting , as far as dullness can supply it . For there is a perpetual Dearth of Wit ; a Barrenness of good Sense , and Entertainment . The neglect of the Readers , will soon put an end to this sort of scribling . There can be no pleasantry where there is no Wit : No Impression can be made , where there is no Truth for the Foundation . To conclude , they are like the Fruits of the Earth in this unnatural Season : The Corn which held up its Head , is spoil'd with rankness : But the greater part of the Harvest is laid along , and little of good Income , and wholesom Nourishment is receiv'd into the Barns . This is almost a digression , I confess to your Lordship ; but a just indignation forc'd it from me . Now I have remov'd this Rubbish , I will return to the Comparison of Iuvenal and Horace . I wou'd willingly divide the Palm betwixt them ; upon the two Heads of Profit and Delight , which are the two Ends of Poetry in general . It must be granted by the Favourers of Iuvenal , that Horace is the more Copious , and Profitable in his Instructions of Humane Life . But in my particular Opinion , which I set not up for a Standard to better Judgments , Iuvenal is the more delightful Author . I am profited by both , I am pleas'd with both ; but I owe more to Horace for my Instruction ; and more to Iuvenal , for my Pleasure . This , as I said , is my particular Taste of these two Authors : They who will have either of them to excel the other in both qualities , can scarce give better Reasons for their Opinion , than I for mine : But all unbiass'd Readers , will conclude , that my Moderation is not to be Condemn'd : To such Impartial Men I must appeal : For they who have already form'd their Judgment , may justly stand suspected of prejudice ; and tho all who are my Readers , will set up to be my Judges , I enter my Caveat against them , that they ought not so much as to be of my Jury . Or , if they be admitted , 't is but Reason , that they shou'd first hear , what I have to urge in the Defence of my Opinion . That Horace is somewhat the better Instructor of the two , is prov'd from hence , that his Instructions are more general : Iuvenals's more limited . So that granting , that the Counsels which they give , are equally good for Moral Use ; Horace , who gives the most various Advice , and most applicable to all Occasions , which can occurr to us , in the course of our Lives ; as including in his Discourses , not only all the Rules of Morality , but also of Civil Conversation ; is , undoubtedly , to be preferr'd to him , who is more circumscrib'd in his Instructions , makes them to fewer People , and on fewer Occasions , than the other . I may be pardon'd for using an Old Saying , since 't is true , and to the purpose , Bonum quo communius , eo melius . Iuvenal , excepting only his first Satire , is in all the rest confin'd , to the exposing of some particuler Vice ; that he lashes , and there he sticks . His Sentences are truly shining and instructive : But they are sprinkl'd here and there . Horace is teaching us in every Line , and is perpetually Moral ; he had found out the Skill of Virgil , to hide his Sentences : To give you the Virtue of them , without shewing them in their full extent : Which is the Ostentation of a Poet , and not his Art : And this Petronius charges on the Authors of his Time , as a Vice of Writing , which was then growing on the Age. Ne Sententiae extra Corpus Orationis emineant : He wou'd have them weav'd into the Body of the Work , and not appear emboss'd upon it , and striking directly on the Reader 's view . Folly was the proper Quarry of Horace , and not Vice : And , as there are but few Notoriously Wicked Men , in comparison with a Shoal of Fools , and Fops ; so 't is a harder thing to make a Man Wise , than to make him Honest : For the Will is only to be reclaim'd in the one ; but the Understanding is to be inform'd in the other . There are Blind-sides and Follies , even in the Prosessors of Moral Philosophy ; and there is not any one Sect of them that Horace has not expos'd . Which , as it was not the Design of Iuvenal , who was wholly employ'd in lashing Vices , some of them the most enormous that can be imagin'd ; so perhaps , it was not so much his Talent . Omne vafer vitium ridenti Flaccus amico , tangit , & admissus circum praecordia ludit . This was ●he Commendation which Persius gave him : Where by Vitium , he means those little Vices , which we call Follies , the defects of Humane Understanding , or at most the Peccadillos of Life , rather than the Tragical Vices , to which Men are hurri'd by their unruly Passions and exorbitant Desires . But in the word omne , which is universal , he concludes , with me , that the Divine Wit of Horace , left nothing untouch'd ; that he enter'd into the inmost Recesles of Nature ; found out the Imperfections even of the most Wise and Grave , as well as of the Common People : Discovering , even in the great Trebatius , to whom he addresses the first Satire , his hunting after Business , and following the Court , as well as in the Persecutor Crispinus , his impertinence and importunity . 'T is true , he exposes Crispinus openly , as a common Nuisance : But he rallies the other , as a Friend , more finely . The Exhortations of Persius are confin'd to Noblemen : And the Stoick Philosophy , is that alone , which he recommends to them : Iuvenal Exhorts to particular Virtues , as they are oppos'd to those Vices against which he declaims : But Horace laughs to shame , all Follies , and insinuates Virtue , rather by familiar Examples , than by the severity of Precepts . This last Consideration seems to incline the Ballance on the side of Horace , and to give him the preference to Iuvenal , not only in Profit , but in Pleasure . But , after all , I must confess , that the Delight which Horace gives me , is but languishing . Be pleas'd still to understand , that I speak of my own Taste only : He may Ravish other Men ; but I am too stupid and insensible , to be tickl'd . Where he barely grins himself , and , as Scaliger says , only shews his white Teeth , he cannot provoke me to any Laughter . His Urbanity , that is , his Good Manners , are to be commended , but his Wit is faint ; and his Salt , if I may dare to say so , almost insipid . Iuvenal is of a more vigorous and Masculine Wit , he gives me as much Pleasure as I can bear : He fully satisfies my Expectation , he Treats his Subject home : His Spleen is rais'd , and he raises mine : I have the Pleasure of Concernment in all he says ; He drives his Reader along with him ; and when he is at the end of his way ▪ I willingly stop with him : If he went another Stage , it wou'd be too far , it wou'd make a Journey of a Progress , and turn Delight into Fatigue . When he gives over , 't is a sign the Subject is exhausted ; and the Wit of Man can carry it no farther . If a Fault can be justly found in him ; 't is that he is sometimes too luxuriant , too redundant ; says more than he needs , like my Friend the Plain Dealer , but never more than pleases . Add to this , that his Thoughts are as just as those of Horace , and much more Elevated . His Expressions are Sonorous and more Noble ; his Verse more numerous , and his Words are suitable to his Thoughts ; sublime and lofty . All these contribute to the Pleasure of the Reader , and the greater the Soul of him who Reads , his Transports are the greater . Horace is always on the Amble , Iuvenal on the Gallop : But his way is perpetually on Carpet Ground . He goes with more impetuosity than Horace ; but as securely ; and the swiftness adds a more lively agitation to the Spirits . The low Style of Horace , is according to his Subject ; that is generally groveling . I question not but he cou'd have rais'd it . For the First Epistle of the Second Book , which he writes to Augustus , ( a most instructive Satire concerning Poetry , ) is of so much Dignity in the Words , and of so much Elegancy in the Numbers , that the Author plainly shews , the Sermo Pedestris , in his other Satires , was rather his Choice than his Necessity . He was a Rival to Lucilius his Predecessor ; and was resolv'd to surpass him in his own Manner . Lucilius , as we see by his remaining Fragments , minded neither his Style nor his Numbers , nor his purity of words , nor his run of Verse . Horace therefore copes with him in that humble way of Satire . Writes under his own force , and carries a dead Weight , that he may match his Competitor in the Race . This I imagine was the chief Reason , why he minded only the clearness of his Satire , and the cleanness of Expression , without ascending to those heights , to which his own vigour might have carri'd him . But limiting his desires only to the Conquest of Lucilius , he had his Ends of his Rival , who liv'd before him ; but made way for a new Conquest over himself , by Iuvenal his Successor . He cou'd not give an equal pleasure to his Reader , because he us'd not equal Instruments . The fault was in the Tools , and not in the Workman . But Versification , and Numbers , are the greatest Pleasures of Poetry : Virgil knew it , and practis'd both so happily ; that for ought I know , his greatest Excellency is in his Diction . In all other parts of Poetry , he is faultless ; but in this he plac'd his chief perfection . And give me leave , my Lord , since I have here an apt occasion , to say , that Virgil , cou'd have written sharper Satires , than either Horace or Iuvenal , if he wou'd have employ'd his Talent , that way . I will produce a Verse and half of his , in one of his Eclogues , to justifie my Opinion : And with Comma's after every Word , to shew , that he has given almost as many lashes , as he has written Syllables . 'T is against a bad Poet ; whose ill Verses he describes . Non tu , in triviis , indocte , solebas , stridenti , miserum , stipula , disperdere carmen ? But to return to my purpose , when there is any thing deficient in Numbers , and Sound , the Reader is uneasie , and unsatisfi'd ; he wants something of his Complement , desires somewhat which he finds not : And this being the manifest defect of Horace , 't is no wonder , that finding it supply'd in Iuvenal , we are more Delighted with him . And besides this , the Sauce of Iuvenal is more poignant , to create in us an Appetite of Reading him . The Meat of Horace is more nourshing ; but the Cookery of Iuvenal more exquisite ; so that , granting Horace to be the more general Philosopher ; we cannot deny , that Iuvenal was the greater Poet , I mean in Satire . His Thoughts are sharper , his Indignation against Vice is more vehement ; his Spirit has more of the Commonwealth Genius ; he treats Tyranny , and all the Vic●s attending it , as they deserve , with the utmost rigour : And consequently , a Noble Soul is better pleas'd with a Zealous Vindicator of Roman Liberty ; than with a T●mporizing Poet , a well Manner'd Court Slave , and a Man who is often afraid of Laughing in the right place : Who is ever decent , because he is naturally servile . After all , Horace had the disadvantage of the Times in which he liv'd ; they were better for the Man , but worse for the Satirist . 'T is generally said , that those Enormous Vices , which were practis'd under the Reign of Domitian , were unknown in the Time of Augustus Caesar. That therefore Iuvenal had a larger Field , than Horace . Little Follies were out of doors , when Oppression was to be scourg'd instead of Avarice : It was no longer time to turn into Ridicule , the false Opinions of Philosophers ; when the Roman Liberty was to be asserted . There was more need of a Brutus in Domitian's Days , to redeem or mend , than of a Horace , if he had then been Living , to Laugh at a Fly-Catcher . This Reflection at the same time excuses Horace , but exalts Iuvenal . I have ended , before I was aware , the Comparison of Horace and Iuvenal , upon the Topiques of Instruction and Delight ; and indeed I may safely here conclude that common-place : For if we make Horace our Minister of State in Satire , and Iuvenal of our private Pleasures : I think the latter has no ill bargain of it . Let Profit have the preheminence of Honour , in the End of Poetry . Pleasure , though but the second in degree , is the first in favour . And who wou'd not chuse to be lov'd better , rather than to be more esteem'd ? But I am enter'd already upon another Topique ; which concerns the particular Merits of these two Satirists . However , I will pursue my business where I left it : And carry it farther than that common observation of the several Ages , in which these Authors Flourish'd . When Horace writ his Satires , the Monarchy of his Caesar was in its newness ; and the Government but just made easie to the Conquer'd People . They cou'd not possibly have forgotten the Usurpation of that Prince upon their Freedom , nor the violent Methods which he had us'd , in the compassing of that vast Design : They yet remember'd his Proscriptions , and the Slaughter of so many Noble Romans , their Defendors . Amongst the rest , that horrible Action of his , when he forc'd Livia from the Arms of her Husband , who was constrain'd to see her Marry'd , as Dion relates the Story ; and , big with Child as she was , convey'd to the Bed of his insulting Rival . The same Dion Cassius gives us another instance of the Crime before mention'd : That Cornelius Sisenna , being reproach'd in full Senate , with the Licentious Conduct of his Wife , return'd this Answer ; That he had Marry'd her by the Counsel of Augustus : Intimating , says my Author , that Augustus had oblig'd him to that Marriage , that he might , under that covert , have the more free access to her . His Adulteries were still before their Eyes , but they must be patient , where they had not power . In other things that Emperor was Moderate enough : Propriety was generally secur'd ; and the People entertain'd with publick Shows , and Donatives , to make them more easily digest their lost Liberty . But Augustus , who was conscious to himself , of so many Crimes which he had committed , thought in the first place to provide for his own Reputation , by making an Edict against Lampoons and Satires , and the Authors of those defamatory Writings , which my Author Tacitus , from the Law-Term , calls famosos libellos . In the first Book of his An●als , he gives the following Account of it , in these Words . Primus Augustus cogniti●●em de famosis libellis specie legis ejus , tractavit ; commotus Cass●i Severi libidine , quâ viros faeminasque inlustres , procacibus scriptis diffamaverat . Thus in English ▪ Augustus was the first , who under the colour of that Law took Cognisance of Lamp●ons ; being provok'd to it , by the pe●ulancy of Cossius Severus , who had defam'd many Illu●●rious Persons of both Sexes , in his Writings . The Law to which Tacitus refers , was Lex laesae Majestatis ; commonly call'd , for the sake of brevity ▪ Maje●●as ; or as we say , High Treason : He means not that this Law had not been Enacted formerly : For it had been made by the Decemviri , and was inscrib'd amongst the rest in the Twelve Tables : To prevent the aspersion of the Roman Majesty ; either of the People themselves , or their Religion , or their Magistrates : And the in●ringement of it was Capital : That is , the Offender was Whipt to Death , with the Fasces , which were born before their Chief Officers of Rome . But Augustus was the first , who restor'd that intermitted Law. By the words ▪ under col●ur of that Law , He insinuates that Augustus caus'd it to be Ex●cut●d , on pretence of those Libels , which were written by Cassius Severus , against the Nobility : But in Truth , to save himself , from such ce●●at●ry Verses . Suetonius likewise makes mention of it thus . Sparsos de 〈◊〉 in Curiâ ●amosos libellos , nec expavit , & magna curâ redarguit : A● 〈◊〉 requisitis quidem Auctoribus , id modo censuit , cognoscendum post 〈◊〉 de iis qui libellos aut carmina ad infamiam cujuspi●● s●b alieno nomine ●dant . Agustus was not afraid of Libels , says that Author : Yet he took all care imaginable to have them answer'd ; and the● decr●●● that for the time to come , the Authors of them shou'd be punish'd . But 〈…〉 it yet more clear , according to my Sense , that this 〈◊〉 for his own sake durst not permit them ▪ Fecit id 〈…〉 ; & quasi gratificaretur Populo Romano , & Primoribus urbis ; sed revera ut sibi consuleret : Nam ●abuit in animo , comprimere nimiam qu●rundam procacitatem in loquendo , à quâ nec ipse exemptus suit . Nam suo nomine compescere erat invidiosum , sub alieno facile & utile . Ergò specie legis tractavit , quast Populi Romani Majestas inf●maretur . This , I think is a sufficient Comment on that Passage of Tacitus . I will ●dd only by the way , that the whole Family of the Caesars , and all their Relations were included in the Law ; because the Majesty of the Romans in the time of the Empire was wholly in that House : Omnia Caesar erat : They were all accounted sacred , who belong'd to him . As for Cassius Severus . he was contemporary with Horace ; and was the same Poet against whom he Writes in his Epods , under this Title , In Cassium Severum Maledicum Poetam : Perhaps intending to kill two Crows , according to our Proverb , with one Stone ; and Revenge both himself and his Emperor together . From hence I may reasonably conclude , That Ag●stus , who was not altogether so Good as he was Wise , had some by respect , in the Enacting of this Law : For to do any thing for nothing , was not his Maxim , Horace , as he was a Courtier , comply'd with the Interest of his Master , and avoiding the Lashing of greater Crimes , confin'd himself to the ridiculing of Petty Vices , and common Follies : Excepting only some reserv'd Cases , in his Odes and Epods , of his own particular Quarrels ; which either with permission of the Magistrate or without it , every Man will Revenge , tho' I say not that he shou'd ; for prior laesit , is a good excuse in the Civil Law , if Christianity had not taught us to forgive . However he was not the proper Man to arraign great Vices , at least if the Stories which we hear of him are true , that he Practis'd some , which I will not here mention , out of honour to him . It was not for a Clodius to accuse Adulterers , especially when Augustus was of that number : So that though his Age was not exempted from the worst of Villanies , there was no freedom left to reprehend them , by reason of the Edict . And our Poet was not fit to represent them in an odious Character , because himself was dipt in the same Actions . Upon this account , without farther insisting on the different tempers of Iuvenal and Horace , I conclude , that the Subjects which Horace chose for Satire , are of a lower nature than those of which Iuvenal has written . Thus I have treated in a new Method , the Comparison betwixt Horace , Iuvenal , and Persius ; somewhat of their particular manner belonging to all of them is yet remaining to be consider'd . Persius was Grave , and particularly oppos'd his Gravity to Lewdness , which was the Predominant , Vice in Nero's Court , at the time when he publish'd his Satires , which was before that Emperour fell into the excess of Cruelty . Horace was a Mild Admonisher , a Court Satirist , fi● for the gentle Times of Augustus , and more fit , for the Reasons which I have already given . Iuvenal was as proper for his Times , as they for theirs . His was an Age that deserv'd a more severe Chastisement . Vices were more gross and open , more flagitious , more encourag'd by the Example of a Tyrant ; and more protected by his Authority . Therefore , wheresoever Iuvenal mentions Nero , he means Domitian , whom he dares not attack in his own Person , but Scourges him by Proxy . Heinsius urges in praise of Horace , that according to the Ancient Art and Law of Satire , it shou'd be nearer to Comedy , than to Tragedy ; Not declaiming against Vice , but only laughing at it . Neither Per●ius , nor Iuvenal were ignorant of this , for they had both study'd Horace . And the thing it self is plainly true . But as they had read Horace , they had likewise read Lucilius , of whom Per●ius says secuit Vrbem ; & genuinum fregit in illis ; meaning Mutius and Lupus : And Iuvenal also mentions him in these words , Ense velut stricto , quoties Lucilius ardens I●fremuit , &c. So that they thought the imitation of Lucilius was more proper to their purpose than that of Horace . They chang'd Satire , says Holiday ; but they chang'd it for the better : For the business being to Reform great Vices , Chastisement goes farther than Admonition ; whereas a perpetual Grinn , like that of Horace , does rather anger than amend a Man. Thus far that Learned Critick , Bart●n Holiday , whose Interpretation , and Illustrations of Iuvenal are as Excellent , as the Verse of his Translation and his English are lame and pitiful . For 't is not enough to give us the meaning of a Poet , which I acknowledge him to have perform'd most faithfully ; but he must also imitate his Genius , and his Numbers : as far a the English will come up to the Elegance of the Original . In few words , 't is only for a Poet to Translate a Poet. Holiday and Stapylt●● had not enough consider'd this , when they attempted Iuvenal : But I forbear Reflections ; only I beg leave to take notice of this Sentence , where Holiday says , A perpetual Grinn , like that of Horace , rather angers than amends a Man. I cannot give him up the Manner of Horace in low Satire so easily : Let the Chastisements of Iuvenal be never so necessary for his new kind of Satire ; let him declaim as wittily and sharply as he pleases , yet still the nicest and most delicate touches of Satire consist in fine Raillery . This , my Lord , is your particular Talent , to which even Iuvenal could not arrive . 'T is not Reading , 't is not imitation of an Author , which can produce this fineness : It must be inborn , it must proceed from a Genius , and particular way of thinking , which is not to be taught ; and therefore not to be imitated by him who has it not from Nature : How easie it is to call Rogue and Villain , and that wittily ? But how hard to make a Man appear a Fool , a Blockhead , or a Knave , without using any of those opprobrious terms ? To spare the grossness of the Names , and to do the thing yet more severely , is to draw a full Face , and to make the Nose and Cheeks stand out , and yet not to employ any depth of Shadowing . This is the Mystery of that Noble Trade ; which yet no Master can teach to his Apprentice : He may give the Rules , but the Scholar is never the nearer in his practice . Neither is it true , that this fineness of Raillery is offensive . A witty Man is tickl'd while he is hurt in this manner ▪ and a Fool feels it not . The occasion of an Offence may possibly be given , but he cannot take it . If it be granted that in effect this way does more Mischief ; that a Man is secretly wounded , and though he be not sensible himself , yet the malicious World will find it for him : Yet there is still a vast difference betwixt the slovenly Butchering of a Man , and the fineness of a stroak that separates the Head from the Body , and leaves it standing in its place . A man may be capable , as Iack Ketche's Wife said of his Servant , of a plain piece of Work , a bare Hanging ; but to make a Malefactor die sweetly , was only belonging to her Husband . I wish I cou'd apply it to my self , if the Reader wou'd be kind enough to think it belongs to me . The Character of Zimri in my Absalom , is , in my Opinion , worth the whole Poem : 'T is not bloody , but 't is ridiculous enough . And he for whom it was intended , was too witty to resent it as an injury . If I had rail'd , I might have suffer'd for it justly : But I manag'd my own Work more happily , perhaps more dextrously . I avoided the mention of great Crimes , and apply'd my self to the representing of Blind-sides , and little Extravagancies : To which , the wittier a Man is , he is generally the more obnoxious . It succeeded as I wish'd ; the Jest went round , and he was laught at in his turn who began the Frolick . And thus , My Lord , you see I have preferr'd the Manner of Horace , and of your Lordship , in this kind of Satire , to that of Iuvenal ; and I think , reasonably . Holiday ought not to have Arraign'd so Great an Author , for that which was his Excellency and his Merit : Or if he did , on such a palpable mistake , he might expect , that some one might possibly arise , either in his own Time , or after him , to rectifie his Error , and restore to Horace , that Commendation , of which he has so unjustly robb'd him . And let the Manes of Iuvenal forgive me , if I say , that this way of Horace was the best , for amending Manners , as it is the most difficult . His was , an Ense rescindendum ; but that of Horace was a Pleasant Cure , with all the Limbs preserv'd entire : And as our Mountebanks tell us in their Bills , without keeping the Patient within Doors for a Day . What they promise only , Horace has effectually Perform'd : Yet I contradict not the Proposition which I formerly advanc'd : Iuvenal's Times requir'd a more painful kind of Operation : But if he had liv'd in the Age of Horace , I must needs affirm , that he had it not about him . He took the Method which was prescrib'd him by his own Genius ▪ which was sharp and eager ; he cou'd not Rally , but he cou'd Declame : And as his provocations were great , he has reveng'd them Tragically . This notwithstanding , I am to say another Word , which , as true as it is , will yet displease the partial Admirers of our Horace . I have hinted it before ; but t is time for me now to speak more plainly . This Manner of Horace is indeed the best ; but Horace has not executed it , altogether so happily , at least not often . The Manner of Iuvenal is confess'd to be Inferior to the former ; but Iuvenal , has excell'd him in his Performance . Iuvenal has rail'd more wittily than Horace has rally'd . Horace means to make his Reader Laugh ; but he is not sure of his Experiment . Iuvenal always intends to move your Indignation ; and he always brings about his purpose . Horace , for ought I know , might have tickl'd the People of his Age ; but amongst the Moderns he is not so Successfull . They who say he Entertains so Pleasantly , may perhaps value themselves on the quickness of their own Understandings , that they can see a Jest farther off than other men . They may find occasion of Laughter , in the Wit-battel of the Two Buffoons , Sarmentus and Cicerrus : And hold their sides for fear of bursting , when Rupilius and Per●ius are Scolding . For my own part , I can only like the Characters of all Four , which are judiciously given : But for my heart I cannot so much as smile at their Insipid Raillery . I see not why Per●ius shou'd call upon Brutus , to revenge him on his Adversary : And that because he had kill'd Iulius Cesar , for endeavouring to be a King , therefore he shou'd be desir'd to Murther Rupilius , only because his Name was Mr. King. A miserable Clench , in my Opinion , for Horace to Record : I have heard honest Mr. Swan make many a better , and yet have had the Grace to hold my Countenance . But it may be Puns were then in Fashion , as they were Wit in the Sermons of the last Age , and in the Court of King Charles the Second . I am sorry to say it , for the sake of Horace ; but certain it is , he has no fine Palate who can feed so heartily on Garbidge . But I have already wearied my self , and doubt not but I have tir'd your Lordships Patience , with this long rambling , and I fear , trivial Discourse . Upon the one half of the Merits , that is , Pleasure , I cannot but conclude that Iuvenal was the better Satirist : They who will descend into his particular Praises , may find them at large , in the Dissertation of the Learned Rigaltius to Thuanus . As for Per●ius , I have given the Reasons , why I think him Inferior to both of them . Yet I have one thing to add on that Subject . Barten Holiday , who Translated both Iuvenal and Per●ius ; has made this distinction betwixt them , which is no less true than Witty ; that , in Per●ius the difficulty is to find a Meaning ; in Iuvenal , to chuse a Meaning : So Crabbed is Persius , and so Copious is Iuvenal : So much the Understanding is employ'd in one ; and so much the Judgment in the other . So difficult it is , to find any Sense in the former , and the best Sense of the latter . If , on the other side , any one suppose I have commended Horace below his Merit , when I have allow'd him but the Second Place , I desir● him to consider , if Iuvenal , a Man of Excellent Natural Endowments , besides the advantages of Diligence and Study , and coming after him , and Building upon his Foundations might not probably , with all these helps , surpass him ? And whether it be any dishonour to Horace , to be thus surpass'd ; since no Art , or Science , is at once begun and perfected , but that it must pass first through many hands , and even through several Ages ? If Lucilius cou'd add to Ennius , and Horace to Lucilius , why , without any diminution to the Fame of Horace , might not Iuvenal give the last perfection to that Work ? Or rather , what disreputation is it to Horace , that Iuvenal Excels in the Tragical Satyre , as Horace does in the Comical ? I have read over attentively , both Heinsius and Dacier , in their Commendations of Horace : But I can find no more in either of them , for the preference of him to Iuvenal , than the Instructive Part ; the Part of Wisdom , and not that of Pleasure ; which therefore is here allow'd him , notwithstanding what Scaliger and Rigaltius have pleaded to the contrary for Iuvenal . And to shew I am Impartial , I will here Translate what Dacier has said on that Subject . I cannot give a more just Idea of the Two Books of Satires , made by Horace ▪ than by compairing them to the Statues of the Sileni , to which Al●ibiades compares Socrates , in the Symposium . They were Figures , which had nothing of agreeable , nothing of Beauty on their out-side : But when any one took the Pains to open them , and search into them , he there found the Figures of all the Deities So , in the Shape that Horace Presents himself to us , in his Satires , we see nothing at the first View , which deserves our Attention . It seems that he is rather an Amusement for Children , than for the serious consideration of Men. But when we take away his Crust , and that which hides him from our sight ; when we discover him to the bottom , then we find all the Divinities in a full Assembly : That is to say , all the Virtues , which ought to be the continual exercise of those , who seriously endeavour to Correct their Vices . 'T is easy to Observe , that Dacier , in this Noble Similitude , has confin'd the Praise of his Author , wholly to the Instructive Part : The commendation turns on this , and so does that which follows . In these Two Books of Satire , 't is the business of Horace to instruct us how to combat our Vices , to regulate our Passions , to follow Nature , to give Bounds to our desires , to Distinguish betwixt Truth and Falshood , and betwixt our Conceptions of Things , and Things themselves . To come back from our prejudicate Opinions , to understand exactly the Principles and Motives of all our Actions ; and to avoid the Ridicule , into which all men necessarily fall , who are Intoxicated with those Notions , which they have received from their Masters ; and which they obstinately retain , without examining whether or no they are founded on right Reason . In a Word , he labours to render us happy in relation to our selves , agreeable and faithful to our Friends , and discreet , serviceable , and well bred in relation to those with whom we are oblig'd to live , and to converse . To make his Figures Intelligible , to conduct his Readers through the Labyrinth of some perplex'd Sentence , or obscure Parenthesis , is no great matter . And as Epictetus says , there is nothing of Beauty in all this , or what is worthy of a Prudent Man. The Principal business , and which is of most Importance to us , is to shew the Use , the Reason , and the Proof of his Precepts . They who endeavour not to correct themselves , according to so exact a Model ; are just like the Patients , who have open before them a Book of Admirable Receipts , for their Diseases , and please themselves with reading it , without Comprehending the Nature of the Remedies ; or how to apply them to their Cure. Let Horace go off with these Enco●iums , which he has so well deserv'd . To conclude the contention betwixt our Three Poets , I will use the Words of Virgil , in his Fifth Aeneid , where Aeneas proposes the Rewards of the Foot-Race , to the Three first , who shou'd reach the Goal . Tres praemia primi , accipient ; flavaque Caput nectentur Olivâ : Let these Three Ancients be preferr'd to all the Moderns ; as first arriving at the Goal : Let them all be Crown'd as Victours ; with the Wreath that properly belongs to Satire . But , after that , with this distinction amongst themselves , Primus equum phaleris in●ignem , Victor habeto . Let Iuvenal Ride first in Triumph . Alter Amazoniam , pharetram ; plenamque Sagittis Threiciis , lato quam circumplectitur auro Balteus , & tereti subnectit Fibula gemmâ . Let Horace who is the Second , and but just the Second , carry off the Quivers , and the Arrows ; as the Badges of his Satire , and the Golden Belt , and the Diamond Button . Tertius , Argolico hoc Clypeo contentus abito . And let Per●ius , the last of the first Three Worthies , be contented with this Grecian Shield , and with Victory not only over all the Grecians , who were Ignorant of the Roman Satire , but over all the Moderns in Succeeding Ages ; excepting Boileau and your Lordship . And thus , I have given the History of Satire , and deriv'd it as far as from Ennius , to your Lordship ; that is , from its first Rudiments of Barbarity , to its last Polishing and Perfection : Which is , with Virgil , in his Address to Augustus ; — nomen famâ tot ferre per annos , Tithoni primâ quot abest ab origine Caesar. I said only from Ennius ; but I may safely carry it higher , as far as Livius Andronicus ; who , as I have said formerly , taught the first Play at Rome in the Year ab urbe conditâ , 514. I have since desir'd my Learn'd Friend , Mr. Maidwell , to compute the difference of Times , betwixt Aristophanes , and Livius Andronicus ; and he assures me , from the best Chronologers , that Plutus , the last of Aristophanes's his Plays , was Represented at Athens , in the Year of the 97th Olympiad ; which agrees with the Year Vrbis Conditae 364 : So that the difference of Years betwixt Aristophanes and Andronicus is 150 ; from whence I have probably deduc'd , that Livius Andronicus , who was a Grecian , had read the Plays of the Old Comedy , which were Satyrical , and also of the New ; for Menander was fifty Years before him , which must needs be a great light to him , in his own Plays ; that were of the Satirical Nature . That the Romans had Farces before this , 't is true ; but then they had no Communication with Greece : So that Andronicus was the first , who wrote after the manner of the Old Comedy , in his Plays ; he was imitated by Ennius , about Thirty Years afterwards . Though the former writ Fables ; the latter , speaking properly , began the Roman Satire . According to that Description , which Iuvenal gives of it in his First ; Quicquid ag●●t homines votum , timor , i●a , voluptas , gaudia , discursus , nostri est farrage libelli . This is that in which I have made bold to differ from Casaubon , Rigaltius , Dacier , and indeed , from all the Modern Critiques , that not Ennius , but Andronicus was the First ; who by the Archaea Comedia of the Greeks , added many Beauties to the first Rude and Barbarous Roman Satire : Which sort of Poem , tho' we had not deriv'd from Rome , yet Nature teaches it Mankind , in all Ages , and in every Country . 'T is but necessary , that after so much has been said of Satire , some Definition of it should be given . Heinsius , in his Dissertations on Horace , makes it for me , in these words ; Satire is a kind of Poetry , without a Series of Action , invented for the purging of our Minds ; in which Humane Vices , Ignorance , and Errors , and all things besides , which are produc'd from them , in every Man , are severely Reprehended ; partly Dramatically , partly Simply , and sometimes in both kinds of speaking ; but for the most part Figuratively , and Occultly ; consisting in a low familiar way , chiefly in a sharp and pungent manner of Speech ; but partly , also , in a Facetious and Civil way of Iesting ; by which , either Hatred , or Laughter , or Indignation is mov'd . — Where I cannot but observe , that this obscure and perplex'd Definition , or rather Description of Satire , is wholly accommodated to the Horatian way ; and excluding the Works of Iuvenal and Per●ius , as foreign from that kind of Poem : The Clause in the beginning of it ( without a Series of Action ) distinguishes Satire properly from Stage-Plays , which are all of one Action , and one continu'd Series of Action . The End or Scope of Satire is to purge the Passions ; so far it is common to the Satires of Iuvenal and Persius : The rest which follows , is also generally belonging to all three ; till he comes upon us , with the Excluding Clause ( consisting in a low familiar way of Speech ) which is the proper Character of Horace ; and from which , the other two , for their Honour be it spoken , are far distant . But how come Lowness of Style , and the Familiarity of Words to be so much the Propriety of Satire , that without them , a Poet can be no more a Satirist , than without Risibility he can be a Man ? Is the fault of Horace to be made the Virtue , and Standing Rule of this Poem ? Is the Grande Sophos of Persius , and the Sublimity of Iuvenal to be circumscrib'd , with the meanness of Words and vulgarity of Expression ? If Horace refus'd the pains of Numbers , and the loftiness of Figures , are they bound to follow so ill a Precedent ? Let him walk a Foot with his Pad in his Hand , for his own pleasure ; but let not them be accounted no Poets , who choose to mount , and shew their Horsmanship , Holiday is not afraid to say , that there was never such a fall , as from his Odes to his Satires , and that he , injuriously to himself , untun'd his Harp. The Majestique way of Per●ius and Iuvenal was new when they began it ; but 't is old to us ; and what Poems have not , with Time , receiv'd an Alteration in their Fashion ? Which Alteration , says Holiday , is to after-times , as good a Warrant as the first . Has not Virgil chang'd the Manners of Homer's Hero's in his Aeneis ? certainly he has , and for the better . For Virgil's Age was more Civiliz'd , and better Bred ; and he writ according to the Politeness of Rome , under the Reign of Augustus Caesar ; not to the Rudeness of Agamemnon's Age , or the Times of Homer . Why shou'd we offer to confine free Spirits to one Form , when we cannot so much as confine our Bodies to one Fashion of Apparel ? Wou'd not Donn's Satires , which abound with so much Wit , appear more Charming , if he had taken care of his Words , and of his Numbers ? But he follow'd Horace so very close , that of necessity he must fall with him : And I may safely say it of this present Age , That if we are not so great Wits as Donn , yet , certainly , we are better Poets . But I have said enough , and it may be , too much on this Subject . Will your Lordship be pleas'd to prolong my Audience , only so far , till I tell you my own trivial Thoughts , how a Modern Satire shou'd be made . I will not deviate in the least from the Precepts and Examples of the Ancients , who were always our best Masters . I will only illustrate them , and discover some of the hidden Beauties in their Designs , that we thereby may form our own in imitation of them . Will you please but to observe , that Persius , the least in Dignity of all the Three , has , notwithstanding , been the first , who has discover'd to us this important Secret , in the designing of a perfect Satire ; that it ought only to treat of one Subject ; to be confin'd to one particular Theme ; or , at least , to one principally . If other Vices occur in the management of the Chief , they shou'd only be transiently lash'd , and not be insisted on , so as to make the Design double . As in a Play of the English Fashion , which we call a Tragecomedy , there is to be but one main Design : And tho' there be an Under-plot , or Second Walk of Comical Characters and Adventures , yet they are subservient to the Chief Fable , carry'd along under it , and helping to it ; so that the Drama may not seem a Monster with two Heads . Thus the Copernican Systeme of the Planets makes the Moon to be mov'd by the motion of the Earth , and carry'd about her Orb , as a Dependant of hers : Mascardi in his Discourse of the Doppia favola , or Double-tale in Plays , gives an Instance of it , in the famous Pastoral of Guarini , call'd Il Pastor Fido ; where Corisca and the Satyre are the Under-parts : Yet we may observe , that Corisca is brought into the Body of the Plot , and made subservient to it . 'T is certain , that the Divine Wit of Horace , was not ignorant of this Rule , that a Play , though it consists of many parts , must yet be one in the Action , and must drive on the Accomplishment of one Design ; for he gives this very Precept , Sit quodvis simplex duntaxat & unum ; yet he seems not much to mind it in his Satires , many of them consisting of more Arguments than one ; and the second without dependance on the first . Casaubon has observ'd this before me , in his Preference of Persius to Horace : And will have his own belov'd Author to be the first , who found out , and introduc'd this Method of confining himself to one Subject . I know it may be urg'd in defence of Horace , that this Unity is not necessary ; because the very word Satura signifies a Dish plentifully stor'd with all variety of Fruits and Grains . Yet Iuvenal , who calls his Poems a Farrago , which is a word of the same signification with Satura ; has chosen to follow the same Method of Per●ius , and not of Horace : And Boileau , whose Example alone is a sufficient Authority , has wholly confin'd himself , in all his Satires , to this Unity of Design . That variety which is not to be found in any one Satire , is , at least , in many , written on several occasions . And if Variety be of absolute necessity in every one of them , according to the Etymology of the word ; yet it may arise naturally from one Subject , as it is diversly treated , in the several Subordinate Branches of it ; all relating to the Chief . It may be illustrated accordingly with variety of Examples in the Subdivisions of it ; and with as many Precepts as there are Members of it ; which altogether may compleat that Olla , or Hotch-potch , which is properly a Satire . Under this Unity of Theme , or Subject , is comprehended another Rule for perfecting the Design of true Satire . The Poet is bound , and that ex Officio , to give his Reader some one Precept of Moral Virtue ; and to caution him against some one particular Vice or Folly ▪ Other Virtues , subordinate to the first , may be recommended , under that Chief Head ; and other Vices or Follies may be scourg'd , besides that which he principally intends . But he is chiefly to inculcate one Virtue , and insist on that . Thus Iuvenal in every Satire , excepting the first , tyes himself to one principal Instructive Point , or to the shunning of Moral Evil. Even in the Sixth , which seems only an Arraignment of the whole Sex of Womankind ; there is a latent Admonition to avoid Ill Women , by shewing how very few , who are Virtuous and Good , are to be found amongst them . But this , tho' the Wittiest of all his Satires , has yet the least of Truth or Instruction in it . He has run himself into his old declamatory way , and almost forgotten , that he was now setting up for a Moral Poet. Persius is never wanting to us in some profitable Doctrine , and in exposing the opposite Vices to it . His kind of Philosphy is one , which is the Stoique ; and every Satire is a Comment on one particular Dogma of that Sect ; unless we will except the first , which is against bad Writers ; and yet ev'n there he forgets not the Precepts of the Porch . In general , all Virtues are every where to be prais'd , and recommended to Practice ; and all Vices to be reprehended , and made either Odious or Ridiculous ; or else there is a Fundamental Error in the whole Design . I have already declar'd , who are the only Persons that are the Adequate Object of Private Satire , and who they are that may properly be expos'd by Name for publick Examples of Vices and 〈◊〉 ; and therefore I will trouble your Lordship no farther with them . Of the best and finest manner of Satire , I have said enough in the Comparison betwixt Iuvenal and Horace : 'T is that sharp , well-manner'd way , of laughing a Folly out of Countenance , of which your Lordship is the best Master in this Age. I will proceed to the Versification , which is most proper for it , and add somewhat to what I have said already on that Subject . The sort of Verse which is call'd Burlesque , consisting of Eight Syllables , or Four Feet , is that which our Excellent Hudibras has chosen . I ought to have mention'd him before , when I spoke of Donn ; but by a slip of an Old Man's Memory he was forgotten . The Worth of his Poem is too well known to need my Commendation , and he is above my Censure : His Satire is of the Varronian kind , though unmix'd with Prose . The choice of his Numbers is suitable enough to his Design , as he has manag'd it . But in any other Hand , the shortness of his Verse , and the quick returns of Rhyme , had debas'd the Dignity of Style . And besides , the double Rhyme , ( a necessary Companion of Burlesque Writing ) is not so proper for Manly Satire , for it turns Earnest too much to Jest , and gives us a Boyish kind of Pleasure . It tickles aukwardly with a kind of pain , to the best sort of Readers ; we are pleas'd ungratefully , and , if I may say so , against our liking . We thank him not for giving us that unseasonable Delight , when we know he cou'd have given us a better , and more solid . He might have left that Task to others , who not being able to put in Thought , can only make us grin with the Excrescence of a Word of two or three Syllables in the Close . 'T is , indeed , below so great a Master to make use of such a little Instrument . But his good Sense is perpetually shining through all he writes ; it affords us not the time of finding Faults : We pass through the Levity of his Rhyme , and are immediately carri'd into some admirable useful Thought . After all , he has chosen this kind of Verse ; and has written the best in it : And had he taken another , he wou'd always have excell'd . As we say of a Court-Favourite , that whatsoever his Office be , he still makes it uppermost , and most beneficial to himself . The quickness of your Imagination , my Lord , has already prevented me ; and you know before-hand , that I wou'd prefer the Verse of ten Syllables , which we call the English Heroique , to that of Eight . This is truly my Opinion . For this sort of Number is more Roomy . The Thought can turn it self with greater ease , in a larger compass . When the Rhyme comes too thick upon us ; it streightens the Expression ; we are thinking of the Close , when we shou'd be employ'd in adorning the Thought . It makes a Poet giddy with turning in a Space too narrow for his Imagination . He loses many Beauties without gaining one Advantage . For a Burlesque Rhyme , I have already concluded to be none ; or if it were , 't is more easily purchas'd in Ten Syllables than in Eight : In both occasions 't is as in a Tennis-Court , when the Strokes of greater force , are given , when we strike out , and play at length . Tassone and Boileau have left us the best Examples of this way , in the Secchia Rapita , and the Lutrin . And next them Merlin Coccajus in his Baldus . I will speak only of the two former , because the last is written in Latin Verse . The Secchia Rapita , is an Italian Poem ; a Satire of the Varronian kind . 'T is written in the Stanza of Eight , which is their Measure for Heroique Verse . The Words are stately , the Numbers smooth , the Turn both of Thoughts and Words is happy . The first ●ix lines of the Stanza seem Majestical and Severe : but the two last turn them all , into a pleasant Ridicule . Boileau , if I am not much deceiv'd , has model'd from hence , his famous Lutrin . He had read the Burlesque Poetry of Scarron , with some kind of Indignation , as witty as it was , and found nothing in France that was worthy of his Imitation . But he Copy'd the Italian so well , that his own may pass for an Original . He writes it in the French Heroique Verse , and calls it an Heroique Poem : His Subject is Trivial , but his Verse is Noble . I doubt not but he had Virgil in his Eye , for we find many admirable Imitations of him , and some Parodies ; as particularly this Passage in the Fourth of the En●ids . Nec tibi Diva Parens ; generis nec Dardanus Auctor , Per●ide ; sed duris genuit te cautibus horrens ▪ Caucasus ; Hyrcanaeque admôrunt ubera tigres . Which he thus Translates , keeping to the Words , but altering the Sense . Non , ton Pere a Paris , ne fut point Boulanger : Et tu n'es point du sang de Gervais Horloger : Ta Mere ne fut point la Maitresse d'un Coche ; Caucase dans ses flancs , te forma d'une Roché : Vne Tigresse affre●se , en quelque Antre écarté Te fit , avec son laict , succer sa Cruauté . And , as Virgil in his Fourth Georgique of the Bees , perpetually raises the Lowness of his Subject by the Loftiness of his Words ; and ennobles it by Comparisons drawn from Empires , and from Monarchs . Admiranda tibi levium spectacula rerum , Magnanimosque Duces , totiusque ordine gentis Mores & studia , & populos , & praelia dica● . And again , Sed Genus immortale manet ; multosque per annos Stat fortuna domûs , & avi numerantur avorum . We see Boileau pursuing him in the same flights ; and scarcely yielding to his Master . This , I think , my Lord , to be the most Beautiful , and most Noble kind of Satire . Here is the Majesty of the Heroique , finely mix'd with the Venom of the other ; and raising the Delight which otherwise wou'd be flat and vulgar , by the Sublimity of the Expression . I cou'd say somewhat more of the Delicacy of this and some other of his Satires ; but it might turn to his Prejudice , if 't were carry'd back to France . I have given Your Lordship , but this bare hint , in what Verse , and in what manner this sort of Satire may best be manag'd . Had I time , I cou'd enlarge on the Beautiful Turns of Words and Thoughts ; which are as requisite in this , as in Heroique Poetry it self ; of which this Satire is undoubtedly a Species . With these Beautiful Turns I confess my self to have been unacquainted , till about Twenty Years ago , in a Conversation which I had with that Noble Wit of Scotland , Sir George Mackenzy : He asked me why I did not imitate in my Verses , the turns of Mr. Waller , and Sir Iohn Denham ; of which , he repeated many to me : I had often read with pleasure , and with some profit , those two Fathers of our English Poetry ; but had not seriously enough consider'd those Beauties which give the last perfection to their Works . Some sprinklings of this kind , I had also formerly in my Plays , but they were casual , and not design'd . But this hint , thus seasonably given me , first made me sensible of my own wants , and brought me afterwards to seek for the supply of them in other English Authors . I look'd over the Darling of my youth , the Famous Cowley ; there I found instead of them , the Points of Wit , and Quirks of Epigram , even in the Davideis , a Heroick Poem , which is of an opposite nature to those Puerilities ; but no Elegant turns , either on the word , or on the thought . Then I consulted a Greater Genius , ( without offence to the Manes of that Noble Author ) I mean Milton . But as he endeavours every where to express Homer , whose Age had not arriv'd to that fineness , I found in him a true sublimity , lofty thoughts , which were cloath'd with admirable Grecisms , and ancient words , which he had been digging from the Mines of Chaucer , and of Spencer , and which , with all their rusticity , had somewhat of Venerable in them . But I found not there neither that for which I look'd . At last I had recourse to his Master , Spencer , the Author of that immortal Poem , call'd the Fairy-Queen ; and there I met with that which I had been looking for so long in vain . Spencer had studi'd Virgil to as much advantage as Milton had done Homer . And amongst the rest of his Excellencies had Copy'd that . Looking farther into the Italian , I found Tasso had done the same ; nay more , that all the Sonne●s in that Language are on the turn of the first thought ; which Mr. Walsh , in his late ingenious Preface to his Poems has ob●erv'd . In short , Virgil , and Ovid are the two Principal Fountains of them in 〈◊〉 Poetry . And the French at this day are so fond of them , that they judge them to be the first Beauties . Delicate , & bien tourné , are the highest Commendations , which they bestow , on somewhat which they think a Master-Piece . An Example of the turn on Words amongst a thousand others , is that , in the last Book of Ovid's Metamorphoses . He● quantum seelus est , in viscera , viscera condi ! Congestoque●vidum pinguescere corpore corpus ; Alteri●sque Animantem , Animantis vivere ●●to . An Example on the turn both of Thoughts and Words , is to be found in 〈◊〉 ; in the Complaint of Ariadne , when she was left by Theseus . T●m jam nulla viro juranti faemina credat ; N●lla viri speret Sermones esse ●ideles : Qui dum aliquid cupiens animus pr●egestit apisci , Nil metuunt jurare ; nihil promittere par●●nt . Sed ●imul ●c cupidae mentis s●tiata libido est , Dicta nihil metuere ; nihil perjuria curant . An extraordinary turn upon the words , is that in Ovid's Epistolae Her●●d●m , of 〈◊〉 to Pha●● . 〈…〉 , 〈…〉 . Lastly , a turn which I cannot say is absolutely on Words , for the Thought turns with them , is in the Fourth 〈◊〉 of Virgil ; where 〈◊〉 is to receive his Wife from Hell , on express Condition not to 〈◊〉 her ●●ll she was come on Earth . 〈…〉 Ignoscenda quidem , scirent si ignoscere Manes . I will not burthen your Lordship with more of them ; for I write to a Master , who understands them better than my 〈◊〉 . But I may 〈…〉 them to be great Beauties : I might descend also to the ●●●●nick Beauties of Heroiok V●rse ; but we have yet no English Prof●●● , not so much as a 〈◊〉 Dictionary , or a Grammar ; so that our Language is in a manner Barbarous ; and what Government will 〈◊〉 any one , or more , who are capable or Resining it , I know not ▪ But nothing under a Publick Expence can go through with it . And I rather fear a declination of the Language , than hope an advancement of 〈…〉 I am 〈◊〉 speaking to you , my Lord ; though in all probability , you are already out of hearing . Nothing which my 〈◊〉 can produce , is worthy of this long attention . But I am come to the last Petition of Abraham ; If there be 〈…〉 Lines , in this 〈◊〉 Preface , spare it for their sake ; and also spare the next City , because it is but a little one . 〈…〉 some Gentlemen who have succeeded very happily in their Undertaking ; let their Excellencies attone for my Imperfections , and those of my Sons . I have perus'd some of the Satires , which are done by other Hands : And they seem to me as perfect in their kind , as any thing I have seen in English Verse . The common way which we have taken , is not a Literal Translation , but a kind of Paraphrase ; or somewhat which is yet more loose , betwixt a Paraphrase and Imitation . It was not possible for us , or any Men , to have made it pleasant , any other way . If rendring the exact Sense of these Authors , almost line for line ▪ had been our business , Barten Holiday had done it already to our hands : And , by the help of his Learned Notes and Illustrations , not only of Iuvenal , and Persius , but what yet is more obscure , his own Verses might be understood . But he wrote for Fame , and wrote to Scholars : We write only for the Pleasure and Entertainment , of those Gentlemen and Ladies , who tho they are not Scholars are not Ignorant : Persons of Understanding and good Sense ; who not having been conversant in the Original , or at least not having made Latine Verse so much their business , as to be Critiques in it , wou'd be glad to find , if the Wit of our Two great Authors , be answerable to their Fame , and Reputation in the World. We have therefore endeavour'd to give the Publick all the Satisfaction we are able in this kind . And if we are not altogether so faithful to our Author , as our Predecessours Holiday and Stapylton , yet we may Challenge to our selves this praise , that we shall be far more pleasing to our Readers . We have follow'd our Authors , at greater distance ; tho' not Step by Step , as they have done . For oftentimes they have gone so close , that they have trod on the Heels of Iuvenal and Persius ; and hurt them by their too near approach . A Noble Authour wou'd not be persu'd too close by a Translator . We lose his Spirit , when we think to take his Body . The grosser Part remains with us , but the Soul is flown away , in some Noble Expression or some delicate turn of Words , or Thought . Thus Holiday , who made this way his choice , seiz'd the meaning of Iuvenal ; but the Poetry has always scap'd him . They who will not grant me , that Pleasure is one of the Ends of Poetry , but that it is only a means of compassing the only end , which is Instruction ; must yet allow that without the means of Pleasure , the Instruction is but a bare and dry Philosophy . A crude preparation of Morals , which we may have from Aristotle and Epictetus , with more profit than from any Poet ▪ Neither Holiday nor Stapylton , have imitated Iuvenal , in the Poetical part of him , his Diction and his Elocution . Nor had they been Poets , as neither of them were ; yet in the way they took , it was impossible for them to have Succeeded in the Poetique part . The English Verse , which we call Heroique , consists of no more than Ten Syllables ; the Latine Hexameter sometimes rises to Seventeen ; as for example , this Verse in Virgil , Pulverulenta putrem sonitu quatit ungula Campum . Here is the difference , of no less than Seven Syllables in a line , betwixt the English and the Latine . Now the Medium of these , is about Fourteen Syllables ; because the Dactyle is a more frequent foot in Hexameters than the Spondee . But Holiday , without considering that he Writ with the disadvantage of Four Syllables less in every Verse , endeavours to make one of his Lines , to comprehend the Sense of one of Iuvenal's . According to the falsity of the Proposition , was the Success . He was forc'd to crowd his Verse with ill sounding Monosyllables , of which our Barbarous Language affords him a wild plenty : And by that means he arriv'd at his Pedantick end , which was to make a literal Translation : His Verses have nothing of Verse in them , but only the worst part of it ▪ the Rhyme : And that , into the bargain , is far from good . But which is more Intollerable ▪ by cramming his ill chosen , and worse sounding Monosyllables so close together ; the very Sense which he endeavours to explain , is become more obscure , than that of his Author . So that Holiday himself cannot be understood , without as large a Commentary , as that which he makes on his Two Authours . For my own part , I can make a shift to find the meaning of Iuvenal without his Notes : but his Translation is more difficult than his Authour . And I find Beauties in the Latine to recompence my Pains ; but in Holiday and Stapylton , my Ears , in the First Place , are mortally o●●ended ; and then their Sense is so perplex'd , that I return to the Original , as the more pleasing task , as well as the more easy . This must be said for our Translation , that if we give not the whole Sense of Iuvenal , yet we give the most considerable Part of it : We give it , in General , so clearly , that few Notes are sufficient to make us Intelligible : We make our Authour at least appear in a Poetique Dress . We have actually made him more Sounding , and more Elegant , than he was before in English : And have endeavour'd to make him speak that kind of English , which he wou'd have spoken had he liv'd in England , and had Written to this Age. If sometimes any of us ( and 't is but seldome ) make him express the Customs and Manners of our Native Country , rather than of Rome ; 't is , either when there was some kind of Analogy , betwixt their Customes and ours ; or when , to make him more easy to Vulgar Understandings , we gave him those Manners which are familiar to us . But I defend not this Innovation , 't is enough if I can excuse it . For to speak sincerely , the Manners of Nations and Ages , are not to be confounded : We shou'd either make them English , or leave them Roman . If this can neither be defended , nor excus'd , let it be pardon'd , at least , because it is acknowledg'd ; and so much the more easily , as being a fault which is never committed without some Pleasure to the Reader . Thus , my Lord , having troubl'd You with a tedious Visit , the best Manners will be shewn in the least Ceremony . I will slip away while Your Back is turn'd , and while You are otherwise employ'd : with great Confusion , for having entertain'd You so long with this Discourse ; and for having no other Recompence to make You , than the Worthy Labours of my Fellow-Undertakers in this Work ; and the Thankful Acknowledgments , Prayers , and perpetual good Wishes of , My Lord , Your Lordships , Most Obliged , Most Humble , and Most Obedient Servant . JOHN DRYDEN . Aug. 18. 1692. A TABLE TO JUVENAL . THE Dedication to the Earl of Dorset . — The First Satire . Translated By Mr. Dryden . Page 1 Notes on the First Satire . Page 14 The Second Satire . Translated By Mr. Tate . Page 17 Notes on the Second Satire . Page 29 The Third Satire . Translated By Mr. Dryden . Page 30 Notes on the Third Satire . Page 53 The Fourth Satire . Translated By Mr. — Page 55 Notes on the Fourth Satire . Page 68 The Fifth Satire . Translated By Mr. W. Bowles . Page 71 Notes on the Fifth Satire . Page 83 The Sixth Satire . Translated By Mr. Dryden . Page 85 Notes on the Sixth Satire . Page 123 The Seventh Satire . Translated By Mr. Charles Dryden . Page 127 Notes on the Seventh Satire . Page 142 The Eighth Satire . Translated By Mr. G. Stepney . Page 145 Notes on the Eighth Satire . Page 167 The Ninth Satire . Translated By Mr. Step. Hervey . Page 175 Notes on the Ninth Satire . Page 187 The Tenth Satire . Translated By Mr. Dryden . Page 189 Notes on the Tenth Satire . Page 214 The Eleventh Satire . Translated By Mr. Congreve . Page 215 Notes on the Eleventh Satire . Page 234 The Twelfth Satire . Translated By Mr. Power . Page 237 Notes on the Twelfth Satire . Page 249 The Thirteenth Satire . Translated By Mr. Creech . Page 252 Notes on the Thirteenth Satire . Page 271 The Fourteenth Satire . Translated By Mr. J. Dryden Iun. Page 273 Notes on the Fourteenth Satire . Page 292 The Fifteenth Satire . Translated By Mr. Tate . Page 297 Notes on the Fifteenth Satire . Page 306 The Sixteenth Satire . Translated By Mr. Dryden . Page 309 Notes on the Sixteenth Satire . Page 315 The TABLE to PERSIUS . TO Mr. Dryden on his Translation of Perius , by Mr. Congreve . The First Satire of Persius . Page Page 1 Notes on the First Satire . Page 17 The Second Satire . Page 19 Notes on the Second Satire . Page 27 The Third Satire . Page 28 Notes on the Third Satire . Page 43 The Fourth Satire . Page 45 Notes on the Fourth Satire . Page 54 The Fifth Satire . Page 57 Notes on the Fifth Satire . Page 72 The Sixth Satire . Page 75 Notes on the Sixth Satire . Page 85 ERRATA . IN the Eleventh SATIRE , Page 227. Line 221. Read for ill , unpleasant . THE FIRST SATYR OF JUVENAL , Translated into ENGLISH VERSE BY Mr. DRYDEN . Argument of the first Satyr . THE Poet gives us first a kind of humorous Reason for his Writing : That being provok'd by hearing so many ill Poets rehearse their Works , he does himself Iustice on them , by giving them as bad as they bring . But since no man will rank himself with ill Writers , 't is easie to conclude , that if such Wretches cou'd draw an Audience , he thought it no hard matter to excel them , and gain a greater esteem with the Publick . Next he informs us more openly ▪ why he rather addicts himself to Satyr , than any other kind of Poetry . And here he discovers that it is not so much his indignation to ill Poets , as to ill Men , which has prompted him to write . He therefore gives us a summary and general view of the Vices and Follies reigning in his time . So that this first Satyr is the natural Ground-work of all the rest . Herein he confines himself to no one Subject , but strikes indifferently at all Men in his way : In every following Satyr he has chosen some particular Moral which he wou'd inculcate ; and lashes some particular Vice or Folly , ( An Art with which our Lampooners are not much acquainted . ) But our Poet being desirous to reform his own Age , and not daring to attempt it by an Overt act of naming living Persons , inveighs onely against those who were infamous in the times immediately preceding his , whereby he not only gives a fair warning to Great Men , that their Memory lies at the mercy of future Poets and Historians , but also with a finer stroke of his Pen , brands ev'n the living , and personates them under dead mens Names . I have avoided as much as I cou'd possibly the borrow'd Learning of Marginal Notes and Illustrations , and for that Reason have Translated this Satyr somewhat largely . And freely own ( if it be a fault ) that I have likewise omitted most of the Proper Names , because I thought they wou'd not much edifie the Reader . To conclude , if in two or three places I have deserted all the Commentators , 't is because I thought they first deserted my Author , or at least have left him in so much obscurity , that too much room is left for guessing . THE FIRST SATYR . STill shall I hear , and never quit the Score , Stun'd with hoarse 1 Codrus Theseid , o're and o're ? Shall this Man's Elegies and t'others Play Unpunish'd Murther a long Summer's day ? Huge 2 Telephus , a formidable page , Cries Vengeance ; and 3 Orestes's bulky rage Unsatisfy'd with Margins closely writ , Foams o're the Covers , and not finish'd yet . No Man can take a more familiar note Of his own Home , than I of Vulcan's Grott , Or 4 Mars his Grove , or hollow winds that blow From Aetna's top , or tortur'd Ghosts below . I know by rote the Fam'd Exploits of Greece ; The Centaurs fury , and the Golden Fleece ; Through the thick shades th' Eternal Scribler bauls ; And shakes the Statues on their Pedestals . The 5 best and worst on the same Theme employs His Muse , and plagues us with an equal noise . Provok'd by these Incorrigible Fools , I left declaiming in pedantick Schools ; Where , with Men-boys , I strove to get Renown , Advising 6 Sylla to a private Gown . But , since the World with Writing is possest , I 'll versifie in spite ; and do my best To make as much waste Paper as the rest . But why I lift aloft the Satyrs 7 Rod , And tread the Path which fam'd Lucilius trod , Attend the Causes which my Muse have led : When Sapless Eunuchs mount the Marriage-bed , When 8 Mannish Mevia that two handed Whore , Astride on Horse-back hunts the Tuscan Boar , When all our Lords are by his Wealth outvy'd , Whose 9 Razour on my callow-beard was try'd : When I behold the Spawn of conquer'd Nile Crispinus 10 , both in Birth and Manners vile , Pacing in pomp , with Cloak of Tyrian dye Chang'd oft a day for needless Luxury ; And finding oft occasion to be fan'd , Ambitious to produce his Lady-hand ; Charg'd 11 with light Summer-rings his fingers sweat , Unable to support a Gem of weight : Such fulsom Objects meeting every where , 'T is hard to write , but harder to forbear . To view so lewd a Town , and to refrain , What Hoops of Iron cou'd my Spleen contain ! When 12 pleading Matho , born abroad for Air , With his Fat Paunch fills his new fashion'd Chair , And after him the Wretch in Pomp convey'd , Whose Evidence his Lord and Friend betray'd , And but the wish'd Occasion does attend From the poor Nobles the last Spoils to rend , Whom ev'n Spies dread as their Superiour Fiend , And bribe with Presents , or , when Presents fail , They send their prostituted Wives for bail : When Night-performance holds the place of Merit , And Brawn and Back the next of Kin disherit ; For such good Parts are in Preferment 's way , The Rich Old Madam never fails to pay , Her Legacies by Nature's Standard giv'n , One gains an Ounce , another gains Eleven : A dear-bought Bargain , all things duly weigh'd , For which their thrice Concocted Blood is paid . With looks as wan , as he who in the Brake At unawares has trod upon a Snake . Or play'd 13 at Lions a declaiming Prize , For which the Vanquish'd Rhetorician Dyes . What Indignation boils within my Veins , When perjur'd Guardians , proud with Impious Gains , Choak up the Streets , too narrow for their Trains ! Whose Wards by want betray'd , to Crimes are led Too soul to Name , too fulsom to be read ! When he who pill'd his Province scapes the Laws , And keeps his Money though he lost his Cause : His Fine begg'd off , contemns his Infamy , Can rise at twelve , and get him Drunk e're three : Enjoys his Exile , and , Condemn'd in vain , Leaves thee , 14 prevailing Province , to complain ? Such Villanies rous'd 15 Horace into Wrath ; And 't is more Noble to pursue his Path , Than an Old Tale of Diomede to repeat , Or lab'ring after Hercules to sweat , Or wandring in the winding Maze of Creet . Or with the winged Smith aloft to fly , Or flutt'ring Perish with his foolish Boy . With what Impatience must the Muse behold The Wife by her procuring Husband sold ? For though the Law makes Null th' Adulterer's Deed Of Lands to her , the Cuckold may succeed . Who his taught Eyes up to the Cieling throws , And sleeps all over but his wakeful Nose . When he dares hope a Colonel's Command , Whose Coursers kept , ran out his Father's Land ; Who yet a Stripling Nero's Chariot drove , Whirl'd o're the Streets , while his vain Master strove With boasted Art to please his 16 Eunuch-Love . Wou'd it not make a modest Author dare To draw his Table-Book within the Square , And fill with Notes , when lolling at his ●ase Mecenas-like 17 , the happy Rogue he sees Born by Six weary'd Slaves in open View , Who Cancell'd an old Will , and forg'd a New : Made wealthy at the small expence of Signing With a wet Seal , and a fresh Interlining . The Lady , next , requires a lashing Line , Who squeez'd a Toad into her Husband's Wine : So well the fashionable Med'cine thrives , That now 't is Practis'd ev'n by Country Wives : Poys'ning without regard of Fame or Fear : And spotted Corps are frequent on the Bier . Wou'dst thou to Honours and Preferments climb , Be bold in Mischief , dare some mighty Crime , Which Dungeons , Death , or Banishment deserves : For Virtue is but dryly Prais'd , and Sterves . Great Men , to great Crimes , owe their Plate Embost , Fair Palaces , and Furniture of Cost ; And high Commands : A Sneaking Sin is lost . Who can behold that rank Old Letcher keep His Son 's Corrupted Wife , 18 and hope to sleep ? Or that Male-Harlot , or that unfledg'd Boy , Eager to Sin , before he can enjoy ? If Nature cou'd not , Anger would indite Such woeful stuff as I or S — ll write . Count from the time , since Old 19 Deucalion's Boat , Rais'd by the Flood , did on Parna●●us Float ; And scarcely Mooring on the Cliff , implor'd An Oracle how Man might be restor'd ; When soften'd Stones and Vital Breath ensu'd , And Virgins Naked were by Lovers View'd ; What ever since that Golden Age was done , What Humane Kind desires , and what they shun , Rage , Passions , Pleasures , Impotence of Will , Shall this Satyrical Collection fill . What age so large a Crop of Vices bore , Or when was Avarice extended more ? When were the Dice with more Profusion thrown ? The well fill'd Fob , not empty'd now alone , But Gamesters for whole Patrimonies play ; The Steward brings the Deeds which must convey The lost Estate : What more than Madness reigns , When one short sitting many Hundreds Drains , And not enough is left him to supply Board-Wages , or a Footman's Livery ? What Age so many Summer-Seats did see ? Or which , of our Forefathers far'd so well As on seven Dishes at a private Meal ? Clients of Old were Feasted ; now a poor Divided Dole is dealt at th' outward Door ; Which by the Hungry Rout is soon dispatch'd : The Paltry Largess , too , severely watch'd E're given ; and every Face observ'd with Care , That no intruding Guest Usurp a share . Known , you Receive : The Cryer calls aloud Our Old Nobility of Trojan Blood , Who gape among the Croud for their precarious Food . The Praetors , and the Tribunes Voice is heard ; The Freedman justles and will be preferr'd ; First come , first serv'd , he Cries ; and I , in spight Of your Great Lordships , will Maintain my Right . Tho born a Slave , tho 20 my torn Ears are bor'd , 'T is not the Birth , 't is Mony makes the Lord. The Rents of Five fair Houses I receive ; What greater Honours can the Purple give ? The 21 Poor Patrician is reduc'd to keep In Melancholly Walks a Grazier's Sheep : Not 22 Pallas nor Licinius had my Treasure ; Then let the Sacred Tribunes wait my leasure . Once a Poor Rogue , 't is true , I trod the Street , And trudg'd to Rome upon my Naked Feet : Gold is the greatest God ; though yet we see No Temples rais'd to Mony 's Majesty , No Altars fuming to her Pow'r Divine , Such as to Valour , Peace , and Virtue Shine , And Faith , and Concord : 23 where the Stork on high Seems to Salute her Infant Progeny : Presaging Pious Love with her Auspicious Cry. But since our Knights and Senators account To what their sordid begging Vails amount , Judge what a wretched share the Poor attends , Whose whole Subsistence on those Alms depends ! Their Houshold-Fire , their Rayment , and their Food , Prevented 24 by those Harpies ; when a wood Of Litters thick besiege the Donor's Gate , And begging Lords , and teeming Ladies wait The promis'd Dole : Nay some have learn'd the trick To beg for absent persons ; feign them sick , Close mew'd in their Sedans , for fear of air : And for their Wives produce an empty Chair . This is my Spouse : Dispatch her with her share . 'T is 25 Galla : Let her Ladyship but peep : No , Sir , 't is pity to disturb her sleep . Such fine Employments our whole days divide : The Salutations of the Morning-tide Call up the Sun ; those ended , to the Hall We wait the Patron , hear the Lawyers baul , Then 26 to the Statues ; where amidst the Race Of Conqu'ring Rome , some Arab shews his Face Inscrib'd with Titles , and profanes the place . Fit to be piss'd against , and somewhat more . The Great Man , home conducted , shuts his door ; Old Clients , weary'd out with fruitless care , Dismiss their hopes of eating , and despair . Though much against the grain , forc'd to retire , Buy Roots for Supper , and provide a Fire . Mean time his Lordship lolls within at ease , Pamp'ring his Paunch with Foreign Rarities : Both Sea and Land are ransack'd for the Feast , And his own Gut the sole invited Guest . Such Plate , such Tables , Dishes dress'd so well , That whole Estates are swallow'd at a Meal . Ev'n Parasites are banish'd from his Board : ( At once a sordid and luxurious Lord : ) Prodigious Throat , for which whole Boars are drest ; ( A Creature form'd to furnish out a Feast . ) But present Punishment pursues his Maw , When surfeited and swell'd , the Peacock raw He bears into the Bath ; whence want of Breath , Repletions , Apoplex , intestate Death . His Fate makes Table-talk , divulg'd with scorn , And he , a Jeast , into his Grave is born . No Age can go beyond us : Future Times Can add no farther to the present Crimes . Our Sons but the same things can wish and do ; Vice is at stand , and at the highest flow . Then Satyr spread thy Sails ; take all the winds can blow . Some may , perhaps , demand what Muse can yield Sufficient strength for such a spacious Field ? From whence can be deriv'd so large a Vein , Bold Truths to speak , and spoken to maintain ; When God-like Freedom is so far bereft The Noble Mind , that scarce the Name is left ? E're Scandalum Magnatum was begot , No matter if the Great forgave or not : But if that honest licence now you take , If , into Rogues Omnipotent , you rake , Death is your Doom , impail'd upon a Stake : Smear'd o're with Wax , and set on fire , to light The Streets , and make a dreadful blaze by night . Shall They who drench'd three Uncles in a draught Of poys'nous Juice , be then in Triumph brought , Make Lanes among the People where they go , And , mounted high on downy Chariots , throw Disdainful glances on the Crowd below ? Be silent , and beware if such you see ; 'T is Defamation but to say , That 's He ! Againt 27 bold Turnus the Great Trojan Arm , Amidst their strokes the Poet gets no harm : Achilles may in Epique Verse be slain , And none of all his Myrmidons complain : Hylas may drop his Pitcher , none will cry ; Not if he drown himself for company : But when Lucilius brandishes his Pen , And flashes in the face of Guilty Men , A cold Sweat stands in drops on ev'ry part ; And Rage succeeds to Tears , Revenge to Smart . Muse be advis'd ; 't is past consid'ring time , When enter'd once the dangerous Lists of Rhime : Since none the Living-Villains dare implead , Arraign them in the Persons of the Dead . The End of the First Satyr . EXPLANATORY NOTES ON THE FIRST SATYR COdrus , or it may be Cordus , a bad Poet who wrote the Life and Actions of Theseus . Telephus , the Name of a Tragedy . Orestes , another Tragedy . Mars his Grove . Some Commentators take this Grove to be ● Place where Poets were us'd to repeat their Works to the People , but more probably , both this and Vulcan's Grott , or Cave , and the rest of the Places and Names here mention'd , are only meant for the Common Places of Homer , in his Iliads and Odysses . The best and worst ; that is , the best and the worst Poets . Advising Sylla , &c. This was one of the Themes given in the Schools of Rhetoricians , in the deliberative kind ; Whether Sylla should lay down the Supreme Power of Dictatorship , or still keep it . Lucilius , the first Satyrist of the Romans , who wrote long before Horace . Mevia , a Name put for any Impudent or Mannish Woman . Whose Razour , & c. Iuvenal's Barber now grown Wealthy . Crispinus , an Egyptian Slave ; now by his Riches transform'd into a Nobleman . Charg'd with light Summer Rings , &c. The Romans were grown so Effeminate in Iuvenal's time , that they wore light Rings in the Summer , and heavier in the Winter . Matho , a Famous Lawyer , mention'd in other Places by Iuvenal and Martial . At Lyons ; a City in France , where Annual Sacrifices and Games were made in Honour of Augustus Caesar. Prevailing Province , &c. Here the Poet complains that the Governours of Provinces being accus'd for their unjust Exactions , though they were condemned at their Tryals , yet got off by Bribery . Horace , who wrote Satyrs : 'T is more Noble , says our Author , to imitate him in that way , than to write the Labours of Hercules , the Sufferings of Diomedes and his Followers , or the Flight of Dedalus who made the Labyrinth , and the Death of his Son Icarus . His Eunuch-Love . Nero Marry'd Sporus an Eunuch ; though it may be the Poet meant Nero's Mistress in Mans Apparel . Mecenas-like : Mecenas is often Tax'd by Seneca and others , for his Effeminacy . And hope to sleep : The meaning is , that the very consideration of such a Crime , will hinder a Virtuous Man from taking his Repose . Deucalion and Pyrrha , when the World was drown'd , escap'd to the top of Mount Parnassus ; and were commanded to restore Mankind by throwing Stones over their Heads : The Stones he threw became Men , and those she threw became Women . Though my torn Ears are bor'd : The Ears of all Slaves were bor'd as a Mark of their Servitude ; which Custom is still usual in the East-Indies , and in other Parts , even for whole Nations ; who bore Prodigious holes in their Ears , and wear vast Weights at them . The poor Patrician ; the poor Nobleman . Pallas , or Licinius . Pallas , a Slave freed by Claudius Caesar , and rais'd by his Favour to great Riches . Licinius was another Wealthy Freedman , belonging to Augustus . Where the Stork on high , &c. Perhaps the Storks were us'd to build on the top of the Temple dedicated to Concord . Prevented by those Harpies : He calls the Roman Knights , & ● ▪ Harpies , or Devourers : In those Days the Rich made Doles intended for the Poor : But the Great were either so Covetous , or so Needy , that they came in their Litters to demand their shares of the Largess ; and thereby prevented , and consequently starv'd the Poor . 'T is Galla , &c. The meaning is , that Noblemen wou'd cause empty Litters to be carried to the Giver's Door , pretending their Wives were within them : 'T is Galla , that is , my Wife : the next words Let her Ladyship but peep , are of the Servant who distributes the Dole ; Let me see her , that I may be sure she is within the Litter . The Husband answers , she is asleep , and to open the Litter would disturb her Rest. Next to the Statues , &c. The Poet here tells you how the Idle pass'd their time ; in going first to the Levees of the Great , then to the Hall , that is , to the Temple of Apollo , to hear the Lawyers Plead , then to the Market-place of Augustus , where the Statues of the Famous Romans were set in Ranks on Pedestals : Amongst which Statues were seen those of Foreigners , such as Arabs , &c. who for no desert , but only on the Account of their Wealth , or Favour , were plac'd amongst the Noblest . Against bold Turnus , &c. A Poet may safely write an Heroick Poem , such as that of Virgil , who describes the Duel of Turnus and Aeneas ; or of Homer , who Writes of Achilles and Hector ; or the death of Hylas the Catamite of Hercules ; who stooping for Water , dropt his Pitcher , and fell into the Well after it . But 't is dangerous to write Satyr like Lucilius . THE SECOND SATYR OF JUVENAL , Translated into ENGLISH VERSE BY Mr. TATE . ARGUMENT OF THE Second Satyr . The Poet , in this Satyr , inveighs against the Hypocrisie of the Philosophers , and Priests of his Time : the Effeminacy of Military Officers , and Magistrates . Which Corruption of Manners in General , and more Particularly of Unnatural Vices , he imputes to the Atheistical Principle that then prevail'd . THE SECOND SATYR . I 'M sick of Rome , and wish my self convey'd Where freezing Seas obstruct the Merchants Trade , When Hypocrites read Lectures , and a Sot , Because into a Gown and Pulpit got , Tho surfeit-gorg'd , and reeking from the Stews , Nothing but Abstinence for 's Theam will chuse . The Rakehells too pretend to Learning — Why ? Chrysippus Statue decks their Library . Who makes his Closet finest is most Read ; The Dolt that with an Aristotle's Head , Carv'd to the Life , has once adorn'd his Shelf , Streight sets up for a Stagyrite himself . Precise their Look , but to the Brothel come , You 'll know the Price of Philosophick Bum. You 'd swear , if you their Bristled Hides survey'd , That for a Bear 's Caresses they are made ; Yet of their Obscene Part they take such care , That ( like Baboons ) they still keep Podex bare ; To see 't so sleek and trimm'd the Surgeon smiles , And scarcely can for laughing launce the Piles . Since Silence seems to carry Wisdom's Pow'r , Th' affected Rogues , like Clocks , speak once an Hour . Those grizled Locks which Nature did provide , In plenteous growth , their Asses Ears to hide , The formal Slaves reduce to a degree Short of their Eye-brows . — Now I honour Thee , Thee Peribonius , thou profest He-Whore , And all thy Crimes impute to Nature's Score : Thou , as in Harlots Dress thou art attir'd , For ought I know , with Harlots Itch art fir'd , Thy Form seems for the Pathick Trade design'd , And generously thou dost own thy Kind . But what of those lewd Miscreants must become , Who Preach Morality and Shake the Bum ? Varillus cries , shall I fear Sextus Doom , Whose Haunches are the common Sink of Rome ? Let him cry Blackmoor-Devil , whose skin is white , And Bandy-Legs , who treads himself upright ; Let him reprove that 's Innocent — In vain The Gracchi of Sedition must complain . ' Twou'd make you swear the Planets from their Spheres , Shou'd Verres peach Thieves , Milo Murderers , Clodius tax Bawds , Cethegus Catiline , Or 1 Scylla's Pupils Scylla's Rules decline . Yet we have seen a Modern Magistrate Restore those rigid 2 Laws that did create In Mars and Venus dread ; himself the while , With impious Drugs and Potions , did beguile The teeming Iulia's Womb , and thence did wrest Crude 3 Births , that yet th' Incestuous Sire confest . How shall such Hypocrites Reform the State , On whom the Brothels can Recriminate ? Of this we have an Instance great and new In a Cock-Zealot of this Preaching Crew , Whose late Harangue the gaping Rabble drew . His Theme , as Fate wou'd have 't , was Fornication , And as i' th' fury of his Declamation , He cry'd , Why sleeps the Iulian Law , that aw'd This Vice ? — Laronia , an industrious Bawd , ( As Bawds will run to Lectures ) nettled much To have her Copy-hold so nearly toucht , With a disdainful Smile , reply'd , Blest Times , That made thee Censor of the Age's Crimes ! Rome now must needs Reform , and Vice be stopt , Since a Third Cato from the Clouds is dropt . But tell me , Sir , what Perfume strikes the Air From your most Rev'rend Neck o'regrown with Hair ? For modestly we may presume , I trow , 'T is not your Nat'ral Grain — The Price I 'd know , And where 't is sold ; direct me to the Street , And Shop , for I with no such Essence meet . Let me entreat you , Sir , for your own sake , Use Caution , and permit the Laws to take A harmless Nap , left the 4 Scantinian wake . Our wise Forefathers took their Measures right , Nor wreak'd on Fornicators all their spight , But left a Limbo for the Sodomite . If you Commission-Courts must needs erect For Manners , put the Test to your own Sect. But you by Number think your selves secure , While our thin Squadron must the Brunt endure . With grief I must confess our Muster 's few , And much with Civil Broils impair'd , while you Are to the Dev'l and to each other true . Your Penal Laws against Us are enlarg'd , On whom no Crimes , like what you act , are charg'd . Flavia may now and then turn up for Bread , But chastly with Catulla lies a Bed. Your Hispo acts both Sexes parts , before A Fornicator ; and behind , a Whore : We ne're invade your Walks ; the Clients Cause We leave to your confounding and the Laws . If now and then an Amazonian Dame Dares fight a publick Prize , 't is sure less shame , Than to behold your unnerv'd Sex set in To Needle-Work , and like a Damsel Spin. How Hister's Bondman his sole Heir became , And his conniving Spouse so rich a Dame , Is known ; that Wife with Wealth must needs be sped , Who is content to make a Third in Bed. You Nymphs that would to Coach and Six arrive , Marry , keep Counsel , and y' are sure to thrive ! Yet these Obnoxious Men , without Remorse , Against our Tribe will put the Laws in force , Clip the Dove's Wing , and give the Vulture course . Thus spoke the Matron — The convicted Crew From so direct a Charge like Lightning flew . It must be so — Nor , vain Metellus , shall From Rome's Tribunal , thy Harangues prevail Gainst Harlotry , while thou art clad so thin , That through thy Cobweb-Robe we see thy Skin As thou Declaim'st — Fabulla is , you say , A Whore — I own it ; so 's Carsinia ; Rank Prostitutes , therefore without remorse Punish the Strumpets , give the Law its course : But when y 'ave sentenc'd them , Metellus , know They'd blush t' appear so loosly Drest as you . You say the Dog-Star reigns , whose ●ultry Fire Melts you to death ev'n in that light Attire ; Go naked then , 't were better to be mad , ( Which has a priv'ledge ) than so lewdly clad ! How wou'd our Mountain Sires , return'd from Plow Or Battel , such a Silken Judge allow ? Canst thou restore old Manners , or retrench Rome's Pride , who com'st transparent to the Bench ? This Mode in which thou singly do'st appear , By thy Example shall get footing here , Till it has quite deprav'd the Roman Stock As one infected Sheep confounds the Flock . Nor will this Crime , Metellus , be thy worst , No Man e're reach'd the heights of Vice at first : For Vice like Virtue by Degrees must grow ; Thus , from this wanton Dress , Metellus , thou With those 5 polluted Priests at last shall join , Who Female Chaplets round their Temples twine , And with 6 perverted Rites profane the Goddess Shrine . Where such vile Practices 'twixt Males are past , As makes our Matrons lewd Nocturnals chast . Cotyttus 7 Orgies scarce are more obscene , For thus th' Effeminate Priests themselves demean . With Jet-black Pencils one his Eye-brows dyes , And adds new Fire to his lascivious Eyes : Another in a Glass - Priapus swills , While twisted Gold his platted Tresses fills ; A Female Robe , and to compleat the Farce , His 8 Servant not by Iove but Iuno swears . One holds a Mirrour , pathick Otho's Shield , In which he view'd before he march'd to Field , Nor Ajax with more Pride his seven-fold Targe did wield ▪ Oh Noble Subject for new Annals fit , In musty Fame's Records unmention'd yet ! A Looking-Glass must load th' Imperial Car , The most important Carriage of the War ! Galba to kill he thought a Gen'ral's Part , But , as a Courtier , us'd the nicest Art To keep his Skin from Tan : before the Fight Wou'd paint , and set his soil'd Complexion right . A Softness which Semiramis ne're knew , When once she had the Field and Foe in view , Nor Egypt's Queen , when she from Actium flew . No chast Discourse their Festivals afford , Obsceneness is the Language of their Board : Soft lisping Tones , taught by some bald-pate Priest , For skillful Palate , Master of the Feast . A Pack of Prostitutes , un-nerv'd , and rife For th' operation of a 9 Phrygian Knife ; For from such Pathicks 't were but just to take Those Manly Parts , of which no use they make . Gracchus , 't is said , gave to his Trumpeter Four Hundred Sesterce's — For what ? — in Dow'r . The Motion 's lik'd , the Parties are agreed ; And for Performance seal a formal Deed ; Guests are bespoke , a Wedding-Supper made , The wonted Joy is wisht , that done — The He-Bride in his Bridegroom's Arms is laid ! O Peers of Rome ! need these stupendious Times A 10 Censer or Aruspex for such Crimes ? The Prodigy less Monstrous wou'd appear , If Women Calves , or Heifers Lambs shou'd bear ! In Bridal Robe and Veil the Pathick's drest , Who 11 bore the pondrous Shield at M●rs his Feast . 12 Father of Rome , say what detested Clime Taught Latian Shepherds so abhorr'd a Crime ? Say , thundring Mars , from whence the Nettle sprung , Whose Venom first thy Noble Offspring stung ? Behold ! a Man by Birth and Fortune Great Weds with a Man ; yet from th' Etherial Seat No ratling of thy Brazen Wheels we hear , Nor is Earth pierc'd with thy avenging Spear ! Oh! if thy Jurisdiction ( Mars ) falls short To punish Mischiefs of so vast import , Complain to Iove , and move the higher Court. For shame redress this Scandal , or resign Thy Province to some Pow'r that 's more Divine . To Morrow early in Quirinus Vale I must attend — Why ? — Thereby hangs a Tale , A Male-Friend's to be marry'd to a Male. 'T is true the Wedding 's carry'd privately , The Parties being at present somewhat shy ; But that they own the Match , e're long you 'll hear , And see it in the Publick Register . But one sore grief does ●hese He● Brides perplex ; Though they deb●●e , they cannot change their Sex ; Nor yet , by help of all their wicked Art , Bring Offspring to secure their Husband's Heart . Nature too much i' th' dire Embrace is forc'd , But ne're joins Influence with Desires so curs'd : Incestuous Births , and Monst●rs may appear , But teeming Males not Earth nor Hell can bear . Yet Gra●●hus , thou degen'rate Son of Fame , Thy Pranks are stigmatiz'd with greater blame : Theirs was a priva●e , thine an open Shame . Who like a Fencer on a Publick Stage , Hast made thy self the Scandal of the Age. Nor can Ro●●●'s Noblest Blood with thine compare , While thou ma●'st P●stime for the Theatre . To what dir● 〈◊〉 can we assign these Crimes , But to that reigning Atheism of the Times ? Ghosts , Stygian Lakes , and Frogs with croaking Note , And Charon wafting Souls in leaky Boat , Are now thought Fables , to fright Fools conceiv'd . Or Children , and by Children scarce believ'd . Yet give thou Credit . What can we suppose The Temperate Curii , and the Scipio's ; What will Fabricius or Camillus think , When they behold , from their Elisium's brink , An Atheist's Soul to last Perdition sink ? How will they from th' assaulted Banks rebound , And wish for Sacred Rites to purge th' unhallow'd ground . In vain , O Rome ! thou dost thy Conquest boast Beyond the Orcades short-nighted Coast , Since free the conquer'd Provinces remain From Crimes that thy Imperial City stain : Yet Rumour speaks , if we may credit Fame , Of one Armenian Youth , who since he came Has learn'd the impious Trade ; and does exceed The lewdest Pathicks of our Roman Breed . Blessings of Commerce ! he was sent , 't is said , For Breeding hither : And he 's fairly bred . Fly Foreign Youths from our polluted Streets , And , e're unman'd , regain your Native Seats ; Lest , while for Traffick here too long you stay , You learn at last to trade th' Italian way ; And , with curs'd Merchandise returning home , Stock all your Country with the 13 Figs of Rome . The End of the Second Satyr . EXPLANATORY NOTES ON THE SECOND SATYR . SUppos'd by some , to be Caesar , Pompey , and Crassus ; but by others ( more probably ) Augustus , Anthony , and Lepidus . The Lex Iulia against Adultery . Viz. Deform'd , and so resembling Domitian . The Law so called , from Scantinius , against whom it was put in Execution . Suppos'd to be the Colledge of Priests , appointed by Domitian to Celebrate the Quinquatria to Minerva . Perverted Rites . Because here Women were Excluded from the Mysteries , as Men were elsewhere from Ceres's Worship . Cotyttus Orgies . The Goddess of Impudence Worshipp'd at Athens . A Strumpet in her Life time , that us'd to Dance Naked with most Obscene Gestures . An Instance of Extraordinary Effeminacy , it being the Custom for only Women to Swear by Goddesses ; the Men by Iove , Hercules , &c. Alluding to the Priests of the Phrygian Goddesses , who were castrated . Viz. The One to Punish , the Other to Expiate such Unnatural Crimes . He means one of the Salii , or Priests of Mars , who carry'd his Shield and Implements , and was Brawny enough to Dance under them at his Festival . C●elestia Martis Arma ferunt Salii . Ov. Fast. 3. Mars , Father of Romulus , who Founded Rome . Emrods , call'd in Latin , Ficus . THE THIRD SATYR OF JUVENAL , Translated into ENGLISH VERSE BY Mr. DRYDEN . ARGUMENT OF THE Third Satyr . The Story of this Satyr speaks it self . Umbritius , the suppos'd Friend of Juvenal , and himself a Poet , is leaving Rome ; and retiring to Cumae . Our Author accompanies him out of Town . Before they take leave of each other , Umbritius tells his Friend the Reasons which oblige him to lead a private life , in an obscure place . He complains that an honest man cannot get his bread at Rome . That none but Flatterers make their Fortunes there : That Grecians and other Foreigners , raise themselves by those sordid Arts which he describes , and against which ●e bitterly inveighs . He reckons up the several Inconveniencies which arise from a City life ; and the many Dangers which attend it . Upbraids the Noblemen with Covetousness , for not Rewarding good Poets ; and arraigns the Government for starving them . The great Art of this Satyr is particularly shown , in Common Places ; and drawing in as many Vices , as cou'd naturally fall into the compass of it . THE THIRD SATYR . GRiev'd tho I am , an Ancient Friend to lose , I like the Solitary Seat he chose : In quiet 1 Cumae fixing his Repose : Where , far from Noisy Rome secure he Lives , And one more Citizen to Sybil gives . The Road to 2 Bajae , and that soft Recess Which all the Gods with all their Bounty bless . Tho I in 3 Prochyta with greater ease Cou'd live , than in a Street of Palaces . What Scene so De●art , or so full of Fright , As tow'ring Houses tumbling in the Night , And Rome on Fire beheld by its own Blazing Light ? But worse than all , the clatt'ring Tiles ; and worse Than thousand Padders , is the Poet's Curse . Rogues that 4 in Dog-days cannot Rhime forbear ; But without Mercy read , and make you hear . Now while my Friend just ready to depart , Was packing all his Goods in one poor Cart ; He stopp'd a little at the Conduit-Gate , Where 5 Numa modell'd once the Roman State , In Mighty Councels with his 6 Nymphs retir'd : Though now the Sacred Shades and Founts are hir'd By Banish'd Jews , who their whole Wealth can lay In ● smal● Basket , on a Wisp of Hay ▪ Yet such our Avarice is , that every Tree Pays for his Head ; not Sleep it self is free : Nor Place ▪ nor Persons now are Sacred held ▪ From their own Grove the Muses are expell'd . Into this lonely Vale our Steps we bend , I and my sullen discontented Friend : The Marble Caves , and Aquaeducts we view ; But how Adult , rate now , and different from the true ! How much mor● Beauteous had the Fountain been Embellish't with her first Created Green , Where Crystal Streams through living Turf had run ▪ Contented with an Urn of Native Stone ! Then thus Vmbricius , ( with an Angry Frown , And looking back on this degen'rate Town , ) Since Noble Arts in Rome have no suppor● , And ragged Virtue not a Friend at Court , No Profit rises from th' ungrateful Stage , My Poverty encreasing with my Age , 'T is time to give my just Disdain a vent , And , Cursing , leave so base a Government . Where 7 Dedal●● his borrow'd Wings laid by ▪ To that obscure , Retreat I chuse to fly : While yet few furrows on my Face are seen , While I walk upright , and Old Age is green , And 8 Lachesis has somewhat left to spin . Now , now ' tis● time to quit this cursed place ; And hide from Villains my too honest Face : Here let 9 Arturius live , and such as he ; Such Manners will with such a Town agree . Knaves who in full Assemblies have the knack Of turning Truth to Lies , and White to Black : Can hire large Houses , and oppress the Poor By farm'd Excise ; can cleanse the Common-shoare ; And rent the Fishery ; can bear the dead ; And teach their Eyes dissembled Tears to shed : All this for Gain ; for Gain they sell their very Head. These Fellows ( see what Fortune's pow'r can do ) Were once the Minstrels of a Country Show : Follow'd the Priz●s through each paltry Town , By Trumpet-Cheek● , and Bloated Faces known . But now , grown rich , on drunken Holy-days , At their own Costs exhibit Publick Plays ; Where influenc'd by the Rabble's bloody will , With 10 Thumbs bent back , they popularly kill . From thence return'd , their sordid Avarice rake● In Excrements again , and hires the Jakes . Why hire they not the Town , not ev'ry thing , Since such as they have Fortune in a String ? Who , for her pleasure , can her Fools advance ; And toss 'em topmost on the Wheel of Chance . What 's Rome to me , what bus'ness have I there , I who can neither Lye nor falsly Swear ? Nor Praise my Patron 's undeserving Rhimes , Nor yet comply with him , nor with his Times ; Unskill'd in Schemes by Planets to foreshow Like Canting Rascals , how the Wars will go ▪ I neither will , nor can Prognosticate To the young gaping Heir , his Father's Fate ▪ Nor in the En●rails of a Toad have pry'd , Nor carry'd Bawdy Presents to a Bride ▪ For want of these Town Virtues , thus , alone , I go conducted on my way by none : Like a dead Member from the Body rent ; Maim'd and unuseful to the Government . Who now is lov'd , but he who loves the Times , Conscious of close Intrigues ▪ and dipt in Crimes : Lab'ring with Secrets which his Bosom burn , Yet never must ●o publick light return ; They get Reward alone who can Betray : For keeping honest Counsels none will pay . He who can 11 Verres , when he will , accuse , The Purse of Verres may at Pleasure use : But let not all the Gold which 12 Tagus hides , And pays the Sea in Tributary Tides , Be Bribe sufficient to corrupt thy Breast ; Or violate with Dreams thy peaceful rest . Great Men with jealous Eyes the Friend behold , Whose secrecy they purchase with their Gold. I haste to tell thee , nor shall Shame oppose , What Confidents our Wealthy Romans chose : And whom I most abhor : To speak my Mind , I hate , in Rome , a Grecian Town to find : To see the Scum of Greece transplanted here , Receiv'd like Gods , is what I cannot bear . Nor Greeks alone , but Syrians here abound , Obscene 13 Orontes diving under Ground , Conveys 14 his Wealth to Tyber's hungry Shoars , And fattens Italy with Foreign Whores : Hether their crooked Harps and Customs come ; All find Receipt in Hospitable Rome . The Barbarous Harlots croud the Publick Place : Go Fools , and purchase an unclean Embrace ; The painted Mitre court , and the more painted Face . Old 15 Romulus , and Father Mars look down , Your Herdsman Primitive , your homely Clown Is turn'd a Beau in a loose ●awdry Gown . His once unke●●'d , and horrid Locks , behold Stilling sweet Oyl ; his Neck inchain'd with Gold : Aping the Foreigners , in ev'ry Dress ; Which , bought at greater cost , becomes him less . Mean time they wisely leave their Native Land , From Sycion , Samos , and from Al●band , And Amydon , to Rome they Swarm in Shoals ▪ So Sweet and Easie is the Gain from Fools . Poor Refugies at first , they purchase here : And , soon as Denizen'd , they domineer . Grow to the Great , a flatt'ring Servile Rout : Work themselves inward ▪ and their Patrons out ▪ Quick Witted , Brazen-●ac'd , with fluent Tongues ▪ Patient of Labours , and dissembling Wrongs . Riddle me this , and guess him if you can , Who bears a Nation in a single Man ? A Cook , a Conjurer , a Rhetorician ▪ A Painter , 〈◊〉 , a Geometrician , A Dancer on the Ropes , and a Physician . All things the hungry Greek exactly knows : And bid him go to Heav'n , to Heav'n he goes . In short , no S●y●hian . Moor , or Thr●cian Born , But 16 in that Town which Arms and Arts adorn . Shall he be pla●'d above me at the Board , In Purple Cloath'd ▪ and lolling like a Lord ? Shall he before me ●ign , whom t'other Day A small-craft Vesse● hi●her did convey ; Where , stow'd 〈◊〉 Prunes ▪ and rotten Figs , he lay ? How little is 〈◊〉 Priviledge become Of being born a Citizen of Rome ! The Greeks get all by fulsom Flatteries ; A most peculiar Stroke they have at Lies . They make a Wit of th●●r Insipid Friend ; His blobber-Lips and beetle-Brows commend : His long Crane Neck , and narrow Shoulders 〈◊〉 ; You 'd think they were describing Hercules . A creaking Voice for a clear Tr●bble goes ; Tho harsher than a Cock that Treads and Crows . We can as grosly Praise ; but , to our Grief , No Flatt'ry but from Grecia●s gains Belief . Besides these Qualities , we must agree They Mimick better on the Stage than we : The Wife , the Whore , the Shepherdess they Play , In such a Free , and such a Graceful way , That we believe a very Woman shown ; And fancy something unde●neath the Gown . But not 17 〈◊〉 , nor S●ra●●cl●s , Our Ears and Ravish'd Eyes can only please : The Nation is compos'd of such as these . All Greece is one Comm●dian : Laugh , and they Return it louder than an As● can bray : Grieve , and they Grieve ; if you Weep silently , There seems a silent Eccho in their Eye : They cannot Mourn like you ; but they can Cry. Call for a Fire , their Winter Clo●●hs they take : Begin but you to shiver , and they shake : In Frost and Snow , if you complain of Heat , They rub th' unswea●ing Brow , and Swear th●y Sw●eat . We live not on the Square with such as th●s● : Such are our Betters who can better please : Who Day and Night are like a Looking-Glass ; Still ready to reflect their Patron 's Face . The Panegyrick Hand , and lifted Eye , Prepar'd for some new Piece of Flattery . Ev'n Nastiness , Occasions will afford : They praise a belching , or well-pissing Lord. Besides there 's nothing Sacred , nothing free From bold Attempts of their rank Leachery . Through the whole Family their labours run ; The Daughter is debauch'd , the Wife is won ; Nor scapes the Bridegroom , or the blooming Son. If none they find for their lewd purpose fit , They with the Walls and very Floors commit . They search the Secrets of the House , and so Are worshipp'd there , and fear'd for what they know . And , now we talk of Grecians , cast a view On what , in Schools , their Men of Morals do : A rigid 18 Stoick his own Pupil slew . A Friend , against a Friend , of his own Cloath , Turn'd Evidence , and murther'd on his Oath . What room is left for Romans , in a Town Where Grecians Rule , and Cloaks control the Gown ? Some 19 Diphilus , or some Protogenes , Look sharply out , our Senators to seize : Engross 'em wholly , by their Native Art , And fear no Rivals in their Bubbles heart : One drop of Poison in my Patron 's Ear , One slight suggestion of a senseless fear , Infus'd with cunning , serves to ruine me : Disgrac'd and banish'd from the Family . In vain forgotten Services I boast ; My long dependance in an hour is lost : Look round the World , what Country will appear , Where Friends are left with greater ease than here ? At Rome ( nor think me partial to the Poor ) All Offices of ours are out of Door : In vain we rise , and to their Levees run ; My Lord himself is up , before , and gone : The Praetor bids his Lictors mend their pace ; Lest his Collegue outstrip him in the Race : The childless Matrons are , long since , awake ; And , for Affronts , the tardy Visits take . 'T is frequent , here , to see a free-born Son On the left-hand of a Rich Hireling run : Because the wealthy Rogue can throw away , For half a Brace of Bouts , a Tribune's pay : But you , poor Sinner , tho you love the Vice , And like the Whore , demurr upon the Price : And , frighted with the wicked Sum , forbear To lend a hand , and help her from the Chair . Produce a Witness of unblemish'd life , Holy as Numa , or as Numa's Wife , Or 20 him who bid th' unhallow'd Flames retire ; And snatch'd the trembling Goddess from the Fire : The Question is not put how far extends His Piety , but what he yearly spends : Quick , to the Bus'ness ; how he Lives and Eats ; How largely Gives , how splendidly he Treats : How many thousand Acres feed his Sheep , What are his Rents , what Servants does he keep ? Th' Account is soon cast up ; the Judges rate Our Credit in the Court , by our Estate . Swear by our Gods , or those the G●eeks adore , Thou art as sure Forsworn , as thou art Poor : The Poor must gain their Bread by Perjury : And even the Gods , that other Means deny , In Conscience must absolve 'em , when they lye . Add , that the Rich have still a Gibe in store : And will be monstrous witty on the Poor : For the torn Surtout and the ●atter'd Vest , The Wretch and all his Wardrobe are a Jest : The greasie Gown , s●lly'd with often turning , Gives a good hint , to say The Man 's in Mourning : Or if the Shoo be ript , or patches put , He 's wounded ! see the Plaister on his Foot. Want is the Scorn of ev'ry Wealthy Fool : And Wit in Rags is turn'd to Ridicule . Pack hence , and from the Cover'd Benches rise , ( The Master of the Ceremonies cries ) This is no place for you , whose small Estate Is not the Value of the settled Rate : The Sons of happy Punks , the Pandars Heir , Are priviledg'd to sit in triumph there ; To clap the first , and rule the Theatre . Up to the Galleries , for shame , retreat : For , by the 21 Roscian Law , the Poor can claim no Seat. Who ever brought to his rich Daughter's Bed The Man that poll'd but Twelve-pence for his Head ? Who ever nam'd a poor Man for his Heir ▪ Or call'd him to assist the Judging Chair ? The Poor were wise , who by the Rich oppress'd , Withdrew , and sought a Sacred Place of Rest. Once they did well , to free themselves from Scorn ; But had done better never to return . Rarely they rise by Virtues aid , who lie Plung'd in the d●pth of helpless Poverty . At Rome 't is worse : where House-rent by the Year , And Servants Bellies cost so Dev'llish dear ; And Tavern Bills run high for hungry Chear . To drink or eat in Earthen Ware we scorn , Which cheaply Country Cupboards does adorn : And coarse blew Hoods on Holydays are worn . Some distant parts of Italy are known , Where 22 none , but only dead Men , wear a Gown : On Theatres of Turf , in homely State , Old Plays they act , old Feasts they Celebrate : The same rude Song returns upon the Crowd ; And , by Tradition , is for Wit allow'd . The Mimick Yearly gives the same Delights : And in the Mother's Arms the Clownish Infant frights . Their Habits ( undistinguish'd , by degree ) Are plain , alike ; the same Simplicity , Both on the Stage , and in the Pit , you see . In his white Cloak the Magistrate appears ; The Country Bumpkin the same Liv'ry wears . But here , Attir'd beyond our Purse we go , For useless Ornament and flaunting Show : We ●ake on ●rust , in Purple Robes to shine ; And Poor , are yet Ambitious to be fine . This is a common Vice ; tho all things here Are sold , and sold unconscionably dear . What will you give that 23 Cossus may but view Your Face , and in the Crowd distinguish you ; May take your Incense like a gracious God ; And answer only with a Civil Nod ? To please our Patrons , in this vicious Age , We make our Entrance by the Fav'rite Page : Shave his first down , and when he Polls his Hair , The Consecrated Locks to Temples bear : Pay Tributary Cracknels , which he sells ; And , with our Offerings , help to raise his Va●ls . Who fears , in Country Towns , a House's fall , Or to be caught betwixt a riven Wall ? But we Inhabit a weak City , here ; Which Buttresses and Props but scarcely bear : And 't is the Village Masons daily Calling , To keep the World's Metropolis from falling . To cleanse the Gutters , and the Chinks to close ; And , for one Night , secure his Lord's Repose . At Cumae we can sleep , quite round the Year : Nor Falls , nor Fires , nor Nightly Dangers fear ; While rolling Flames from Roman Turrets fly , And the pale Citizens for Buckets cry . Thy Neighbour has remov'd his Wretched Store ( Few Hands will rid the Lumber of the Poor ) Thy own third Story smoaks ; while thou , supine , Art drench'd in Fumes of undigested Wine . For if the lowest Floors already burn , Cock-lofts and Garrets soon will take the Turn . Where 24 thy tame Pidgeons next the Tiles were bred , Which in their Nests unsafe , are timely fled . 25 Codrus had but one Bed , so short to boot , That his short Wife 's short Legs hung dangling out ▪ His Cup-board's Head , six Earthen Pitchers grac'd , Beneath 'em was his Trusty Tankard plac'd : And , to support this Noble Plate , there lay A bending Chiron cast from honest Clay : His few Greek Books a rotten Chest contain'd ; Whose Covers much of mouldiness complain'd : Where Mice and Rats devour'd Poetick Bread ; And with Heroick Verse luxuriously were fed . 'T is true , poor Codrus nothing had to boast , And yet poor Codrus all that Nothing lost . Beg'd naked through the Streets of wealthy Rome ; And found not one to feed , or take him home . But if the Palace of Arturius burn , The Nobles change their Cloaths , the Matrons mourn ; The City Praetor will no Pleadings hear ; The very Name of Fire we hate and fear : And look agast , as if the Gauls were here . While yet it burns , th' officious Nation flies , Some to condole , and some to bring supplies : One sends him Marble to rebuild ; and one White naked Statues of the Parian Stone : The Work of Polyclete , that seem to live ; While others , Images for Altars give : One Books and Skreens , and Pallas to the Brest ; Another Bags of Gold ; and he gives best . Childless Arturius , vastly rich before , Thus by his Losses multiplies his Store : Suspected for Accomplice to the Fire , That burnt his Palace but to build it higher . But , cou'd you be content to bid adieu To the dear Play-house , and the Players too , Sweet Country Seats are purchas'd ev'ry where , With Lands and Gardens , at less price , than here You hire a darksom Doghole by the year . A small Convenience , decently prepar'd , A shallow Well , that rises in your yard , That spreads his easie Crystal Streams around ; And waters all the pretty spot of Ground . There , love the Fork ; thy Garden cultivate ; And give thy frugal Friends 26 a Pythagorean Treat . 'T is somewhat to be Lord of some small Ground ; In which a Lizard may , at least , turn round . 'T is frequent , here , for want of sleep to dye ; Which Fumes of undigested Feasts deny ; And , with imperfect heat , in languid Stomachs fry . What House secure from noise the poor can keep , When ev'n the Rich can scarce afford to sleep ? So dear it costs to purchase Rest in Rome ; And hence the sources of Diseases come . The Drover who his Fellow-drover meets , In narrow passages of winding Streets ; The Waggoners , that curse their standing Teams , Wou'd wake ev'n drousie Drusus from his Dreams . And yet the Wealthy will not brook delay ; But sweep above our Heads , and make their way ; In lofty Litters born , and read , and write , Or sleep at ease : The Shutters make it Night . Yet still he reaches , first , the Publick Place : The prease before him stops the Client's pace . The Crowd that follows , crush his panting sides : And trip his heels ; he walks not , but he rides . One ●lbows him , one justles in the Shole : A Rafter breaks his Head , or Chairman's Pole : Stockin'd with loads of fat Town-dirt he goes ; And some Rogue-Souldier , with his Hob-nail'd Shoos , Indents his Legs behind in bloody rows . See with what Smoke our Doles we celebrate : A hundred Ghests , invited , walk in state : A hundred hungry Slaves , with their Dutch Kitchins wait . Huge Pans the Wretches on their heads must bear ; Which scarce 27 Gygantick Corbulo cou'd rear : Yet they must walk upright beneath the load ; Nay run , and running , blow the sparkling flames abroad . Their Coats , from botching newly brought , are torn : Unweildy Timber-trees , in Waggons born , Stretch'd at their length , beyond their Carriage lye ; That nod , and threaten ruin from on high . For , shou'd their Axel break , its overthrow Wou'd crush , and pound to dust , the Crowd below : Nor Friends their Friends , nor Sires their Sons cou'd know : Nor Limbs , nor Bones , nor Carcass wou'd remain ; But a mash'd heap , a Hotchpotch of the Slain . One vast destruction ; not the Soul alone , But Bodies , like the Soul , invisible are flown . Mean time , unknowing of their Fellows Fate , The Servants wash the Platter , scour the Plate , Then blow the Fire , with puffing Cheeks , and lay The Rubbers , and the Bathing-sheets display ; And oyl them first ; and each is handy in his way . But he , for whom this busie care they take , Poor Ghost , is wandring by the Stygian Lake : Affrighted with 28 the Ferryman's grim Face ; New to the Horrours of that uncouth place : His passage begs with unreguarded Pray'r : And wants two Farthings to discharge his Fare . Return we to the Dangers of the Night ; And , first , behold our Houses dreadful height : From whence come broken Potsherds tumbling down ; And leaky Ware , from Garret Windows thrown : Well may they break our Heads , that mark the flinty Stone . ●Tis want of Sence to sup abroad too late ; Unless thou first hast settled thy Estate . As many Fates attend , thy Steps to meet , As there are waking Windows in the Street . Bless the good Gods , and think thy chance is rare To have a Piss-pot only for thy share . The scouring Drunkard , if he does not fight Before his Bed-time , takes no rest that Night . Passing the tedious Hours in greater pain Than 29 stern Achilles , when his Friend was slain : 'T is so ridiculous , but so true withall , A Bully cannot sleep without a Braul . Yet tho his youthful Blood be fir'd with Wine , He wants not Wit , the Danger to decline : Is cautious to avoid the Coach and Six , And on the Lacquies will no Quarrel fix . His Train of Flambeaus , and Embroider'd Coat May Priviledge my Lord to walk secure on Foot. But me , who must by Moon-light homeward bend , Or lighted only with a Candle's end , Poor me he fights , if that be fighting , where He only Cudgels , and I only bear . He stands , and bids me stand : I must abide ; For he 's the stronger , and is Drunk beside . Where did you whet your Knife to Night , he cries , And shred the Leeks that in your Stomach rise ? Whose windy Beans have stuff't your Guts , and where Have your black Thumbs been dipt in Vinegar ? With what Companion Cobler have you fed , On old Ox-cheeks , or He-Goats tougher Head ? What , are you Dumb ? Quick with your Answer , quick ; Before my Foot Salutes you with a Kick. Say , in what nasty Cellar , under Ground , Or what Church-Porch your Rogueship may be found ? Answer , or Answer not , 't is all the same : He lays me on , and makes me bear the blame . Before the Bar , for beating him , you come ; This is a Poor Man's Liberty in Rome . You beg his Pardon ; happy to retreat With some remaining Teeth , to chew your Meat . Nor is this all : for , when Retir'd , you think To sleep securely ; when the Candles wink , When every Door with Iron Chains is barr'd , And roaring Taverns are no longer heard ; The Ruffian Robbers , by no Justice aw'd , And unpaid cut-Throat Soldiers are abroad . Those Venal Souls , who harden'd in each ill To save Complaints and Prosecution , kill . Chas'd from their Woods and Bogs the Padders come To this vast City , as their Native Home : To live at ease , and safely sculk in Rome . The Forge in Fetters only is employ'd ; Our Iron Mines exhausted and destroy'd In Shackles ; for these Villains scarce allow Goads for the Teams , and Plough-shares for the Plough . Oh happy Ages of our Ancestours , Beneath 30 the Kings and Tribunitial Pow'rs ! One Jayl did all their Criminals restrain ; Which , now , the Walls of Rome can scarce contain . More I cou'd say ; more Causes I cou'd show For my departure ; but the Sun is low : The Waggoner grows weary of my stay ; And whips his Horses forwards on their way . Farewell ; and when , like me , o'rewhelm'd with care , You to your own 31 Aquinum shall repair , To take a mouthful of sweet Country air , Be mindful of your Friend ; and send me word , What Joys your Fountains and cool Shades afford : Then , to assist your Satyrs , I will come : And add new Venom , when you write of Rome . The End of the Third Satyr . EXPLANATORY NOTES ON THE THIRD SATYR . CVmae , a small City in Campania , near Puteoli , or Puzzolo as it is call'd . The Habitation of the C●maean Sybil. Bajae ; Another little Town in Campanio , near the Sea : A pleasant Place . Prochyta : A small Barren Island belonging to the Kingdom of Naples . In Dog-days . The Poets in Iuvenal's time , us'd to rehearse their Poetry in August . Numa . The second King of Rome ; who made their Laws , and instituted their Religion . Nymph . Aegeria , a Nymph , or Goddess ; with whom Numa feign'd to converse by Night ; and to be instructed by her , in modeling his Superstitions . Where Daedalus , &c. Meaning at C●m●e . Lachesis ; one of the three Destinies , whose Office was to spin the Life of every Man : as it was of Clotho to hold the Distaff , and Atropos to cut the Thread . Arturius . Any debauch'd wicked Fellow who gains by the times . With Thumbs bent backward . In a Prize of Sword-Players , when one of the Fencers had the other at his Mercy , the Vanquish'd Party implor'd the Clemency of the Spectators . If they thought he deserv'd it not , they held up their Thumbs and bent them backwards , in sign of Death . Verres , Praetor in Sicily , Contemporary with Cicero ; by whom accus'd of oppressing the Province , he was Condemn'd : His Name is u●'d here for any Rich Vicious Man. Tagus , a Famous River in Spain , which discharges it self into the Ocean near Lisbone in Portugal . It was held of old , to be full of Golden Sands . Orontes , the greatest River of Syria : The P●et here puts the River for the Inhabitans of Syria . Tyber ; the River which runs by Rom● Romulus ; First King of Rome ; Son of Mars , as the Poets feign , the first Romans were Originally Herdsmen . But in that Town , &c. He means Athens ; of which , Pallas the Goddess of Arms and Arts was Patroness . Antiochus and Stratocles , two Famous Grecian Mimicks , or Actors in the Poet's time . A Rigid Stoick , &c. Publius Egnatius a Stoick , falsly accus'd Bareas Soranus ; as Tacitus tells us . Diphilus , and Protogenes , &c. Were Grecians living in Rome . Or him who had , &c. Lucius Metellus the High Priest ; who when the Temple of Vesta was on Fire , sav'd the Palladium . For by the Roscian Law , &c. Roscius a Tribune , who order'd the distinction of Places in Publick Shows , betwixt the Noblemen of Rome and the Plebeians . Where none but only dead Men , &c. The meaning is , that Men in some parts of Italy never wore a Gown ( the usual Habit of the Romans ) till they were bury'd in one . Cossus is here taken for any great Man. Where the tame Pidgeons , &c. The Romans us'd to breed their ●ame Pidgeons in their Garrets . Codrus , a Learned Man , very poor : by his Books suppos'd to be a Poet. For , in all probability , the Heroick Verses here mention'd , which Rats and Mice devour'd , were Homer's Works . A Pythagorean Treat : He means Herbs , Roots , Fruits , and Sallads . Gygantick Corbulo . Corbulo was a Famous General in Nero's time , who Conquerd Armenia ; and was afterwards put to Death by that Tyrant , when he was in Greece , in reward of his great Services . His Stature was not only tall , above the ordinary Size ; but he was also proportionably strong . The Ferry-Man's , &c. Charon the Ferry-Man of Hell ; whose Fare was a Half-penny for every Soul. Stern Achilles . The Friend of Achilles , was Patroclus who was slain by Hector . Beneath the Kings , &c. Rome was Originally Rul'd by Kings ; till for the Rape of Lucretia , Tarquin the proud was expell'd . After which it was Govern'd by two Consuls , Yearly chosen : but they oppressing the People , the Commoners Mutiny'd ; and procur'd Tribunes to be Created ; who defended their Priviledges , and often oppos'd the Consu ar Authority , and the Senate . Aquinum , was the Birth-place of Iuvenal . THE FOURTH SATYR OF JUVENAL , Translated into ENGLISH VERSE . ARGUMENT OF THE Fourth Satyr . The Poet in this Satyr first brings in Cri●pinus , whom be had a lash at in his first Satyr , and whom he promises here not to be forgetful of for the future . He exposes his monstrous Prodigality and Luxury in giving the Price of an Estate for a Barbel● and from thence takes occasion to introduce the principal Subject , and true Design of this Satyr , which is grounded upon a ridiculous Story of a Turbut presented to Domitian , of so vast a bigness that all the Emperor's Scullery had not a Dish large enough to bold it : Upon which the Senate in all haste is summon'd , to Consult in this Exigency , what is fittest to be done . The Poet gives us a Particular of the Senators Names , their distinct Characters , and Speeches , and Advice ; and after much and wise Consultation , an Expedient being found out and agreed upon , he dismisses the Senate , and concludes the Satyr . THE FOURTH SATYR . ONce more Crispinus call'd upon the Stage , ( Nor shall once more suffice ) provokes my Rage A Monster , to whom every Vice lays claim Without one Virtue to redeem his Fame . Feeble and Sick , yet strong in Lust alone , The rank Adult're● preys on all the Town , All but the Widows nauseous Charms go down . What matter then how stately is the Arch Where his tir'd Mules flow with their Burden march ? What matter then how thick and long the Shade Through which by sweating Slaves he is convey'd ? How many Acres near the City Walls , Or new-built Palaces his own he calls ? No ill Man's happy : least of all is he Whose study 't is to corrupt Chastity ; The incestuous Brute , who the veil'd Vestal Maid But lately to his impious Bed betray'd , Who for her Crime , 1 if Laws their Course might have , Ought to descend alive into the Grave . But now of slighter Faults ; and yet the same By others done , the Censors Justice claim . For what good Men ignoble count and base , Is Virtue here , and does Crispinus grace : In this ●e's safe whate'er 〈…〉 The Person is more odious than the Crime . And so all Satyr's lost . The Lavish Slave Six 2 thousand Pieces for a Barbel gave , A Sesterce for each Pound it weigh'd , as they Give out that hear great things , but greater say . If by this Bribe well-plac'd , he would ●nsnare Some sapless Usurer that wants an Heir , Or if this Present the sly Cou●●●● meant , Should to some Punk of Quality be 〈◊〉 , That in her easie Chair in state does ride , The Glasses all drawn up on ev'ry side , I 'd praise his Cunning ; but expect not this , For his own Gut he bought the stately Fish. Now even 3 Apicius Frugal seems , and Poor , Outvy'd in Luxury unknown before . Gave you , Crispinus , you this mighty Sum ? You , that , for want of other Rags , did come In your own Country Paper wrapp'd , to Rome . Do Scales and Fins bear Price to this Excess ? You might have bought the Fisherman for less . For less some Provinces whole 〈…〉 Nay 4 in Apulia , if you bargain well , A Mannor wou'd cost less than such a 〈◊〉 What think we then of his 5 Luxurious Lord ? What Banquers loaded that Imperiall Board ? When in one Dish , that taken from the rest His constant Table wou'd have hardly mist , So many Sesterces were swallow'd down To stuff one Sc●rlet coated Court 〈◊〉 Whom Rome of all her Knights now Chiefest gre●●● , From crying stinking ●ish about her Streets . Begin , Calliope , but not to sing● Plain , Honest Truth we for our Subject b●ing . Help then , ye young Pierian Maids , to ●ell A downright Narrative of what befell . Afford me willingly your Sacred aids , Me that have call'd you young , me that have stil'd you Maids . When he , with whom 6 the 〈◊〉 Race decay'd , The groaning World with Iron Scepter sway'd , When 7 a bald Nero Reign'd , and servile Rome obey'd . Where Venus Shrine does fair Ancona grace , A Turbut taken of Prodigious Space , Fill'd the extended Net , not less than those That dull Maeotis does with Ice enclose , Till conquer'd by the Sun 's prevailing Ray , It opens to the Pontick Sea their way ; And throws them out unweildy with their Growth ; Fat with long ease , and a whole Winte●'s sloth . The wise Commander of the Boat and Lines , For 8 our High Priest the stately Prey designs ; For who that Lordly Fish durst sell or buy , So many Spies and Court-Informers nigh ? No Shoar but of this Vermin Swarms does bear , Searchers of Mud and Sea-weed ! that would swear The Fish had long in Caesar's Ponds been fed , And from its Lord undutifully fled ; So , justly ought to be again restor'd : Nay , if you credit Sage 9 Palphurius word , Or dare rely on Armillatus Skill , Whatever Fish the vulgar Fry excel Belong to Caesar , wheresoe'er they swim , By their own worth confiscated to him . The Boatman then shall a wise Present make , And give the Fish before the Seizers take . Now sickly Autumn to dry Frosts gave way , Cold Winter rag'd , and fresh preserv'd the Prey , Yet with such haste the busie Fisher flew , As if a hot South Wind Corruption blew : And now he reach'd the Lake , 10 where what remains Of Alba , still her Antient Rites retains , Still Worships Vesta , 11 tho an humbler way , Nor lets the hallow'd Trojan Fire decay . The wond'ring Crowd that to strange Sights resort , And choak'd a while his Passage to the Court , At length gives way ; ope flies the Pallace-Gate , The Turbut enters in , without 12 the Fathers wait . The Boatman straight does to Aftrides press , And thus presents his Fish , and his Address . Accept , Dread Sir , this Tribute from the Main , Too great for private Kitchins to contain . To your glad Genius sacrifice this day , Let common Meats respectfully give way . Haste to unload your Stomach to receive This Turbut , that for you did only live , So long preserv'd to be Imperial Food , Glad of the Net , and to be taken proud . How fulsom this ! how gross ! yet this takes well , And the vain Prince with empty Pride does swell . Nothing so monstrous can be said or feign'd But with Belief and Joy is entertain'd , When to his Face the worthless Wretch is prais'd , Whom vile Court-Flattery to a God has rais'd . But oh hard Fate ! the Palace stores no Dish Afford capacious of the mighty Fish. To sage Debate are summon'd all the Peers His Trusty and much hated Councellors , In whose pale look that ghastly Terror sat That haunts the dangerous Friendships of the Great . 13 The loud Liburnian that the Senate call'd , Run , run , he 's set , he 's set , no sooner baul'd , But with his Robe snatch'd up in haste , does come Pegasus , 14 Bailiff of affrighred Rome . What more were Praefects then ? the Best he was , And faithfullest Expounder of the Laws . Yet in ill times thought all things manag'd best , When Justice Exercis'd her Sword the least . 15 Old Crispus next , Pleasant tho' Old , appears , His Wit , nor Humour , yielding to his years . His Temper mild , good Nature joyn'd with Sense , And Manners charming as his Eloquence . Who fitter for a useful Friend than he , To the Great Ruler of the Earth and Sea , If as his Thoughts were Just his Tongue were free If it were safe to vent his Generous Mind To Rome's dire Plague and Terrour of Mankind ▪ If cruel Power could softning Councel bear , But what 's so tender as a Tyrant's Ear ? With whom whoever , tho a Fav'rite spake , At every Sentence set his Life at stake , Tho the Discourse were of no weightier things , Than sultry Summers or unhealthful Springs . This well he knew , and therefore never try'd , With his weak Arms to stem the stronger Tyde . Nor did all Rome , grown Spiritless , supply A Man that for bold Truth durst bravely dye . So safe by wise complying silence , he Ev'n in that Court did fourscore Summers see . Next him Acilius , tho his Age the same , With eager haste to the Grand Councel came . With him a Youth , unworthy of the Fate That did too near his growing Virtues wait , Urg'd by the Tyrant's Envy , Fear , or Hate . ( But 't is long since Old Age began to be In Noble Blood no less than Prodigy , Whence 't is I 'd rather be of 16 Gyants Birth A Pigmy-Brother to those Sons of Earth . ) Unhappy Youth ! whom from his destin'd End No well dissembled Madness could defend ; When Naked in the Alban Theater , In Lybian Bears he fixt his Hunting Spear . Who sees not now through the Lord 's thin disguise That long seem'd Fools to prove at last more wise ? That State-Court trick is now too open laid , Who now admires the 17 part old Brutus Play'd ? Those honest times might swallow this pretence When 18 the King's Beard was deeper than his Sence . Next Rubrius came , 19 tho not of Noble Race , With equal marks of Terror in his Face . Pale with the gnawing Guilt and inward Shame Of an old Crime that is not fit to name . Worse , yet in Scandal taking more delight , Than 20 the vile Pathick that durst Satyr write . Montanus Belly next , advancing slow Before the sweating Senator did go . Crispinus after , but much sweeter comes , Sented with costly Oyls and Eastern Gums , More than would serve two Funerals for Perfumes . Then Pompey , none more skill'd in the Court Game Of cutting Throats with a soft Whisper , came . Next Fuscus , he who many a peaceful day For 21 Dacian Vultures was reserv'd a Prey , Till having study'd War enough at home , He led abroad th' unhappy Arms of Rome . Cunning Vejento next , and by his side Bloody Catullus , leaning on his Guide , Decrepit , yet a furious Lover he , And deeply smit with Charms he could not see . A Monster , that even this worst Age outvies , Conspicuous , and above the common size . A blind base Flatterer , 22 from some Bridge or Gate Rais'd to murdering Minister of State. Deserving still to beg upon the Road , And bless each passing Waggon and its Load ! None more admir'd the Fish ; He in its Praise With Zeal his Voice , with Zeal his Hands did raise , But to the left all his fine things did say , Whilst on his right the unseen Turbut lay . So he the Fam'd Cilician Fencer prais'd , And at each hit with Wonder seem'd amaz'd . So did the Scenes and Stage Machines admire , And Boys that flew through Canvas Clouds in Wyre . Nor came Vejento short ; but as inspir'd By thee , Bellona , by thy Fury fir'd , Turns Prophet : See , the Mighty Omen , see , He cries , of some Illustrious Victory ! Some Captive King , Thee his new Lord shall own . Or from his Brittish Chariot headlong thrown The 23 Proud Arviragus came tumbling down ! The Monsters Forreign . 24 Mark the pointed Spears That from thy Hand on his pierc'd Back he wears ? Who Nobler could , or plainer things presage ? Yet one thing scap'd him , the Prophetick Rage Shew'd not the Turbut's Country , not its Age. At length by Caesar the grand Question 's put : My Lords , your Judgment : Shall the Fish be cut ? Far be it , far from us ! Montanus cries , Let 's not dishonour thus the Noble Prize ! A Pot of finest Earth , thin , deep , and wide Some 25 Skilful quick Prometheus must provide . Clay and the forming Wheel prepare with speed ! But , Caesar , be it from henceforth decreed , That Potters on the Royal Progress wait T' assist in these Emergencies of State. This Council pleas'd ; nor cou'd it fail to take So fit , so worthy of the Man that spake . The old Court Riots he remember'd well , Could Tales of Nero's Midnight Suppers tell , When Falern Wines the lab'ring Lungs did fire , And to new Dainties kindled false Desire . In Arts of Eating none more early Train'd , None in my time had equal Skill attain'd . He whither 26 Circe's Rock his Oysters bore , Or 27 Lucrine Lake , or 28 the Rutupian Shoar Knew at first taste , nay at first sight cou'd tell A Crab or Lobster's Country by its Shell . They rise , and straight all with respectful Awe , At the word given , obsequiously withdraw , Whom full of eager haste , surprise , and fear , Our mighty Prince had summon'd to appear ; As if some News he 'd of the Catti tell , Or that the fierce Sicambrians did Rebel : As if Expresses from all Parts had come With fresh Alarms threatning the Fate of Rome . What Folly this ! but oh ! that all the rest Of his dire Reign had thus been spent in Jest ! And all that time such Trifles had employ'd In which so many Nobles he destroy'd ! He safe , they unreveng'd , to the disgrace Of the surviving , tame , Patrician Race ! But when he dreadful to the Rabble grew , Him , who so many Lords had slain , they slew . The End of the Fourth Satyr . EXPLANATORY NOTES ON THE FOURTH SATYR . IF Laws their course , &c. Ought to descend , &c. Crispinus had deflour'd a Vestal Virgin , but by his Favour with Domitian , she escap'd the Punishment due to her Offence ; which was to be bury'd alive by Numa's Law ; as may be seen in Livy , l. 1. and is more particularly describ'd in Plutarch's Life of Numa . Six thousand Pieces Six thousand of the Roman Sestertii , which makes six Sestertia , according to our Account , 46 l. 17 s. 6 d. Now even Apicius . A Man for Gluttony and Prodigality famous even to a Proverb , who having spent most of his vast Estate upon his Gut , for fear of want poison'd himself , Senec. Nay in Apulia . Part of Italy , near the Adriatick Gulf , where Land it seems , was very cheap , either for the barrenness and cragged heighth of the Mountains , or for the unwholsomness of the Air , and the Wind Atabulus . Horac . Lib. 1. Sat. 5. Montes Apulia notos — quos torret Atabulus & quos Nunquam erepsemus , &c. His Luxurious Lord. The Emperor Domitian . The Flavian Race decay'd . Domitian was the last and worst of the Flavian Family , which tho at first obscure , yet had produc'd great and good Men. Reipublica nequaquam paenitenda , says Sueton. 9. For of this Family were Vespasian and Titus . A bald Nero. Domitian , who could not so much as bear with Patience the mention of baldness ▪ tho in Jest only , and objected to another , as Suetonius in his Life tells us . And who , for his Cruelty , is here call'd a second Nero. Our High Priest , The Emperor Domitian call'd so , either from his Instituting the Colledge of the Alban Priests , of whom he was as it were , Chief ; or for taking upon him the Office of Pontifex Maximus in the Condemnation of the Vestal Virgin Cornetia ; or , more generally , because often the Emperors assum'd both the Title and Office of High Priest. Palphurius and Armillatus . Both Men of Consular Degree : Lawyers , and Spies , and Informers , and so Favourites of Domitian . What remains of Alba , &c. Alba longa built by Ascanius , about fifteen Miles from Rome , was destroy'd after by Tullus Hostilius , the Temples only excepted , ( Liv. l. 1. ) The Albans upon this their Misfortunes neglecting their Worship , were by sundry Prodigies commanded to restore their Ancient Rites , the chief of which was the keeping perpetually burning the Vestal Fire , which was brought thither by Aenaeas and his Trojans as a fatal Pledge of the perpetuity of the Roman Empire . Tho an humbler way . There was a more stately Temple erected to Vesta at Rome by Numa , than this of Alba , where the same Ceremonies were us'd . The Fathers . The Senate always so call'd . Patres Conscripti . The lowd Liburnian . Some say that of the People of this Country , which is a part of Illyricum , the Romans made their Cryers , because of their lowd Voyces . Others take Liburnus for the proper Name of one Man — Liburnus that the Senate call'd . Pegasus , Bailiff . A Citizen of Alba , a very Learned Lawyer , and Praefect or Chief Magistrate of Rome . He calls him here Bayliff : As if Rome , by Domitian's Cruelty , had so far lost its Liberty and Priviledges , that it now was no better than a Country Village , and fit to be Govern'd by no better than a Bayliff . Old Crispus , ( Vibius Crispus . ) This was he that made the known Jest upon Domitian's killing Flies . When one day Domitian being alone in his Closet , and being ask'd whether there was any one left within with the Emperor , he answer'd No , not so much as a Fly. The Names and Characters of most of these Senators here mention'd may be found in Suetonius ' Life of Domitian , and in Tacitus . Of Giants Birth . Of an obscure and unknown Family . The Part old Brutus play'd . 'T is a known Story , how Brutus finding that his own Brother and some of the most considerable Men of Rome had been put to Death by Tarquinius Superbus , counterfeited himself a Madman or Fool , and so avoided the Tyrant's Cruelty , till he had gain'd a fit time to destroy him , revenge his Brother's and Countrymens Deaths , and free Rome . When the King's Beard . In those Antient and more simple times , when it was the Custom never to shave their Beards : For 400 Years there was no such thing as a Barber heard of in Rome . Tho not of Noble Race , with equal Marks of Terror . For Domitian's Cruelty reach'd even to the common People , and those of lower Birth , which ( in the end of this Satyr ) the Poet tells us , caus'd his Destruction . The vile Pathick . Nero , who wrote a Satyr upon Quintianus , whom he charges with his own Prof●igate Lewdness , and Debauchery . Tacit. Annal. 15. For Dacian Vultures . Cornelius Fuscus , a Noble Man of no manner of Experience , or more knowledge in War Affairs than what he had study'd in his own Country Retirement , was yet by Domitian twice sent with an Army against the Dacians , in the last of which his Army was defeated , and himself slain . From Bridge or Gate . The common stands for Beggars . The Proud Arviragus . One of the Ancient Brittish Kings . Mark the pointed Spears . He makes the Flatterer call the sharp Fins rising on the Fishes back , Spears ; and to signifie and portend that Domitian shall stick the like in some Foreign Enemy . Some skilful quick Prometheus . Some skilful Potter . Alluding to the old Fable of Prometheus , whose skill in this Art was such , that he made a Man of Clay . Circe's Rock . The Cirecean Promontory , nam'd from Circe that liv'd there , on the Shore of Campania . The Lucrine Lake . Between Bajae and Puteoli . The Rutupian Shore . Rutupae or Rutupi , an Antient Towns Name on the Kentish Shoar , suppos'd to be our Richborough . These were all Famous in those times for Oysters . THE FIFTH SATYR OF JUVENAL , Translated into ENGLISH VERSE BY Mr. W. BOWLES . ARGUMENT OF THE Fifth Satyr . The Poet disswades a Parasite from frequenting the Tables of Great Men , where he is certain to be Treated with the highest Scorn and Contempt : And , at the same time , Inveighs against the Luxury and Insolence of the Roman Nobility . THE FIFTH SATYR . IF hard'nd by Affronts , and still the same , Lost to all Sense of Honour , and of Shame , Thou yet canst love to haunt the Great Man's Board , And think no Supper good but with a Lord : If yet thou canst hold out , and suffer more , Than lewd 1 Sarmentus , or vile Galba bore , Thy Solemn Oath ought to be set aside : But sure the Belly 's easily supply'd . Suppose , what frugal Nature wou'd suffice , Suppose that wanting , Hunger is not nice . Is no 2 Bridge vacant , no convenient Seat , Where thou may'st cringe , and gnaw thy broken Meat , And with a Matt , and Crutch , and ty'd-up Leg , More Honestly and Honourably Beg ? First , if he please to say , sit down , and smile , Behold the full Reward of all thy to● ! All thy Old Services are largely paid , And thou a Proud and Happy Man art made . See! of thy boasted Friendship , see the Fruits ! And these too he upbraids , and these imputes . If after two cold Months thy Lord think fit , His poor neglected Client to admit , And say , Sup with me , thou hast thy desire , Be thankful , Mortal , and no more require . Thus Blest , must 3 Trebius to his Levees run , When the Stars languish near the rising Sun ; Break off sweet slumbers , drowsie , and undrest , To shew his Zeal , and to prevent the rest ; Run to prevent the fawning humble Train , While slow 4 Bootes drives his frozen Wain . Perhaps the generous Entertainment may For all the State , and dear Attendance pay . For him is kept a Liquor more Divine , You Spunges must be Drunk with Lees of Wine , Drunk for your Patron 's Pleasure , and his Jest ; Then raving like a 5 Corybas possest , Thou and the Freed-Men first begin to jarr ; From mutual Jeers the Prelude to the War , Thou and thy Fellow Parisites engage , And Battel with a Troop of Servants wage ; Then Glasses , and Saguntine Pitchers flye , And broken Pates discolour'd Napkins dye . While happy he , stretch'd on his Couch , supine Looks on with scorn , and drinks old generous Wine , 6 Prest from the Grape , when Warlike Rome was free , But kindly , never sends one Glass to thee . Perhaps to morrow he may change his Wine , And drink old sparkling Alban , or Setine , Whose Title , and whose Age , with mould o're-grown , The good old Cask for ever keeps unknown : Such 7 bold Helvidius drank , and Thrasca crown'd With Garlands , when the flowing Bowls went round On Brutus Birth-day : And to raise Delight , To please at once the Taste , and charm the Sight , He in bright Amber drinks , or brighter Gold , And Cups with shining Berils set does hold . Thou art not suffer'd or to Touch or Taste ; And if thou dar'st , a Guard on thee is plac'd To watch the Gems . This may perhaps surprise , But , Sir , you 'll pardon , they are Stones of Price . For Virro does , as many do of late , Gems from his Fingers to his Cups translate , Which the bold 8 Youth , to Dido's Love preferr'd , Wore on the Scabbard of his shining Sword. Thou may'st at distance gaze , and sigh in vain , A crack'd black Pot 's reserv'd for thee to drain . If his Blood boil , and th' adventitious Fire Rais'd by high Meats , and higher Wines , require To temper and allay the burning heat , Waters are brought , which by Decoction get New coolness , such plain Nature does not know , Not Ice so cool , nor Hyperborean Snow . Did I complain but now , and justly too , That the same Wine is not allow'd to you ? Another Water 's reach'd you , when you call , From Hands of Moorish Footmen , lean and tall ; The grim Attendance he assigns t' affright Rather than wait ; Rogues who wou'd scare by night , If met among the Tombs ; the gastly Slaves Look as if newly started from their Graves . Before himself the Flower of Asia stands , To watch his Looks , and to receive Commands . A 9 Boy of such a Price as had undone Old Roman Kings , and drain'd the Treasure of a Crown . If thou or any of thy Tribe want Wine , Look back , and give thy Ganimedes the sign . The lovely Boy , and bought at such a rate , Is much too handsom , and too proud to wait On the despis'd and poor : Will he descend To give a Glass to a declining Friend ? No , his good Meen , his Youth , and blooming Face Tempt him to think , that with a better grace Himself might sit , and thou supply his place . Behold there yet remains , which must be born , Proud Servants more insufferable Scorn . With what disdain another gave thee Bread ! The meanest Wretches are with better fed : Th' impenetrable Crust thy Teeth defies ; And Petrify'd with Age securely lies : Hard , mouldy , black : If thou presume t' invade , With sacrilegious hands , thy Patron 's Bread , There stands a Servant ready to chastise Your Insolence , and teach you to be Wise. Will you , a bold Intruder , ever learn To know your Basket , and your Bread discern ? 'T is just , ye Gods ! and what I well deserve , Why did not I more honourably starve ? Did I for this abandon Wife and Bed ? For this , alas ! by vain Ambition led , Through cold 10 Esquiliae run so oft , and bear The Storms and Fury of the Vernal Air , And then with Cloak wet through attend , & dropping hair ? See! by the tallest Servant born on high , A Sturgeon fills the largest Dish and Eye ! 11 With how much Pomp he 's plac'd upon the Board ! With what a Tail and Breast salutes his Lord ! With what Expence and Art , how richly drest ! Garnish'd with ' Sparagus , himself a Feast ! Thou art to one small dismal Dish confin'd , A Crab ill drest , and of the vilest Kind . He on his own Fish pours the noblest Oil , The product of 12 Venatrum's happy Soil . That to your marcid dying Herbs assign'd , By the rank Smell and Taste betrays its Kind , By Moors imported , and for Lamps alone design'd . Well rub'd with this when 13 Boccar comes to Town , He makes the Theatres and Baths his own , All round from him , as from th' infected run , The poys'nous stink ev'n their own Serpents shun . Behold a Muller ev'n from Cor●u brought ! Or near the Rocks of 14 Ta●rominium caught . Since our own Seas no longer can supply , Exhausted by our boundless Luxury : The secret Deep can no Protection give , No Tyrrhene Fish is suffer'd now to live To his just growth . The Provinces from far Furnish our Kitchins , and revenge our War. Baits for the Rich , and Childless they supply ; Aurelia thence must sell , and 15 Len●s buy . The largest Lamprey which their Seas afford Is made a Sacrifice to Virro's Board . When Auster to th' Aeoli●n Caves retires With dropping Wings , and murmuring there respires , Rash daring Nets , in hope of such a Prize , Charibdis , and the creacherous Deep despise . An Eel for you remains , in 16 Tiber bred , With foulest Mud , and the rank Ordure fed , Discharg'd by Common-Shoars from all the Town ; No secret passage was to him unknown ; In ev'ry noisom Sink the Serpent slept , And through dark Vaults oft to Suburra crept . One word to Virro now , if he can bear , And 't is a Truth which he 's not us'd to hear ; No Man expects , ( for who so much a Sot Who has the times he lives in so forgot ? ) What Seneca , what Piso us'd to send , To raise , or to support a sinking Friend . Those God-like Men , to wanting Virtue kind , Bounty well-plac'd preferr'd , and well design'd , To all their Titles , all that height of Pow'r , Which turns the Brains of Fools , and Fools alone adore . When your Poor Client is condemn'd t' attend , 'T is all we ask , receive him like a Friend , At least , let him be easie if you can , Let him be Treated like a Free-born Man. Descend to this , and then we ask no more , Rich to your self , to all beside be Poor . Near him is plac'd , the Liver of a Goose , That part alone which Luxury wou'd choose , A Boar intire , and worthy of the Sword Of 17 Meleager , smoaks upon the board ▪ Next Mushroms , larger when the Clouds descend In fruitful show'rs , and desir'd 18 Thunders re●d The vernal Air. No more Plow up the ground , O 19 Lybia , where such Mushroms can be ●ound , Aledius 20 cries , but furnish us with store Of Mushroms , and import thy Corn no more ▪ Mean while thy indignation yet to raise , The Carver dancing round each Dish surveys , With flying Knife , and as his Art directs , With proper gestures ev'ry Fowl dissects , A thing of so great moment to their Taste ▪ That one false slip had surely marr'd the Feast . If thou dare murmur , if thou dare complain With Freedom , like a Roman Gentleman , Thou' rt seiz'd immediately by his Commands , And drag'd , like 21 Cacus , by Herculean Hands , Out from his presence . When does Haughty he , Descend to take a Glass once touch'd by thee ? That Wretch were lost , who shou'd presume to think He might be free , who durst say , come , Sir , drink , Will any Freedom here from you be born , Whose Cloaths are thred-bare ▪ and whose Cloaks are torn ? Wou'd any God or God-like Man below , 22 Four hundred thousand Sesterces bestow ! How mightily wou'd Trebius be improv'd , How much a Friend to Virre , how belov'd ? Will Trebius Fat of this ? What Sot attends My Brother , who Carves to my best of Friends ? O Sesterces , this Honour 's done to you ! You are his Friends , and you his Brethren too . Wouldst thou become his Patron and his Lord ? Wouldst thou be in thy turn by him ador'd ? No young 23 Aeneas in thy Hall must play , Nor sweeter Daughter lead thy Heart astray . O how a Barren Wife does recommend ! How dear , how pleasant is a Childless Friend ? But if thy Mycale , thy Teeming Wife Pour out three Boys , the Comfort of thy Life ; He 24 too will in the pratling Nest rejoice , Farthings , and Nuts provide , and various Toys For the young smiling Parasites , the wanton Boys . He viler Friends with doubtful Mushroms treats , Secure for you , himself Champignons eats ; Such Claudius lov'd , of the same sort and taste , Till 25 Agrippina kindly gave the last . To him are order'd , and those happy few Whom Fate has rais'd above contempt and you , Most fragrant Fruits , such in 26 Phaeacian Gardens grew ; Where a perpetual Autumn ever smil'd , And Golden Apples loaded Branches fill'd . By such swift Atalanta was Betray'd , The vegetable Gold soon stop'd the flying Maid● To you such scab'd harsh Fruit is giv'n , as raw Young Souldiers at their Exercisings gnaw , Who trembling learn to throw the Fatal Dart , And under Rods of rough Cen●urions smart ▪ Thou tak'st all this as done to save Expence , No! 't is on purpose done to give offence ▪ What Comedy , what Farce can more delight , Than grinning Hunger , and ●he pleasing sight Of your bilk'd Hopes ? No! He 's , resolv'd t'extort Tears from your Eyes : 'T is barb'rous jest and sport . Thou think'st thy self Companion of the Great , Art Free and Happy in thy own conceit . He thinks thou' rt tempted by th' attractive smell Of his warm Kitchen , and he judges well . For 27 who so naked , in whose empty Veins One single drop of Noble Blood remains ; What Freeborn Man , who , tho of Mungrel strain , Wou'd twice support the Scorn , and proud Disdain With which those Idols you adore , the Great , Their wretched Vassals and Dependants treat ? O Slaves most abject ! you still gaping sit , Devouring with your Eyes each pleasing Bit ; Now sure we Parasites at last shall share That Boar , and now that Wild-Fowl , or that Hare : Thus you expecting gaze , with your Teeth set ; With your Bread ready , and your Knives well wheat ; Demure and silent ; but , alas ! in vain ; He mocks your Hunger , and derides your Pain . If you can bear all this , and think him kind , You well deserve the Treatment which you find . At last thou wilt beneath the 28 Burthen bow , And , glad , receive the 29 Manumitting blow On thy shav'd slavish Head ; mean while attend , Worthy of such a Treat , and such a Friend . The End of the Fifth Satyr . EXPLANATORY NOTES ON THE FIFTH SATYR . SArmentus . A Buffoon and Parasite of Augustus Caesar. The same perhaps with that Sarmentus in Horace . Sat. 3. l. 1. Where common Beggars us'd to place themselves . It was the Custom in Rome for the Clients to attend their Patrons , to salute them in the Morning . Virgil , Martial , &c. That Constellation otherwise call'd the Bear , which appearing always above the Horizon , is said by the Poets never to descend into the Sea. The meaning is , that Trebius was forc'd to run early in the Morning , by the light of those Stars . A Priest of Cybele . From Setia a Town of Campania , renowned for the best Wines . Thrasea and Helvidius his Sons-in-Law , Men of great Virtue , Constancy , and Zeal for the Liberty of their Country ; they were both oppress'd by Nero , Thrasea put to death , and Helvidius banish'd : Tacitus has related at large the Charge and Accusation of Thrasea , with what bravery he received the Order by which he was commanded to dye , and being allowed his choice , opened his Veins with these words , Libemus Iovi Liberatori . Annal. Lib. 16. They are said here to have solemnly observ'd the Birth-days of Brutus and Cassius , the Deliverers of their Country ; which may perhaps be true , tho it be not objected among many things of this kind in Tacitus . An Allusion to that of Virgil describing Aeneas Stellatus , iaspide fulvâ Ensis erat . The Romans mightily affected to be serv'd by beautiful Boys , whom they bought at vast rates . Martial , &c. One of the seven Hills on which Rome was built . The Authors whom I have the opportunity to consult , are not agreed what Fish is meant by Squilla ; I have translated it Sturgeon , I confess at random , but it may serve as well . A Town in Campania , famous for the best Oil. The Name of a King of Mauritania : But here must be understood as the Name of any Noble Moor. A Town of Sicily . One of those whom the Romans call'd H●●redipetae ; who courted and presented the Rich and Childless , in hope to become their Heirs . The Fish of Tyber were for this Reason thought the worst in Italy . The Story of the Cale●onian Bo●r ▪ slain by Meleager , is to be found , Metamor . lib. 8. Rainy and thundring Springs produce abundance of Mushroms , and were therefore desired . Pliny Lib. 19. Rome was supply'd with great Quantities of Corn from Africa , and of Mushroms too it seems . The Name of a Glutton or Parasite . The Name of a famous Thief , who stole the Oxen of Hercules , and drew them into his Den backwards ; but was slain by Hercules , and drag'd out by the Heels . Aeneid . 8. The Census Equestris , about 3125 l. English. Roscius Otho made a Law , that whereas before Roman Gentlemen and Commons sat promiscuously in the Theatres , there shou'd be Fourteen Seats or Benches apart for those who were worth that Sum. An allusion to that of Dido , Si quis mihi parvulus aula ▪ ●●deret Aen●as . The meaning is , thou must have no Child to de●eat hi● hopes of becoming thy Heir . Ironically . His Wife Agrippina gave him a poyson'd one of which he dy'd . See that ingenious Satyr of Seneca , Cla●dij Apocolocyntosis . The Gardens of Alcinous , King of the Phaeacians , are renown'd in Homer and all Antiquity . In the following Lines there is in the Original Reference to the Custom of Roman Children , wearing for distinction of their Quality , the Bulla aurea or Corsacca . I have translated them according to the intent and sense of the Poet , without allusion to those Customs ; which being unknown to meer English Readers , wou'd have only made the Translation as obscure as the Original . Of so many Indignities . I know the Commentators give another sense of these last Lines , but I take them to allude to the manner of the Manumission of Slaves , which was done by giving them a touch or blow on the Head , by their ●ord or the Praetor , with a Wand call'd Vindicta ; and thus the meaning will be that Trebius , weari'd at last , will be glad to be discharg'd from the Slavery of attending , where he finds such usage . THE SIXTH SATYR OF JUVENAL , Translated into ENGLISH VERSE BY Mr. DRYDEN . ARGUMENT OF THE Sixth Satyr . This Satyr , of almost double length to any of the rest , is a bitter invective against the fair Sex. T is , indeed , a Common-place , from whence all the Moderns have notoriously stollen their sharpest Raileries . In his other Satyrs the Poet has only glanc'd on some particular Women , and generally scourg'd the Men. But this he reserv'd wholly for the Ladies . How they had offended him I know not : But upon the whole matter he is not to be excus'd for imputing to all , the Vices of some few amongst them . Neither was it generously done of him , to attack the weakest as well as the fairest part of the Creation : Neither do I know what Moral he cou'd reasonably draw from it . It could not be to avoid the whole Sex , if all had been true which he alledges against them : for that had been to put an end to Humane Kind . And to bid us beware of their Artifices , is a kind of silent acknowledgment , that they have more wit than Men : which turns the Satyr upon us , and particularly upon the Poet ; who thereby makes a Complement , where he meant a Libel . If he intended only to exercise his Wit , he has forfeited his Iudgment , by making the one half of his Readers his mortal Enemies : And amongst the Men , all the happy Lovers , by their own Experience , will disprove his Accusations . The whole World must allow this to be the wi●tiest of his Satyrs ; and truly he had need of all his parts , to maintain with so much violence , so unjust a Charge . I am satisfied he will bring but few over to his Opinion : And on that Consideration chiefly I ventur'd to translate him . Though there wanted not another Reason , which was , that no one else would undertake it : At least , Sir , C. S. who cou'd have done more right to the Author , after a long delay , at length absolutely refus'd so ungrateful an employment : And every one will grant , that the Work must have been imperfect and lame , if it had appear'd without one of the Principal Members belonging to it . Let the Poet therefore bear the blame of his own Invention ; and let me satisfie the World , that I am not of his Opinion . Whatever his Roman Ladies were , the English are free from all his Imputations . They will read with Wonder and Abhorrence , the Vices of an Age , which was the most Infamous of any on Record . They will bless themselves when they behold those Examples related of Domitian's time : They will give back to Antiquity those Monsters it produc'd : And believe with reason , that the Species of those Women is extinguish'd ; or at least , that they were never ●ere propagated . I may safely therefore proceed to the Argument of a Satyr , which is no way relating to them : And first observe , that my Author makes their Lust the most Heroick of their Vices : The rest are in a manner but digression . He skims them over ; but he dwells on this ; when he seems to have taken his last leave of it , on the sudden he returns to it : 'T is one Branch of it in Hippia , another in Messalina , but Lust is the main Body of the Tree . He begins with this Text in the first line , and takes it up with Intermissions to the end of the Chapter . Every Vice is a Loader ; but that●s a Ten. The Fillers , or intermediate Parts , are their Revenge ; their Contriva●ces of secret Crimes ; their Arts to hide them ; their Wit to excuse them ; and their Impudence to own them , when they can no longer be kept secret . Then the Persons to whom they are most addicted ; and on whom they commonly bestow the last Favours . As Stage-Players , Fidlers , Singing-Boys , and Fencers . Those who pass for Chast amongst them , are not really so ; but only for their vast Dowries , are rather suffer'd , than lov'd by their own Husbands . That they are Imperious , Domineering , Scolding Wives : Set up for Learning and Criticism in Poetry ; but are false Iudges . Love to speak Greek ( which was then the Fashionable Tongue , as French is now with us . ) That they plead Causes at the Bar , and play Prizes at the Bear-Garden . That they are Gossips and News-Mongers : Wrangle with their Neighbours abroad , and beat their Servants at home . That they lie in for new Faces once a Month : are slattish with their Husbands in private ; and Paint and Dress in Publick for their Lovers . That they deal with Iews , Diviners , and Fortune-tellers : Learn the Arts of Miscarrying , and Barrenness . Buy Children , and produce them for their own . Murther their Husbands Sons , if they stand in their way to his Estate : and make their Adulterers his Heirs . From hence the Poet proceeds to shew the Occasions of all these Vices ; their Original , and how they were introduc'd in Rome , by Peace , Wealth , and Luxury . In conclusion , if we will take the word of our malicious Author ; Bad Women are the general standing Rule ; and the Good , but some few Exceptions to it . THE SIXTH SATYR . IN 1 Saturn's Reign , at Nature's Early Birth , There was that Thing call'd Chastity on Earth ; When in a narrow Cave , their common shade , The Sheep the Shepherds and their Gods were laid : When Reeds and Leaves , and Hides of Beasts were spread By Mountain Huswifes for their homely Bed , And Mossy Pillows rais'd , for the rude Husband's head . Unlike the Niceness of our Modern Dames ( Affected Nymphs with new Affected Names : ) The Cynthia's and the Lesbia's of our Years , Who for a Sparrow's Death dissolve in Tears . Those first unpolisht Matrons , Big and Bold , Gave Suck to Infants of Gygantick Mold ; Rough as their Savage Lords who Rang'd the Wood , And 2 Fat with Akorns Belcht their windy Food . For when the World was Bucksom , fresh , and young ▪ Her Sons were undebauch'd , and therefore strong ; And whether Born in kindly Beds of Earth , Or strugling from the Teeming Oaks to Birth , Or from what other Atoms they begun , No Sires they had , or if a Sire the Sun. Some thin Remains of Chastity appear'd Ev'n 3 under Iove , but Iove without a Beard : Before the servile Greeks had learnt to Swear By Heads of Kings ; while yet the Bounteous Year Her common Fruits in open Plains expos'd , E're Thieves were fear'd , or Gardens were enclos'd : At length 4 uneasie Justice upwards flew , And both the Sisters to the Stars withdrew ; From that Old Aera Whoring did begin , So Ven'rably Ancient is the Sin. Adult'rers next invade the Nuptial State , And Marriage-Beds creak'd with a Foreign Weight ; All other Ills did Iron times adorn ; But Whores and Silver in one Age were Born ▪ Yet thou , they say , for Marriage do'st provide : Is this an Age to Buckle with a Bride ? They say thy Hair the Curling Art is taught , The Wedding-Ring perhaps already bought : A Sober Man like thee to change his Life ! What Fury wou'd possess thee with a Wife ? Art thou of ev'ry other Death bereft , No Knife , no Ratsbane , no kind Halter left ? ( For every Noose compar'd to Hers is cheap ) Is there no City Bridge from whence to leap ? Would'st thou become her Drudge who dost enjoy , A better sort of Bedfellow , thy Boy ? He keeps thee not awake with nightly Brawls , Nor with a beg'd Reward , thy Pleasure palls : Nor with insatiate heavings calls for more , When all thy Spirits were drain'd out before . But still Vrsidius Courts the Marriage-Bait , Longs for a Son , to settle his Estate , And takes no Gifts , tho ev'ry gapeing Heir Wou'd gladly Grease the Rich Old Batchelour . What Revolution can appear so strange , As such a Leacher , such a Life to change ? A rank , notorious Whoremaster , to choose To thrust his Neck into the Marriage Noose ! He who so often in a dreadful fright Had in a Coffer scap'd the jealous Cuckold's sight , That he to Wedlock , dotingly betrayd , Should hope , in this lewd Town , to find a Maid ! The Man 's grown Mad : To ease his Frantick Pain , Run for the Surgeon ; breathe the middle Vein : But let a Heyfer with Gilt Horns be led To Iuno , Regent of the Marriage-Bed , And let him every Deity adore , If his new Bride prove not an arrant Whore ▪ In Head and Tail , and every other Pore . On 5 Ceres feast , restrain'd from their delight , Few Matrons , there , but Curse the tedious Night : Few whom their Fathers dare Salute , such Lust Their Kisses have , and come with such a Gust . With Ivy now Adorn thy Doors , and Wed ; Such is thy Bride , and such thy Genial Bed. Think'st thou one Man , is for one Woman meant ? She , sooner , with one ●ye wou'd be content . And yet , 't is nois'd , a Maid did once appear In some small Village , tho Fame says not where ; 'T is possible ; but sure no Man she found ; 'T was desart , all , about her Father's Ground : And yet some Lustful God might there make bold : Are 6 Iove and Mars grown impotent and old ? Many a fair Nymph has in a Cave been spread , And much good Love , without a Feather-Bed . Whither wou'dst thou to chuse a Wi●e resort , The Park , the Mall , the Play-house , or the Court ? Which way soever thy Adventures fall Secure alike of Chastity in all . One sees a Dancing-Master Capring high , And Raves , and Pisses , with pure Extasie : Another does , with all his Motions , move , And Gapes , and Grins , as in the feat of Love : A third is Charm'd with the new Opera Notes , Admires the Song , but on the Singer Doats : The Country Lady , in the Box appears , Softly She Warbles over , all she hears ; And sucks in Passion , both at Eyes , and Ears . The rest , ( when now the long Vacation's come , The noisie Hall and Theatres grown dumb ) Their Memories to refresh , and chear their hearts ▪ In borrow'd Breaches act the Players parts . The Poor , that scarce have wherewithal to eat , Will pinch , to make the Singing-Boy a Treat . The Rich , to buy him , will refuse no price : And stretch his Quail-pipe till they crack his Voice . Tragedians , acting Love , for Lust are sought : ( Tho but the Parrots of a Poet 's Thought . ) The Pleading Lawyer , tho for Counsel us'd , In Chamber-practice often is refus'd . Still thou wilt have a Wife , and father Heirs ; ( The product of concurring Theatres . ) Perhaps a Fencer did thy Brows adorn , And a young Sword-man to thy Lands is born . Thus Hippia loath'd her old Patrician Lord , And left him for a Brother of the Sword : To wondring 7 Pharos with her Love she fled , To shew one Monster more than Africk bred : Forgetting House and Husband , left behind , Ev'n Children too ; she sails before the wind ; False to 'em all , but constant to her Kind . But , stranger yet , and harder to conceive , She cou'd the Play-house , and the Players leave . Born of rich Parentage , and nicely bred , She lodg'd on Down , and in a Damask Bed ; Yet , daring now the Dangers of the Deep , On a hard Mattress is content to sleep . E're this , 't is true , she did her Fame expose : But that , great Ladies with great Ease can lose . The tender Nymph cou'd the rude Ocean bear : So much her Lust was stronger than her Fear . But , had some honest Cause her Passage prest , The smallest hardship had disturb'd her brest : Each Inconvenience makes their Virtue cold : But Womankind , in Ills , is ever bold . Were she to follow her own Lord to Sea , What doubts and scruples wou'd she raise to stay ? Her Stomach sick , and her head giddy grows ; The Tar and Pitch are naus●ous to her Nose . But in Love's Voyage nothing can offend ; Women are never Sea-sick with a Friend . Amidst the Crew , she walks upon the boord ; She eats , she drinks , she handles every Cord : And , if she spews , 't is thinking of her Lord. Now ask , for whom her Friends and Fame she lost ? What Youth , what Beauty , cou'd th' Adult'rer boast ? What was the Face , for which she cou'd sustain To be call'd Mistress to so base a Man ? The Gallant , of his days had known the best : Deep Scars were seen indented on his breast ; And all his batter'd Limbs requir'd their needful rest . A Promontory Wen , with griesly grace , Stood high , upon the Handle of his Face : His blear Eyes ran in gutters to his Chin ; His Beard was Stubble , and his Cheeks were thin . But 't was his Fencing did her Fancy move ; 'T is Arms and Blood and Cruelty they love . But shou'd he quit his Trade , and sheath his Sword , Her Lover wou'd begin to be her Lord. This was a private Crime ; but you shall hear What Fruits the Sacred Brows of Monarchs bear : The 8 good old Sluggard but began to snore , When from his side up rose th' Imperial Whore : She who preferr'd the Pleasures of the Night To Pomps , that are but impotent delight , Strode from the Palace , with an eager pace , To cope with a more Masculine Embrace : Muffl'd she march'd , like Iuno in a ●lowd , Of all her Train but one poor Weneh allow'd , One whom in Secret Service she cou'd trust ; The Rival and Companion of her Lust. To the known Brothel-house she takes her way ; And for a nasty Room gives double pay ; That Room in which the rankest Harlot lay : Prepar'd for fight , expectingly she lies , With heaving Breasts , and with desiring Eyes : Still as one drops , another takes his place , And baffled still succeeds to like disgrace . At length , when friendly darkness is expir'd , And every Strumpet from her Cell retir'd , She lags behind , and lingring at the Gate , With a repining Sigh , submits to Fate : All Filth without and all a Fire within , Tir'd with the Toyl , unsated with the Sin. Old Caesar's Bed the modest Matron seeks ; The steam of Lamps still hanging on her Cheeks In Ropy Smut ; thus foul , and thus bedight , She brings him back the Product of the Night . Now should I sing what Poisons they provide ; With all their Trumpery of Charms beside : And all their Arts of Death , it would be known Lust is the smallest Sin the Sex can own . Caesinia , still , they say , is guiltless found Of every Vice , by her own Lord Renown'd : And well she may , she brought ten thousand Pound , She brought him wherewithal to be call'd chaste ; His Tongue is ty'd in Golden Fetters fast ▪ He Sighs , Adores , and Courts her every Hour ; Who wou'd not do as much for such a Dower ? She writes Love-Letters to the Youth in Grace ; Nay tip● the wink before the Cuckold's Face ; And might do more : Her Portion makes it good : Wealth 9 has the Priviledge of Widow-hood . These Truths with his Example you disprove , Who with his Wife is monstrously in Love : But know him better ; for I heard him Swear 'T is not that She 's his Wife , but that She 's Fair. Let her but have three Wrinkles in her Face , Let her Eyes Lessen , and her Skin unbrace , Soon you will hear the Saucy Steward say , Pack up with all your Trinkets , and away : You grow Offensive both at Bed and Board , Your Betters must be had to please my Lord. Mean time She 's absolute upon the Throne ; And knowing time is Precious , loses none : She must have Flocks of Sheep , with Wool more Fine Than Silk , and Vinyards of the Noblest Wine : Whole Droves of Pages for her Train she Craves ; And sweeps the Prisons for attending Slaves . In short , whatever in her Eyes can come , Or others have abroad , she wants at home . When Winter shuts the Seas , and fleecy Snows Make Houses white , she to the Merchant goes : Rich Crystals of the Rock She takes up there , Huge Agat Vases , and old China Ware : Then 10 Be●enice's Ring her Finger proves , More Precious made by her incestuous Loves ▪ And infamously Dear : A Brother's Bribe , , Ev'n Gods Annointed , and of Iudah's Tribe : Where barefoot they approach the Sacred Shrine , And think it only Sin , to Feed on Swine . But is none worthy to be made a Wife In all this Town ? Suppose her free from strife , Rich , Fair , and Fruitful : of Unblemish'd Life : Chast as the Sabines , whose prevailing Charms Dismiss'd their Husbands , and their Brothers Arms. Grant her , besides , of Noble Blood , that ran In Ancient Veins , e're Heraldry began : Suppose all these , and take a Poet's word , A Black Swan is not half so Rare a Bird. A Wife , so hung with Virtues , such a freight ; What Mortal Shoulders cou'd support the weight ! Some Country Girl , scarce to a Curtsey bred , Wou'd I much rather than 11 Cornelia Wed : If Supercilious , Haughty , Proud , and Vain , She brought her Father's Triumphs , in her Train . Away with all your Carthaginian State , Let vanquish'd Hannibal without Doors wait , Too burly and too big , to pass my narrow Gate . Oh 12 Paean , cries Amphion , bend thy Bow Against my Wife , and let my Children go : But sullen Paean shoots , at Sons and Mothers too . His Niobe and all his Boys he lost ; Ev'n her , who did her num'rous Offspring boast , As Fair and Fruitful as the Sow that carry'd The 13 Thirty Pigs at one large Litter Farrow'd . What Beauty or what Chastisty can bear So great a Price , if stately and severe She still insults , and you must still adore ; Grant that the Hony's much , the ●all is more , Upbraided with the Virtues she displays , Sev'n Hours in Twelve , you loath the Wife you Praise . Some Faults , tho small , intolerable grow : For what so Nau●eous and Affected too , As those that think they due Perfection want , Who have not learnt to Lisp the 14 Greci●n Cant ? In Greece , their whole Accomplishments they seek : Their Fashion , Breeding , Language , must be Greek . But Raw , in all that does to Rome belong , They scorn to cultivate their Mother Tongue . In Greek they flatter , all their Fears they speak , Tell all their Secrets , nay , they Scold in Greek : Ev'n in the Feat of Love , they use that Tongue ▪ Such Affectations may become the Young : But thou , Old Hag of Threescore Years and Three , Is shewing of thy Parts in Greek , for thee ? 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ! All those tender words The Momentary trembling Bliss affords , The kind soft Murmurs of the private Sheets , Are Bawdy , while thou speak'st in publick Streets . Those words have Fingers ; and their force is such . They raise the Dead , and mount him with a touch . But all Provocatives from thee are vain ; No blandishment the slacken'd Nerve can strain . If then thy Lawful Spouse thou canst not love , What reason shou'd thy Mind to Marriage move ? Why all the Charges of the Nuptial Feast , Wine and Deserts , and Sweet-meats to digest ; Th' indoweing Gold that buys the dear Delight ; Giv'n for thy first and only happy Night ? If thou art thus Uxoriously inclin'd , To bear thy Bondage with a willing mind , Prepare thy Neck , and put it in the Yoke : But for no mercy from thy Woman look . For tho , perhaps , she loves with equal Fires , To Absolute Dominion she aspires ; Joys in the Spoils , and Triumphs o'er thy Purse ; The better Husband makes the Wife the worse . Nothing is thine to give , or fell , or buy , All Offices of Ancient Friendship dye ; Nor hast thou leave to make a Legacy . By 15 thy Imperious Wife thou art bere●t A Priviledge , to Pimps and Panders left ; Thy Testament's her Will : Where she prefers Her Ruffians , Drudges and Adultere's , Adopting all thy Rivals for thy Heirs ▪ Go 16 drag that Slave to Death ; 17 your Reason , why Shou'd the poor Innocent be doom'd to Dye ? What proofs ? for , when Man's Life is in debate ▪ The Judge can ne're too long deliberate . Call'st 18 thou that Slave a Man ? the Wife replies : Prov'd , or unprov'd , the Crime , the Villian Dies . I have the Soveraign Pow'r to save or kill ; And give no other Reason but my Will. Thus the She-Tyrant Reigns , till pleas'd with change ▪ Her wild Affections to New Empires Range : Another Subject-Husband she desires ; Divorc'd from him , she to the first retires , While the last Wedding-Feast is scarcely o're ; And Garlands hang yet green upon the Door . So still the Reck'ning rises ; and appears In total Sum , Eight Husbands in Five Years . The Title for a Tomb-Stone might be fit ; But that it wou'd too commonly be writ ▪ Her Mother Living , hope no quiet Day ; She sharpens her , instructs her how to Flea Her Husband bare , and then divides the Prey . She takes Love-Letters , with a Crafty smile , And , in her Daughter's Answer , mends the stile . In vain the Husband sets his watchful Spies ; She Cheats their cunning , or she bribes their Eyes . The Doctor 's call'd ; the Daughter , taught the Trick , Pretends to Faint ; and in full Health is Sick. The Panting Stallion at the Closet-Door Hears the Consult , and wishes it were o're , Can'st thou , in Reason , hope , a Bawd so known Shou'd teach her other Manners than her own ? Her Int'rest is in all th' Advice she gives : T is on the Daughter's Rents the Mother lives . No Cause is try'd at the Litigious B●● ▪ But Women Plaintiffs or Defendants are ▪ They form the Process , all the Briefs they write ▪ The Topicks furnish , and the Pleas indite : And teach the Toothless Lawyer how to Bite ▪ They turn Virago's too ; the Wrastler's toyl● They try , and Smear their Naked Limbs with Oyl : Against the Post , their wicker Shields they crush , Flourish the Sword , and at the Pl●stron push . Of every Exercise the Mannish Crew Fulfils the Parts , and oft Excels us , too ▪ Prepar'd not only in feign'd Fights ▪ t' engage , But rout the Gladiators on the Stage ▪ What sence of shame in such a Breast can lye , Inur'd to Arms , and her own Sex to fly ? Yet to be wholly Man she wou'd disclaim ; To quit her tenfold Pleasure at the Game , For frothy Praises , and an Empty Name . Oh what a decent Sight , 't is to behold , All thy Wife's Magazine by Auction sold ! The Belt , the crested Plume , the several Suits Of Armour , and the Spanish Leather Boots ! Yet these are they , that cannot bear the heat Of figur'd Silks , and under Sarcenet sweat . Behold the Strutting Amazonian Whore , She stands in Guard with her right Foot before : Her Coats Tuck'd up ; and all her Motions just , She stamps , and then Cries hah at every thrust : But laugh to see her tyr'd with many a bout , Call for the Pot , and like a Man Piss out . The Ghosts of Ancient Romans , shou●d they rise , Wou'd grin to see their Daughters play a Prize . Besides , what endless Brawls by Wifes are bred : The Cur●ain-Lecture makes a Mournful Bed. Then , when she has thee sure within the Sheets , Her Cry begins , and the whole Day repeats . Conscious of Crimes her self , she teyzes first ; Thy Servants are accus'd ; thy Whore is curst ; She Acts the jealous , and at Will she cries : For Womens Tears are but the sweat of Eyes . Poor Cuckold-Fool , thou think'st that Love sincere , And suck'st between her Lips , the falling Tear : But search her Cabinet and thou shalt find Each Tiller there , with Love Epistles lin'd . Suppose her taken in a close embrace , This you wou'd think so manifest a Case , No Rhetorick cou'd defend , no Impudence outface : And yet even then she Cries the Marriage Vow , A mental Reservation must allow ; And there 's a silent bargain still imply'd , The Parties shou'd be pleas'd on either side : And both may for their private needs provide . Tho Men your selves , and Women us you call , Yet Homo is a Common Name for all . There 's nothing bolder than a Woman Caught ; Guilt gives 'em Courage to maintain their Fault . You ask from whence proceed these monstrous Crimes ; Once Poor , and therefore Chast in former times , Our Matrons were : No Luxury found room In low-rooft Houses , and bare Walls of Lome ; Their Hands with Labour hard'ned while 't was Light , And Frugal sleep supply'd the quiet Night . While pinch't with want , their Hunger held 'em straight : When 19 Hannibal was Hov'ring at the Gate : But wanton now , and lolling at our Fase , We suffer all th' invet'rate ills of Peace ; And wastful Riot , whose Destructive Charms Revenge the vanquish'd World , of our Victorious Arms. No Crime , no Lustful Postures are unknown ; Since Poverty , our Guardian-God , is gone : Pride , Laziness , and all Luxurious Arts , Pour like a Deluge in , from Foreign Parts : Since Gold Obscene , and Silver found the way , Strange Fashions with strange Bullion to convey , And our plain simple Manners to betray . What care our Drunken Dames to whom they spread ? Wine , no distinction makes of Tail or Head. Who lewdly Dancing at a Midnight-Ball , For hot Eringoes , and Fat Oysters call : Full Brimmers to their Fuddled Noses thrust ; Brimmers the last Provocatives of Lust. When Vapours to their swimming Brains advance , And double Tapers on the Tables Dance . Now think what Bawdy Dialogues they have , What Tullia talks to her confiding Slave ; At Modesty's old Statue : when by Night , They make a stand , and from their Litters light ; The Good Man early to the Levee goes , And treads the Nasty Paddle of his Spouse . The Secrets of the 20 Goddess nam'd the Good , Are even by Boys and Barbers understood : Where the Rank Matrons , Dancing to the Pipe , Gig with their Bums , and are for Action ripe ; With Musick rais'd , they spread abroad their Hair ; And toss their Heads like an enamour'd Mare : Laufella lays her Garland by , and proves The mimick Leachery of Manly Loves . Rank'd with the Lady , the cheap Sinner lies ; For here not Blood , but Virtue gives the prize . Nothing is feign'd , in this Venereal Strife ; 'T is downright Lust , and Acted to the Life . So full , so fierce , so vigorous , and so strong ; That , looking on , wou'd make old 21 Nestor Young. Impatient of delay , a general sound , An universal Groan of Lust goes round ; For then , and only then , the Sex sincere is found . Now is the time of Action ; now begin , They cry , and let the lusty Lovers in . The Whoresons are asleep ; Then bring the Slaves And Watermen , a Race of strong-back'd Knaves . I wish , at least , our Sacred Rights were free From those Pollutions of Obscenity : But 't is well known 22 what Singer , how disguis'd A lewd audacious Action enterpriz'd ; Into the Fair with Women mixt , he went , Arm'd with a huge two-handed Instrument ; A grateful Present to those holy Quires , Where the Mouse guilty of his Sex retires ; And even Male-Pictures modestly are vaild ; Yet no Profaneness on that Age prevail'd . No Scoffers at Religious Rites were ●ound ; Tho now , at every Altar they abound . I hear your cautious Counsel , you wou'd say ▪ Keep close your Women , under Lock and Key : But , who shall keep those Keepers ▪ Women , nurst In Craft , begin with those , and Bribe 'em first . The Sex is turn'd all Whore ; they Love the Game ▪ And Mistresses , and Maids , are both the same . The poor Og●lnia ▪ on the Poet's day , Will borrow Cloaths , and Chair , to see the Play : She , who before , had Mortgag'd her Estate ; And Pawn'd the last remaining piece of Plate . Some , are reduc'd their utmost Shifts to try : But Women have no shame of Poverty . They live beyond their stint ; as if their store The more exhausted , wou'd increase the more : Some Men , instructed by the Lab'ring Ant , Provide against th' Extremities of wa●t ; But Womankind , that never knows a mean , Down to the Dregs their sinking Fortune drain : Hourly they give , and spend , and wast , and wear ; And think no Pleasure can be bought too dear . There are , who in soft Eunuchs , place their Bliss ; To shun the scrubbing ●f a Bearded Kiss : And scape Abortion ; but their solid joy Is 23 when the Page , already past a Boy , Is Capon'd late ; and to the G●elder shown , With his two Pounders , to Perfection grown . When all the Navel-string cou'd give , appears ; All but the Beard ; and that 's the Barber's loss not theirs . Seen from afar , and famous for his ware , He strut , into the Bath , among the Fair : Th' admiring Crew to their Devotions fall ; And , kneeling , on their 24 new Priapus call . Kerv'd for his Lady's use , with her he lies ; And let him drudge for her , if thou art wise ; Rather than trust him with thy Fav'rite Boy ; He proffers Death in proffering to enjoy . If Songs they love , the Singer's Voice they force Beyond his Compass , till his Quail-Pipe's hoarse : His Lute and Lyre , with their embrace is worn ; With Knots they trim it , and with Gems adorn : Run over all the Strings , and Kiss the Case ; And make Love to it , in the Master's place . A certain Lady once , of high Degree , To Ianus Vow'd , and Vesta's Deity , That 25 Pollio might , in Singing , win the Prize ; Pollio the Dear ; the Darling of her , Eyes : She Pray'd , and Brib'd ; what cou'd she more have done For a Sick Husband , or an onely Son ? With her Face veil'd , and heaving up her hands , The shameless Suppliant at the Alta● stands : The Forms of Prayer she solemnly pursues ; And , pale with Fear , the offer'd Entrails views . Answer , ye Pow'rs : For , if you heard her Vow , Your Godships , sure , had little else to do . This is not all ; for 26 Actors , they implore : An Impudence unknown to Heav'n before . Th' 27 Aruspex , tir'd with this Religious Rout , Is forc'd to stand so long , he gets the Gout . But suffer not thy Wife abroad to roam : If she love Singing , let her Sing at home ; Not strut in Streets , with Amazonian ▪ ●ace ; For that 's to Cuckold thee , before thy Face . Their endless Itch of News , comes next in play ; They vent their own ; and hear what others say . Know what in Thrace , or what in Fra●ce is done ; Th' Intrigues betwixt the Stepdam , and the Son. Tell who Loves who , what Favours some partake ; And who is Jilted for another's sake . What pregnant Widow , in what Month was made ; How oft she did , and doing , what she said . She first , beholds the raging Comet rise : Knows whom it threatens , and what Lands destroys . Still , for the newest News , she lies in wait ; And takes Reports , just ent'ring at the Gate . Wrecks , Floods , and Fires ; what-ever she can meet , She spreads ; and is the Fame of every Street . This is a Grievance ; but the next is worse ; A very Judgment , and her Neighbours Curse . For , if their barking-Dog , disturb her ease , No Pray'r can bend her , no Excuse appease . Th' unmanner'd Malefactor , is Arraign'd ; But first the Master , who the Curr Maintain'd , Must feel the scourge : By Night she leaves her Bed ; By Night her Bathing Equipage is led . That Marching Armies a less noise create ; She moves in Tumult , and she Swea's in State. Mean while , her Guests their Appetites must keep ; Some gape for Hunger , and some gasp for Sleep . At length she comes , all flush'd , but e're she sup , Swallows a swinging Preparation-Cup ; And then , to clear her Stomach , spews it up . The Deluge-Vomit , all the Floor o'reflows ; And the sour savour nauseates every Nose . She Drinks again ; again she spews a Lake ; Her wretched Husband sees , and dares not speak : But mutters many a Curse , against his Wife ; And Damns himself , for chusing such a Life . But of all Plagues , the greatest is untold ; The Book-Learn'd Wife , in Greek and Latin bold . The Critick-Dame , who at her Table sits ; Homer and Virgil quotes , and weighs them Wits ; And pities Didoes Agonizing Fits. She has so far th' ascendant of the Board ; The Prating Pedant puts not in one Word : The Man of Law is Non-plust , in his Surte ; Nay every other Female Tongue is mute . Hammers , and beating Anvils , you wou'd Swear ; And 28 Vulcan with his whole Militia there . Tabours 29 and Trumpets cease ; for she alone Is able to Redeem the lab'ring Moon . Ev'n Wit 's a burthen , when it talks too long : But she , who has no Continence of Tongue , Should walk in Breeches , and shou'd wear a Beard ; And mix among the Philosophick Herd . O what a midnight Curse has he , whose side Is pester'd with a 30 Mood and Figure Bride ! Let mine , ye Gods , ( if such must be my Fate ) No Logick Learn , nor History Translate : But rather be a quiet , humble Fool : I hate a Wife , to whom I go to School . Who climbs the Grammar-Tree ; distinctly knows Where Noun , and Verb , and Participle grows ; Corrects her Country Neighbour ; and , a Bed , For breaking 31 Priscian's , breaks her Husband's Head. The Gawdy Gossip , when she 's set agog , In Jewels drest , and at each Ear a Bob , Goes flaunting out , and in her trim of Pride , Thinks all she says or does , is justifi'd . When Poor , she 's s●arce a tollerable Evil ; But Rich , and Fine , a Wife 's a very Devil . She duely , once a Month , renews her Face ; Mean time , it lies in Dawb , and hid in Grease ; Those are the Husband's Nights ; she craves her due , He takes fat Kisses , and is stuck in Glue . But , to the Lov'd Adult'rer when she steers , Fresh from the Bath , in brightness she appears : For him the Rich Arabia sweats her Gum ; And precious Oyls from distant Indies come . How Haggardly so e're she looks at home . Th' Eclipse then vanishes ; and all her Face Is open'd , and restor'd to ev'ry Grace . The Crust remov'd , her Cheeks as smooth as Silk ; Are polish'd with a wash of Asses Milk ; And , shou'd she to the farthest North be sent , A Train 32 of these attend her Banishment . But , hadst thou seen her Plaistred up before , 'T was so unlike a Face , it seem'd a Sore . 'T is worth our while , to know what all th● day They do ; and how they pass their time away . For , if o're-night , the Husband has been slack , Or counterfeited Sleep , and turn'd his Back , Next day , be sure , the Servants go to wrack . The Chamber-Maid and Dresser , are call'd Whores ; The Page is stript , and beaten out of Doors . The whole House suffers for the Master's Crime ; And he himself , is warn'd , to wake another time . She hires Tormentors , by the Year ; she Treats Her Visitours , and talks ; but still she beats . Beats while she Paints her Face , surveys her Gown , Casts up the days Account , and still beats on : Tir'd out , at length , with an outrageous Tone , She bids 'em , in the Devil's Name , begone . Compar'd with such a Proud , Insulting Dame , Sicilian 33 Tyrants may renounce their Name . For , if she hasts abroad , to take the Ayr , Or goes to Isis , Church , ( the Bawdy , House of Prayer , ) She hurries all her Handmaids to the Task ; Her Head , alone , will twenty Dressers ask . Psecas , the chief , with Breast and Shoulders bare , Trembling , considers every Sacred Hair ; If any Stragler from his Rank be found , A pinch must , for the Mortal Sin , compound . Psecas is not in Fault : But , in the Glass , The Dame's Offended at her own ill Face . That Maid is Banish'd ; and another Girl More dextrous , manages the Comb , and Curl : The rest are summon'd , on a point so nice ; And first , the Grave Old Woman gives Advice ▪ The next is call'd , and so the turn goes round , As each for Age , or Wisdom , is Renown'd : Such Counsel , such delib'rate care they take , As if her Life and Honour lay at stake . With Curls , on Curls , they build her Head before ; And mount it with a Formidable Tow'r . 34 A Gyantess she seems ; but , look behind , And then she dwindles to the Pigmy kind . Duck-leg'd , short-wasted , such a Dwarf she is , That she must rise on Tip-toes for a Kiss . Mean while , her Husband 's whole Estate is spent ; He may go bare while she receives his Rent . She minds him not ; she lives not as a Wife , But like a Bawling Neighbour , full of Strife : Near him , in this alone , that she extends Her Hate , to all his Servants , and his Friends . Bellona's Priests , an Eunuch at their Head , About the Streets a mad Procession lead ; The 35 Venerable Guelding , large , and high , O're-looks the Herd of his inferiour Fry. His awkward Clergy-Men about him prance ; And beat the Timbrels to their Mystick Dance . Guiltless of Testicles , they tear their Throats ▪ And squeak , in Treble , their Unmanly 〈◊〉 . Mean while , his Cheeks the Myter'd Prophet swells ; And Dire Presages of the Year foretels ▪ Unless with Eggs ( his Priestly hire ) they hast To Expiate , and avert th' Autumnal blast . And 36 add beside a murrey colour'd Vest , Which , in their places , may receive the Pest : And , thrown into the Flood , their Crimes may bear , to purge th' unlucky Omens of the Year . Th' Astonisht Matrons pay , before the rest ; That Sex is still obnoxious to the Priest. Through yee they beat , and plunge into the Stream , If so the God has warn'd 'em in a Dream . Weak in their Limbs , but in Devotion strong , On their bare Hands and Feet they crawl along ; A whole Fields length , the Laughter of the Throng . Shou'd Io ( Io's Priest I mean ) Command A Pilgrimage to Meroe's burning Sand , Through Desares they wou'd seek the secret Spring ; And Holy Water , for Lustration , bring . How can they pay their Priests too much respect , Who Trade with Heav'n and Earthly Gains neglect ? With him , Domestick Gods Discourse by Night ; By Day , attended by his Quire in white . The Bald-pate Tribe runs madding through the Street , And Smile to see with how much ease they Cheat. The Ghostly Syre forgives the Wife's Delights , Who Sins , through Frailty , on forbidden Nights : And Tempts her Husband , in the Holy Time , When Carnal Pleasure is a Mortal Crime . The Sweating Image shakes its Head ; but he With Mumbled Prayers Attones the Deity . The Pious Priesthood the Fat Goose receive , And they once Brib'd , the Godhead must forgive . No sooner these remove , but full of Fear , A Gypsie Jewess whispers in your Ear , And begs an Alms : An High-Priest's Daughter she Vers'd in their Talmud , and Divinity ; And Prophesies beneath a shady Tree . Her Goods a Basket , and old Hay her Bed , She strouls , and Telling Fortunes , gains her Bread : Farthings , and some small Monys , are her Fees ; Yet she Interprets all your Dreams for these . Foretels th' Estate , when the Rich Unckle Dies , And sees a Sweet-heart in the Sacrifice . Such Toys , a Pidgeons Entrails can disclose ; Which yet th' Armenian Augur far outgoes : In Dogs , a Victim more obscene , he rakes ; And Murder'd Infants , for Inspection , takes : For Gain , his Impious Practice he pursues ; For Gain will his Accomplices Accuse . More Credit , yet , is to 37 Chaldeans giv'n ; What they foretell , is deem'd the Voice of Heav'n . Their Answers , as from Hammon's Altar , come ; Since now the Delphian Oracles are dumb . And Mankind , ignorant of future Fate , Believes what fond Astrologers relate . Of these the most in vogue is he , who sent Beyond Seas , is return'd from Banishment . His Art who to 38 Aspiring Otho sold ; And sure Succession to the Crown foretold . For his Esteem , is in his Exile plac'd ; The more Believ'd , the more he was Disgrac'd . No Astrologick Wizard Honour gains , Who has not oft been Banisht , or in Chains . He gets Renown , who , to the Halter near , But narrowly escapes , and buys it dear . From him your Wife enquires the Planets Will ; When the black Iaundies shall her Mother Kill : Her Sister's and her Unckle's end , wou'd know ; But , first , consults his Art , when you shall go . And , what 's the greatest Gift that Heav'n can give , If , after her , th' Adult'rer shall live , She neither knows , nor cares to know the rest ; If 39 Mars and Saturn shall the World infest ; Or Iove and Venus , with their Friendly Rays , Will interpose , and bring us better days . Beware the Woman , too , and shun her Sight , Who , in these Studies , does her self Delight . By whom a greasie Almanack is born , With often handling , like chaft Amber , worn : Not now consulting , but consulted , she Of the Twelve Houses , and their Lords , is free . She , if the Scheme a fatal Journey show , Stays safe at Home , but lets her Husband go . If but a Mile she Travel out of Town , The Planetary Hour must first be known : And lucky moment ; if her Eye but akes Or itches , its Decumbiture she takes . No Nourishment receives in her Disease , But what the Stars , and 40 Ptolomy shall please . The middle sort , who have not much to spare , To Chiromancers cheaper Art repair , Who clap the pretty Palm , to make the Lines more fair . But the Rich Matron , who has more to give , Her Answers from the 41 Brachman will receive : Skill'd in the Globe and Sphere , he Gravely stands , And , with his Compass , measures Seas and Lands , The Poorest of the Sex , have still an Itoh To know their Fortunes , equal to the Rich. The Dairy-Maid enquires , if she shall take The trusty Taylor , and the Cook forsake . Yet these , tho Poor , the Pain of Child-bed bear ; And , without Nurses , their own Infants rear : You seldom hear of the Rich Mantle , spread For the Babe , born in the great Lady's Bed. Such is the Pow'● of Herbs ; such Arts they use To make them Barren , or their Fruit to lose . But thou , whatever Slops she will have bought , Be thankful , and supply the deadly Draught : Help her to make Manslaughter ; let her bleed , And never want for Savin at her need . For , if she holds till her nine Months be run , Thou may'st be Father to 42 an Aethiop's Son : A Boy , who ready gotten to thy hands , By Law is to Inherit all thy Lands : One of that hue , that shou'd he cross the way , His 43 Omen wou'd discolour all the day . I pass the Foundling by , a Race unknown , At Doors expos'd , whom Matrons ma●e their own ; And into Noble Families advance , A Nameless Issue , the blind work of Chance . Indulgent Fortune does her Care employ , And , smiling , broods upon the Naked Boy : Her Garment spreads , and laps him in the Fold , And covers , with her Wings , from nightly Cold : Gives him her Blessing ; puts him in a way ; Sets up the Farce , and laughs at her own Play. Him she promotes ; she favours him alone , And makes Provision for him , as her own . The craving Wife , the force of Magick tries , And Philte●s for th' unable Husband buys : The Potion works not on the part design'd , But turns his Brain , and stupifies his Mind . The sotted Moon-Calf gapes , and staring on , Sees his own Business by another done : A long Oblivion , a benumming Frost , Constrains his Head ; and Yesterday is lost : Some nimbler Juice wou'd make him foam , and rave , Like that 44 Caesonia to her Caius gave : Who , plucking from the Forehead of the Fole His Mother's Love , infus'd it in the Bowl : The boiling Blood ran hissing in his Veins , Till the mad Vapour mounted to his Brains . The 45 Thund'rer was not half so much on Fire , When Iuno's Girdle kindled his Desire . What Woman will not use the Poys'ning Trade , When Caesar's Wife the Precedent has made ? Let 46 Agripina's Mushroom be forgot ; Giv'n to a Slav'ring , Old , unuseful Sot ; That only clos'd the driveling Dotard's Eyes ; And sent his Godhead downward to the Skies . But this fierce Potion , calls for Fire and Sword ; Nor spares the Commons , when it strikes the Lord : So many Mischiefs were in one combin'd ; So much one single Poys'ner cost Mankind . If Stepdames seek their Sons in Law to kill , 'T is Venial Trespass ; let them have their Will : But let the Child , entrusted to the Care Of his own Mother , of her Bread beware : Beware the Food she reaches with her Hand ; The Morsel is intended for thy Land. Thy Tutour be thy Taster , e're thou Eat ; There 's Poyson in thy Drink , and in thy Meat . You think this feign'd ; the Satyr in a Rage Struts in the Buskins , of the Tragick Stage . Forgets his Bus'ness is to Laugh and Bite ; And will , of Deaths , and dire Revenges Write . Wou'd it were all a Fable , that you Read ; But 47 Drymon's Wife pleads Guilty to the Deed. I , ( she confesses , ) in the Fact was caught ; Two Sons dispatching , at one deadly Draught . What Two , Two Sons , thou Viper , in one day ? Yes sev'n , she cries , if sev'n were in my way . Medea's 48 Legend is no more a Lye ; Our Age adds Credit to Antiquity . Great Ills , we grant , in former times did Reign : And Murthers then were done : but not for Gain . Less Admiration to great Crimes is due , Which they through Wrath , or through Revenge pursue . For , weak of Reason , impotent of Will , The Sex is hurri'd headlong into Ill : And , like a Cliff from its foundations torn , By raging Earthquakes , into Seas is born . But those are Fiends , who Crimes from thought begin ; And , cool in Mischief , meditate the Sin. They Read th' Example of a Pious Wife , Redeeming , with her own , her Husband's Life ; Yet , if the Laws did that Exchange afford , Wou'd save their Lapdog sooner than their Lord. Where e're you walk , the 49 Belides you meet ; And 50 Clytemnestra's grow in every Street : But here 's the difference ; Agamemnon's Wife Was a gross Butcher , with a bloody Knife : But Murther , now , is to perfection grown : And subtle Poysons are employ'd alone : Unless some Antidote prevents their Arts , And lines with Balsom all the Noble parts : In such a case , reserv'd for such a need , Rather than fail , the Dagger does the Deed. The End of the Sixth Satyr . EXPLANATORY NOTES ON THE SIXTH SATYR . IN the Golden Age : when Saturn Reign'd . Fat with Acorns : Acorns were the Bread of Mankind , before Corn was found . Vnder Jove : When Iove had driven his Father into Banishment , the Silver Age began , according to the Poets . Vneasie Iustice , &c. The Poet makes Justice and Chastity Sisters ; and says that they ●●ed to Heaven together ; and left Earth for ever . Ceres Feast . When the Roman Women were forbidden to bed with their Husbands . Iove and Mars . Of whom more Fornicating Stories are told , than any of the other Gods. Wondring Pharos . She fled to Egypt ; which wonder'd at the Enormity of her Crime . He tells the Famous Story of Messalina , Wife to the Emperor Claudius . Wealth has the Priviledge , &c. His meaning is , that a Wife who brings a large Dowry may do what she pleases , and has all the Priviledges of a Widow . Berenice's Ring . A Ring of great Price , which Herod Agrippa gave to his Sister Berenice . He was King of the Iews , but Tributary to the Romans . Cornelia . Mother to the Gracchi , of the Family of the Cornelit ; from whence Scipio the Affrican was descended , who Triumph'd over Hannibal . O Paean , &c. He alludes to the known Fable of Ni●be in Ovid. Amphion was her Husband : Paean is Apollo , who with his Arrows kill'd her Children , because she boasted that she was more fruitful than Latona , Apollo's Mother . The thirty Pigs , &c. He alludes to the white Sow in Virgil , who farrow'd thirty Pigs . The Grecian Cant. Women then learnt Greek , as ours speak French. All the Romans , even the most Inferiour , and most Infamous sort of them , had the Power of making Wills. Go drag that Slave , &c. These are the words of the Wife . Your Reason why , &c. The Answer of the Husband . Call'st thou that Slave a Man ? The Wife again . Hannibal . A Famous Carthaginian Captain ; who was upon the point of Conquering the Romans . The good Goddess . At whose Feasts no Men were to be present . Nestor . Who lived three hundred Years . What Singer , &c. He alludes to the Story of P. Clodius , who , disguis'd in the Habit of a Singing Woman , went into the House of Caesar , where the Feast of the Good Goddess was Celebrated ; to find an opportunity with Caesar's Wife Pompeia . He taxes Women with their loving Eunuchs , who can get no Children ; but adds that they only love such Eunuchs , as are g●elded when they are already at the Age of Manhood . Priapus . The God of Lust. Pollio . A Famous Singing Boy . That such an Actor whom they love might obtain the Prize . Th' Auruspex . He who inspects the Entrails of the Sacrifice , and from thence , foretels the Successor . Vulcan . The God of Smiths . Tabours and Trumpets , &c. The Ancients thought that with such sounds , they cou'd bring the Moon out of her Eclipse . A Mood and Figure-Bride . A Woman who has learn'd Logick . A Woman-Grammarian , who corrects her Husband for speaking false Latin , which is call'd breaking Priscian's Head. A Train of these . That is , of she Asses . Sicilian Tyrants . Are grown to a Proverb in Latin , for their Cruelty . This dressing up the Head so high , which we call a Tow'r , was an Ancient way amongst the Romans . Bellona's Priests were a sort of Fortune-tellers ; and the High-Priest an Eunuch . And add beside , &c. A Garment was given to the Priest , which he threw into the River ; and that , they thought , bore all the Sins of the People , which were drown'd with it . Chaldaeans are thought to have been the first Astrologers . Otho succeeded Galba in the Empire ; which was foretold him by an Astrologer . Mars and Saturn are the two Unfortunate Planets ; Iupiter and Venus , the two Fortunate . Ptolomy . A Famous Astrologer , an Egyptian . The Brachmans are Indian Philosophers , who remain to this day ; and hold , after Pythagoras , the Translation of Souls from one body to another . To an Aethiop's Son. His meaning is , help her to any kind of Slops , which may cause her to miscarry ; for fear she may be brought to Bed of a Black-moor , which thou , being her Husband , art bound to Father ; and that Bastard may by Law , Inherit thy Estate . His Omen , &c. The Romans thought it ominous to see a Blackmoor in the Morning , if he were the first Man they met . Caesonia , Wife to Caius Caligula , the great Tyrant : 'T is said she gave him a Love-Potion , which flying up into his Head , distracted him ; and was the occasion of his committing so many Acts of Cruelty . The Thunderer , &c. The Story is in Homer ; where Iuno borrow'd the Girdle of Venus , call'd Cestos ; to make Iupiter in love with her , while the Grecians and Trojans were fighting , that he might not help the latter . Agrippina was the Mother of the Tyrant Nero , who Poyson'd her Husband Claudius , that Nero might Succeed , who was her Son , and not Britannicus , who was the Son of Claudius , by a former Wife . The Widow of Drymon Poison'd her Sons , that she might Succeed to their Estate : This was done either in the Poet's time , or just before it . Medea , out of Revenge to Iason who had forsaken her , kill'd the Children which she had by him . The Belides . Who were fifty Sisters , Marry'd to fifty young Men , their Cousin-Germans ; and kill'd them all on their Wedding-Night , excepting Hipermnestra , who sav'd her Husband Linus . Clytemnestra . The Wife of Agamemnon , who , in favour to her Adulterer Estgyhus , was consenting to his Murther . THE SEVENTH SATYR OF JUVENAL , Translated into ENGLISH VERSE BY Mr. CHARLES DRYDEN . ARGUMENT OF THE Seventh Satyr . The Hope and Encouragement of all the Learn'd , is only repos'd in Caesar ; whether in Domitian , Nerva , or Trajan , is left doubtful by the Poet. The Nobility , which in Reason ought to Patronize Poetry , and Reward it , are now grown sordidly Covetous ; and think it enough for them barely to praise Writers , or to Write ill Verses themselves . This gives occasion to our Authour , to lament likewise , the hard Fortune and Necessities of other Arts , and their Professours . Particularly Historians , Lawyers , Rhetoricians , and Grammarians . THE SEVENTH SATYR . ON Caesar all our Studies must depend ; For Caesar is alone the Muses Friend : When now the Celebrated Wits , for need Hire Bagnio's , to the Cryer's Trade succeed , Or get their own , by Baking other's Bread : Or by the Porter's Lodge with Beggars wait , For greazy Fragments at the Great Man's Gate . T is better , so ; if thy Poetick Fob Refuse to pay an Ordinary's Club ; And much more Honest , to be hir'd , and stand With Auctionary Hammer in thy Hand , Provoking to give more , and knocking thrice For the sold Houshold Stuff , or Picture 's price ; Exposing Play-Books , full of Fustian Lines , Or the dull Libraries of Dead Divines . Ev'n this is better , tho 't is hardly got , Than be a Perjur'd Witness of a Plot , To Swear he saw three inches through a Door ; As Asiatick Evidences Swore ; Who hither coming , out at Heels and Knees , For this had Pensions , Titles , and Degrees . Henceforward let no Poet fear to Starve , Caesar will give , if we can but deserve . Tune all your Lyres , the Monarch's Praise invites The lab'ring Muse ; and vast Reward excites . But if from other hands than his , you think To find supply , 't is loss of Pen and Ink : Let Flames on your unlucky Papers prey , Or Moths through written Pages eat their way : Your Wars , your Loves , your Praises , be forgot , And make of all an Universal blot . The Muses ground is barren Desart all ; If no support from Caesar's Bounty fall ; The rest is empty Praise , an Ivy Crown , Or the lean 1 Statue of a starv'd Renown . For now the cunning Patron never pays ; But thinks he gives enough in giving Praise , Extols the Poem , and the Poet's Vein , As Boys admire the Peacok's Gawdy Train : Mean while thy Manhood , fit for Toils and Wars , Patient of Seas , and Storms , and Houshold Cares , Ebbs out apace , and all thy Strength impairs . Old Age , with silent pace , comes creeping on , Nauseates the Praise , which in her Youth she won , And hates the Muse by which she was undone . The Tricks of thy base Patron now behold , To spare his Purse , and save his darling Gold ; In his own Coin the Starving Wit he Treats ; Himself makes Verses , which himself repeats , And yields to Homer , on no other score Than that he liv'd a Thousand Years before . But if , to Fame alone , thou dost pretend , The Miser will his empty Palace lend ; Set wide his Doors , adorn'd with plated Brass , Where droves , as at a City-gate may pass ; A spacious Hall afford thee to reherse , And send his Clients to applaud thy Verse ; But not one Far●●ing to defray the costs Of Carpenters , the 2 Pulpit , and the Posts . House-room that costs him nothing , he bestow● Yet still we Scribble on , tho still we lose : We drudge , and cultivate with care , a Ground Where no return of Gain was ever found : The Charms of Poetry our Souls bewitch ; The Curse of Writing is an endless Itch. But he whose Noble Genius is allow'd ; Who with stretch'd Pinions soars above the crow'd ; Who mighty Thought can cloath with Manly Dress , He , whom I fancy , but can ne're e●press ; Such , such a Wit , tho rarely to be found , Must be secure from Want , if not abound . Nice is his make , impatient of the War , Avoiding Bus'ness , and abhorring Care ; He must have Groves ; and lonely Fountains chuse , And easie Solitudes to bait his Muse ; Unvex'd with thought of Wants , which may betide , Or for to Morrow's Dinner to provide . Horace 3 ne're wrote but with a Rosie Cheek ; His Belly pamper'd , and his Sides were sleek . A Wit should have no care ; or this alone , To make his rising Numbers justly run . Phoebus and Bacchus , those two Jolly Gods , Bear no Starv'd Poets to their Blest Abodes . 'T is not for Hungry Wit , with Wants control'd , The Face of Iove in Council to behold : Or fierce 4 Alecto , when her Brand she toss'd , Betwixt the Trojan , and Rutilian Hoast : If Virgil's Suit 5 Mecenas had not sped , And sent 6 Alexis to the Poet's Bed ; The Crested Snakes had dropt upon the ground And the loud Trumpet languish'd in the sound . Yet we expect that 7 Lappa's Muse shou'd please , As much as did Immortal 8 Sophocles : When he his Dishes and his Cloaths has sent To Pawn , for payment of a Quarter's Rent : His Patron 9 Numitor will nothing lend , Pleads want of Mony to his wretched Friend , Yet can large Presents to his Harlot send : Can purchase a tame Lion , and can Treat The Kingly Slave with sev'ral sorts of Meat : It seems , he thinks th' Expence is more , to Feast The Famish'd Poet , than the Hungry Beast . Lucan 10 , content with Praise , may lye at ease In costly Grots , and marble Palaces : But to Poor 11 Bassus what avails a Name , To starve on Compliments , and empty Fame ? All Rome is pleas'd , when 12 Statius will Reherse , And longing Crowds expect the promis'd Verse : His lofty Numbers with so great a gust They hear , and swallow with such eager Lust : But , while the common Suffrage Crown'd his Cause , And broke the Benches with their loud Applause ; His Muse had Starv'd , had not a piece unread , And by a 13 Player bought , supply'd her Bread. He cou'd dispose of Honours , and Commands , The Pow'r of Rome , was in an Actor's Hands , The Peaceful Gown , and Military Sword : The bounteous Play'r out-gave the pinching Lord. And wouldst Thou , Poet , rise before the Sun. And to his Honour 's lazy Levée run ? Stick to the Stage ; and leave thy fordid Peer ; And yet Heav'n knows , 't is earn'd with hardship there . The former Age , did one Mecenas see , One giving Lord of Happy Memory . Th●n , then , 't was worth a Writer's pains , to pine , Look Pale , and all 14 December tast no Wine . Such is the Poet's Lot : What luckier Fate Does on the Works of Grave Historians wait ? More time they spend , in greater Toils ingage ; Their Volumes swell beyond the thousandth Page : For thus the Laws of History Command ; And much good Paper suffers in their Hand . What Harvest rises from this labour'd Ground ? Where they get Pence , a 15 Clerk can get a Pound . A lazy Tribe , just of the Poet's pitch , Who think themselves above the growing Rich. Next shew me the well-lung'd 16 Civilian's Gain , Who bears in Triumph an Artillery Train Of Chancery Libels ; opens first the Cause , Then with a Picklock-Tongue perverts the Laws ; Talks loud enough in Conscience for his Fee , Takes care his Client , all his Zeal may see ; Twitch'd by the Sleeve , he Mouths it more and more , Till with white froth his Gown is slaver'd o're . Ask what he gains by all this Lying Prate , A Captain 's Plunder , trebbles his Estate . The Magistrate assumes his Awful Seat ; Stand forth 17 pale Ajax , and thy Speech repeat : Assert thy Clients Freedom ; bawl , and tear So loud , thy Country-Judge at least may hear , If not discern ; and when thy Lungs are sore , Hang up the 18 Victor's Garland at thy Door : Ask , for what Price thy Venial Tongue was sold ; A rusty Gammon of some sev'n Years old : Tough , wither'd 19 Treuffles ; ropy Wine , a Dish Of shotten Herrings , or stale stinking Fish. For four times talking , if one piece thou take , That must be cantled , and the Judge go snack . 'T is true , 20 Emilius takes a five-fold Fee , Tho some plead better , with more Law than he : But then he keeps his Coach , six Flanders Mares Draw him in State , when ever he appears : He shews his Statue too , where plac'd on high , The Ginnet , underneath him , seems to fly ; While with a lifted Spear , in Armour bright , His aiming Figure meditates a Fight . With Arts like these , Rich Matho when he speaks , Attracts all Fees , and little Lawyers breaks . Tongillus , very Poor , has yet an Itch Of gaining Wealth , by feigning to be Rich ; Baths often , and in State , and proudly vain , Sweeps through the Streets , with a long dirty Train : From thence , with Lackeys running by his side , High on the backs of brawny Slaves will ride , In a long Litter , through the Market-place ; And with a nod the distant Rabble grace : Clad in a Gown , that glows with Tyrian dye , Surveys Rich Moveables with curious Eye , Beats down the Price , and threatens still to buy . Nor can I wonder at such Tricks as these , The Purple Garments raise the Lawyer 's Fees : And sell him dearer to the Fool that buys ; High Pomp , and State , are useful Properties . The Luxury of Rome will know no end ; For still the less we have , the more we spend . Trust Eloquence to shew our parts , and Breeding ! Not 21 T●lly now cou'd get Ten Groats by Pleading ; Unless the Diamond glitter'd on his Hand ; Wealth 's all the Rhetorick Clients understand : Without large Equipage , and loud Expence , The Prince of Orators would scarce speak Sense . Paulus 22 , who with Magnificence did Plead , Grew Rich , while Tatter'd Gallus Begg'd his Bread. Who to Poor Basilus his Cause would trust , Tho ne're so full of pity , ne're so just ▪ His Clients , unregarded , claim their due : For Eloquence in Rags was never true . Go Wretch , thy pleadings into 23 Africk send ; Or France , where Merit never needs a Friend . But oh , what stock of Patience wants the Fool , Who wasts his Time and Breath in Teaching School ! To hear the Speeches of declaiming Boys , Deposing Tyrants with Eternal noise : Sitting , or standing , still confin'd to roar In the same Verse , the same Rules o're and o're : What kind the Speech , what colours , how to purge Objections , state the Case , and Reasons urge . All would Learn these ; but at the Quarter day , Few Parents will the Pedant's Labour pay . Pay , Sir , for what ? The Scholar knows no more At six Months end , than what he knew before : Taught , or Untaught , the Dunce is still the same , Yet still the wretched Master bears the blame . Once ev'ry week , poor Hannibal is maul'd ; The Theme is giv'n , and straight the Council's call'd , Whether he should to Rome directly go To reap the Fruit of the dire 24 overthrow ; Or into Quarters put his harrass'd Men Till Spring returns , and take the Field agen , The Murder'd Master cryes , would Parents hear But half that stuff , which I am bound to bear , For that Revenge I 'le quit the whole Arrear . The same Complaints most other Pedants make ; Plead real Causes , and the feign'd forsake : Medea's 25 Poyson , Iason's Perjury , And 26 Philomela's Rape , are all laid by ; Th' Accusing 27 Stepdame , and the Son Accus'd : But if my Friendly Counsel might be us'd , Let not the Learn'd , this course or t'other try , But , leaving both , profess plain Poverty : And shew his 28 Tally for the dole of Bread , With which the Parish-Poor are daily fed : Ev'n that exceeds the price of all thy pains . Now look into the Musick Master's gains , Where Noble Youth at vast Expence is Taught : But Eloquence not valu'd at a Groat . On sumptuous Baths the Rich their Wealth bestow , Or some expensive airy Portico ; Where safe from Show'rs , they may be Born in State , And free from Tempests , for fair Weather wait : Or rather , not expect the clearing Sun , Through thick and thin , their Equipage must run : Or staying , 't is not for their Servants sake , But that their Mules no prejudice may take . At the Walks end , behold , how rais'd on high , A Banquet-House salutes the Southern Skye ; Where from afar , the Winter Sun displays The milder influence of his weaken'd Rays . The Cook , and Sewer , each his Tallent tries ; In various Figures Scenes of Dishes rise : Besides , a Master-Cook , with greazy Fist , Dives in Luxurious Sawces to the Wrist ▪ Amidst this wastful Riot , there accrews But poor Ten Shillings for 29 Quintilian's dues : For , to Breed up the Son to common Sence Is evermore the Parents least Expence . From whence then comes Quintilian's vast Estate ? Because he was the Darling Son of Fate ; And Luck , in scorn of Merit made him Great . Urge not th' Example of one single Man , As rare as a white Crow , or sable Swan , Quintilian's Fate was to be counted Wise , Rich , Noble , Fair , and in the State to rise : Good Fortune grac'd his Action , and his Tongue ; His Colds became him , and when Hoarse he Sung. O , there 's strange difference , what Planets shed Their influence , on the New-Born Infant 's Head ! 'T is Fate that casts the Dice , and as she flings , Of Kings makes Pedants , and of Pedants Kings . What made 30 Ventidius rise , and 31 Tullus Great , But their kind Stars , and hidden Pow'r of Fate ? Few Pedagogues , but Curse the Barren Chair ; Like 32 Him , who Hang'd himself for meer Despair And Poverty ; 33 or Him , whom Caius sent For liberty of Speech to Banishment . Ev'n Socrates in Rags at Athens Taught , And wanted to 34 defray the deadly Draught . In Peace , ye Shades of our Great Grandsires rest , No heavy Earth your Sacred Bones molest : Eternal Spring , and rising Flow'rs Adorn The Relicks of each Venerable Urn , Who Pious Reverence to their Tutors paid , As Parents Honour'd , and as Gods Obey'd . Achilles 35 , grown in Stature , fear'd the Rod , And stood Corrected at the Centaur's Nod ; His Tender Years in Learning did employ , And promis'd all the Hero in the Boy . The Scene 's much alter'd in the Modern School , The Boys of Rufus call their Master Fool ; A just 36 Revenge on him , who durst defame The Merit of Immortal Tully's Name . But ask , what Fruit 37 Palemon's pains have earn'd , Or who , has paid the price of what he Learn'd ; Though Grammar profits less than Rhetorick are , Yet ev'n in those his Usher claims a share ; Besides the Servants Wages must be paid : Thus of a little , still a less is made : As Merchants Gains come short , of half the Mart , For he who drives their Bargains , dribs a part . The Covetous Father now includes the Night , And Cov'nants , thou shalt Teach by Candle-light ; When puffing Smiths , and ev'ry painful Trade Of Handycrafts in peaceful Beds are laid : Then , thou art bound to smell on either hand As many stinking Lamps , as School-Boys stand ; Where Horace could not Read in his own sully'd Book : And 38 Virgil's Sacred Page is all besmear'd with Smoke : But when thou Dun'st their Parents , seldom they Without a Suit before the 39 Tribune , pay , And yet hard Laws upon the Master lay . Be sure he knows exactly Grammar Rules , And all the best Historians Read in Schools ; All Authours , ev'ry Poet to an hair ; That , ask'd the Question , he may scarce Despair , To tell , who Nurst 40 Anchises ; or to Name Anchemolus's 41 Stepmother , and whence she came : How long 42 Acestes liv'd , what stores of Wine He gave to the departing Trojan Line . Bid him besides , his daily pains employ To form the Tender Manners of the Boy ; And work him , like a Waxen Babe , with Art To perfect Symmetry , in ev'ry part : To be his better Parent , to beware No young obscenities his Strength impair , No mutual filth ; to mark his Hands and Eyes , Distorted with Unnatural Extasies : This be thy Task ; and yet for all thy pains At the Years end , expect no greater gains , Than what 43 a Fencer at a Prize , obtains . The End of the Seventh Satyr . EXPLANATORY NOTES ON THE SEVENTH SATYR . A Statue Erected in Honour of a Poet. ( Pulpit . ) In which the Poets Rehears'd . ( Horace . ) A Famous Poet , who was in great Favour with the Emperour Augustus Caesar , by the means of his Patron Mecaenas . One of the three Furies . ( Mecenas . ) A Favourite to Augustus , and a great Patron of Poets . Mecenas his Boy ; with whom Virgil was in Love. Rubraenus Lapp . A poor Tragick Poet. ( Sophocles . ) An excellent Poet of Athens , who wrote Greek Tragedies . ( Numitor. ) A Rich Nobleman of Rome . ( Lucan . ) A great Poet , who was put to Death by Nero , partly out of Envy to his Poetry , partly , for being in a Plot with his Unckle Seneca and Piso. Salejus Bassus . A poor Poet. Statius . Sirnam'd Rapinius , a Famous Poet in the time of Caesar Domitian . Paris , a Famous Actor ; and Favourite to Domitian ; the Patron of Statius . The Romans Celebrated their gr●●t Holydays , call'd 〈◊〉 in December ; when every one Drank freely ; and the Slaves were in a manner , Masters . Or rather a publick Notary . In those times the Lawyers got little . Alluding to that of Ovid ; consedere Duces , &c. When an Orator had won a Cause ; a Garland was hung up , before his Door . Treuffles , in English , call'd Ground Chest-nuts , or Pignuts : but perhaps the Authour means Onyons , or Scallions . Emilius . A Rich Lawyer . Marcus Tullius Cicero . The greatest Orator that ever Rome Bred. Paulus . Was a Rich Lawyer , Basilus and Gallus were very poor . France and Affrica were then , Famous for great Lawyers , and fat Fees. The Victory obtain'd by Hannibal at Cannae ; after which , if he had immediately attempted Rome , in all probability , he had carried it . ( Medea . ) A notable Sorceress , Daughter of Aetes King of Colchos , and Wife to Iason , who left her afterwards , and Married another . ( Philomela . ) Daughter of Pandion King of Athens , was Ravish'd by Tereus King of Thrace , who cut out her Tongue that she might not disclose the Secret. ( Stepdame ) Phaedra Wife of Theseus , who fell in Love with her Son in Law Hippolytus , and because she could not obtain her ends of him , Accus'd him to his Father that he would have forc'd her . In any Dole , made by the Emperour or one of the City Magistrates , the poor Citizens had each a Talley given them ; which they shew'd first , and then receiv'd their proportion . Quintilian . A Famous Man both in Rhetorick and Oratory , who Taught School in the times of Galba , Domitian , and Trajan , and receiv'd his Salary out of the Emperour's Treasury . Uentidius Bassus was Lieutenant to Marc Antony ; and the first who beat the Parthians in three Battels . ( Tullus ) Here is meant Tullus Servius , one of the Roman Kings . ( Him. ) Thrasymachus , a Rhetorician of Carthage , who Hang'd himself by Reason of his Poverty . ( Or Him. ) Secundus Carinas ; who ws Banish'd from Rome , by the Emperour Caligula , for declaiming against Tyrants . When Socrates was Condemn'd to Dye by Poyson , he wanted Money to pay for the juice of Hemlock which he was to Drink ; and desir'd one of his Friends , to lay it down for him , and satisfie the Fees of the Executioner . ( Achilles . ) The Son of Peleus and Thetis , who had Chiron the Centaur for his Tutor . Rufus call'd Tully an Allobroge ; as if his Latine were Barbarous , and not truly Roman . ( Palemon . ) A poor Grammarian , but of great esteem . ( Virgil ) Sirnam'd Maro ; the Favourite Poet of Augustus Caesar. ( Tribune ) Here is meant Tribunus Aerarius , who took cognizance only of Causes of less moment , not the Tribunus Plebis , as Britannicus imagin'd . Anchises . Was Father of Aeneas the Trojan , who was the Founder of Rome . Anchemolus . The Son of Rhaetus , a King in Italy , Ravish'd his Stepmother Casperia . A King of Sicily ; who kindly Entertain'd Aenaeas in his Voyage . The People were us'd at their Sword-plays , to gather Money for the Conquerour . THE EIGHTH SATYR OF JUVENAL , Translated into ENGLISH VERSE BY Mr. G. STEPNY , Fellow of Trinity College in CAMBRIDGE . ARGUMENT OF THE Eighth Satyr . In this Satyr , the Poet proves that No●ility do●s not confist in Statues and Pedigrees , but in Honourable and Good Actions : He lashes Rubellius Plancus , for being Insolent , by Reason of his High ●irth ; and lays do●n ●n I●sta●ce t●●t 〈◊〉 ought to make the like Iudgment of Men , as we do of Horses , who are valued rather according to their Personal Qualities , than by the Race of whence they co●● . He ad●ises his N●ble Friend Ponticus ( to whom he Dedicates the Satyr ) to lead a Virtuous Life , disswading him from Debauchery , Luxury , Oppression , Cruelty , and other Vices , by his severe Censures on Lateranus , Damasippus , Gr●cchus , Nero , Catiline ; And in Opposition to these , displays the worth of Persons Meanly Born , such as Cicero , Marius , Servius Tullius , and the Decii . THE EIGHTH SATYR . WHat 's the advantage , or the real Good , In traceing from the Source our ancient Blood ? To have our Ancestors in Paint or Stone Preserv'd as Reliques , or , like Monsters , shewn ? The Brave Aemilii , as in Triumph plac'd , The Virtuous Curii , half by Time defac'd ; Corvinus , with a mouldring Nose , that bears Injurious Scars , ( the sad Effects of Years ; ) And Galba grinning without Nose or Ears ? Vain are their Hopes , who fancy to inherit By Trees of Pedigrees , of Fame , or Merit ; Tho plodding Heralds through each Branch may trace Old Captains and Dictators of their Race , While their Ill Lives that Family belye , And grieve the Brass which stands dishonour'd by . 'T is meer Burlesque , that to our Gen'rals praise , Their Progeny immortal Statues raise , Yet ( far from that old Gallantry ) delight To game before their Images all night , And steal to Bed at the approach of day , The hour when these their Ensigns did display . Why shou'd soft 1 Eabius impudently bear Names gain'd by Conquests in the Gallic War ? Why lays he claim to Hercules his Strain , Yet dares be Base , Effeminate , and Vain ? The glorious Altar to that Hero built , Adds but a greater Lustre to his Guilt , Whose tender Limbs , and polisht Skin , disgrace The grisly Beauty of his Manly Race ; And who by practising the dismal skill Of Poys'ning , and such treacherous ways to kill , Makes his unhappy Kindred-Marble sweat , When his degenerate Head by theirs is set . Long Galleries of Ancestors , and all Those Follies which ill-grace a Country-Hall , Challenge no Wonder or Esteem from me ; " Virtue alone is true Nobility . Live therefore well : To Men and Gods appear , Such as Good 2 Paulus , Cossus , Drusus were ; And in thy Consular triumphal Shew , Let These before thy Father's Statues go ; Place 'em before the 3 Ensigns of the State , As chusing rather to be Good than Great . Convince the World that you 're devout and true , Be just in all you say , and all you do ; Whatever be your Birth , you 're sure to be A Peer of the first Magnitude to me : Rome for your sake shall push her Conquests on , And bring 4 New Titles home from Nations won , To Dignifie so Eminent a Son : With your blest Name shall every Region sound , Loud as mad Egypt , when her Priests have found A new 5 Osyris , for the Ox they drown'd . But who will call those Noble , who deface , By meaner Acts , the Glories of their Race ; Whose only Title to their Father's Fame Is couch'd in the dead Letters of their Name ? A Dwarf as well may for a Gyant pass ; A Negro for a Swan ; a Crook-back'd Lass Be call'd Europa ; and a Cur may bear The Name of Tyger , Lion , or what-e're Denotes the Noblest or the Fiercest Beast : Be therefore careful , lest the World in jeast Shou'd thee just so with the Mock-titles greet , Of Camerinus , or of Conquer'd Crete . To whom is this Advice and Censure due ? Rubellius Plancus , 't is apply'd to you ; Who think your Person second to Divine , Because descended from the Drusian Line ; Tho yet you no Illustrious Act have done To make the World distinguish Iulia's Son From the vile Offspring of a Trull , who sits By the Town-Wall , and for her Living knits . You are poor Rogues ( you cry ) the baser Scum And inconsiderable Dregs of Rome ; Who know not from what Corner of the Earth The obscure Wretch , who got you , stole his Birth : Mine , I derive from Cecrops 6 — May your Grace Live , and enjoy the Splendour of your Race — . Yet of these base Plebeians we have known Some , who , by charming Eloquence , have grown Great Senators , and Honours to that Gown : Some at the Bar with Subtilty defend The Cause of an unlearned Noble Friend ; Or on the Bench the knotty Laws untye : Others their stronger Youth to Arms apply , Go to Euphrates , or those Forces join Which Garrison the Conquests near the Rhine . While you , Rubellius , on your Birth relye ; Tho you resemble your Great Family No more , than those rough Statues on the Road ( Which we call Mercuries ) are like that God : Your Blockhead tho excels in this alone , You are a Living Statue , that of Stone . Great Son of Troy , who ever prais'd a Beast For being of a Race above the rest , But rather meant his Courage , and his Force ? To give an Instance — We commend an Horse ( Without regard of Pasture , or of Breed ) For his undaunted Mettle and his speed ; Who 7 wins most Plates with greatest ease , and first Prints with his Hoofs his Conquest on the Dust. But if fleet Dragon's Progeny at last Proves jaded , and in frequent Matches cast , No favour for the Stallion we retain , And no respect for the Degenerate strain ; The worthless Brute is from New-Market brought , And at an under-rate in Smith-Field bought , To turn a Mill , or drag a Loaded Life Beneath two Panniers , and a Baker's Wife . That we may therefore you , not yours , admire ; First , Sir , some Honour of your own acquire ; Add to that Stock which justly we bestow On those 8 Blest Shades to whom you all things owe. This may suffice the Haughty Youth to shame , Whose swelling Veins ( if we may Credit Fame ) Burst almost with the Vanity and Pride , That their Rich Flood to Nero's is ally'd : The Rumour 's likely ; for " We seldom find " Much sence with an Exalted Fortune join'd . But , Ponticus , I wou'd not you shou'd raise Your Credit by Hereditary praise ; Let your own Acts Immortalize your Name ; " 'T is Poor relying on another's Fame ; For , take the Pillars but away , and all The Superstructure must in Ruins fall ; As a Vine droops , when by Divorce remov'd From the Embraces of the Elm she lov'd . Be a good Souldier , or upright Trustee , An Arbitrator from Corruption free , And if a Witness in a doubtful Cause , Where a brib'd Judge means to elude the Laws ; Tho 9 Phalaris his Brazen Bull were there , And He wou'd dictate what he 'd have yuo swear , Be not so Profligate , but rather chuse To guard your Honour , and your Life to lose , Rather than let your Virtue be betray'd ; Virtue , the Noble Cause for which you 're made . " Improperly we measure Life by Breath ; " Such do not truly Live who merit Death ; Tho they their wanton Sences nicely please With all the Charms of Luxury and Ease ; Tho mingled Flow'rs adorn their careless Brow , And round 'em costly Sweets neglected flow ; As if they in their Funeral State were laid , And to the World , as they 're to Virtue , Dead . When 10 You the Province you expect , obtain , From Passion and from Avarice refrain ; Let our Associates Poverty provoke Thy generous Heart not to encrease their Yoke , Since Riches cannot rescue from the ●nave , Which claims alike the Monarch and the Slave To what the Laws enjoin , submission pay ▪ And what the Senate shall Command , Obey ; Think what Rewards upon the Good attend , And how those fall unpitied who offend : Tutor and Capito may Warnings be , Who felt the Thunder of the States Decree For robbing the Cilicians , tho they ( Like lesser Pikes ) only subsist on Prey . But what avails the Rigour of their Doom ? Which cannot future violence o'recome , Nor give the Miserable Province ●ase ▪ Since what one Plund'rer left , the next will seize ▪ Cherippus 11 then , in time your self bethink , And what your Rags will yield by Auction , sink ; Ne're put your self to Charges to complain Of Wrongs which 〈◊〉 you did sustain ; Make not a Voyage to detect the Theft , " 'T is mad to Lavish what their Rapine lest . When Rome at first our Rich Allies subdu'd , From gentle Taxes Noble Spoils accru'd ; Each wealthy Province , but in part Opprest , Thought the Loss trivial , and enjoy'd the rest . All Treasuries did then with Heaps abound ; In every Wardrobe costly Silks were found ; The least Apartment of the meanest House Cou'd all the wealthy Pride of Art produce ; Pictures which from 12 Parrhasius did receive Motion and warmth ; and Statues taught to live ; Some 12 Polyclete's , some Myron's Work declar'd , In others 12 Phidia's Masterpiece appear'd ; And crowding Plate did on the Cupboard stand , Emboss'd by curious 12 Mentor's artful hand . Prizes like these Oppressors might invite , These Dolabella's Rapine did excite , These 13 Anthony for his own Theft thought fit , Verres for these did Sacriledge commit ; And when their Reigns were ended , Ships full Fraught The hidden Fruits of their Exaction brought , Which made in Peace , a Treasure Richer far , Than what is Plunder'd in the Rage of War. This was of Old ; But our Confederates now Have nothing left but Oxen for the Plough , Or some few Mares reserv'd alone for Breed ; Yet lest this provident Design succeed , They drive the Father of the Herd away , Making both Stallion , and his Pasture , Prey . Their Rapine is so abject and prophane , They nor from Trifles , nor from Gods refrain ; But the poor Lares from the Niches seize , If they be little images that please . Such are the Spoils which now provoke their Theft , And are the greatest , Nay they 're all that 's left . Thus may 14 You 15 Corinth , or weak Rhodes oppress , Who dare not bravely what they feel , redress : ( For how can Fops thy Tyranny controul " Smooth Limbs are symptoms of a servile Soul ) But Trespass not too far on sturdy Spain , Sclavonia , France ; thy Gripes from those restrain , Who with their 16 sweat Rome's Luxury maintain ; And send us Plenty , while our wanton day Is lavish'd at the Circus , or the Play. For , shou'd you to Extortion be inclin'd , Your Cruel Guilt will little Booty find , Since gleaning 17 Marius has already seiz'd All that from Sun-burnt Africk can be squees'd . But above all , " Be careful to with-hold " Your Tallons from the Wretched and the Bold ; " Tempt not the Brave and Needy to Despair ; " For , tho your Violence shou'd leave 'em bare " Of Gold and Silver , Swords and Darts remain , " And will Revenge the Wrongs which they sustain , " The Plundred still have Arms. — Think not the Precept I have here laid down A fond , uncertain Notion of my own ; No , 't is a Sibyl's Leaf what I relate , As fixt and sure , as the Decrees of Fate . Let none but Men of Honour you attend ; Chuse him that has most Virtue for your Friend , And give no way to any Darling Youth To sell your Favour , and pervert the Truth . Reclaim your Wife from stroling up and down , To all Assizes , and through every Town , With Claws like Harpies , eager for the Prey ; ( For which your Justice , and your Fame will pay ▪ ) Keep your self free from Scandals such as these ; Then Trace your Birth from 18 Picus , if you please : If he 's too Modern , and your Pride aspire To seek the Author of your Being higher , Chuse any Titan who the Gods withstood ▪ To be the Founder of your Ancient blood , Prometheus , and that Race before the flood , Or any other Story you can find From Heralds , or in Poets , to your mind . But shou'd you prove Ambitious , Lustful , Vain ; Or cou'd you see with Pleasure and Disdain , Rods broke on our Associates bleeding backs , And Heads-Men lab'ring till they blunt their Ax : Your Father's Glory will your Sin proclaim , And to a clearer Light expose your shame ; " For , still more publick scandal Vice extends , " As he is Great and Noble who offends . How dare 19 you then your high Extraction plead ? Yet blush not when you go to forge a Deed , In the same Temple which your Grandsire built , Making his Statue privy to the Guilt . Or in a Bawdy Masquerade are led Muffled by Night to some polluted Bed. Fat Lateranus does his Revels keep Where his Fore-Fathers peaceful Ashes sleep ; Driving himself a Chariot down the Hill , And ( tho a Consul ) links himself the Wheel : To do him Justice , 't is indeed by Night , Yet the Moon sees , and ev'ry smaller light Pries as a Witness of the shameful sight : Nay when his Year of Honour 's ended , soon He 'll leave that nicety , and mount at Noon ; Nor blush shou'd he some Grave Acquaintance meet , But , ( proud of being known ) will Jerk and Greet : And when his Fellow-Beasts are weary grown , He 'll play the Groom , give Oats , and rub 'em down . If after 20 Numa's Ceremonial way He at Iove's Altar wou'd a Victim slay , To no clean Goddess he directs his Pray'rs ▪ But by 21 Hippona most Devoutly Swears , Or some rank Deity whose filthy face We suitably o're stinking Stables place . When he has run his length , and does begin To steer his course directly for the Inn ( Where they have watch'd , expecting him all night ) A greasie Syrian , e're he can alight , Presents him Essence , while his courteous Host ( Well knowing nothing by good breeding's lost ) Tags every Sentence with some fawning word , Such as My King , My Prince , at least My Lord ; And a tight Maid , e're he for Wine can ask , Guesses his Meaning , and unoils the Flask . Some ( Friends to Vice ) industriously defend These innocent Diversions , and pretend That I the Tricks of Youth too roughly blame , Alledging that , when young , we did the same . I grant we did ; yet when that age was past , The frolick Humour did no longer last ; We did not cherish and indulge the Crime : What 's foul in acting , shou'd be left in time . T is true , some faults , of course , with Childhood end , We therefore wink at Wags when they offend ▪ And spare the Boy , in hopes the Man may mend . But Lateranus ( now his vig'rous age Shou'd prompt him for his Country to engage , The Circuit of our Empire to extend , And all our Lives , in Caesar's , to defend ) Mature in Riots , places his Delight All day in plying Bumpers , and at night Reels to the Bawds , over whose Doors are set Pictures and Bills , with Here are Whores to let . Shou'd any desperate unexpected Fate Summon all Heads and Hands to guard the State , Caesar , send quickly to secure the 22 Port ; But where 's the General ? Where does he resort ? Send to the Sutler's ; There you 're sure to find The Bully match'd with Rascals of his Kind , Quacks , Coffin-Makers ; Fugitives and Sailers ; Rooks , Common-Souldiers , Hangmen , Thieves and Tailers ; With Cybele's Priests , who , wearied with Processions , Drink there , and sleep with Knaves of all Professions . A Friendly Gang ! each equal to the best ▪ And all , who can , have liberty to jest ▪ One Flaggon walks the round , ( that none shou'd think They either change , or stint him of his drink ) And lest Exceptions may for Place be found , Their Stools are all alike , their Table round . What think you , Ponticus , your self might do , Shou'd any Slave , so lewd , belong to you ? No doubt , you 'd send the Rogue in Fetters bound , To work in Bridewell , or to Plough your Ground : But , Nobles , you who Trace your Birth from Troy , Think , you the great Prerogative enjoy Of doing ill , by Virtue of that Race ; As if what we esteem in Coblers base , Wou'd the high Family of Brutus grace . Shameful are these Examples , yet we find ( To Rome's Disgrace ) far worse than these behind : Poor Damasippus , whom we once have known Flutt'ring with Coach and Six about the Town , Is forc'd to make the Stage his last retreat , And Pawns his Voice , the All he has , for Meat : For now he must ( since his Estate is lost ) Or represent , or be himself , a Ghost : And Lentulus Acts Hanging with such Art , Were I a Judge , he shou'd not Feign the part . Nor wou'd I their Vile insolence acquit , Who can with Patience , nay Diversion , sit , Applauding my Lord's Buffoonry for Wit. And clapping Farces , Acted by the Court , While the Peers Cuff , to make the Rabble sport : Or Hirelings , at a Prize , their Fortunes try ; Certain to fall unpity'd if they Dye ; Since none can have the favourable Thought That to Obey a Tyrant's Will they Fought , But that their Lives they willingly expose , Bought by the Praetors to adorn their shows . Yet say the Stage and Lists were both in sight , And you must either chuse to Act , or Fight ; Death never sure bears such a ghastly shape , That a rank Coward basely wou'd escape By playing a foul Harlot's jealous Tool , Or a feign'd Andrew to a real Fool. Yet a Peer-Actor is no monstrous thing , Since Rome has own'd a 23 Fidler for a King : After such Pranks , the World it self at best May be imagin'd nothing but a Jest. Go 24 to the Lists where Feats of Arms are shown , There you 'll find Gracchus , ( from Patrician , ) grown A Fencer , and the Scandal of the Town . Nor will he the Mirmillo's Weapons bear , The Modest Helmet he Disdains to wear ; As Retiarius he Attacks his Foe ; First waves his Trident ready for the throw , Next casts his Net , but neither levell'd right , He stares about , expos'd to publick sight , Then places all his safety in his flight . Room for the Noble Gladiator ! See His Coat and Hatband shew his Quality ; Thus when at last the brave Mi●millo knew 'T was Gracchus was the Wretch he did pursue , To Conquer such a Coward griev'd him more , Than if he many Glorious Wounds had bore . Had 25 we the freedom to express our Mind , There 's not a Wretch so much to Vice inclin'd , But will own 26 Seneca did far excell His Pupil , by whose Tyranny he fell : To expiate whos 's Complicated Guilt , With some Proportion to the Blood he spilt , Rome 27 shou'd more Serpents , Apes , and Sacks provide Than one , for the Compendious Parricide . 'T is true 28 Orestes a like Crime did Act ; Yet weigh the Cause , there 's difference in the Fact : He 29 slew his Mother at the God's Command , They bid him strike , and did direct his Hand To punish falsehood , and appease the Ghost Of his poor Father treacherously lost , Just in the Minute when the flowing Bowl With a full Tide inlarg'd his Chearful Soul. Yet kill'd he not his 31 Sister , or his 30 Wife , Nor 32 aim'd at any near Relation's Life : Orestes 33 , in the Heat of all his Rage , Ne're play'd , or Sung upon a publick Stage ; Never 34 on Verse did his wild Thoughts employ , To paint the horrid Scene of burning Troy , Like Nero , who to raise his Fancy higher , And finish the great Work , set Rome on Fire . Such 35 Crimes make Treason just , and might compel Virginius , Vindex , Galba , to Rebel : For what cou'd Nero's self have acted worse , To aggravate the Wretched Nation 's Curse . These are the blest Endowments , Studies , Arts , Which Exercise our mighty Emperour's parts ; Such Frollicks with his Roving Genius suit , On 33 Forreign Theaters to prostitute His Voice and Honour , for the poor Renown Of putting all the Grecian Actors down , And winning at a Wake their Parsley-Crown . Let 33 this Triumphal Chaplet find some place Among the other Trophies of thy Race ; By the Domitii's Statues shall be laid The Habit and the Mask in which you play'd Antigone's , or bold Thyestes part , ( While your wild Nature little wanted Art ) And on the Marble Pillar shall be hung The Lute to which the Royal Mad●mn Sung. Who , 36 Catiline , can boast a Nobler Line , Than thy lewd Friend Cethegus his , and thine ? Yet you took Arms , and did by Night conspire To set our Houses , and our Gods on Fire : ( An Enterprise which might indeed become Our Enemies , the Gauls , not Sons of Rome , To recompence whose Barbarous intent Pitch'd 37 Shirts wou'd be too mild a Punishment ) But 38 Tully , our wise Consul , watch'd the blow , With care discover'd , and disarm'd the Foe : Tully , the humble Mushroom , scarcely known : The lowly Native of a Country Town , ( Who till of late cou'd never reach the height Of being Honour'd as a Roman Knight ) Throughout the trembling City plac'd a Guard , Dealing an equal share to every Ward , And by the peaceful Robe got more renown Within our Walls , than Young Octavius won By 39 Victories at Actium , or the Plain Of Thessaly 40 discolour'd by the Slain : Him therefore Rome in gratitude decreed The Father of his Country , which he freed . Marius 41 ( another Consul we admire ) In the same Village Born , first Plow'd for Hire ; His next Advance was to the Souldiers Trade , Where , if he did not nimbly ply the Spade , His Surly Officer ne're fail'd to Crack His Knotty Cudgel on his tougher back . Yet he alone secur'd the tott'ring State , Withstood the Cimbrians , and redeem'd our Fate : So when the Eagles to their Quarry flew ( Who never such a Goodly Banquet knew ) Only a second Lawrel did adorn His Collegue Catulus , tho Nobly Born ; He shar'd the Pride of the Triumphal Bay , But Marius won the Glory of the Day . From 42 a mean Stock the Pious Decii came , Small their Estates , and Vulgar was their Name ; Yet such their Virtue , that their Loss alone For Rome and all our Legions did Attone ; Their Countries Doom , they by their own , retriev'd , Themselves more worth than all the Host they sav'd . The 43 last good King whom willing Rome obey'd , Was the poor Offspring of a Captive Maid ; Yet he those Robes of Empire justly bore Which Romulus our Sacred Founder wore : Nicely he gain'd , and well Possest the Throne , Not for his Father's Merits but his own , And Reign'd , himself a Family alone . When 44 Tarquin , his proud Successor , was quell'd , And with him Lust and Tyranny expell'd ; The Consuls 45 Sons ( who for their Countries good , And to Inhaunce the Honour of their Blood , Shou'd have asserted what their 46 Father won ; And , to confirm that Liberty , have done Actions which 47 Cocles might have wish'd his own ; What might to 48 Mutius wonderful appear ; And what bold 49 Clelia might with Envy hear ) Open'd the Gates , endeavouring to restore Their Banish'd King , and Arbitrary Power . Whilst a poor 50 Slave , with scarce a Name , betray'd The horrid Ills these well-born Rogues had laid ; Who therefore for their Treason justly bore The Rods and Ax , ne're us'd in Rome before . If you have strength Achilles Arms to bear , And Courage to sustain a Ten Years War ; Tho foul * Thersites got thee , thou shalt be More lov'd by all , and more esteem'd by me , Than if by chance you from some Hero came , In nothing like your Father but his Name . Boast then your Blood , and your long Lineage stretch As high as Rome , and its great Founders reach ; You 'll find , in these Hereditary Tales , Your Ancestors the scum of broken Jayls : And 51 Romulus , your Honours Ancient source , But a Poor Shepherds 52 Boy , or something worse . The End of the Eighth Satyr . Advertisement . THE Translator of Juvenal's 8th Satyr industrously avoided imposing upon the Reader , and perplexing the Printer with tedious Common-place Notes ; but finding towards the latter End many Examples of Noble-Men who disgraced their Ancestors by Vicious Practices , and of Men Meanly Born who innobled their Families by Virtuous and Brave Actions , he thought some Historical Relations were necessary towards rendring those Instances more Intelligible ; which is all he pretends to by his Remarks . He wou'd gladly have left out the heavy passage of the Mirmillo and Retiarius , which he Honestly Confesses he either does not rightly understand , or cannot sufficiently explain . If he has not confin'd himself to the strict Rules of Translation , but has frequently taken the liberty of Imitating , Paraphrasing , or Reconciling the Roman Customs to our Modern Vsage ▪ He hopes this freedom is Pardonable , since he has not us'd it , but when he found the Original flat , obscure , or defective ; and where the Humour and Connexion of the Author might naturally allow of such a Change. EXPLANATORY NOTES ON THE EIGHTH SATYR . THE Family of the Fabii were descended of Hercules ( in Honour of whom the Romans built a Temple in the Foro Boario . ) Fabius Maximus in remembrance of his Services in the Wars , against the People of Provence , Languedoc , Dauphiny ▪ and other Provinces of France ( formerly known by the Name of Allobroges ) was Sirnamed Allobrogicus ; which Title his Son wou'd have assumed , whom our Author here Censures , as a Man of an Effeminate Person , a profligate Life , and of Dangerous Practices . Brave and Virtuous Romans . The Rods and Ax , which were carry'd in Processions , as Badges of the Consular Dignity . Such as Getulicus , Africanus , Numantinus , Creticus . Osyris , for teaching the Aegyptians Husbandry , had a Temple built at Memphis ; where he was Worshipt in the shape of an Ox , which the Priests used to Drown at a certain Age ; and gave out , their God was withdrawn , and absented himself for a few Days ; during which time 't was their Custom to go Mourning and searching up and down , till they found another Ox to supply his place , and then they broke out with these Exclamations , We have found him , let 's rejoyce . The first King of Athens . I have taken the Liberty to give this Simile a Modern Air , because it happens to agree exactly with the Humour of our Author . ( Meaning your Ancestors . ) Rubellius Plancus . Phalaris was a Tyrant of Agrigentum in Sicily ; to flatter whose Cruelty , Perillus invented a Brazen Bull , wherein People might be Roasted alive , and their Cries were not unlike the bellowings of an Ox : But the Tyrant had the Justice to reward the Artizen as he deserv'd , by making him first try the Experiment . Pag. 152. Improperly we measure Life by Breath , &c. This and the 7 following Verses are a sort of Paraphrase upon 2 lines of the Original , which I was forced to enlarge , because the sence of the Author is too close and obscure . ( Speaking to Ponticus ) ( Any poor Man who is Oppress'd . ) Famous Painters , Statuaries , and other Artizens . Proconsuls of Asia and Sicily . Returning to Ponticus . The Inhabitants of these places were Effeminate , and easie to be enslav'd . The People of Africk , who supply'd Rome with Corn. Marius Priscus . The first King of the Latins . The Poet in this place speaks neither to Rubellius nor Pontic●● , but in general to any Perjur'd , or Debauch'd Nobleman . Numa Pompilius ( the Second King of Rome ) the better to Civilize the savage Humour of the People , first introduc'd among them the fear and Worship of the Gods , and instituted the Rites and Ceremonies of Priests , Oaths , and Sacrifices . Hippona was the Goddess of Jockies and Horses . Ostia , the Mouth of the River Tyber . Meaning Nero , whom he Censures severely in the Pages following , Fig. 33. This Period is perplext , and I fear will not be understood in our Language , being only a Description of the Roman Gladiators , who were of two sorts , and had different Names according to the Arms and Habit they appear'd with , one fought with a Cymiter in his right Hand ▪ a Target on his left Arm , and an Helmet on his Head ; he was call'd Mirmillo , or Secutor . The other wore a short Coat without Sleeves ▪ call'd Tunica ; a Hat on his Head ; he carried in his right Hand a Javelin Fork'd like a Trident , call'd Fuscina ; and on his left Arm a Nett , in which he endeavour'd to catch his Adversary , and from thence was call'd Retiarius . The meaning of the Poet , is , to reprehend Gracchus ( whom he had before rebuked in the 2d Satyr ) for 3 Vices at once : For his Baseness , for as much as being a Nobleman he will condescend to fight upon the publick Theater : For his Impudence , in not chusing an Habit which might have kept him Disguis'd , and hindred him from being known : And for his Cowardise , in running away . For the clearer understanding of what follows , it may be Necessary to give a short Abridgment of Nero's Cruelties , Follies , and End : Which may be found at large in his Life , written by Suetonius and Tacitus , and in the Continuation which Mr. Saville has added to his Translation of the last of these Authors , by way of Supplement to what is wanting betwixt the Annals and the History . But I shall only relate what I find mention'd in this Satyr , and shall begin with his Parricides . Upon suspicion that Seneca his Tutor , had some Knowledge of the Conspiracy which Piso was carrying on against his Person , Nero laid hold on this Oportunity to Rid himself of the uneasie Censurer of his Vices , yet allow'd him the liberty of chusing the Manner of his Death . Seneca was apprehensive of Pain , and therefore desired to have his Veins opened , which he judg'd might be the most easie and pleasant Method of Dying : But finding it too tedious , he prevail'd with his Friend and Phisitian , Annaeus Statius , to give him a Draught of Poyson ; which too operating very slowly , by Reason his Veins were exhausted , and his Limbs chill'd , the Standers by , to make quicker dispatch , smother'd him with the steem of an hot Bath . Iuvenal not unjustly places this Murder of Seneca among Nero's Parricides , since a Tutor ought to be esteem'd as a Civil Parent . This bold Thought and Expression of Iuvenal is grounded on the Roman Laws whereby Par●icides were Condemn'd to be sow'd up in a Bag ( call'd Cule●s ) with a Cock , a Monkey , a Serpent , and a Dog , and thrown together into the Sea , or any Neighbouring River . This Punishment of drowning in a Sack ▪ is still us'd in several Parts of Germany , but without the Company of those Creatures abovemention'd . The Story of Orestes ( betwixt whom and Nero , Iuvenal wou'd draw a Parallell ) is this ; his Mother Clytemnestra finding her Husband Agamemnon was return'd alive from the Siege of Troy , and fearing he might Revenge her Amours with Egystheus , with whom she had lived in Adultery during her Husband's absence , she thought the safest way might be , to Assassinate Agamemnon , by the help of Egystheus , at his first Reception , and before he cou'd suspect such an attempt . The manner how they dispatch'd him , is reported differently . Some Auth●rs relate that as he was changing his Linnen , he was stifled in a Shirt ●ow●d together at the Neck . But Homer in the 4th and 11th Books of his Odyssea , where he describes this Murder , is of Iuvenal's Opinion , that he was kill'd at a Banquet , when he little expected such Treatment . Egystheus after this Murder Married Clytemnestra , and Usurp'd the Kingdom of Mycena 7 Years : During which time Orestes grew up to Man's Estate , and by the instigation of his Sister Electra , and the Assistance of some Neighbouring Princes , march'd from Athens , Destroy'd and Murther'd the Usurper ; and at last , under pretence of being Mad , stab'd his Mother . Homer ( as well as our Author ) justifies this Revenge , as being undertaken by the Advice of the Gods : And Paterculus infers they must needs have approved the Action , since Orestes ( after it ) lived long , and Reigned Happily . Nero cou'd not suffer his Mother Agrippina , because of her encroaching on his Government ; for which Reason he made frequent Attempts upon her Life , but without success , till at last Anicetus his Bondman undertook to stab her , which she perceiving , and guessing by whose Orders he came , clapt her hand upon her Belly , and bid him ( with great presence of Mind ) strike there , supposing it deserv'd that Punishment for bearing such a Monster . He ordered his first Wife Octavia to be publickly Executed , upon a false Accusation of Adultery , and kill'd his second Wife Poppaea , when she was big with Child , by a kick on the Belly . Britannicus ( his Brother by Adoption ) was Poison'd by his Orders , out of jealousie lest he shou'd supplant him . And Antonia ( Claudius's Daughter ) was Executed under pretence of a Conspiracy , but in truth because she refused to Marry Nero after the Death of Poppaea . He caus'd Rufinus Crispinus , Son to Poppaea , to be Drown'd as he was Fishing ; and Aulus Plancus , a Relation of his Mothers , to be kill'd because she was fond of him . I need mention no more of these unnatural Murders , but go on to his other Extravagancies . He was Industrious to be esteem'd the best Musitian of his Age ; and at his Death regretted nothing more sensibly , than that the World shou'd lose so great a Master . To maintain this Reputation , he frequently condescended to Act and Sing upon the Theater among the ordinary Comedians , and took a journey to Greece on purpose to try his skill against the most Famous Artists of that Country ; from whom he bore away the Garland ( which was the usual Recompence of the first performer ) return'd to Rome in Triumph , as if he had Conquer'd a Province ; and order'd both the Garland and Instrument to be hung up among the Banners and Honours of his Family . He had likewise a great Vanity towards being thought a good Poet , and made Verses on the Destruction of Troy , call'd Troica ; and 't is reported he burnt Rome to be more lively and natural in his Description : Tho 't is more probable he destroy'd the Old-Fashion'd Buildings ▪ out of dislike to the narrowness and crookedness of the Streets , and to have the Honour of rebuilding the City better , and calling it by his own Name . These monstrous Frolicks and Cruelties cou'd not but make his People weary of his Government . Virginius Rufus , who was his Lieutenant General in Gaule , by the Assistance of Iunius Vindex ( a Nobleman of that Country ) soon perswaded the Armies under his Command to fall from their Allegiance ; and sollicited Sergius Galba , who was Lieutenant General in Spain , to do the like , by offering him the Empire in favour of Mankind ; which he at last accepted , upon intimation that Nero had issued out secret Orders to dispatch him ; and March'd with all the Forces he cou'd gather , towards Rome . Nero not being in a Condition to oppose such Troops , fell into Dispair , which turn'd to an uncertainty what Measures to take , whether to Poyson himself , or beg Pardon of the People , or endeavour to make his Escape . The last of these Methods seem'd most Adviseable ; he therefore put himself into Disguise , and crept with four Attendants only into a poor Cottage ; where perceiving he was pursued , as a Sacrifice to the Publick Vengeance , and apprehending the Rabble wou'd Treat him Barbarously , if he fell into their Hands ; with much adoe he resolv'd to Stab himself . Catiline's Conspiracy is a Story too well known to be insisted on : He was of a Noble Family , but by his Extravagancies had reduced himself to great want , which engaged him in bad Practices . The Roman Armies were then pursuing Conquests in remote Provinces , which Catiline judg'd the most seasonable opportunity for undertaking some desperate Design : He therefore entred into a Conspiracy with Cethegus , Lentulus , and other Senators , and Persons considerable by their Births and Employments , to make themselves absolute Masters of their Country , by seizing the Senate , plundering the Treasury , and burning the City . Incendiaries by the Roman Law were wrapt in a Pitch'd Coat ( which they call'd Tunica Molesta ) and Burnt alive : As we see by Tacitus Ann. 16. § 44. Where Nero after having set Rome on Fire , lays the blame and Punishment on the Christians , by ordering them , with a Cruel jest , to be Light up , and serve as Torches when it was dark . One Fulvia ( whom Livy calls a Common Whore , tho Plutarch makes her pass for a Lady of Quality ) came to have some knowledge of this Enterprize , and discover'd it to Cicero , ( a Person whom Paterculus elegantly calls Vir●m novitatis Nobilissimae ; since he was a Man of Mean Parentage , Born at Arpinum , an inconsiderable Town among the Volscians , but by his Eloquence rais'd himself to the chief Dignities of State , and happened to be Consul at that time ) who assembled the Senate , and by a severe Oration accused and convicted Catiline : However he , with a few of his Party ▪ found means to make his escape towards Tuscany , and put himself at the Head of some Troops which Manlius had got together in those Parts , threatning publickly that he wou'd put out the Fire of the City by the Ruins of it . In the mean time Cethegus , Lentulus , and several other Complices were seiz'd and strangled in Prison by order of the Senate , at Cato's perswasion : And Caius Antonius Nepos , who was joint-Consul with Tully , March'd with what Forces he cou'd raise against Catiline , who in a sharp Battle was kill'd upon the Spot with most of his Followers , and ( as Paterculus observes ) Quem spiritum supplicio debuerat , praelio reddidit . A Promontory of Epirus , near the Island Leucas , where Antony and Cleopatra were Ruin'd by a Famous Sea-Fight . The Fields near Philippi , in Thessaly , where Brutus and Cassius were defeated . Caius Marius , was likewise Born at Arpinum , and of such poor Parents , that he was first a Plowman , then a Common Souldier , yet at last by his Merit arrived to the highest Employments . One while he was Consul ( for that Honour was 7 times conferr'd on him ) the Cimbria●s attempted to make an Incursion into Italy ; But he kill'd 140000 of them , and made 60000 Prisoners ; For which Victory , a Triumph was ordain'd him by the Senate ; but to decline the Envy which might be rais'd by his Good Fortune , he sollicited that Q. Luctatius Catulus , his Collegue , who was of a Noble Family , might be permitted to Triumph with him , tho he had no share in the Action . Among the Romans there was a Superstition , that if their General wou'd consent to be Devoted , or Sacrificed to Iupiter , Mars , the Earth , and the Infernal Gods , all the Misfortunes which otherwise might have hapned to his Party , wou'd by his Death be transfer'd on their Enemies . This Opinion was confirm'd by several successful Instances , particularly two , in the Persons of the Decii , Father and Son here mention'd . The first being Consul with Manlius in the Wars against the Latins , and perceiving the Left Wing , which he Commanded , gave back , he call'd out to Valerius the High-Priest to perform on him the Ceremony of Consecration , ( which we find describ'd by Livy in his 8th Book ) and immediately spurr'd his Horse into the thickest of his Enemies Forces , where he was kill'd , and the Roman Army gain'd the Battle . His Son Died in the same manner in the War against the Gauls , and the Romans likewise obtain'd the Victory . Servius Tullus was Son to Oriculana , whom Iuvenal calls a Serving-Maid , but Livy supposes her to have been Wife to a Prince of Corniculum , who was kill'd at the taking of the Town , and his Wife was carri'd away Captive by Tarquinius Priscus , and presented as a Slave to his Wi●e Tanaquil , in whose Service she was deliver'd of this Tullus . The Family had a great Respect for the Child , because of a Lambent Fire they observ'd to play about his Head while he slept , which was interpreted as an Omen of his future Greatness ; therefore care was taken of his Education , and at last he was Contracted to the King's Daughter : Whereupon A●cus Martius his 2 Sons ( who were the true Heirs of the Crown ) fearing this Marriage might hinder their Succession , hired two Shepherds to Assassinate Tarquinius , which they undertook , but cou'd not Execute so dextrously as was expected ; for , the King lived some days after the blow was given , during which time Tanaquil caus'd the Gates of the Pallace to be kept shut , and amused the People ( who were eager on a new Election ) with assurances that the Wound was not Mortal , That the King was in a fair way of Recovery , and till he cou'd appear abroad , required them to pay Obedience to Servius Tullius : Who by this means first got possession of the Government in the King's Name , and after his Death Usurp'd it 44 Years in his own . At last he was forced out of the Senate by Lucius Tarquinius , thrown down Stairs , and Murder'd by his Orders . Livy adds this Commendation , That with him Iusta ac legitima regna occidêrunt ; which agrees with Iuvenal's calling him The last good King ; For , Tarquin , who Reign'd 25 Years after him , was hated for his Pride and Cruelty , and for the Barbarous Rape which his Son Sextus committed on Lucretia , Wise to Collatinus ; who by the help of L. Iunius Brutus reveng'd this injury , by driving Tarquin and his whole Race out of Rome , which from that time began to be Govern'd by Consuls ; and the better to secure their Liberty , Brutus Administred an Oath by which the Romans oblig'd themselves never to suffer any more Kings , and made a Decree ( which prov'd fatal to his Family ) whereby it was declared a Capital Crime in any Person who shou'd endeavour by any means to bring back the Tarquins . However they gave not over their Pre●ensions , but send Embassadours under pretence of solliciting that their Estates at least might be restored them , but underhand to insinuate themselves among the loose Young Noblemen ( who grew weary of a Common-Wealth , because the Rigour of their new Laws did not tolerate that licentious way of living which they enjoy'd under the Government of their Kings ) and to concert with them the best Methods towards their Restoration . This Design was first proposed to the Aquilii and Vitellii : The last of these were Brothers to Brutus his Wife , and by that Alliance easily engag'd Titus and Tiberius ( two Sons he had by her ) in the Conspiracy , the sum of which was , That the Gates of the City shou'd be left open for the Tarquins to enter in the Night-time ; and that the Embassadors might be assured of their sincerity , each Member of the Cabal deliver'd them , the Night before they were to return , Letters under their own hands for the Tarquins , with Promises to this effect . ( 44 ) Tarquin , who Reign'd 25 Years after him , was hated for his Pride and Cruelty , and for the Barbarous Rape which his Son Sextus committed on Lucretia , Wi●e to Collatinus ; who by the help of L. Iunius Brutus reveng'd this injury , by driving Tarquin and his whole Race out of Rome , which from that time began to be Govern'd by Consuls ; and the better to secure their Liberty , Brutus Administred an Oath by which the Romans oblig'd themselves never to suffer any more Kings , and made a Decree ( which prov'd fatal to his Family ) whereby it was declared a Capital Crime in any Person who shou'd endeavour by any means to bring back the Tarquins . However they gave not over their Precensions , but send Embassadours under pretence of solliciting that their Estates at least might be restored them , but underhand to insinuate themselves among the loose Young Noblemen ( who grew weary of a Common-Wealth , because the Rigour of their new Laws did not tolerate that licentious way of living which they enjoy'd under the Government of their Kings ) and to concert with them the best Methods towards their Restoration . This Design was first proposed to the Aquilii and Vitellii : The last of these were Brothers to Brutus his Wife , and by that Alliance easily engag'd Titus and Tiberius ( two Sons he had by her ) in the Conspiracy , the sum of which was , That the Gates of the City shou'd be left open for the Tarquins to enter in the Night-time ; and that the Embassadors might be assured of their sincerity , each Member of the Cabal deliver'd them , the Night before they were to return , Letters under their own hands for the Tarquins , with Promises to this effect . ( 46 ) L. Iunius Brutus reveng'd this injury , by driving Tarquin and his whole Race out of Rome , which from that time began to be Govern'd by Consuls ; and the better to secure their Liberty , Brutus Administred an Oath by which the Romans oblig'd themselves never to suffer any more Kings , and made a Decree ( which prov'd fatal to his Family ) whereby it was declared a Capital Crime in any Person who shou'd endeavour by any means to bring back the Tarquins . However they gave not over their Precensions , but send Embassadours under pretence of solliciting that their Estates at least might be restored them , but underhand to insinuate themselves among the loose Young Noblemen ( who grew weary of a Common-Wealth , because the Rigour of their new Laws did not tolerate that licentious way of living which they enjoy'd under the Government of their Kings ) and to concert with them the best Methods towards their Restoration . This Design was first proposed to the Aquilii and Vitellii : The last of these were Brothers to Brutus his Wife , and by that Alliance easily engag'd Titus and Tiberius ( two Sons he had by her ) in the Conspiracy , the sum of which was , That the Gates of the City shou'd be left open for the Tarquins to enter in the Night-time ; and that the Embassadors might be assured of their sincerity , each Member of the Cabal deliver'd them , the Night before they were to return , Letters under their own hands for the Tarquins , with Promises to this effect . ( 45 ) Titus and Tiberius ( two Sons he had by her ) in the Conspiracy , the sum of which was , That the Gates of the City shou'd be left open for the Tarquins to enter in the Night-time ; and that the Embassadors might be assured of their sincerity , each Member of the Cabal deliver'd them , the Night before they were to return , Letters under their own hands for the Tarquins , with Promises to this effect . Vindicius , a Slave who waited at Table , by chance overheard part of their Discourse ; and comparing these Circumstances with some others he had observ'd in their former Conferences , he went streight to the Consul 's , and told what he had discover'd . Orders were immediately issued out for searching the Embassadors , the Letters abovemention'd were intercepted , the Criminals seiz'd , and the proof being evident against them , they suffered the Punishment ( which was newly introduced ) of being tyed Naked to a Stake , where they were firs● 〈◊〉 by t●e Lictors , then Beheaded : And Brutus , by Virtue of his Office , was unhappily obliged to see this Rigorous Sentence Executed on his old Children . To pursue the Story ; the Tarquins finding their Plot had miscarried , and fearing nothing cou'd be done by treachery , struck up an Alliance with Porsenna King of Thuscany , who pretending to restore them by open force , march'd with a numerous Army , and besieg'd Rome : But was soon surpriz'd with three such Instances of the Roman Bravery , in the Persons of Cocles , Mutius , and Clelia , that he withdrew his Army , and courted their Friendship . Horatius Cocles being Posted to guard a Bridge , which he perceived the Enemy wou'd soon be Maste● of , he stood resolutely and opposed part of their Army , while the Party he Commanded , repass'd the Bridge , and broke it down after them ; and then threw himself , Armed as he was , into the Tyber , and escaped to the City . Mutius Scaevola went into the Enemies Camp with a Resolution to kill their King Porsenna , but instead of striking him , stabb'd one of his Guards ; and being brought before the King , and finding his Errour , in indignation he burn'd off his Right hand as a Penalty for his mistake . Clelia , a Roman Virgin , who was given to Porsenna as an Hostage , made her escape from the Guards , and swam over the Tyber . Romulus finding the City , call'd by his Name , not sufficiently Peopled , establish'd an Asylum , or Sanctuary , where all Out-laws , Vagabonds , and Criminals of what Nature soever , who cou'd make their escape thither , might live in all freedom and security . The Author either means the Bastard of Mars , and R●ea Sylvia , a Vestal Virgin , of whose Rape we have a Relation in the beginning of Ovid's 3d Book de Fastis , or a Parricide , for killing his Brother Remus . * The ugly Buffoon of the Grecian Army . THE NINTH SATYR OF JUVENAL , Translated into ENGLISH VERSE BY STEPHEN HERVEY , Esq ARGUMENT OF THE Ninth Satyr . Juvenal here ( in Dialogue with Nevolus ) exposes the detestable Vice then Practis'd in Rome , and the Covetousness of a Rich Old Citizen , which so prevaild over his Pleasure , that he would not Gratifie the Drudge who had so often Oblig'd him in the lewd Enjoyment of his Desire . THE NINTH SATYR . IUV. TELL me why , saunt'ring thus from Place to Place , I meet thee ( Nevolus ) with a Clouded Face ? What Humane Ills can urge to this degree ; Not Vanquisht 1 Marsyas had a Brow like thee , Nor Ravola so sneak'd and hung his Head , Catch'd with that lewd Bawd Rhodope in Bed : Our Grand Beau 2 Pollio seem'd not half so sad When not a Drachma cou'd in Rome be had . When treble Use he proffer'd for a Friend And tempting Bribes did to the Scriv'ners send Yet none he found so much a Fool to lend . Hard Fate ! untroll'd is now the Charming Dye , The Play-House and the Parks unvisited must lie ; The Beauteous Nymph in vain he does adore , And his guilt Chariot Wheels must Rowl no more . But why these frightful Wrinckles in thy Prime ? That shew old Age so long before the time , At lowest Ebb of Fortune when you lay ( Contented then ) how Merry was the Day . But oh the Curse of wishing to be Great : Dazled with Hope we cannot see the Cheat ; Where wild Ambition in the Heart we find , Farewel Content and Quiet of the Mind . For Glittering Clouds we leave the solid Shoar , And wonted Happiness returns no more ; 'Till such aspiring Thoughts had fill'd thy Breast , No Man so pleasant , such a chearful Guest ; So Brisk , so Gay , of that engaging Air , No Mirth was Crown'd 'till Nevolus was there : The Scene 's now chang'd , that frolick Genius fled , And Gloomy Thought seems enter'd in its stead ; Thy Cloaths worn out , not Hands nor Linnen clean , And thy bare Skin through the large Rents is seen ; Thy Locks uncomb'd like a rough Wood appear , And every Part seems suited to thy Care. Where now that labour'd Niceness in thy Dress , And all those Arts that did the Spark express ? A look so Pale no Quartane ever gave , Thy dwindled Legs seem crawling to a Grave : When we are touch'd with some important Ill , How vainly silence would our Grief conceal ! Sorrow nor Joy can be disguis'd by Art , Our Foreheads blab the Secrets of our Heart ; By which ( alas ) 't is evident and plain Thy Hopes are dash'd , and thy Endeavours vain ; And yet 't is strange ! But lately thou we●t known For the most envied Stallion of the Town . What conscious 3 Shrine , what Cell by thee unsought , Where Love's dark Pleasures might be sold and bought ? From Human View you hid these Deeds of Lust , But Gods in Brass and Marble you cou'd trust : Ceres 4 her self not scap'd , for where can be From Bawds and Prostitutes an Altar free ? Nor didst thou only for the Females burn , The Husband and the Wife succeeded in their Turn . NEV . This Life I own to some has Prosp'rous been , But I have no such Golden Minutes seen : Right have you hit the Cause of my Distress , None has Earn'd more , and been Rewarded less : All I can gain is but a Threedbare Coat , And that with utmost Pains and Drudging got ; Some Single Money too , but that ( alas ) Broken and Counterfeit will hardly pass . Whilst others , pamper'd in their shameless Pride , Are serv'd in Plate , and in their Chariots Ride ; Tell me what Mortal can his Grief contain , That has , like me , such Reason to complain ? On Fate alone Man's Happiness depends , To parts conceal'd Fate 's prying Pow'r extends : And if our Stars of their Kind Influence fail , The Gifts of Nature , what will they avail ? The Gifts of Nature ! Curse upon the Thought , By that alone I am to Ruin brought . Old Virro did the Fatal Secret hear , ( But Curse on Fame that bore it to his Ear ) What soft Address his wooing did begin ? What Oaths what Promises to draw me in ? Scarce cou'd they fail to make a Virgin Sin. Who wou'd not then swear Nevolus had sped , And Golden Show'rs were dropping on his Head ? But oh this Wretch , this Prodigy behold ! A Slave at once to Leachery and Gold ! For in the Act of his lewd Brutal joy , Sirrah ! My Rogue ( he cries ) mine own dear Boy ! My Lad , my Life ! already ask for more ? I paid last Bout , and you must quit the Score : " Poor five 5 Sestertia have been all my Gains , " And what is that for such detested Pains ? Was it an Ease and Pleasure , cou'd'st thou say ( Where Nature's Law forbids ) to force my way To the digested Meals of yesterday ? The Slave more toil'd and harrass'd will be found , Who Digs his Master's Buttocks , than his Ground : But sure old Virro thinks himself a Boy , Whom Iove once more might languish to enjoy : Sees not his wither'd Face and grizly Hair , But would be thought Smooth , Charming , Soft , and Fair : With Female Pride wou'd have his Love be sought , And every Smile with a Rich Present bought . Say , Goat , for whom this Mass of Wealth you heap ? For whom thy hoorded Bags in silence sleep ? Apulian Farms for the Rich Soil admir'd ? And thy large Fields where Falcons may be tyr'd ? Thy Fruitful Vineyards on Campanian Hills ? ( Tho none drinks less , yet none more Vessels fills ) From such a Store 't is barbarous to grudge A small Relief to your Exhausted Drudge : Weigh well the matter , wer 't not fitter much The Poor Inhabitants of yonder Thatch Call'd me their Lord ( who to Extreams am driven ) Than to some worthless Sycophant be given ? ( Yet what smooth Sycophant by thee can gain ? When Lust it self strikes thy Flint-Heart in vain ? ) A Beggar ! Fie ! 't is Impudence , ( he cry'd ) And such mean shifting Answers still reply'd ; But Rent unpaid , says Begg till Virro Grant ; ( How ill does Modesty consist with Want ? ) My single Boy ( like 6 Polyphemus Eye ) Mourns his harsh Fate , and Weeps for a Supply . One will not do , hard Labour'd and hard Fed , How then shall Hungry two expect their Bread ? What shall I say , when rough December Storms ? When Frosts , and Snow , have crampt their Naked Arms What Comforts without Money can I bring ? Will they be satisfy'd to think on Spring ? These Motives urg'd to his Obdurate Mind , Is casting Water to the adverse Wind ; But one thing yet , base Wretch , I must impart , Thy self shalt own , ungrateful as thou art ; At your Intreaties , had not I obey'd ; Still your deluded Wife had been a Maid : Down on the Bridal-bed a Maid she lay , A Maid she rose , at the approaching Day . Another Night , thy lumpish Love she try'd , But still she rose , a Virgin , and a Bride : What cou'd have touch'd her more ! away she flung , And every Street of thy lost Manhood rung . Her speaking Eyes , were full of thy Disgrace ; And her vext Thoughts abhorr'd the cold Embrace . Such wrongs , what Wishing Woman cou'd have born ? In Rage , the Marriage Articles were torn : Yet when she vow'd , to see thy Face no more , And Heartless , thou stood'st whining at the Door , I met the Angry Fair , all over Charms , And catch'd her flying from thy Frozen Arms : Much Pains it cost to Right the injur'd Dame ; A whole Night's Vigour , to repair thy shame : Witness your self , who heard the lab'ring Bed , And shrieks at the departing Maiden-Head : " Thus many a Spouse , who wou'd her Choice recant ; " Is kept Obedient by a Kind Gall●nt ▪ Now , cou'd you shift all this and pass it o're , Yet ( Monster ) I have left one Instance more . Think , if so well her Business I have done , As that Night's service may produce a Son , Our Roman Laws great Priviledge afford To him that stands a Father on Record : Thy self , 't is true , a Cuckold thou must own , But that Reproach is in my Breast alone , To me the Pleasure be , to thee the Fame , My Brat shall thy Abilities proclaim ; And free thee ever , from Inglorious Shame . Let circling Wreaths adorn thy crowded Door , Matrons , and Girls , shall hoot at thee no more , But Stories to thy lasting Credit raise , While fumbling Fribbles grudge thy borrow'd Praise . IUV. True , Nevolus , most aptly you complain , But tho your Griefs are just , they are in vain ; Your Service past , he does with Scorn forget , And seeks some other Fool , like thee , to cheat . NEV . Beware , my Friend , and what I now reveal , As the great Secret of thy Life conceal , A lustful Pathick , when he turns a Foe ; He gives like Destiny a wardless Blow ▪ His Crimes are such , they will not bear a Jest , And Fire and Sword , pursue the 〈◊〉 Brest . For sweet Revenge no Drugs will be too Dear , In Lust , a Miser , but a Spendthrift here . Then slight him not , nor with his Scandal sport , But be as Mute as was th' 7 Athenian Court. IUV. Dull 8 Corydon ! Art thou so stupid grown , To think a Rich Man's Faults can be unknown ? Has he not Slaves about him ? Wou'd not they Rejoyce , and Laugh , such Secrets to betray ? What more Effectual to Revenge their Wrongs ? Than the unbounded Freedom of their Tongues ? Or grant it possible to silence those , Dumb Beasts and Statues wou'd his Crimes expose : Try to imprison the resistless Wind , So swift is Guilt , so hard to be confin'd ; Tho crafty Tears , shou'd cast a Vail between , Yet in the Dark , his Vices wou'd be seen : And there 's a Lust in Man no Charm can tame , Of loudly Publishing our Neighbour's Shame ; On Eagles Wings immortal Scaridals flye , While Virtuous Actions are but Born , and Dye . Let us live well , were it alone for This , The baneful Tongues of Servants to despise , Slander ( the worst of Poysons ) ever finds An easie Entrance , to ignoble Minds : And they whose Vicious Lives , such Abject Foes mu●t fear , More mean and wretched far than their own Slaves appear . NEV . Your Counsel's Good and Useful , 't is confess'd ; But ( oh ) to me it is in vain address'd : Let the Great Man , whom gaping Crowds attend , Fear a scourg'd Slave , or a dissembling Friend ; No matter what I do , or what I say , I have no Spies about me to betray : And you advise me now my time is lost , And all my Hopes of Prosp'rous Hours are crost ; My full-blown Youth already fades apace , ( Of our short Being , 't is the shortest space . ) While melting Pleasures in our Arms are found , While Lovers smile● and while the Bowl goes round ; While in surprizing Joys intranc'd we lie , Old Age creeps on us , e're we think it nigh . IUV. Fear not , thy Trade will never find an End , While you 9 Hills stand thou can'st not want a Friend ; By Land , and Sea , from every Point they come , Then dread no Dearth of Prostitutes at Rome . NEV . Tell this to Happier Men , for I am sped ; If all my Drudging can procure me Bread. Ye Deities ! The Substitutes of Heav●n ! To whom the Guide of Humane Life is giv'n ; At whose lov'd Altars , with an ample Zeal , ( Tho slender Sacrifice ) I daily kneel , His Ebbing Hours let your Poor Suppliant see From the mean Crutch , and a Thatcht Cottage free ; No shameful Want , nor troublesom Disease , But easie Death approaching by degrees ; Necessity supply'd , wou'd Comfort bring : Yet constant Store , wou'd be a Glorious thing : To Treat a Friend , methinks , I wou'd afford , While Silver Bowls stand smiling on my Board : And when the Cares of Rome to Pleasure yield ; Two 10 Maesian Slaves shou'd bear me to the Field : Where , on their Brawny Shoulders mounted high , While the Brave Youth their various Manhood try , I wou'd the Thrones of Emperours defie . Superfluous Wealth , and Pomp , I not desire ; But what Content , and Decency require . Then might I live by my own Surly Rules , Not forc'd to Worship Knaves , and flatter Fools . And thus secur'd of Ea●e , by s●unning strife , With Pleasure would I Sail down the swift Stream of Life . But , oh ridiculous vain Wish for one Already lost , and doom'd to be undone . Alas ! what Hope remains ! For to my Pray'rs , Regardless Fortune stops her wounded Ears ; As to the 11 Syrens Charms , Vlysses Mariners . The End of the Ninth Satyr . EXPLANATORY NOTES ON THE NINTH SATYR . A Phrygian , who challenging Apollo at Musick , was overcome , and flead alive for his Presumption . A Fop in Rome , that had run out his Estate . The Temples , and Images of their Gods , were ( by Night ) the Common Places of Assignation . To the Temple of Ceres , only the Chast and strictest Matrons were admitted , &c. A small Coin among the Romans . A Gyant of Sicily , and one of the Cyclops , who had but one Eye , and that in his forehead , which Vlysses by craft put out , and escap'd from him , &c. The Areopagus , or Court of Justice at Athens , where they gave Sentence by Characters and Signs , &c. The common Name of a Shepherd , which he applies to Nevolus , for his ignorance and simplicity , in thinking the Vices of Great Men can be conceal'd . The 7 Hills on which Rome was built . M●●sia , a place near Tusca●y , famous for the great 〈◊〉 and strength of the Inhabit●●●●● . Mermaids on the Coast of Sicily , whose Charms Vlysses ( being forewarn'd ) avoided by stopping his Mariners Ears with Wax , and so Sail'd by them securely ; at which Disappointment they threw themselves into the Sea , and were turned into Rocks , &c. Hom. Odyss . l. 12. THE TENTH SATYR OF JUVENAL , Translated into ENGLISH VERSE BY Mr. DRYDEN . ARGUMENT OF THE Tenth Satyr . The Poet's Design in this Divine Satyr , 〈…〉 represent the various Wishes and Desires of Mankind ; and to set out the Folly of ' em . He runs through all the several Heads of Riches , Honours , Eloquence , Fame for Martial Atchievements , Long-Life , and Beauty ; and gives Instances in Each , how frequently they have prov'd the Ruin of Those that Own'd them . He concludes therefore , that since we generally chuse so ill for our selves ● 〈…〉 it to the Gods , to make the choice for us . All we can safely ask of Heaven , lies within a very small Compass . 'T is but Health of Body and Mind — And if we have these , 't is not much matter , what we want besides : For we have already enough to make us Happy . THE TENTH SATYR . LOOK round the Habitable World , how few Know their own Good ; or knowing it , pursue . How void of Reason are our Hopes and Fears ! What in the Conduct of our Life appears So well design'd , so luckily begun , But , when we have our wish , we wish undone ? Whole Houses , of their whole Desires possest , Are often Ruin'd , at their own Request . In Wars , and Peace , things hurtful we require , When made Obnoxius to our own Desire . With Laurels some have fatally been Crown'd ; Some who the depths of Eloquence have found , In that unnavigable Stream were Drown'd . The 1 Brawny Fool , who did his Vigour boast ; In that Presumeing Confidence was lost● But more have been by Avarice opprest , And Heaps of Money crouded in the Chest : Unwieldy Sums of Wealth , which higher mount Than Files of Marshall'd Figures can account . To which the Stores of Craesus , in the Scale , Wou'd look like little Dolphins , when they sail In the vast Shadow of the British Whale . For this , in Nero's Arbitrary time , When Virtue was a Guilt . and Wealth a Crime , A Troop of Cut-Th●oat Guards were sent , to seize The Rich Mens Goods , and gut their Palaces : The Mob , Commission'd by the Government , Are seldom to an Empty Garret , sent . The Fearful Passenger , who Travels late , Charg'd with the Carriage of a Paltry Plate , Shakes at the Moonshine shadow of a Rush ; And sees a Red-Coat rise from every Bush : The Beggar Sings , ev'n when he sees the place Beset with Thieves , and never mends his pace . Of all the Vows , the first and chief Request Of each , is to be Richer than the rest : And yet no doubts the Poor Man's Draught controul ; He dreads no Poison in his homely Bowl . Then fear the deadly Drug , when Gems Divine Enchase the Cup , and sparkle in the Wine . Will you not now , the pair of Sages praise , Who the same End pursu'd , by several Ways ? One pity'd , one contemn'd the Woful Times : One laugh'd at Follies , one lamented Crimes : Laughter is easie ; but the Wonder lies What stores of Brine supply'd the Weepers Eyes . Democritus , cou'd feed his Spleen , and shake His sides and shoulders till he felt 'em ake ; Tho in his Country Town , no Lictors were ; Nor Rods nor Ax nor Tribune did appear : Nor all the Foppish Gravity of show Which cunning Magistrates on Crowds bestow : What had he done , had he beheld , on high Our Praetor seated , in Mock Majesty ; His Charriot rowling o're the Dusty place While , with dumb Pride , and a set formal Face , He moves , in the dull Ceremonial track , With Iove's Embroyder'd Coat upon his back : A Sute of Hangings had not more opprest His Shoulders , than that long , Laborious Vest. A heavy Gugaw , ( call'd a Crown , ) that spred About his Temples , drown'd his narrow Head : And wou'd have crush'd it , with the Massy Freight , But that a sweating Slave sustain'd the weight : A Slave in the same Chariot seen to ride , To mortifie the mighty Madman's Pride . Add now th' Imperial Eagle , rais'd on high , With Golden Beak ( the Mark of Majesty ) Trumpets before , and on the Left and Right , A Cavalcade of Nobles , all in White : In their own Natures false , and flatt'ring Tribes● But made his Friends , by Places and by Bribes . In his own Age Democritus cou'd find Sufficient cause to laugh at Humane kind : Learn from so great a Wit ; a Land of Bogs With Ditches fenc'd● a Heav'n Fat with Fogs , May form a Spirit fit to sway the State ; And make the Neighb'ring Monarchs fear their Fate . He laughs at all the Vulgar Cares and Fears ; At their vain Triumphs , and their vainer Tears : An equal Temper in his Mind he found , When Fortune flatter'd him , and when she frown'd . 'T is plain from hence that what our Vows request , Are hurtful things , or Useless at the best . Some ask for Envy'd Pow'r ; which publick Hate Pursues , and hurries headlong to their Fate : Down go the Titles ; and the Statue Crown'd , Is by base Hands in the next River Drown'd . The Guiltless Horses , and the Chariot Wheel The same Effects of Vulgar Fury feel : The Smith prepares his Hammer for the Stroke , While the Lung'd Bellows hissing Fire provoke ; Sejanus 2 almost first of Roman Names , The great Sejanus crackles in the Flames : Form'd in the Forge , the Pliant Brass is laid On Anvils ; and of Head and Limbs are made , Pans , Cans , and Pispots , a whole Kitchin Trade . Adorn your Doors with Laurels ; and a Bull Milk white and large , lead to the Capitol ; Sejanus with a Rope , is drag'd along ; The Sport and Laughter of the giddy Throng ! Good Lord , they Cry , what Ethiop Lips he has , How foul a Snout , and what a hanging Face ? By Heav'n I never cou'd endure his sight ; But say , how came his Monstrous Crimes to Light ? What is the Charge , and who the Evidence ( The Saviour of the Nation and the Prince ? ) Nothing of this ; but our Old Caesar sent A Noisie Letter to his Parliament : Nay Sirs , if Caesar writ , I ask no more He 's Guilty ; and the Question 's out of Door . How goes the Mob , ( for that 's a Mighty thing . ) When the King's Trump , the Mob are for the King : They follow Fortune , and the Common Cry Is still against the Rogue Condemn'd to Dye . But the same very Mob ; that Rascal crowd Had cry'd Sejanus , with a Shout as loud ; Had his Designs , ( by Fortune's favour Blest . ) Suc●eded , and the Prince's Age opprest . But long , long since , the Times have chang'd their Face , The People grown Degenerate and base : Not suffer'd now the Freedom of their choice , To make their Magistrates , and sell their Voice . Our Wise Fore-Fathers , Great by Sea and Land , Had once the Pow'r , and absolute Command ; All Offices of Trust , themselves dispos'd ; Rais'd whom they pleas'd , and whom they pleas'd , Depos'd . But we who give our Native Rights away , And our Inslav'd Posterity betray , Are now reduc'd to beg an Alms , and go On Holidays to see a Puppet show . There was a Damn'd Design , crys one , no doubt ; For Warrants are already Issued out : I met Brutidius in a Mortal fright : He 's dipt for certain , and plays least in sight : I fear the Rage of our offended Prince , Who thinks the Senate slack in his defence ! Come let us haste , our Loyal Zeal to show , And spurn the Wretched Corps of Caesar's Foe : But let our Slaves be present there , lest they Accuse their Masters , and for Gain betray . Such were the Whispers of those jealous Times , About Sejanus Punishment , and Crimes . Now tell me truly , wou'dst thou change thy Fate To be , like him , first Minister of State ? To have thy Levees Crowded with resort , Of a depending , gaping , servile Court : Dispose all Honours , of the Sword and Gown , Grace with a Nod , and Ruin with a Frown ; To hold thy Prince in Pupill-Age and sway , That Monarch , whom the Master'd World obey ? While he , intent on secret Lusts alone , Lives to himself , abandoning the Throne ; Coopt 3 in a narrow Isle , observing Dreams With flatt'ring Wisards , and erecting Schemes ! I well believe , thou wou'd'st be Great as he ; For every Man 's a Fool to that Degree : All wish the dire Prerogative to kill ; Ev'n they wou'd have the Pow'r , who want the Will : But wou'dst thou have thy Wishes understood , To take the Bad together with the Good ? Wou'dst thou not rather choose a small Renown , To be the May'● of some poor Paltry Town , Bigly to Look , and Bath rou●ly to speak ; To pound false Weights , and scanty Measures break ? Then , grant we that Sejanus went astray , In ev'ry Wish , and knew not how to pray : For he who grasp'd the World's exhausted Store Yet never had enough , but wish'd for more , Rais'd a Top-heavy Tow'r , of monst'rous height , Which Mould'ring , crush'd him underneath the Weight . What did the mighty Pompey's Fall beget ? And ruin'd 4 him , who Greater than the Great , The stubborn Pride of Roman Nobles broke ; And bent their Haughty Necks beneath his Yoke ? What else , but his immoderate Lust of Pow'r , Pray●rs made , and granted in a Luckless Hour : For few Usurpers to the Shades descend By a dry Death , or with a quiet End. The Boy , who scarce has paid his Entrance down To his proud Pedant , or declin'd a Noun , ( So small an Elf , that when the days are foul , He and his Satchel must be born to School , ) Yet prays and hopes and aims at nothing less , To 5 prove a Tully , or Demosthenes : But both those Orators ; so much Renown'd , In their own Depths of Eloquence were Drown'd : The Hand and Head were never lost , of those Who dealt in Dogrel , or who punn'd in Prose : Fortune 6 foretun'd the Dying Notes of Rome : Till I , thy Consul sole , consol'd thy Doom . His Fate had crept below the lifted Swords , Had all his Malice been to Murther words . I rather wou'd be Maevius , Thrash for Rhimes Like his , the scorn and scandal of the Times , Than 7 that Philippique , fatally Divine , Which is inscrib'd the Second , should be Mine . Nor he , the Wonder of the Grecian throng , Who drove them with the Torrent of his Tongue , Who shook the Theaters , and sway'd the State Of Athens , found a more Propitious Fate . Whom , born beneath a boding Horoscope , His Sire , the Blear-Ey'd Vulcan of a Shop , From Mars his Forge , sent to Minerva's Schools , To learn th' unlucky Art of wheedling Fools . With Itch of Honour , and Opinion , Vain , All things beyond their Native worth we strain : The 8 Spoils of War , brought to Feretrian Iove , An empty Coat of Armour hung above The Conquerours Chariot , and in Triumph born , A Streamer from a boarded Gally torn , A Chap-●●ln Beaver loosly hanging by● The cloven Helm , an Ar●h of Victory● On whose high Convex sits a Captive Foe And sighing casts a Mournful Look below ; Of ev'ry Nation , each Illustrious Name , Such Toys as these have cheated into Fame : Exchanging solid Quiet , to obtain The Windy satisfaction of the Brain . So much the Thirst of Honour Fires the Blood ; So many wou'd be Great , so few be Good. For who wou'd Virtue for her self regard , Or Wed , without the Portion of Reward ? Yet this Mad Chace of Fame , by few pursu'd , Has drawn Destruction on the Multitude : This Avarice of Praise in Times to come , Those long Inscriptions , crowded on the Tomb , Shou'd some Wild Fig-Tree take her Native bent , And heave below the gaudy Monument , Wou'd crack the Marble Titles , and disperse The Characters of all the lying Verse . For Sepulchres themselves must crumbling fall In times Abyss , the common Grave of all . Great Hannibal within the Ballance lay ; And tell how many Pounds his Ashes weigh ; Whom Affrick was not able to contain , Whose length runs Level with th' Atlantick main , And wearies fruitful Nilus , to convey His Sun-beat Waters by so long a way ; Which Ethiopia's double Clime divides , And Elephants in other Mountains hides . Spain first he won , the P●raeneans past , And steepy Alps , the Mounds that Nature cast : And with Corroding Juices , as he went , A passage through the living Rocks he rent . Then , like a Torrent , rowling from on high , He pours his head-long Rage on Italy ; In three Victorious Battels overrun ; Yet still uneasie , Cries there 's nothing done : Till , level with the Ground , their Gates are laid ; And Punick Flags , on Roman Tow'rs displaid . Ask what a Face belong'd to this high Fame ; His Picture scarcely wou'd deserve a Frame : A Sign-Post Dawber wou'd disdain to pain● The one Ey'd Heroe on his Elephant . Now what 's his End , O Charming Glory , say What rare fifth Act , to Crown this huffing Play ? In one deciding Battel overcome , He flies , is banisht from his Native home : Begs refuge in a Foreign Court , and there Attends his mean Petition to prefer : Repuls'd by surly Grooms , who wait before The sleeping Tyrant's interdicted Door● What wondrous sort of Death , has Heav'n design'd Distinguish'd from the Herd of Humane Kind , For so untam'd , so turbulent a Mind ! Nor Swords at hand , nor hissing Darts afar , Are doom'd t' Avenge the tedious blood● War , But Poyson , drawn through a Rings hollow plate , Must finish him ; a sucking Infant 's Fate . Go , climb the rugged Alps , Ambitious Fool , To please the Boys , and be a Theme at School . One World suffis●d not Alexander's Mind ; Coop't up , he seem'd in Earth and Seas confin'd : And , strugling , stretch'd his restless Limbs about The narrow Globe , to find a passage out . Yet , enter'd in the 9 Brick-built Town , he try'd The Tomb , and found the strait dimensions wide : " Death only this Mysterious Truth unfolds , " The mighty Soul , how small a Body holds . Old 10 Greece a Tale of Athos wou'd make out , Cut from the Continent , and Sail'd about ; Seas hid with Navies , Chariots passing o're The Channel , on a Bridge from shore to shore : Rivers , whose depth no sharp beholder sees , Drunk , at an Armies Dinner , to the Lees ; With a long Legend of Romantick things , Which , in his Cups , the Bowsy Poet sings . But how did he return , this haughty Brave Who whipt the Winds , and made the Sea his Slave ? ( Tho' Neptune took unkindly to be bound ; And Eurus never such hard usage found In his Eolian Prisons under ground ; ) What God so mean ev'n 11 he who points the way , So Merciless a Tyrant to Obey ! But how return'd he , let us ask again ? In a poor Skiff he pass'd the bloody Main , Choak'd with the slaughter'd Bodies of his Train . For Fame he pray'd , but let th' Event declare He had no mighty penn'worth of his Pray'r . Iove grant me length of Life , and Years good store ? Heap on my bending Back , I ask no more . Both Sick and Healthful , Old and Young , conspire In this one silly , mischievous desire . Mistaken Blessing which Old Age they call , 'T is a long , nasty , darksom Hospital . A ropy Chain of Rhumes ; a Visage rough , Deform'd , Unfeatur'd , and a Skin of Buff. A stitch-fal'n Cheek , that hangs below the Jaw ; Such Wrinckles , as a skillful Hand wou'd draw For an old Grandam Ape , when , with a Grace , She sits at squat , and scrubs her Leathern Face . In Youth , distinctions infinite abound ; No Shape , or Feature , just alike are found ; The Fair , the Black , the Feeble , and the Strong ; But the same foulness does to Age belong , The self same Palsie , both in Limbs , and Tongue . The Skull and Forehead one Bald Barren plain ; And Gums unarm'd to Mumble Meat in vain : Besides th' Eternal Drivel , that supplies The dropping Beard , from Nostrils , Mouth , and Eyes . His Wife and Children loath him , and , what 's worse , Himself does his offensive Carrion Curse ! Flatt'rers forsake him too ; for who would kill Himself , to be Remembred in a Will ? His taste , not only pall'd to Wine and Meat , But to the Relish of a Nobler Treat . The limber Nerve , in vain provok'd to rise , Inglorious from the Field of Battel flies : Poor Feeble Dotard , how cou'd he advance With his Blew-head-piece , and his broken Lance ? Add , that endeavouring still without effect , A Lust more sordid justly we suspect . Those Senses lost , behold a new defeat ; The Soul , dislodging from another seat . What Musick , or Enchanting Voice , can chear A Stupid , Old , Impenetrable Ear ? No matter in what Place , or what Degree Of the full Theater he sits to see ; Cornets and Trumpets cannot reach his Ear : Under an Actor's Nose , he 's never near . His Boy must bawl , to make him understand The Hour o' th' Day , or such a Lord 's at hand : The little Blood that creeps within his Veins , Is but just warm'd in a hot Feaver's pains . In fine , he wears no Limb about him found : With Sores and Sicknesses , beleaguer'd round : Ask me their Names , I sooner cou'd relate How many Drudges on Salt Hippia wait ; What Crowds of Patients the Town Doctor kills , Or how , last fall , he rais'd the Weekly Bills . What Provinces by Basilus were spoil'd , What Herds of Heirs by Guardians are beguil'd : How many bouts a Day that Bitch has try'd ; How many Boys that Pedagogue can ride ! What Lands and Lordships for their Owners know , My Quondam Barber , but his Worship now . This Dotard of his broken Back complains , One his Legs fail , and one his Shoulders pain : Another is of both his Eyes bere●t ; And Envies who has one for Aiming left . A Fifth with trembling Lips expecting stands ; As in his Child-hood , cram'd by others hands ; One , who at sight of Supper open'd wide His Jaws before , and Whetted Grinders try'd ; Now only Yawns , and waits to be supply'd : Like a young Swallow , when with weary Wings , Expected Food , her fasting Mother brings . His loss of Members is a heavy Curse , But all his Faculties decay'd , a worse ! His Servants Names he has forgotten quite : Knows not his Friend who supp'd with him last Night : Not ev'n the Children , he Begot and Bred ; Or his Will knows 'em not : For , in their stead , In Form of Law , a common Hackney Jade , Sole Heir , for secret Services , is made : So lewd , and such a batter'd Brothel Whore , That she defies all Commers , at her Door . Well , yet suppose his Senses are his own , He lives to be chief Mourner for his Son : Before his Face his Wife and Brother burns ; He Numbers all his Kindred in their Urns. These are the Fines he pays for living long ; And dragging tedious Age , in his own wrong : Griefs always Green , a House-hold still in Tears , Sad Pomps : A Threshold throng'd with daily Biers ; And Liveries of Black for Length of Years . Next to the Raven's Age , the Pylian 12 King Was longest liv'd of any two-leg'd thing ; Blest , to Defraud the Grave so long , to Mount His 13 Numbred Years , and on his Right Hand Count ; Three Hundred Seasons , guzling Must of Wine : But , hold a while , and hear himself Repine At Fates Unequal Laws ; and at the Clue Which , 14 Merciless in length , the midmost Sister drew . When his Brave Son upon the Fun'ral Pyre , He saw extended , and his Beard on Fire ; He turn'd , and Weeping , ask'd his Friends , what Crime Had Curs'd his Age to this unhappy Time ? Thus Mourn'd Old Peleus for Achilles slain , And thus Vlysses's Father did complain . How Fortunate an End had Priam made , Among his Ancestors a mighty shade , While Troy yet stood : When Hector with the Race Of Royal Bastards might his Funeral Grace : Amidst the Tears of Trojan Dames inurn'd , And by his Loyal Daughters , truly mourn'd . Had Heaven so Blest him , he had Dy'd before The fatal Fleet to Sparta Paris bore . But mark what Age produc'd ; he liv'd to see His Town in Flames his falling Monarchy : In fine , the feeble Syre , reduc'd by Fate , To change his Scepter for a Sword , too late , His 15 last Effort before Iove's Altar tries ; A Souldier half , and half a Sacrifice : Falls like an Oxe , that waits the coming blow ; Old and unprofitable to the Plough . At 16 least , he Dy'd a Man , his Queen furviv'd ; To Howl , and in a barking Body liv'd . I hasten to our own ; Nor will relate Great 17 Mithridates , and Rich 18 Craessus Fate ; Whom Solon wisely Counsell'd to attend , The Name of Happy , till he knew his End. That Marius was an ●xile , that he fled Was ta'ne , in Ruin'd Carthage beg'd his Bread , All these were owing to a Life too long : For whom had Rome beheld so Happy , Young ! High in his Chariot and with Lawrel Crown'd , When he had led the Cimbrian Captives round The Roman Streets ; descending from his State , In that Blest Hour he should have beg'd his Fate : Then , then he might have dy'd of all admir'd , And his Triumphant Soul with Shouts expir'd . Campania , 19 Fortunes Malice to prevent , To Pompey an indulgent Favour sent : But publick Pray'rs impos'd on Heav'n , to give Their much Lov'd Leader an unkind Reprieve . The Cities Fate and his , conspir'd to save The Head , reserv'd for an Egyptian Slave . Cethegus , 20 tho a Traytor to the State , And Tortur'd , scap'd this Ignominious Fate : And Sergius , 21 who a bad Cause bravely try'd , All of a Piece , and undiminish'd Dy'd . To Venus , the fond Mother makes a Pray'r , That all her Sons and Daughters may be Fair : True , for the Boys a Mumbling Vow she sends ; But , for the Girls , the Vaulted Temple rends : They must be finish'd Pieces : 'T is allow'd Diana's Beauty made Latona Proud ; And pleas'd , to see the Wond'ring People Pray To the New-rising Sister of the Day . And yet Lucretia's Fate wou'd bar that Vow : And Fair 22 Virginia wou'd her Fate bestow On Rutila ; and change her Faultless Make For the foul rumple of Her Camel back . But , for his Mother's Boy , the Beau , what frights His Parents have by Day , what Anxious Nights ! Form join'd with Virtue is a sight too rare : Chast is no Epithete to sute with Fair. Suppose the same Traditionary strain Of Rigid Manners , in the House remain ; Inveterate Truth , an Old plain Sabine's Heart ; Suppose that Nature , too , has done her part ; Infus'd into his Soul a sober Grace , And blusht a Modest Blood into his Face ; ( For Nature is a better Guardian far , Than Sawcy Pedants , or dull Tutors are : ) Yet still the Youth must ne're arrive at Man ; ( So much Almighty Bribes , and Presents , can : ) Ev'n with a Parent , where Perswasions fail , Mony is impudent , and will prevail . We never Read of such a Tyrant King , Who guelt a Boy deform'd , to hear him Sing . Nor Nero , in his more Luxurious Rage , E're made a Mistress of an ugly Page : Sporus , his Spouse , nor Crooked was , nor Lame With Mountain Back , and Belly , from the Game Cross-barr'd : But both his Sexes well became . Go , boast your Springal , by his Beauty Curst To ●lls ; nor think I have declar'd the worst : His Form procures him Journey-Work ; a strife Betwixt Town-Madams , and the Merchant's Wife : Guess , when he undertakes this publick War , What furious Beasts offended Cuckolds are . Adult'rers are with Dangers round beset ; Born under Mars , they cannot scape the Net ; And from Revengeful Husbands oft have try'd Worse handling , than severest Laws provide : One stabs , one slashes , one , with Cruel Art , Makes Colon suffer for the Peccant part . But your Endymion , your smooth , Smock-fac'd Boy , Unrivall'd , shall a Beauteous Dame enjoy : Not so : One more Salacious , Rich , and Old , Out-bids , and buys her Pleasure for her Gold : Now he must Moil , and Drudge , for one he loaths : She keeps him High , in Equipage , and Cloaths : She Pawns her Jewels , and her Rich Attire , And thinks the Workman worthy of his Hire : In all things else immoral , stingy , mean ; But , in her Lusts , a Conscionable Quean . She may be handsom , yet be Chast , you say : Good Observator , not so fast away : Did it not cost the 23 Modest Youth his Life , Who shun'd th' Embraces of his Father's Wife ? And was not t'other 24 Stripling forc'd to fly , Who , coldly , did his Patron 's Queen deny ; And pleaded Laws of Hospitality ? The Ladies charg'd 'em home , and turn'd the Tail : With shame they redn'd , and with spight grew Pale . ●Tis Dang'rous to deny the longing Dame ; She loses Pity , who has lost her Shame . Now 25 Silius wants thy Counsel , give Advice ; Wed Caesar's Wife , or Dye● the Choice is nice . Her Comet-Eyes she darts on ev'ry Grace ; And takes a fatal liking to his Face . Adorn'd with Bridal Pomp she sits in State ; The ●●blick Notaries and 〈◊〉 wait : The Genial Bed is in the Garden drest ; The ●ortion paid , and ev'ry Rite express'd , Which in a Roman Marriage is profest . 'T is no stol'n Wedding , this ; rejecting awe , She scorns to Marry , but in Form of Law : In this moot case , your Judgment : To refuse Is present Death , besides the Night you lose . If you consent , 't is hardly worth your pain ; A Day or two of Anxious Life you gain : Till lowd Reports through all the Town have pa●t , And reach the Prince : For Cuckolds hear the last . Indulge thy Pleasure , Youth , and take thy swing : For not to take , is but the self same thing : Inevitable Death before thee lies ; But looks more kindly through a Ladies Eyes . What then remains ? Are we depriv'd of Will ? Must we not Wish , for fear of wishing Ill ? Receive my Counsel , and securely move ; Intrust thy Fortune to the Pow'rs above . Leave them to manage for thee , and to grant What their unerring Wisdom sees thee want : In Goodness as in Greatness they excel ; Ah that we lov'd our selves but half so well ! We , blindly by our headstrong Passions led , Are hot for Action , and desire to Wed ; Then wish for Heirs : But to the Gods alone Our future Offspring , and our Wives are known ; Th' audacious Strumpet , and ungracious Son. Yet , not to rob the Priests of pious Gain , That Altars be not wholly built in vain ; Forgive the Gods the rest , and stand confin'd To Health of Body , and Content of Mind : A Soul , that can securely Death defie , And count it Nature's Priviledge , to Dye ; Serene and Manly , harden'd to sustain The load of Life , and Exercis'd in Pain ; Guiltless of Hate , and Proof against Desire ; That all things weighs , and nothing can admire : That dares prefer the Toils of Hercules To Dalliance , Banquets , and Ignoble ease . The Path to Peace is Virtue : What I show , Thy Self may freely , on Thy Self bestow : Fortune was never Worshipp'd by the Wi●e ; But , set aloft by Fools , Usurps the Skies . The End of the Tenth Satyr . EXPLANATORY NOTES ON THE TENTH SATYR . MIlo , of Crotona ; who for a Tryal of his strength , going to rend an Oak , perish'd in the Attempt : for his Arms were caught in the Trunk of it ; and he was devour'd by Wild Beasts . Sejanus was Tiberius's first Favourite ; and while he continu'd so , had the highest Marks of Honour bestow'd on him ; Statues and Trium● phal Chariots were every where erected to him . But as soon as he fell into Disgrace with the Emperor , these were all immediately dismounted ; and the Senate and Common People insulted over him as meanly , as they had sawn'd on him before . The Island of Capreae , which lies about a League out at Sea from the Campanian Shore , was the Scene of Tiberius's Pleasures in the latter part of his Reign . There he liv'd for some Years with Diviners , Soothsayers , and worse Company — And from thence , dispatch'd all his Orders to the Senate . Iulius Caesar , who got the better of P●mpey , that was stil'd the Great . Demosthenes and Tully , both dyed for their Oratory . Demosthenes gave himself Poyson , to avoid being carried to Antipater ; one of Alexander's Captains , who had then made himself Master of Athens . Tully was Murther'd by M. Antony's Order , in Return , for those Invectives he had made against him . The Latin of this Couplet is a Famous Verse of Tully's , in which he sets out the Happiness of his own Consulship ; Famous for the Vanity , and the ill Poetry of it . For Tully as he had a good deal of the one , so he had no great share of the other . The Orations of Tully , against M. A●●ony , were stil'd by him Philippics , in imitation of Demosthenes ; who had given that Name before to those he made against Philip of Macedon . This is a Mock-Account of a Roman Triumph . Babylon , where Alexander dy'd . Xerxes , is represented in History , after a very Romantick Manner ; affecting Fame beyond Measure , and doing the most Extravagant things , to compass it . Mount Athos made a Prodigious Promontory in the AEgaean Sea : He is said to have cut a Channel through it , and to have Sail'd round it . He made a Bridge of Boats over the Hellespont , where it was three Miles broad : ●And order'd a Whipping for the Winds and Seas , because they had once crossed his Designs , as we have a very solemn account of it in Herodotus . But , after all these vain Boasts , he was shamefully beaten by Themistocles at Salamis ; and return'd home , leaving most of his Fleet behind him . Mercury , who was a God of the lowest size , and employ'd always in Errands between Heaven and Hell. And Mortals us'd him accordingly : For his Statues were anciently plac'd , where Roads met ; with Directions on the Fingers of 'em , pointing out the several ways to Travellers . Nestor , King of Pylus ; who was 300 Years old , according to Homer's account , at least , as he is understood by his Expositors . The Ancients counted by their Fingers . Their Left Hands serv'd 'em till they came up to an Hundred . After that , they us'd their Right , to express all greater Numbers . The Fates were three Sisters , which had all some peculiar Business assign'd 'em by the Poets , in Relation to the Lives of Men. The First held the Distaff ; the Second Spun the Thread ; and the Third cut it . Whilst Troy was Sacking by the Greeks . Old King Priam is said to have Buckled on his Armour , to oppose ' em . Which he had no sooner done , but he was met by Pyrrhus , and Slain before the Altar of Iupiter , in his own Palace , as we have the Story finely told , in Virgil's 2d AEneid . Hecuba , his Queen , escap'd the Swords of the Grecians , and out-liv'd him . It seems , she behav'd her self so fiercely , and uneasily to her Husband's Murtherers , while she liv'd , that the the Poets thought fit to turn her into a Bitch , when she dy'd . Mithridates , after he had disputed the Empire of the World for 40 Years together , with the Romans , was at last depriv'd of Life and Empire by Pompey the Great . Croesus , in the midst of his Prosperity , making his Boast to Solon , how Happy he was , receiv'd this Answer from the Wise Man , That no One could pronounce himself Happy , till he saw what his End should be . The truth of this Croesus found , when he was put in Chains by Cyrus , and Condemned to die . Pompey , in the midst of his Glory , fell into a Dangerous Fit of Sickness , at Naples . A great many Cities then made Publick Supplications for him . He Recover'd , was beaten at Pharsalia , fled to Ptolomy King of AEgypt ; and , instead of receiving Protection at his Court , had his Head struck off by his Order , to please Caesar. Cethegus was one that conspir'd with Catiline , and was put to Death by the Senate . Catiline dy'd Fighting . Virginia was kill'd by her own Father , to prevent her being expos'd to the Lust of Appius Claudius , who had Ill Designs upon her . The Story at large is in Livy's Third Book ; and 't is a remarkable one , as it gave occasion to the putting down the Power of the Decemviri ; of whom Appius was one . Hippolytus the Son of Theseus , was lov'd by his Mother in Law Phaedria . But he not complying with her , she procur'd his Death . Bellerophon , the Son of King Glaucus , residing sometime at the Court of Paetus King of the Argives , the Queen , Sthenobaea , fell in Love with him . But he refusing her , she turn'd the Accusation upon Him ; and he narrowly scap'd Paetus's Vengeance . Messalina , Wife to the Emperor Claudius , Infamous for her Lewdness . She set her Eyes upon C. Silius , a fine Youth ; forc'd him to quit his own Wife , and Marry her with all the Formalities of a Wedding , whilst Claudius Caesar was Sacrificing at Hostia . Upon his Return , he put both Silius and her to Death . THE ELEVENTH SATYR OF JUVENAL , Translated into ENGLISH VERSE BY Mr. WILLIAM CONGREUE . ARGUMENT OF THE Eleventh Satyr . The Design of this Satyr is to expose and reprehend all manner of Intemperance and Debauchery ; but more particularly touches that Exorbitant Luxury used by the Romans , in 〈…〉 him : Very Artfully preparing him , with what he was to expect from his Treat● by begin●ng the Satyr , with a particular Invective against the Vanity and Folly of some Persons , who having but Mean Fortunes in the World , attempted 〈…〉 Quality . He shews us , the Miserable End of such Spend-thri●s and Gluttons ; with the Manner and Courses , which they took , to bring themselves to it● advising Men to live within Bounds , and to Proportion their Inclinations , to the Extent of their Fortune . He gives his Friend a Bill of Fair , of 〈…〉 takes Occasion to reflect upon the Temperance and Frugality of the Greatest Men , in Former Ages : To which he opposes the Riot and Intemperance of the present ; attributing to the latter , a visible Remisness , in the Care of Heaven over the Roman State. He instances some lewd Practices at their Feasts , and by the by , touches the Nobility , with making Vice and Debauchery the chiefest of their Pleasures . He concludes with a repeated Invitation to his Friend ; advising Him ( in one particula● so●● 〈◊〉 freely ) to a neglect of all Cares and Disquiets , for the present ; and a moderate use of Pleasures for the future . THE ELEVENTH SATYR . IF Noble 1 Atticus , make plent●ous F●asts , And with Lu●uriou● F●●d indulge his Guests : His Wealth and Quality , support the Treat ; In him nor is it Luxury , bu● State. But when Poor 2 Rutilus spends all his worth , In hopes of setting one good Di●●er so●●h ; 'T is down-right Madness ; fo● what greaten Iests , Than Begging Glutt'ns , or than Beggars Feasts ? But Rutilus , is so No●orios g●own . That he 's the common Theme of all the Town . A Man , in his full Tide of Youthful Blood , Able for Arms , and for his Country's good ; Urg'd 3 by no Pow'● , restrain'd by no Advice , But following his own Inglo●io●s choice : ●Mongst common Fe●ce●s , Practises the Trade , That End debasing , for which A●ms were made ; Arms , which to Man● ne're-dying Fame afford , But his 〈◊〉 is owi●g to ●i● S●●●●● Many there are of the same 4 wretched Kind , Whom , their despairing Creditors , may find Lurking in Shambles ; where with borrow'd Coin They buy choice Meats , and in cheap plenty Dine . Such , whose sole Bliss , is Eating ; who can give But th●t one Brutal Reason why they ●ive● And yet what 's more ridiculous : Of these The Poorest Wretch , is still most hard to please ; And he , whose thin Transparent Rags , declare How much , his tatter'd Fortune wants repair , Wou'd ransack ev'ry Element , for choice Of ev'ry Fish and Fowl , at any Price ; If brought from far , it very Dear has cost , It has a Flavour then , which pleases most , And he devours it with a greater gust . In Riot , thus , while Mony lasts , he lives , And that exhausted , still new Pledges gives ; Till forc'd of meer Necessity , to Eat , He comes to Pawn his Dish , to buy his Meat . Nothing of Silver , or of Gold he spares , Not what his Mother's Sacred Image bears ; The broken 5 Relick , he with speed devours , As he wou'd all the rest of 's Ancestors , If wrought in Gold , or if expos'd to Sale , Th●y'd pay the Price of one Luxurious Meal . Thus certain Ruin , treads upon his Heels , The Stings of Hunger , soon , and Want he feels ; And thus is he reduc'd at length , to serve Fencers , for Miserable Scraps , or starve . Imagine now , you see a splendid Feast : The Question is , at whose Expence 't is Drest . In great 6 Ventidius , we , the Bounty prize ; In Rutilus , the Vanity despise . Strange Ignorance ! That the same Man , who knows How far yond' Mount , above this Mole-hill shows , Shou'd not perceive a difference as great , Between small Incomes and a vast Estate ! From Heav'n , to Mankind , sure , that Rule was sent , Of Know thy Self , and by some God was meant To be our never-erring Pilot here , Through all the various Courses , which we steer . Thersites 7 , tho the most presumptuous Greek , Yet durst not for Achilles Armour speak ; When scarce 8 Vlysses had a good pretence , With all th' advantage of his Eloquence . Who-e're attempts weak Causes to support , Ought to be very sure , he 's able for 't ; And not mistake strong Lungs , and Impudence ; For Harmony of Words , and force of Sence : Fools only make Attempts beyond their Skill ; A Wise-Man's Pow'r's the Limit of his Will. If Fortune , has a Niggard been to thee● Devote thy self to Thrift , not Luxury ; And Wisely make that kind of Food , thy choice , To which Necessity confines thy Price . Well may they fear some Miserable End , Whom Gluttony and Want , at once attend ; Whose large voracious Throats have swallow'd All , Both Land and Stock , Int'rest and Principal : Well may they fear , at length , vile 9 Pollio's Fate , Who sold his very Ring , to purchase Meat ; And tho a Knight , ●mongst common Slaves now stands Begging an Alms , with undistinguisht Hands . Sure sudden Death , to such shou'd welcome be , On whom , each added Year heaps Misery , Scorn , Poverty , Reproach and Infamy . But there are steps , in Villany , which these Observe to tread and follow , by degrees . Money they borrow , and from all that lend , Which , never meaning to restore , they spend ; But that and their small Stock of Credit gone , Lest Rome shou'd grow too warm , from thence they run : For of late Years , ●tis no more Scandal grown , For Debt and Roguery , to quit the Town ; Than in the midst of Summer's scorching ●reat , From Crowds , and Noise , and Business to retreat . One only Grief such Fugitives can find , Reflecting on the pleasures left behind ; The Plays , and loose Diversions of the place , But not one Blush appears for the Disgrace . Ne're was of Modesty so great a Dearth , That out of Count'nance Virtue 's fled from Earth ; Baffled , expos'd to ridicule and scorn , She 's with 10 Astraea gone , ne're to return . This Day , my 11 Persicus , thou shalt perceive Whether , my self I keep those Rules I give . Or else , an unsuspected Glutton live ; If mod'rate fare and abstinence , I prize In publick , yet in private Gormondize . Evander's 12 Feast reviv'd , to Day thou'lt see , The Poor Evander , I , and thou shalt be Alcides 13 and AEneas both to me . Mean time , I send you now your Bill of Fare ; Be not surpriz'd , that 't is all homely cheer : For nothing from the Shambles I provide , But from my own small Farm , the tendrest Kid And Fattest of my Flock , a suckling yet , That ne're had Nourishment , but from the Teat ; No bitter Willow Tops , have been its Food , Scarce Grass ; its Veins have more of Milk than Blood. Next that , shall Mountain Sparagus be laid , Pull'd by some plain , but cleanly Country-Maid . The largest Eggs , yet warm within the Nest , Together with the Hens , which laid 'em , drest ; Clusters of Grapes , preserv'd for half a Year , Which , plump and fresh as on the Vines appear ; Apples , of a Ripe Flavour , Fresh and Fair , Mixt with the Syrian , and the Signian Pear , Mellow'd by Winter , from their cruder Juice , Light of Digestion now and fit for use . Such Food as this , wou'd have been heretofore Accounted Riot , in a Senator : When the good 14 Curius , thought it no Disgrace , With his own Hands , a few small Herbs to Dress ; And from his little Garden , cull'd a Feast , Which Fetter'd Slaves wou'd now disdain to Taste ; For scarce a Slave , but has to Dinner now , The well-dress'd 15 Paps , of a Fat Pregnant Sow . But heretofore , 't was thought a sumptuous Treat , On Birth-Days , Festivals , or Days of State ; A Salt , dry Flitch of Bacon to prepare ; If they had fresh Meat , 't was Delicious fare ! Which rarely happen'd , and 't was highly Priz'd If 16 ought was left of what they Sacrific'd . To Entertainments of this Kind , wou'd come The Worthiest and the Greatest Men in Rome ; Nay seldom any at such Treats were seen , But those who had at least thrice 17 Consuls been , Or the 18 Dictator's Office had discharg'd , And now from Honourable Toil enlarg'd ; Retir'd to Husband and Manure their Land , Humbling themselves to those they might Command . Then might y'have seen the good old Gen'ral haste , Before th' appointed 19 Hour , to such a Feast ; His Spade aloft , as 't were in Triumph held , Proud of the Conquest of some stubborn Field . Oh then , when pious Consuls bore the sway ! When Couchant Vice , all pale and trembling lay ! Our 20 Censors then were Subject to the Law , Ev'n Pow'r it self , of Iustice stood in awe . It was not then , a Roman's chiefest thought , Where largest Tortoise-Shells were to be bought , Where Pearls , might of the greatest Price be had , And shining Jewels to adorn his 21 Bed , That he at Vast Expence might loll his Head. Plain was his Couch , and only Rich his Mind ; Contentedly he slept , as cheaply , as he Din'd . The Souldier then , in 22 Graecian Arts unskill'd , Returning Rich with Plunder , from the Field : If Cups of Silver , or of Gold he brought , With Jewels set , and exquisitely wrought , To Glorious Trappings , streight the Plate he turn'd , And with the Glitt'ring Spoil , his Horse adorn'd ; Or else a Helmet for himself he made , Where various War-like Figures were inlaid : The Roman-Wolf , suckling the 23 Twins was there ; And Mars himself , Arm'd with his Shield and Spear ; Hov'ring above his Crest , did dreadful show , As threatning Death , to each resisting Foe . No use of Silver , but in Arms was known , Splendid they were in War , and there alone . No side-boards then , with gilded Plate were dress'd , No sweating Slaves , with Massy Dishes press'd ; Expensive Riot , was not understood , But Earthen-Platters held their homely Food . Who wou'd not Envy them , that Age of Bliss , That sees with Shame the Luxury of This ? Heav'n unwearied then , did Blessings pour , And pitying Jove , foretold each dang'rous hour ; Mankind were then familiar with the God , He snuff'd their Incense , with a gratious Nod ; And wou'd have still been bounteous , as of Old , Had we not left him for that Devil Gold. His Golden 24 Statues , hence the God have driv'n : For well he knows , where our Devotion 's giv'n , 'T is Gold we Worship , tho' we pray to Heav'n . Woods of our own afforded Tables then , Tho' none can please us now , but from Iapan . Invite my Lord to Dine , and let him have The nicest Dish , his Appetite can crave ; But let it on an Oaken Board be set , His Lordship will grow Sick and cannot Eat : Something 's amiss , he knows not what to think , Either your Ven'son's rank , or 25 Oyntments stink . Order some other Table to be brought , Something , at great expence in India bought , Beneath whose Orb , large yawning Panthers lye , Carved on rich Pedestals of 26 Ivory : He finds no more of that offensive smell , The Meat recovers , and my Lord grows well . An Iv'ry Table is a certain whet ; You would not think how heartily he 'll Eat● As if new Vigour to his Teeth were sent , By Sympathy from those o' th' Elephant . But such fine Feeders , are no Guests for me : Riot , agrees not with Frugality ; Then , that Unfashionable Man am I , With me they 'd Starve , for want of Ivory : For not one inch , does my whole House afford , Not in my very Tables , or Chess-board ; Of common Bone , the Handles of my Knives Are made , yet no ill Taste it gives To what I Carve , nor is there ever left Any unsav'ry haut-gust , from the Haft : A hearty welcome , to plain wholesom Meat , You 'll find , but serv'd up in no formal state ; No Sew'rs , nor dextrous Carvers have I got , Such as by skilful 27 Trypherus are taught : In whose Fam'd Schools , the various forms appear Of Fishes , Beasts , and all the Fowls o' th Air ; And where , with blunted Knives , his Scholars learn How to diffect , and the nice Joints discern ; While all the Neighb'rhood are with noise opprest , From the harsh Carving of his wooden Feast . On me attends a raw unskilful Lad. On Fragments fed , in homely Garments clad , At once my Carver , and my 28 Ganymede ; With diligence , he 'll serve us while we Dine , And in plain Beechen Vessels , fill our Wine . No Beauteous Boys I keep , from 29 Phrygia brought , No Catamites , by shameful Panders taught : Only to me , two Home-bred Youths belong , Unskill'd in any , but their Mother-Tongue ; Alike in Feature both , and Garb appear , With Honest Faces , tho' with uncurl'd Hair. This day , thou shalt my Rural Pages see , For I have drest'em both to wait on thee . Of Country Swains they both were Born , and one My Ploughman's is , t'other my Shepherd's Son ; A chearful Sweetness , in his Looks he has , And Innocence unartful in his Face : Tho sometimes sadness will o're-cast the Joy , And gentle Sighs , break from the tender Boy ; His absence from his Mother , oft he 'll mourn , And with his Eyes , look wishes to return , Longing to see his tender Kids , again , And feed his Lambs upon the flowry plain ; A modest Blush he wears , not form'd by Art , Free from deceipt his Face , and full as free his Heart . Such Looks , such Bashfulness , might well adorn The Cheeks of Youths that are more Nobly born , But Noblemen , those humble Graces scorn . This Youth , to day shall my small Treat attend , And only he , with Wine shall serve my Friend , With Wine from his own Country brought , and made From the same Vines , beneath whose fruitful shade He and his wanton Kids have often play'd . But you , perhaps expect a modish Feast , With Am'rous Songs and 30 Wanton Dances grac'd ; Where sprightly Females , to the middle bare , Trip lightly o're the ground , and frisk in Air , Whose pliant Limbs , in fifty postures move , And twine , and bound , as in the Feat of Love : Such Sights , the languid Nerves to Action stir , And Jaded Lust , springs forward with this Spur. Vertue 31 would shrink , to hear this Lewdness told , Which Husbands , now , do with their Wives● behold ; A needful help , to make 'em both approve The dry Embraces , of long-wedded Love. In Nuptial Cinders , this revives the fire , And turns their mutual loathing , to Desire● But she , who by her Sexes Charter , must Have double Pleasure paid , feels double Lust ; Apace she warms , with an immod'rate Heat , Strongly her Bosom heaves , and Pulses beat ; With glowing Cheeks , and trembling Lips she lies , With Arms expanded , and with Naked Thighs , Sucking in Passion both at Ears and Eyes . But this becomes not me , nor my Estate ; These , are the Vicious Follies of the Great . Let him who does on Iv'ry Tables Dine , Whose Marble Floors , with Drunken Spawlings shine ; Let him lascivious Songs and Dances have , Which or to see , or hear , the lewdest Slave , The vilest Prostitute in all the Stews , With bashful indignation wou'd refuse . But Fortune , there , extenuates the Crime ; What 's Vice in me , is only Mirth in him : The Fruits which Murder , Cards , or Dice afford , A Vestal Ravish'd , or a M●●ro● W●or'd● Are laudable Diversions in a Lord. But my poor Entertainment , is design'd T' afford you Pleasures of another kind : Yet with your Taste , your Hearing shall be fed , And Homero's Sacred Lines , and Virgil's Read ; Either of whom does all Mankind excel , Tho which exceeds the other , none can tell● It matters not , with what ill Tone they 're S●ng , Verse so subli●●ly good , no Voice can wrong . Now then● be all thy weighty Cares away , The Jealousies and Fears , and while you may To Peace and soft Repose , give all the day . From thoughts of Debt , or any worldly Ill Be free , be all uneasie Passions still . What tho thy Wife , do with the Morning light , ( When thou in vain has toil'd and drudg'd all Night ) Steal from thy Bed and House , abroad to roam , And having gorg'd her Lust , come reeking home ; Fleck'd in her Face , and with disorder'd Hair , Her Garments ruffled , and her Bosom bare ; With Ears still tingling , and her Eyes on fire , Half drown'd in Lust , still burning in Desire : Whilst you are forc'd to wi●k and seem con●●●● , Swelling with Passion , which you dare not vent ; Nay if you wou'd be free , 〈◊〉 Night alla●●●●● , You must seem Fond , and Doating on her Charms , Take her ( the last of twenty ) to your Arms. Let this , and ev'ry other anxious thou●●● , At the entrance of my Threshold be f●rgot ; All thy Domestick Griefs , at Home be left , Thy Wife's Adult'ry , with ●hy 〈◊〉 The●●● And ( the most racking Thought , which can intrude● ) Forget false Friends and their 〈◊〉 . Let us our peaceful Mirth at Home begin , While 32 Megalensian Shows , are in the 33 Circus seen : There ( to the Bane of Horses ) in high State The 34 Praetor sits , on a Triumphal Seat ; Vainly with Ensigns , and with Robes adorn'd , As if with Conquest , from the Wars return'd . This day all Rome , ( if I may be allow'd , Without Offence to such a num'rous Crowd , To say all Rome ) will in the Circus sweat ; Ecchoes already do their shouts repeat : Methinks I hear the cry — Away , away ; The 35 Green , have won the Honour of the day . Oh , should these Sports , be but one year forborn , Rome , would in Tears her lov'd Diversion mourn ; For that would now , a cause of 36 Sorrow yield , Great , as the loss of 37 Cannae's fatal Field . Such Shows as these , were not for us design'd , But vig'rous Youth to active Sports inclin'd . On Beds of Roses laid , let us repose , While round our Heads refreshing Oyntment flows ; Our Aged Limbs we 'll bask , in Phoebus Rays , And live this day devoted to our Ease . Early to day , we 'll to the Bath repair , Nor need we now the common 38 Censure fear : On Festivals , it is allow'd no Crime To Bathe , and Eat , before the usual time ; But that continu'd , wou'd a loathing give , Nor could you thus , a week together live : For , frequent use , would the Delight exclude ; Pleasure 's a toil , when constantly pursu'd . The End of the Eleventh Satyr . EXPLANATORY NOTES ON THE ELEVENTH SATYR . ATticus . The Name of a very Eminent Person in Rome : But here it is meant to signifie any one of Great Wealth and Quality . Rutilus . One who by his own Extravagant Gluttony , was at length reduc'd to the most shameful Degree of Poverty . This likewise , is here made use of , as a Common Name to all Beggarly Gluttons , such whose unreasonable Appetites remain after their Estates are Consumed . Vrg'd by no Power , restrain'd by no Advice . Sometimes Persons were compell'd , by the Tyranny of Nero , to Practice the Trade of Fencing , and to Fight upon the Stage , for his Inhumane Diversion ; otherwise , seldom any but Common Slaves or Condemn'd Malefactors were so employ'd : Which made it the greater Reflection , on any Person who either Voluntarily , or forced by his own Extravagance , for a Livelyhood ( like Rutilus ) apply'd himself to that wretched Trade . Restrain'd by no Advice . Hinting , that though he was not compell'd to such a Practice of Fencing ; yet it was a shame that he was suffer'd to undertake it , and not advised , or commanded by the Magistracy , to the contrary . Of the same wretched kind , viz. Reduced to Poverty by riotous living . The broken Relick . Broken , or defaced : that it might not be discover'd to be his Mother's Picture , when expos'd to Sale. Ventidius . A Noble Roman , who liv'd Hospitably . Thersites . An Impudent , Deformed , Ill-Tongu'd Fellow ( as Homer describes him . Iliad 2. ) who accompany'd the Grecian Army to the Siege of Troy ; where he took a Priviledge often to rail and snarl at the Commanders . Some relate , that at last Achilles , for his sawciness , kill'd h● with a blow of his Fist. Therefore we are not to understand Iuvenal , here , as relating a matter of Fact ; but Ther●ites is used here , to signifie any body of the same kind : As before , Attic●s and Rutilus . The meaning is , that such as he , ought not ( neither would he , had he been present ) have presumed to oppose Ajax and Vlysses in contending for Achille● his Armour . See his Character admirably improv'd by Mr. Dryden in his Tragedy of Truth found too late . Vlysses . The most Eloquent of all the Grecian Princes . After Achilles Death ; Aja● a sam'd Grecian Warriour pretended to his Armour ; Vlysses opposed him , before a Council of War , and by his admirable Eloquence obtain'd the Prize . Ovid. Metam . 13. Pollio . Brought to that pass , by his Gluttony ; that he was forced to ●ell his Ring , the Mark of Honour and Distinction , worn by Roman Knights . Astraea . The Goddess of Justice , whom the Poets feign to have fled to Heaven after the Golden-Age . Vltimaelestum Terras Astraea reliquit . Ovid. Perficus . Ievenal's Friend , to whom he makes an invitation and Addresses this Satyr . Evander . A Prince of Arcadi● , who unluckily killing his Father , forsook his own Country and came into Italy : 〈◊〉 in that place● where afterwards Rome was built . Virgil , AE● . 8. te●●s us that he entertain'd both Hercules and AEneas , when he was in a low Condition . Alcides . Hercules , so called from his Grandfather Alc●●●●s . Curius Dentatus . A Great Man who had been three times Consul of Rome , and had Triumph'd over many Kings ; yet as great an Example of Temperance as Courage . A Dish in great esteem among the Romans . — Nil Vulva pulcrius ampla . Horat. If they kill'd a S●●rifice , and 〈◊〉 Flesh remain'd to spare , it was priz'd 〈◊〉 an accide●tal ra●●●y . Consid. By the Tyranny of Tarquinius Superbus , ( the last Roman● King ) the very Name of King , became hateful to the People . After his Expulsion , they as●embled , and resolv'd to commit the Government● f●● the future● into the Hands of two Persons , who were to be chosen every Year anew● and whom they call'd Consuls . Dictator . Was a General chosen upon some emergent occasion ; his Office was limited to 6 Months ; which time expired , ( if occa●sion were ) they chose another , or continued the same , by a new Election . The Dictator , differed in nothing from a King , but in his Name , and the duration of his Authority : His Power being full as great , but his Name not so hateful to the Romans . Before th' appointed Hour . It was accounted greediness and shameful , to eat before the usual Hour , which was their Ninth Hour ; and our 3 a Clock , After-noon . But upon Festival Days , it was permitted them to prevent the ordinary Hour ; and always excusable in old People . Censors . Were two great Officers , part of whose business was to inspect the Lives and Manners of Men ; they had Power even to degrade Knights , and exclude Senators , when guilty of great Misdemeanours : And in former days they were so strict , that they stood in awe one of another . The manner of the Romans Eating , was to lie upon Beds or Couches about the Table , which formerly were made of plain Wood , but afterwards at great Expence , adorn'd with Tortoise-Shells , Pearls , and Ivory . Grecian Arts. The Romans copied their Luxury from the Greeks ; the imitation of whom , was among them as fashionable , as of the French among us . Which occasions this saying , with so much Indignation in our Poet , Sat. 3. — Non possum ferre , Quirites Graecam Vrbem — Romulus and Remus . Twins , and Founders of the Roman Empire ; whom the Poets feign were Nurst by a Wolf : The Woman's name being Lupa . Formerly the Statues of the Gods were made of Clay : But now of Gold. Which Extravagance , was displeasing even to the Gods themselves . The Romans used to anoint themselves with sweet Oyntments , at their Feasts , immediately after bathing . Ivory was in great esteem among them , and preferr'd to Silver . Trypherus . There were in Rome , professors of the Art of Carving ; who taught publickly in Schools . Of this kind , Trypherus was the most Famous . Ganymede . Cup-bearer . Phrygia . Whence pretty Boys were brought to Rome , and sold publickly in the Markets , to vile uses . An usual part of the Entertainment● when Great Men Feasted , to have wanton Women Dance after a lascivious manner Virtue wou'd shrink , to hear this leudness told , Which Husbands , now , do with their Wives behold . These lines in Iuvenal , Spectent hos nuptae , juxta recubante marito , Quod pudeat narasse aliquem praesentibus ipsis . in some late Editions , are placed nearer the latter end of this Satyr : And in the order of this Translation , wou'd so have follow'd , after Line . 349. viz. Such shows as these , were not for us design'd , But vig'rous Youth to active sports inclin'd . But I have continued 'em in this place after Lubin . Besides the Example of the Learned Holyday for the same position ; agreeing better here , in my mind , with the sense both before and after . For the Megalensian Games consisting chiefly of Races , and such like Exercises ; I cannot conceive where the extraordinary cause of shame lay in Female Spectators : but it was a manifest Immodesty , for 'em to lie by their Husbands , and see the leud Actions of their own Sex , in the manner describ'd . Megalensian Shows . Games in Honour of Cybele , the Mother of the Gods. She was call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Magna Mater , and from thence these Games Megalesia , or Ludi Megalenses ; they began upon the 4th of Apr●● , and continued 6 days . Circus . The place where those Games were celebrated . Praetor . An Officer not unlike our Mayor or Sheriff . He was to oversee these Sports ; and sate in great State , while they were Acting ; to the Destruction of many Horses , which were spoiled in running the Races . The Green have won the Honour of the Day . In running the Races in the Circus , with Horses in Chariots ; there were four distinct , Factions , known by their Liveries : Which were Green , a kind of Russet-Red , White , and Blue . One of these Factions was always favoured by the Court , and at this time probably the Green. Which makes our Poet sancy he hears the shouts , for Joy , of their Party . Afterward Domitian added two more , the Golden and Purple Factions . Reflecting on the immoderate Fondness the Romans had for such Shows . 〈◊〉 . A small Town , near which Hannibal obtain'd a great Victory over the Romans : In that Ba●tel were slain 40000 Me● , and so many Gentlemen , that he sent 3 bushels full of Rings to Carthage , as a Token of his Victory . See the Notes at Fig. 19. THE TWELFTH SATYR OF JUVENAL , Translated into ENGLISH VERSE BY Mr. THOMAS POWER , Fellow of Trinity College in CAMBRIDGE . ARGUMENT OF THE Twelfth Satyr . THE TWELFTH SATYR . THis Day 's , this joyful Day 's Solemnity Does with my Birth-Days more than equal vi● ▪ Of Grassy Turves the rural Altars rear'd , Expect the Firstlings of the Flock , and Heard ; To Royal 1 Iuno , and the War-like Maid , Shall in a Lamb to each my Vows be paid ; A Steer , of the first Head in the whole Drove , Reserve we Sacred to 2 Tarpeian Iove : Forward he bounds his Rope's extended length , With pushing front ; proud since he try'd his strength , And budding Horns against an adverse Oak ; Fit for the Altar , and the Fatal Stroke . Were but my Fortunes equal to my Mind , My bounteous Love more Nobly had design'd , A Bull high fed shou'd fall the Sacrifice ; One of 3 Hispulla's huge prodigious size : Not one of those our Neighb'ring Pastures feed , But of 4 Clitumnus whitest , Sacred breed ; The lively tincture of whose gushing Blood Shou'd clearly prove the Richness of his Food : A Neck so strong , so large , as wou'd demand The speeding blow of some 5 uncommon hand . This for my Friend , or more I wou'd perform ; Who , danger free , still trembles at the Storm , Presenting Forms so hideous to his sight , As safety scarce allays the wild affright . First from a Cloud , that Heaven all o'recast , With glance so swift the subtle Lightning past As split the Sail-Yards ; trembling , and half Dead Each thought the blow was level'd at his Head : The flaming Shrouds so dreadful did appear , All judg'd a wreck cou'd no proportion bear . So Fancy paints , so does the Poet write , When he wou'd work a Tempest to the height . This danger past , a second does succeed ; Again with pity , and attention heed : No less this second , tho' of diff'rent kind ; Such as , in 6 Isis Temple , you may find On votive Tablets , to the Life pourtray'd ; Where Painters are employ'd , and earn their Bread. What Painters in their liveli'st Draughts express , May be a Copy of my Friend's distress . For now a Sea into the Hold was got ; Wave upon Wave another Sea had wrought , And nigh o're-set the Stern on either side : The Hoary Pilot his best skill appl'yd ; But useless all when he despairing found , Catullus then did with the Winds compound . Just as the 7 Beaver , that wise thinking Brute , Who , when hard hunted on a close pursuit , Bites off his Stones , the cause of all the strife , And pays 'em down a Ransom for his Life . Over with all , he Cries , with all that 's mine ; Without reserve I freely all resign . Rich Garments , Purple dy'd in Grain , go o're ; No soft 8 Mecaenas ever choicer wore : And others of that Fleece , that never dy'd , Or stain'd by Art , is Rich in Nature's Pride ; Such , as its Tincture from the Soil does bear ▪ By noble Springs improv'd , and 9 Boetick Air. Nor stopt he so , but over went his Plate Made by 10 Parthenius , follow'd by a great And Massy Goblet , a two Gallon draught , Might set a thirsty Centaur when he quaft , Or drench the Wife of 11 Fuscus : Add to these Baskets of 12 Brittain , Rarities of Greece , A set of Plate most artfully imbost , No less a Bribe than what 13 Olynthus cost . Shew me the Man , that other he , wou'd dare His very Life and Soul to Gold prefer : Now Money serves not Life's most Noble Ends , But slavish Life imperious Wealth attends . Thus most of the Ship 's Freight went over Board , Yet all this Wast cou'd small Relief afford ; So fierce the Storm ▪ Necessity at last Does loudly call to ease her of her Mast : Hard is the Case , and Dang'rous the Distress , When what we wou'd preserve , we must make less . Go now , go trust the Wind 's uncertain breath , Remov'd four Fingers from approaching Death ; Or seven at most , when thickest is the board : Go with Provision , Bisket , Brandy stor'd ; But if you reasonably hope to speed , You must produce your Ax in time of need . Now when the Sea grew Calm , the Winds were laid , And the pleas'd 16 Parcae spun a whiter Thread ; When Fate propitious sent a gentle Gale ; The shatter'd Vessel , with one wretched Sail , Beside what Gowns and Coats her Crew cou'd lend To help her on her Course , did homeward bend : The South-Wind less'ning still , the Sun appears ; And into lively Hope converts their fears : And now , in prospect sweet , his chearful light The 17 Alban Cliffs confesses to their sight ; Where Alba's Pile Iulus founding rear'd , When to Lavinium he that Seat preferr'd ; And call'd it Alba , from the white Sow nam'd , That for her Thirty Sucking Pigs was fam'd . At last within the mighty Mole she gets , Our 18 Tuscan Pharos , that the mid Sea meets With its imbrace , and leaves the Land behind : A Work so wond'rous Nature ne're design'd . Through it the joyful Steers-Man clears his way , And comes to Anchor in its inmost Bay ; Where smallest Vessels ride ▪ and are secur'd , And the 19 Shorn Saylors boast what they endur'd . Go then , my Boys , the Sacred Rites prepare ; With awful silence and attention hear : With Bran the Knives , with Flow'rs the Altars dress ▪ And in your Diligence your Zeal express . I 'll follow streight , and , having paid my Vows , Thence home again , where Chaplets wreath the brows Of all my little Wa●●n D●iti●s ; And Incense shall Domestick Iove appease : My shining Houshold Gods shall revel there ▪ And all the Colours of the Violet wear . All 's right ; my P●rtal shines with verdant Bays ▪ And Consecrated 〈◊〉 early blaze . Suspect me 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 of Design , Far 〈…〉 from any Thought of mine : My Altars 〈◊〉 not for so ●ase an end , Catullus , tho' a Father , is my Friend , And his three Children 〈◊〉 a Foreign Claim . Who on a Friend so hopeless , such a Name As Father , wou'd a 〈◊〉 He● bestow ? Or on such 〈…〉 a Quail forego ? If 20 Paccius or 〈…〉 a Vei● , The Temples streigh● are 〈◊〉 with a Train Of fawning Rascals , utt'ring each his Pray'r ; Nothing 's too precious for a Life so dear : A Hecatomb is scarce enough to bleed : And but an Elephant's no common Breed , Nor seen , nor known in Italy , before They were Transported from the Africk Shore ; Since which , in the Ru●ilian Forrest rear'd , They range at large , great Caesar's Royal Heard ▪ As once they learnt King Pyrr●us to obey ; And with Submission to our Consuls sway , Or Tyrian Hannibal's , part of the War In Turrets on their Backs they us'd to bear : Cou'd Novius or 21 Pacuvius but procure These Iv'ry 22 Portents , Death shou'd seal 'em sure A Victim for Gallita ; nothing less The greatness of their Friendship can express . Pacuvius , were he not by Law withstood , Wou'd manifest his own in Humane Blood ; The best , the loveliest Slaves of either Sex , To serve his Complement , shou'd yield their Necks : Nay to that height the wicked Rogue proceeds , His 23 Iphigenia , his Daughter , bleeds If need require ; tho he was sure to find No Dext'rous slight to change her for a Hind . My Fellow Citizen I must commend , For what 's a Fleet to a bequeathing Friend ? For , if he chance to scape this dismal bout , The former Legatees are blotted out ; Upon Pacuvius all must be conferr'd ; So great a Merit claims no less Reward : Pacuvius struts it , and triumphant goes In the dejected Crowd of Rival Foes : You see the Fruit of his projecting Brain , In off'ring up his Daughter to his Gain . As great as 24 Nero's Plunder be his Store ; High , Mountain high , be pil'd the shining Ore ; Then may he Life to 25 Nestor's Age extend , Nor ever be , nor ever find a Friend . The End of the Twelfth Satyr . EXPLANATORY NOTES ON THE TWELFTH SATYR . TO Royal Iuno . The Queen of the Gods ; so call'd by the Poets , as being Wife to Iupiter , who was the Supream Deity of the Greeks and Romans . By the Warlike Maid , is meant Pallas or Minerva , the Goddess of Learning and War. They had their peculiar Sacrifices appointed them in the Rituals or Books of Ceremonies of the Antients : White Bulls were offered to Iupiter ; white Cows to Iuno and Minerva . The Poet , tho' not able to undergo the Charge of so great a Sacrifice , yet willing to shew his Devotion , and pay his Vow for his Friend 's safe arrival , proportionable to his Estate , offers to Iuno an Ewe-lamb , another to Minerva , and to Iupiter a young Bullock . Tarpeian Iove . On Mount Capitol , otherwise call'd the Tarpeian Hill , from the Ves●al Virgin Tarpeia that betray'd it to the Sabines , Iupiter had a Temple , whence he was Nam'd Tarpeian and Capitoline . Hispalla's . A Fat sensual Lady , noted as infamous for keeping a Player . Sat. 6. Clitumnus A River that divides Tuscany and Vmbria , whose Water , as Pliny relates , makes the Cows , that drink of it , calve their young White : Whence the Romans , as Virgil and Claudian observe , were plentifully furnisht with Sacrifices for Iupiter Capitoline . Vncommon Hand . The grandis minister of Iuvenal , some interpret in a sense referring to the Quality of the Person , as if the Chief Pontif , and not one of the Popa's , or ordinary Officers , was to give the blow : But as it is unseemly to make the Chief Pontif descend to so mean an Office ; so it is more probable the Poet meant not the Dignity , but the size and strength of the Person . Isis Temple . The Aegyptian Goddess , lookt upon by Merchants and Seamen as their Patroness ; to whom they made their Vows in their extremity . The Custom was for those that escap'd to hang up on the Walls of her Temple the Picture of a Wreck or Storm , which was call'd a Votive Table ; and her Votaries , it seems , were so numerous , that she was forc'd to employ a whole Company of Painters in her Service . Iust as the Beaver . A proper Simile , and good Moral allusion , but the Ground is wholly fabulous ; and has experimentally been prov'd so by Sestius a Physitian , as it stands related by Pliny . Dr. Brown , in his Book of Vulgar Errors , says , that the Testicles , properly so call'd , are ●eated inwardly upon the Loins ; and therefore it were not only a fruitless attempt , but an impossible Act , to castrate it self : And might be an hazardous Practice of Art , if at all attempted by others . Soft Mecaenas . Augustus his great Favourite ; and Patron to Virgil and Horace . Iuvenal here taxes him of being over soft and delicate ; which Horace has done too , tho' covertly , and under another Name . Boetick Air. In Boetick Spain ( now Andaluzia and the best part of Granada ) the Sheeps Fleeces are naturally of a colour betwixt Red and Black , resembling the Purple Dye , which the Antients imputed to the goodness of the Air and the Soil : And they put a great value on it , as we do now on the Spanish Wool for its fineness . Parthenius . A great Master in the Art of Graving . The Wife of Fuscus . Fuscus was a Judge , mention'd in the last Satyr , noted by Martial for a Drunkard ; as his Wife is here by Iuvenal in the good Company of Pholus the Centaur . Baskets of Brittain , Bascauda , the British word for a Basket , was by the Romans made Latin. They so much fancied the Baskets of our Island , that they would claim the Invention to themselves . Mart. Lib. 14. Barbara de Pictis veni Bascauda Britannis , Sed me jam mavult dicere Roma suam . From British Picts the barb'rous Basket came , But now Rome gladly wou'd th' invention claim . Olynthus cost . A strong fortify'd City of Thrace , not to be taken by a Storm or Siege . Philip of Macedon made a considerable Present of Plate to Lasthenes , who was intrusted with the Government of it by the Athenians ; and he , being corrupted with so great a Bribe , treacherously surrender'd it to Philip. Parcae Spun. The Destinies ; they were three Sisters , Clotho , Lachesis and Atropos perpetually employ'd in Spinning : If the Thread , they Spun , was White ; it was a sign of Life and Prosperity : If Black ; of Death and Adversity . Alban Cliffs . Near them was built Alba Longa by Ascanius , who left his Step-Mother Lavinia , in the City of Lavinium , built by his Father Aeneas , and call'd by her Name . Ascanius call'd his own City Longa from the long Form of it , and Alba from the White Sow with Thirty Pigs Sucking her , that was seen by the Trojans , a little after their Landing ; and where the City was built according to the Command of the Oracle . Virg. Our Tuscan Pharos . Pharos was a Port in Aegypt famous for its Watch-Tower , wherein were plac'd Lights for the benefit and direction of Saylers by Night : Iuvenal calls the Port of Ostia , where Tiber disburthens its self into the Sea , the Tuscan Pharos : It was design'd by Augustus after the Model of that in Aegypt : Claudius Caesar , as Suetonius says , carried on , and finisht the Mole , with vast labour and charges ▪ having for eleven years together kept 30000 Men at work upon it . It was afterward repair'd by Trajan . Shorn Sailors . It was a Custom among the Ancients , when in Distress at Sea , to invoke the aid of some God or other , with a solemn Vow of cutting off their Hair , and offering it to him , as an acknowledgment to whose assistance they ow'd their safety . To this St Paul probably alludes . Act. 27. 34. There shall not an Hair of your Head perish : As if he had said ; they shou'd not need to vow their Hair ; for without such a Vow , and the performance of it , they shou'd all escape . If Paccius or Gallita . Two rich Men , both of them Childless ; which made the Heraedipetae or Legacy-Hunters present them , and ply them with Gift upon Gift ; in hopes to be considered in their Will. Tacitus makes mention of them both : The first he calls African ; the other Cruspilina . Novius or Pacuvius . Two crafty designing Knaves , visiters of the Sick Gallita or Paccius . Iv'ry Portents . Elephants so call'd from their stupendious bigness ; and Ivory Teeth . His Iphigenia . The Story in short is this . The Graecian Fleet lying Wind-bound at Aulis , the Oracle was consulted , and Answer return'd ; no Wind could be had for their purpose , unless Agamemnon , Commander in chief in the Expedition , would offer up his Daughter Iphigenia to appease Diana's anger , that was offended with the Greeks for killing an Hind Consecrated to her . Agamemnon , for the publick good , brings his Daughter to the Altar ; but the Goddess , relenting , convey'd her away to the Taurick Chersonese , and substituted an Hind in her place . The application of this to Pacuvius is obvious enough . As Nero's Plunder . The prodigious Sums he extorted from the Provinces by unreasonable Taxes , Confiscations , &c. are almost incredible . He gave no Office without this charge : Thou knowest what I want , let us make it our business , that no body may have any thing . To Nestor's Age. Grown now to a Proverb : Who liv'd , as Homer says , to compleat the third Age of Man. The word Age is an equivocal Term , and diversly taken by many ; but if we take it in its full extent , as it comprehends an hundred years , it will serve very well Iuvenal's purpose . THE THIRTEENTH SATYR OF JUVENAL , Translated into ENGLISH VERSE , BY Mr. THOMAS CREECH , Fellow of All-Souls College in OXFORD . ARGUMENT OF THE Thirteenth Satyr . Corvinus had trusted one of his Old Friends and Acquaintance with a Bag of Money ; this Friend denies the Trust , and forswears it too : Corvinus is very much disturb'd at this Cheat , storms and rages , accuses Providence , and is ready to conclude that God takes no care of Things below , because some Sudden and Remarkable Vengeance did not fall upon this perjur'd false Wretch : Juvenal hearing of Corvinus's Loss , and unmanly Behaviour , writes this Satyr to him , both to comfort him after his Loss , and instruct him how to bear it ; and thence takes occasion to speak of the Vileness , and Villany of his Times . He begins with the Condition of the wicked Man ; and tells him ; i. That the Sinner must needs hate himself ; and , ii . That he will be hated by all Mankind . iii. He puts Corvinus in mind that he hath a good Estate , and that this Loss will not break him . iv . and , v. That a great many have suffer'd the like Misfortunes ; that Cheats were common ; his Loss but little , and therefore not to be resented with so violent a Passion . Hence , vi . He expatiates on the Vileness of the Times ; And , vii . compares his Age with the Golden One , which he tediously describes . viii . He continues his Reflections on the genera● Wickedness of the Times : ix . Makes some Observations on the Confidence of some Sinners : And , x. Endeavours to give some account of this : He observes that some are Atheists . xi . Others believe a God , but fancy the Money they get by their Perjury will do them more good , than the Punishments he inflicts will do them harm : At least , xii . that God is Merciful , they may be pardon● d , or scape in the Crowd of Sinners ; since some are forgiven , and all do not meet with Punishments equal to their Deserts . xiii . He Corrects his Friend for his Atheistical Passion , and rude Accusations of Providence ; And , xiv . advises him to be more Cool , and consider , That , xv . such Cheats are common , and he hath suffer'd no more than other Men ; And xvi . that every Day he may meet with greater Crimes , which require his Concernment . That , xvii . his Passion is Idle and Fruitless ; because Revenge , which is the only end of Passion , will do him no good , it will not retrieve his Loss , and besides is an Argument of a Base Mind , and Mean Temper . Then coming closer to his Point , he tells him , xviii . The Wicked are severely punisht by their own Consciences ; xix . Vengeance waits upon them : And , xx . describes the Miserable Life , and Terrible Death of the Wicked Man. And , xxi . closes all with observing that few Men stop at their first Sin , but go on till their Crimes provoke Providence : And therefore , xxii . Corvinus need not fear but this Perjur'd Friend of his would do so too , and then be should see some remarkable Iudgment fall ●pon him . THE THIRTEENTH SATYR . I. H● that commi●s a Sin , shall 1 quickly find The pressing Guilt lie heavy on his Mind ; Tho' Bribes or Favour shall assert his Cause , Pronounce him 〈◊〉 , and elu'de the La●s : None quits himself , his own impartial Thought Will 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 will record the Fault . II. This first the Wicked f●els ▪ Then publick Hate Pursues the 〈◊〉 , and proves the Villain 's Fate . III. But more , Corvinus , thy Estate can bear A greater Loss , and not implore thy 〈◊〉 ; Thy 〈◊〉 sufficient , and thy Wealth too great To feel the Damage of a Potty Cheat. IV. Nor are such Losses to the World unknown , A rare Example , and thy Chance alone ; Most feel them , and in Fortune's L●tt●ry li●s A heap of Blanks , like this , for one small Prize . V. Abate thy Passion , nor too much complain , Grief shou'd be forc'd , and it becomes a Man To let it rise no higher than his Pain : But you , too weak the slightest loss to bear , Too delicate the common Fate to 〈◊〉 , Are on the Fre● of Passion , Boil and Rage , Bacause , in so Debaucht and Vile an Age , Thy Friend and Old Acquaintance dares disown The Gold you lent him , and forswear the Loan . What , start at this ? When Sixty Years have spread Their gray Experience o're thy hoary Head ! Is this the All observing Age cou'd Gain , Or hast Thou known the World so long in vain ? Let Stoicks Ethicks haughty Rules advance , To combat Fortune , and to conquer Chance ; Yet Happy those , tho' not so Learn'd , are thought , Whom Life instructs , who by Experience taught , For new to come from past Misfortunes look ; Nor shake the ●oke , which galls the more 't is shook ▪ VI. What Day 's so Sacred , but its Rest's profan'd By violent Robbers , or by Murders stain'd ? Here hir'd Assassins for their Gain invade , And treacherous Poys'ner urge their Fatal Trade . Good Men are scarce , the I●st are thinly sown , They thrive but ill , nor can they last when grown . And shou'd we count them , and our Store compile , Yet 2 〈◊〉 more Gates wou'd shew , more Mouths the Nile . Worse than the Iron Age , and wretched Times Roul on ; and Vse hath so improv'd our Crimes , That baffled Nature knows not how to frame A Metal base enough to give the Age a Name : Yet you exclaim , as loud as those that Praise For Scraps and Coach-hire a Young Noble's Plays ; You thunder , and , as Passion rouls along , Call Heaven and Earth to witness to your Wrong . Gray-headed Infant ! and in vain grown Old ! Art Thou to learn that in Another's Gold Lie Charms resistless ? That all laugh to find Unthinking Plainness so o're-spread thy Mind , That Thou could'st seriously perswade the Crowd To keep their Oaths , and to believe a God ? VII . This They cou'd do whilst Saturn fill'd the Throne , E're Iuno burnisht , or Young Iove was grown ; E're private He left Ida's close retreat , Or made Rebellion by Example great : And whilst his Hoary Sire to Latium fled Usurp'd his Empire , and defil'd his Bed. Whilst Gods din'd singly , and few Feasts above , No Beauteous Hebe mixt the Wine with Love ; No Phrygian Boy : But Vulean stain'd the Pole With Sooty Hands , and fill'd the sparing Bowl . E're Gods grew numerous , and the Heavenly Crowd Prest wretched Atlas with a lighter load : E're Chance unenvy'd Neptune's Lot confin'd To rule the Ocean , and oppose the Wind : E're Proserpine with Pluto shar'd the Throne , E're Furies lasht , or Ghosts had learn'd to Groan : But free from Punishment as free from Sin The Shades liv'd jolly , and without a King. Then Vice was rare ; ●'en Rudeness kept in awe Felt all the rigour of avenging Law ; And had not Men the Hoary Heads rever'd , Or Boys paid Reverence when a Man appear'd , Both must have dy'd , tho' 3 Richer Skins they wore , And saw more heaps of 〈◊〉 in their store : Four years Advance did such Respect engage , And Youth was Reverenc'd then like sacred Age. VIII . Now if one Honest Man I chance to view , Contemning Interest , and to Virtue true ; I rank him with the Prodigies of Fame , With Plough'd-up Fishes , and with Icy Flame ; With Things which start from Nature's common Rules , With Bearded Infants , and with Te●ming Mules : As much amaz'd at the prodigious sign , As if I saw 4 Bees cluster'd on a Shrine ; A Shower of Stones , or Rivers chang'd to Blood Roul wond'rous Waves , or urge a Milky Flood . IX . A little Sum you Mourn , whilst Most have met With twice the Loss , and by as Vile a Cheat : By treacherous Friends , and secret Trust betray'd , Some are undone ; Nor are the Gods our Aid . Those Conscious Powers we can with ●ase comtemn , If hid from Men , we trust our Crimes with them . Observe the Wretch who hath his Faith forsook , How clear his Voice , and how assur'd his Look ! Like Innocence , and as ser●nely bold As Truth , how loudly He forswears they Gold ! By Neptune's Trident , by the Bolts of Iove , And all the Magazine of Wrath above . Nay more , in Curses He goes boldly on , He Dams himself , and thus devotes his Son : If I 'm forsworn , you injur'd Gods renew Thyestes 5 Feast ; and prove the Fable true . X. Some think that Chance rules all , that Nature streets The moving Seasons , and turns round the Years . These run to every Shrine , These boldly swea● , And keep no Faith , because they know no 〈◊〉 . XI . Another doubts , but as his Doubts decline , He dreads just Vengeance , and he starts at Sin ; He owns a God : And yet the Wretch forswears ; And thus he Reasons to relieve his Fears . Let 6 Isis Rage , so I securely hold The Coin forsworn , and keep the ravisht Gold ; Let Blindness , Lameness come ; are Legs and Eyes Of equal Value to so great a Prize ? Wou'd starving 7 Ladas , had he leave to chuse , And were not frantick , the Rich Gout refuse ? For can the Glory of the swistest pace Procure him Food ? Or can he Feast on Praise ? XII . The Gods take Aim before they strike their blow , Tho' sure their Vengeance , yet the Stroak is slow ; And shou'd at every Sin their Thunder fly , I 'm yet secure , nor is my Danger nigh : But they are Gracious , but their Hands are free , And who can tell but they may reach to Me ? Some they forgive , and every Age relates That equal Crimes have met unequal Fates ; That Sins alike , unlike Rewards have found , And whilst This Villain 's Crucifi'd , The other 's Crown'd . The Man that shiver'd on the brink of Sin , Thus steel'd and hard'ned ventures boldly in ; Dare Him to swear , He with a chearful Face Flies to the Shrine , and bids Thee mend thy pace ; He urges , goes before Thee , shews the way , Nay pulls Thee on , and chides Thy dull delay : For Confidence in Sin , when mixt with Zeal , Seems Innocence , and looks to most as well . XIII . Thus like the waggish Slave in — Play , He spreads the Net , and takes the easie Prey . You Rage and Storm , and Blasphemously loud , As 8 Stentor bellowing to the Grecian Crowd , Or 9 Homer's Mars with too much warmth exclaim ; Iove , dost Thou hear , and is thy Thunder tame ? Wert Thou all Brass , thy Brazen Arm shou'd rage , And fix the Wretch a Sign to future Age : Else why shou'd Mortals to thy Feasts repair , Spend useless Incense , and more useless Prayer ? Bathyllus 10 Statue at this rate may prove Thy equal Rival , or a greater Iove . XIV . Be cool , my Friend , and hear my Muse dispence Some Soveraign Comforts , drawn from Common Sense ; Not fe●cht from Stoicks rigid Schools , nor wrought By Epicurus more indulgent Thought ; Who led by Nature , did with ease pursue The Rules of Life ; guess'd best , tho' miss'd the True. A desperate Wound must skillful Hands employ , But thine is curable by 11 Philip's Boy . XV. Look o're the present and the former time , If no Example of so Vile a Crime Appears , then Mourn ; admit no kind Relief , But beat thy Breast , and I applaud thy Grief . Let Sorrow then appear in all her State , Keep Mournful silence , and shut fast thy Gate . Let solemn Grief on Money lost attend , Greater than waits upon a dying Friend ; None feigns , none acted Mourning 's forc'd to show , Or squeeze his Eyes to make that Torrent flow , For Money lost demands a heartier due ; Then Tears are real , and the Grief is true . But if at each Assize , and Term , we try A thousand Rascals of as deep a Dye ; If Men forswear the Deeds and Bonds they draw , Tho' Sign'd with all formality of Law , And tho' the Writing and the Seal proclaim The barefac'd Perjury , and fix the shame ; Go Fortune's Darling , nor expect to bear The common Lot , but to avoid thy share ! Heaven's Favourite Thou , for better Fates design'd , Than we the Dregs and Rubbish of Mankind ! XVI . This petty Sinner scarce deserves thy Rage , Compar'd with the great Vill●●●s of the Age. Here hir'd Assassins kill , there Sulphur thrown , By treacherous Hands , destroys the frighted Town . Bold Sacriledge , invading things Divine , Breaks through a Temple , or destroys a Shrine , The Reverened Goblets , and the ancient Plate , Those grateful Presents of a Conquering State , Or pious King ; or if the Shrine be poor , The Image spoils : Nor is the God secure . One seizes Neptune's Beard , one Castor's Crown , Or Iove himself , and melts the Thunderer down . Here Poys'ners murder , there the impious Son , With whom a guiltless 12 Ape is doom'd to drown , Prevents old Age , and with a hasty blow Cuts down his Sire , and quickens Fates too slow . Yet what are these to those vast heaps of Crimes , Which make the greatest B●siness of our Times , Which Terms prolong , and which from Morn to Night Amaze the Iuries ▪ and the Iudges fright ? Attend the Court , and thou shalt briefly find In that one place the Manners of Mankind ; Hear the Indictments , then return again , Call thy self Wretch , and , if thou dar'ft , complain . Whom midst the Alps do hanging throats surprize ? Who stares in Germany at watchet Eyes ? Or who in Meroe , when the Breast reclin'd , Hangs o're the Shoulder to the Child behind , And bigger than the Boy ? For Wonder 's lost When Things grow common , and are found in most . When Cranes invade , his little Sword and Shield The Pigmy takes , and streight attends the Field ; The Fight 's soon o're ; the Cranes descend , and bear The sprawling Warriors through the liquid Air : Now here , shou'd such a Fight appear to view , All Men wou'd split , the Sight wou'd please whilst new : There none's concern'd , where every day they fight , And not one Warrior is a Foot in height . XVII . But shall the Villain scape ? Shall Perjury Grow Rich and Safe , and shall the Cheat be free ? Hadst thou full power ( Rage asks no more ) to kill , Or measure out his Torments by thy Will ; Yet what cou'dst thou , Tormentor , hope to gain ? Thy Loss continues , unrepaid by Pain , Inglorious Comfort thou shalt poorly meet , From his mean Blood. But oh Revenge is sweet . Thus think the Crowd , who , eager to engage , Take quickly fire , and kindle into rage ; Who ne're consider , but , without a pause , Make up in Passion what they want in Cause . Not so mild 13 Thales , not Chrysippus thought , Nor that Good Man , who drank the poys'nous Draught With Mind serene ; and cou'd not wish to see His Vile Accuser drink as deep as He : Exalted Socrates ! Divinely brave ! Injur'd He fell , and dying He forgave , Too Noble for Revenge ; which still we find The weakest Frailty of a feeble Mind ; Degenerous Passion , and for Man too base , It seats its Empire in the Female Race , There Rages ; and , to make its blow secure , Puts Flattery on , until he Aim be sure . XVIII . But why must those be thought to scape , that feel Those Rods of Scorpions , and those Whips of Steel Which Conscience shakes , when she with Rage controuls , And spreads Amazing Terrors through their Souls ? Not sharp Revenge , not Hell it self can find A fiercer Torment , than a Guilty Mind , Which Day and Night doth dreadfully accuse , Condemns the Wretch , and still the Charge renews . XIX . A trusted Spartan was inclin'd to Cheat ▪ ( The Coin lookt lovely , and the Bag was great , Secret the Trust ) and with an Oath defend The Prize , and baffle his deluded Friend : But weak in Sin , and of the God● afraid , And 〈◊〉 well vers'd in the forswearing Trade , He goes to Delphos ; humbly begs advice , And thus the Priestess by Command replies : Expect sure Vengeance by the Gods decreed , To punish Thoughts , not yet improv'd to Deed. At this he started , and forbore to swear , Not out of Conscience of the Sin , but Fear . Yet Plagues en●u'd , and the contagious Sin Destroy'd himself , and ruin'd all his Kin. Thus suffer'd He for the imperfect Will To sin , and bare Design of doing ill : For he that but conceives a Crime in thought , Contracts the danger of an Actual Fault : Then what must he expect that still proceeds To fi●●●h Sin , and work up Thoughts to Deeds ▪ XX. Perpetual Anguish fills his anxious Breast , Not stopt by Business , nor compos'd by Rest : No Musick chears him , and no Feasts can please , He sits like discontented 14 Damocles , When by the sportive Tyrant wisely shown The dangerous Pleasures of a flatter'd Throne . Sleep flies the Wretch , or when his Care 's oppr●st , And his toss'd Lambs are weary'd into rest , Then Dreams invade , the injur'd Gods appear , All arm'd with Thunder , and awake his Fear . What frights him most , in a Gigantick size , Thy sacred Image flashes in his Eyes ; These shake his Soul , and , as they boldly press , Bring out his Crimes ; and force him to confess . This Wretch will start at every flash that flies , Grow pale at the first murmur of the Skies , E're Clouds are form'd , and Thunder roars , afraid , And 15 Epicurus can afford no aid ; His Notions fail : And the destructive Flame Commission'd falls , not thrown by Chance , but Aim : One Clap is past , and now the Skies are clear , A short reprieve , but to increase his Fear : Whilst Arms Divine , revenging Crimes below , Are gathering up to give the greater Blow . But if a Fever fires his sulphurous Blood , In ev'ry Fit he feels the Hand of God , And Heaven-born Flame : Then , drown'd in deep Despair , He dares not offer one repenting Prayer ; Nor vow one Victim to preserve his Breath , Amaz'd he lies , and sadly looks for Death : For how can Hope with desperate Guilt agree ? And the worst Beast is worthier Life than He. XXI . He that once Sins , like him that slides on Ice , Goes swiftly down the slippery ways of Vice ; Tho' Conscience checks Him , yet , those rubs gone o're , He slides on smoothly , and looks back no more ; What Sinners finish where they first begin ? And with one Crime content their Lust to Sin ? Nature , that , rude and in her first Essay , Stood boggling at the roughness of the way , Us'd to the Road , unknowing to return , Goes boldly on , and loves the Path when worn . XXII . Fear not , but pleas'd with this successful Bait , Thy Perjur'd Friend will quickly tempt his Fate ; He will go on , until his Crimes provoke The Arm Divine to strike the Fatal Stroke ; Then thou shalt see him plung'd , when least he fears , At once accounting for his deep Arrears ; Sent to those narrow Isles , which throng'd we see With mighty Exiles , once secure as He ; Drawn to the Gallows , or condemn'd to Chains : Then thou shalt tri●mph in the Villain 's pains , Enjoy his Groans ; and with a grateful Mind Confess that Heaven is neither Deaf nor Blind . The End of the Thirteenth Satyr . EXPLANATORY NOTES ON THE THIRTEENTH SATYR . SOme Read , Extemplo quodcunque malum , &c. Thebes had but seven Gates , and the River Nile but seven Mouths . That is , were of better Quality , and had more Wealth . Skins and Acorns being the primitive Cloaths and Food , according to the Poets . If a swarm of Bees pitcht upon a Temple , it was lookt upon as an Omen of some very great Mischief . Thyestes was treated with a Ha●h made of his own Son. Isis. An Aegyptian Goddess , suppos'd to be much concern'd in inflicting Diseases , and Maladies on Mankind . Ladas . An Excellent Footman , who wan the Prize in the Olympian Games . Stentor . A famous Crier in the Grecian Army , whose single voice was as loud as that of fifty Men together . Homer says that Mars being wounded by Diomedes , made as great an out-cry , as ten thousand Men shouting to the Battel . Bathyllus . A Fidler and a Player : But put here for any idle Scoundrel , or insignificant Fellow . A Surgeon of no great Credit and Reputation . The Villain that kill'd his Father was to be put into a Bag with a Dog , a Cock , a Serpent , and an Ape , and thrown into the Sea. Philosophers of great Credit , and Worth. Damocles having very much extoll'd the Happiness of Kings , in the presence of Dionysius King of Syracuse ; Dionysius invited him to Dinner , plac'd him in a rich Throne , and gave him a very splendid Entertainment ; but just over his Head hung a Sword by a Hair , with the point downward . A Philosopher , who thought all things were by Chance . THE FOURTEENTH SATYR OF JUVENAL , Translated into ENGLISH VERSE BY Mr. IOHN DRYDEN , Junior . ARGUMENT OF THE Fourteenth Satyr . Since Domestick Examples easily corrupt our Youth , the Poet prudently exhorts all Parents , that they themselves should abstain from evil practices : Amongst which , 〈◊〉 chi●fly poin●s at Dice and Gam●ng , Ta●erns , Drunkenness , and Cruelty , which they exercis'd upon their Slaves . Lest after their pernicious Example , their Sons should copy them in their Vices , and become Gamesters , Drunkards , and Tyrants , Lestrigons , and Canibals to their Servants . For if the Father , says Juvenal , love the Box and Dice , the Boy will be given to an it●hing Elbow : Neither is it to be expected , that the Daughter of Larga the Adu●●ress , shou'd 〈◊〉 more contineut than her Mother : Since we are all by Nature , more apt to receive ill impressions than good ; and are besides more pliant in our Infancy and Youth , than when we grow up to riper years . Thus we are more apt to imitate a Catiline , than a Brutus , or the Uncle of Brutus , Cato Ulicensis . For these Reasons he is instant with all 〈◊〉 , that they permit not their Children , to bear lascivious words , and that they Banish Pimps , Whores and Parasites from their Houses . If they are careful , says the Poet , when they make an invitation to their Friends , that all things shall be clean ▪ and set in order ; much more it is their Duty to their Children , that nothing appear corrupt or undecent in their Family . Storks and Vultures , because they are fed by the Old Ones , with Snakes , and Carrion , naturally , and without instruction , feed on the same uncleanly Diet. But the Generous Eaglet , who is taught by her Parent , to fly at Hares , and sowse on Kids , disdains afterwards to pursue a more ignoble Game . Thus the Son of Centronius was prone to the Vice of raising Stately Structures , beyond his Fortune ; because his Father had ruin'd himself by Building . He whose Father is a Jew , is Naturally prone to Superstition , and the Observation of his Country Laws . From hence the Poet descends to a Satyr against Avarice , which he esteems to be of worse Example than any of the former . The remaining part of the Poem is wholly employ'd on this Subject , to shew the Misery of this Vice. He concludes with limiting our desire of Riches to a certain Measure ; which he confines within the compass of what Hunger and Thirst and Cold require for our preservation and subsistance : With which Necessaries if we are not contented , then the Treasures of Craesus , of the Persian King , or of the Eunuch Narcissus , who commanded both the Will and the Fortunes of Claudius the Emperour , wou'd not be sufficient , to satisfie the greediness of our Desires . THE FOURTEENTH SATYR . To his Friend Fuscinus . FVscinus , those Ill Deeds that fully Fame , And lay such Blots upon an Honest Name , In Blood once Tainted , like a Current run From the lewd Father , to the lewder Son. If Gaming does an Aged Sire entice , Then my Young Master swiftly learns the Vice , And shakes , in Hanging-Sleeves , the little Box and Dice . Thus the Voluptuous Youth bred up to dress For his Fat Grandsire , some Delicious Mess ; In Feeding High , his Tutor will surpass , As Heir Apparent of the Gourmand Race . And , shou'd a Thousand Grave Philosophers Be always hollowing Virtue in his Ears , They wou'd at last their loss of Time lament , And give him o're for Glutton in Descent . Can Cruel 1 Rutilus , who loves the Noise Of Whips far better than a Syren's Voice , Can 2 Polyphemus , or 3 Antiphates , Who gorge themselves with Man , can such as These Set up to teach Humanity , and give By their Example , Rules for Us to live ? Can They preach up Equality of Birth , And tell Us how we all began from Earth ? Th' Inhumane 4 Lord , who with a Cruel gust Can a Red Fork in his Slave's Forehead thrust ; Because th' unlucky Criminal was caught With little Theft of two course 5 Towels fraught ? Can He a Son to soft Remorse incite , Whom 6 Goals , and Blood , and Butchery delight ? Who wou'd expect the Daughter shou'd be other Than Common Punk , if 7 Larga be the Mother ? Whose Lovers Names in order to run o're The Girl took Breath full thirty times , and more : She , when but yet a tender Minx , began To hold the Door , but now sets up for Man , And to her Gallants , in her own Hand-Writing , Sends Billets-douxs of the Old Baud's Inditeing . So Nature Prompts ; so soon we go astray , When old Experience puts us in the Way Our Green Youth Copies what Grey Sinners Act ; When Venerable Age commends the Fact. Some Sons , indeed , some very few , we see , Who keep themselves from this Infection free , Whom Gracious Heaven for Nobler Ends design'd , Their Looks erected , and their Clay refin'd . The Rest are all by bad Example led , And in their Father's slimy Track they tread . Is 't not enough we shou'd our selves undo , But that our Children we must Ruin too ? Children , like tender Osiers take the bow , And as they first are Fashion'd , always grow . By Nature , headlong to all Ills we run , And Virtue , like some dreadful Monster , shun . Survey the World , and where one 8 Cato Shines , Count a degenerate Herd of 9 Catilines . Suffer no lewdness or undecent Speech , Th' Appartment of the tender Youth to reach ; Far be from thence the Glutton 10 Parasite , Singing his Drunken Katches all the Night ; But farther still be Woman ; Woman first Was Evils Cause , her self of Ills the worst . Boys ev'n from Parents may this Rev'rence claim ; For when thou dost at some Vile Action aim , Say , shou'd the harmless Child with-hold thy Hand , Wou'd it not put thy Fury to a stand ? Then may we not conclude the Sire unjust Who ( when his Son or'ecome with Drink and Lust , Is by the 11 Censor of Good Manners caught , And suffers Publick Penance for his Earth ) Rails , and Reviles , land turns him out of Door , For what himself so oft has done before ? A Son so Copy'd from his Vice , so much The very same in every little touch ; That shou'd he not Resemble too his Life , The Father justly might suspect his Wife . This very Rev'rend Letcher , quite worn out With Rheumatisms , and Crippled with his Gout , Forgets what he in Youthful Times has done , And swinges his own Vices in his Son. To entertain a Guest , with what a care Wou'd he his Household Ornaments prepare ; Harass his Servants , and O'reseer stand , To keep 'em Working with a threatning● Wand : Clean all my Plate , he crys , let not not one stain Sully the Figur'd Silver , or the Plain ; Rub all the Floors , make all the Pillars Bright , No hanging Cobwebs leave to shock the Sight . O Wretched Man , is all this Hurry made On this Account , because thou art afraid A dirty Hall or Entry shou'd Offend 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 If to some 12 Useful Art he be not brad , He grows 〈…〉 For what 〈…〉 In Age we are by second Nature Prone . The callow Storks with Lizard and with Snake Are fed , and soon as e're to Wing they take , At sight those Animals for Food pursue , The first delicious Bit they ever knew . Ev'n so 't is Nature in the Vulture's breed , On Dogs and Human Carcasses to feed . Iove's 13 Bird will sowse upon the timorous Hare , And tender Kids with his sharp Tallons tear , Because such Food was laid before him first , When from his Shell the lab'ring Eaglet burst . Centronius 14 does high costly Villa's raise With Grecian Marble , which the sight amaze : Some stand upon Cajeta's winding shore , At Tybur's Tow'r , and at Praeneste more . The Dome of Hercules and Fortune show To his tall Fabricks like small Cots below : So much his Palaces o're-look 'em all , As gelt Posides does our Capitol . His Son builds on , and never is content , Till the last Farthing is in Structure spent . The Iews , like their bigotted Sires before , By gazing on the Clouds their 15 God adore : So Superstitious , that they 'll sooner Dine Upon the Flesh of Men , than that of Swine . Our Roman Customs they contemn and jear , But learn and keep their Country Rites with fear . That Worship only they in Rev'rence have , Which in dark Volumes their Great Moses gave . Ask 'em the Road , and they shall point you wrong , Because you do not to their Tribe belong . They 'll not betray a Spring to quench your Thirst , Unless you shew 'em Circumcision first . So they are taught , and do it to obey Their Fathers , who observe the Sabbath-Day . Young Men to imitate all Ills are Prone , But are compell'd to Avarice alone : For then in Virtue 's shape they follow Vice ; Because a true Distinction is so nice , That the base Wretch who hoards up all he can , Is Prais'd , and call'd a Careful , Thrifty Man : The Fabled 16 Dragon never guarded more The Golden Fleece , than he his ill-got Store : What a profound Respect where e're he goes The Multitude to such a Monster shows ? Each Father cries , " My Son , Example take , " And led , by this Wise Youth , thy Fortunes make , " Who Day and Night ne're ceas'd to toil and sweat , " Drudg'd like a Smith , and on the Anvil beat , " Till he had Hammer'd out a Vast Estate . " Side with that Sect who learnedly deny " That e're Content was join'd with Poverty ; " Who Measure Happiness by Wealth encreas'd , " And think the Mony'd Man alone is Blest . Parents the little Arts of saving teach , E're Sons the Top of Avarice can reach ; When with false Weights their Servants Guts they cheat , And pinch their own to cover the Deceipt : Keep a stail Crust till it looks Blue , and think Their Flesh ne're fit for Eating till it stink ; The least remains of which they Mince , and Dress It o're agen to make another Mess : Adding a Leek , whose every String is told , For fear some Pilf'ring Hand shou'd make too bold : And with a Mark distinct , Seal up a Dish Of thrice-boil'd Beans , and Putrid Summer Fish : A Beggar on the 17 Bridge wou'd loath such Food , And send it to be wash'd in Tyber's Flood . But , to what End these ways of sordid Gain ? It shews a manifest unsettled Brain , Living , to suffer a low starving Fate , In Hopes of dying in a Wealthy State. For , as thy strutting Bags with Money rise , The Love of Gain is of an equal size : Kind Fortune does the Poor Man better Bless , Who tho he has it not , desires it less . One Villa therefore is too little thought ; A larger Farm at a vast Price is bought : Uneasie still within these narrow bounds , Thy next Design is on thy Neighbours Grounds : His Crop invites , to full Perfection grown , Thy own seems thin , because it is thy own : The Purchase therefore is Demanded streight , And if he will not Sell , or makes thee wait , A Teem of Oxen in the Night are sent , ( Starv'd for the purpose , and with Labour spent ) To take Free-Quarter , which in one half Hour The Pains and Product of a Year devour : Then , some are basely Brib'd to vow it looks Most plainly done by Thieves with Reaping-hooks : Such mean Revenge , committed under-hand , Has Ruin'd many an Acre of good Land. What if Men talk , and whispers go about , Pointing the Malice and its Author out ? He values not what they can say , or do ; For who will dare a Mony'd Man to sue ? Thus he wou'd rather Curs'd , and Envy'd be , Than Lov'd , and Prais'd in Honest Poverty . But to possess a Long and Happy Life , Freed from Diseases , and secure from Strife . Give me , ye Gods , the product of one 18 Field As large as that which the first Romans Till'd ; That so I neither may be Rich nor Poor , And having just enough , not covet more . 'T was then , Old Souldiers cover'd o're with Scars , ( The Marks of 19 Pyrrhus , or the 20 Punick Wars , ) Thought all past Services rewarded well , If to their share at last two Acres fell : ( Their Countries frugal Bounty ; ) so of old Was Blood , and Life , at a low-Market sold. Yet , then , this little spot of Earth , well Till'd , A num'rous Family with Plenty fill'd ; The good old Man and Thrifty Huswife spent Their Days in Peace , and Fatten'd with Content , Enjoy'd the Dr●gs of Life , and liv'd to see A long descending Healthful Progeny . The Men were Fashion'd in a larger Mould , The Women fit for Labour , Big and Bold . Gygantick Hinds , as soon as Work was done , To their huge Pots of Boiling Pulse wou'd run : Fell too , with eagar joy , on homely Food ; And their large Veins beat strong with wholesom Blood. Of old , two Acres were a bounteous Lot , Now , scarce they s●rve to make a Garden-Plot . From hence the greatest part of Ills descend , When Lust of getting more will have no End : That , still our weaker Passions does Command , And puts the Sword and Poyson in our Hand . Who covets Riches , cannot brook delay , But Spurs and bears down all that stops his way : Nor Law , nor checks of Conscience will he hear , When in hot scent of Gain , and full Carreer . But hark , how Ancient 21 Marsus did advise ; My Sons , let these small Cots and Hills suffice : Let us the Harvest of our Labour eat ; 'T is Labour makes the coursest Diet sweet : Thus much to the kind Rural Gods we owe , Who pity'd Suff'ring Mortals long ago ; When on harsh 22 Acorns Hungrily they Fed , And gave 'em nicer Palats , better Bread. The Country Peasant meditates no harm , When clad with Skins of Beasts to keep him warm : In Winter Weather , unconcern'd , he goes Almost Knee-deep through Mire , in clumsey Shoes : Vice dwells in Palaces , is Richly Drest , There glows in Scarlet , and the Tyrian Vest : The Wiser Ancients these Instructions gave : But now a Covetous old Crafty Knave , At dead of Night shall rowse his Son , and cry ; Turn out , you Rogue , how like a Beast you lye : Go , Buckle to the Law , is this an Hour To stretch your Limbs ? You 'll ne're be Chancellour : Or else your self to Laelius recommend , To such broad Shoulders 23 Laelius is a Friend : Fight under him , there 's Plunder to be had ; A Captain is a very gainful Trade : And when in Service your best Days are spent , In time you may Command a Regiment ▪ But if the Trumpet 's clangour you abhor , And dare not be an Alderman of War ; Take to a Shop , behind a Counter lie , Cheat half in half ; none Thrive by Honesty : Never reflect upon the sordid Ware Which you expose , be Gain your only care . He that grows Rich by scowring of a Sink , Gets where-withal to justifie the stink . This Sentence , worthy Iove himself , Record As true , and take it on a Poet's Word : ▪ T' have Money , is a necessary Task , ▪ From whence 't is got the World will never ask . Taught by their Nurses little Children get This saying , sooner than their Alphabet . What care a Father takes to teach his Son With ill-tim'd Industry , to be undone ! Leave him to Nature , and you 'll quickly find The tender Cock'ril takes just after Kind : The forward Youth will without driving go ▪ And learn t'outshoot you in your proper Bow , As much as Ajax his own Sire , excell'd , And was the Brawnier Block-head in the Field . Let Nature in the Boy but stronger grow , And all the Father soon it self will show : When first the down appears upon his Chin , For a small Sum he Swears through Thick and Thin ; At Ceres Altar vents his Purjury . And Blasts her Holy Image with a Lye : If a Rich Wife he Marries , in her Bed She 's found by Dagger or by Poison , Dead . While Merchants make long Voyages by Sea To get Estates , he cuts a shorter Way . In mighty Mischiefs little Labour lies : I never Counsel'd this the Father cries : But still , base Man , he Copy'd this from Thee : Thine was the Prime , Original Villany . For he who covets Gain to such excess , Does by dumb Signs himself as much express , As if in Words at l●ngth he showd his Mind : The bad Example made him Sin by Kind . But who can Youth , let loose to Vice , restrain ? When once the hard-mouth'd Horse has got the Rein , He 's past thy Pow'r to stop ; Young Phaeton , By the Wild Coursers of his Fancy drawn , From East to North , irregularly hurl'd , First set on Fire himself , and then the World. Astrologers assure long Life , you say , Your Son can ●●ll you better much than they , Your Son and Heir whose Hopes your Life delay . Poison will work against the Stars , beware ; For every Meal an Antidote prepare : And let Archig●n●s some Cordial bring Fit for a Wealthy Father , or a King. What sight more Pleasant , in his Publick Shows Did ever Praetor on the Stage Expose , Than are such Men as every Day we see , Whose chief Mishap , and only Misery Is to be over-stock'd with ready Coin , Which now they bring to Watchful Castor's 24 Shrine ; Since Mars , whom we the great Revenger call , Lost his own Helmet , and was stript of all . 'T is time dull Theaters we shou'd forsake , When busie Men much more Diversion make . The Tumblers gambols some delight afford , No less the nimble Caperer on the Cord ; But These are still insipid Stuff to Thee , Coop'd in a Ship , and toss'd upon the Sea. Base Wretch , expos'd by thy own Covetous Mind To the Deaf Mercy of the Waves and Wind. The Dancer on the Rope , with doubtful Tread , Gets where-withal to Cloath and buy him Bread , Nor covets more than Hunger to prevent ; But nothing less than Millions Thee content : What Shipwrecks and dead Bodies choak the Sea ; The Numerous Fools that were betray'd by Thee ! For at the Charming Call of pow'rful Gain , Whole Fleets equip'd appear upon the M●in , And spight of 25 Lybian and 25 Ca●pathian Gale , Beyond the limits of known Earth they Sail. A Labour worth the while , at last to brag ( When safe return'd , and with a strutting Bag , ) What Finny Sea-Gods thou hast had in view , More than our Lying Poets ever knew . What several Madnesses in Men appear ! Orestes 26 runs from fanci'd Furies here ; Ajax 27 belabours there an harmless Oxe , And thinks that Agamemnon feels the Knocks . Nor is indeed that Man less Mad than These , Who Fraights a Ship to venture on the Seas : With one frail interposing Plank to save From certain Death roll'd on by every Wave : Yet Silver makes him all this Toil Embrace , Silver , with Titles stamp'd , and a dull Monarchs Face . When gathering Clouds o're shadow all the Skies , And shoot quick Lightnings , Weigh , my Boys , he cries A Summers Thunder , soon it will be past ! Yet , hardy Fool , this Night may prove thy last ; When thou ( thy Ship o're-whelm'd with Waves , ) shalt be Forc'd to plunge Naked in the Raging Sea ; Thy Teeth hard press'd , a Purseful of dear Gold , The last Remains of all thy Treasure , hold . Thus he — Whose Sacred Hunger , all the Stores that lie In Yellow 28 Tagus cou'd not satisfie ; Does now in Tatter'd Cloaths at some Lanes End A Painted Storm for Charity Extend . With Care and Trouble great Estates we gain , When got , we keep 'em with more Care and Pain . Rich 29 Licinus his Servants ready stand , Each with a Water-Bucker in his Hand , Keeping a Guard , for fear of Fire , all Night , Yet Licinus is always in a Fright . His curious Statues ; Amber-Works , and Plate , Still fresh encreasing Pangs of Mind create . The 30 Naked Cynick's Jar ne're Flames ; if broken 'T is quickly sodder'd , or a new bespoken . When Alexander● first beheld the Face Of the Great Cynick in that narrow space ; His own Condition thus he did lament : How much more Happy thou , that art content To live within this little Hole , than I Who after Empire , that vain Quarry , fly ; Grappling with Dangers where-foe're I roam , While thou hast all the Conquer'd World at Home . Fortune a Goddess is to Fools alone , The Wise are always Masters of their own . If any ask me what wou'd satisfie To make Life easie , thus I wou'd reply . As much as keeps out Hunger , Thirst , and Cold ; Or what contented 31 Socrates of Old : As much as made Wise Epicurus Blest , Who in small Gardens spacious Realms Possest ; This is what Nature's Wants may well suffice : He that wou'd more , is Covetous , not Wise. But since among Mankind so few there are Who will conform to Philosophick fare ; Thus much I will indulge thee for thy ease , And mingle something of our Times to please . Therefore enjoy a Plentif●l Estate ; As much as will a Knight of Rome create By 32 Roscian Law : And if that will not do , Double , and take as much as will make Two ; Nay Three , to satisfie the last Desire ; But if to more than this thou do'st Aspire ; Believe me all the Riches of the East , The Wealth of Cr●sus cannot make thee Blest : The Treasure 33 Claudius to Narcissus gave , Wou'd make thee , Claudius like , an Errant Slave ; Who to obey his mighty Minions Will , Did his lov'd Empress Messalina kill . The End of the Fourteenth Satyr . EXPLANATORY NOTES ON THE FOURTEENTH SATYR . RVtilus , some Person in the Poets time , noted for his Cruelty . Polyphemus a Famous Giant with one Eye , and a Cannibal . Antiphates , a King of the Lestrygons , who were all Men-Eaters . I doubt not but the Laestrigons , who were a People of Italy , learnt this Diet of King Saturn , when he hid himself among 'em , and gave this Example by making a Meals-meat of his own Children . By this Lord , is still meant the same Cruel Ratilus . Suppos'd Bath-Rubbers : The Romans were great Bathers . Country Goals , where they kept their working Slaves in great numbers . Larga , a fictitious Name for some very common Buttock . Cato of Vtica , a Roman Patriot , who slew himself , rather than he wou'd submit to Iulius Caesar. Catiline , a Plotter against the Common-wealth of Rome . Parasite , a Greek Word , among the Romans used for a Flatterer , and Feast-Hunter . This sort of Creature the● slighted in those days , and us'd very scurvily , terming such a one an V●bra , that is , a shadow , and Apparition , &c. This Censor of good Manners , was an Officer of confiderable Power in Rome ; in some respects not unlike our Midnight Magistrate ; but not altogether so saucy . The Old Romans were careful to breed up their Sons so , that afterwards they might be useful to their Country in Peace , or War , or ploughing the Ground : Vtilis agris , ( as Iuvenal has it . ) An Exercise that wou'd break the Hearts of our Modern Beaux . Iove's Bird : The Eagle , so call'd for the great Service he did Iupiter , in bringing Ganymede , a Lovely Boy , on his Back to him . Centronius , a Famous Extravagant Architect , who with his Son ( who took after him ) built away all his Estate , and had so many Palaces at last , that he was too poor to live in any of ' em . Iuvenal , tho' he was wise enough to laugh at his own Country Gods , yet had not , or wou'd not have , a right Notion of the True Deity , which makes him ridicule the Iews manner of Worship . Pag. 280. As Gelt Posides , viz. The Palace of the Eunuch Posides . As in Virg. Iam proximus ardet — Vcalegon . This Dragon was Guardian of the Golden Fleece , which hung in the Temple of Mars at Cholchos ; and hereby hangs a Tale , or a long Story of Iason and Medea , with which I will not trouble you . Beggars took their Stations then , as they do now , in the greatest Thorow-fares , which were their Bridges , of which there were many over the River Tyber in Rome . Field , viz. The Field of Mars , or Campus Martius , which was the greatest part of the Roman Empire when in its Infancy under Romulus and Tatius the Sabine , his Copartner , admitted for the sake of the Fair Ladies he brought along with him . Pyrrhus King of the Epirots , a formidable Enemy to the Romans , tho' at last overcome by ' em . He Dy'd a very little Death ( as 't is the Fate of some Heroes ) being Martyr'd by the fall of a Tyle from a House . Wars against the Carthaginians . Marsus , a thrifty Husbandman , from whom the Marsi were so call'd , a laborious People some 15 Miles distant from Rome . Mankind fed on Acorns , till Ceres the Goddess of Corn instructed them to sow Grain . Some General Officer in the Roman Army . Not that the Shrine was secur'd by the care of the God Castor , for Iuvenal knew their Gods cou'd have no such thing as Care ; but it was lin'd with a strong Guard of Souldiers , who had an Eye to their God as well as their Moneys , lest he should be stoln , or unrigg'd , as Mars was . Our Poet calls him watchful Castor jearingly . Libyan and Carpathian Gale. The first a South-west , the latter , as we term it at Sea , a strong Levant . Orestes , said to be haunted by Furies , for Killing his Mother Clytemnestra , the Wife of Agamemnon . Ajax the Son of Telamon , who ran mad , because Agamemnon gave the Armour of Achilles from him to Vlysses . But the mistaking Agamemnon , or his Brother Menelaus , for Oxen , or Oxen for them , was not so gross ; for they were both famously Horn'd : And if Report says true , Ajax need not have spar'd Vlysses , since Penelope knew which of her Suitors cou'd shoot best in her Husband's Bow. Tagus , a River in Spain , said to be full of Gold Sand. This Tagus has lost his good Qualities time out of mind , or the Spaniard has coyn'd it dry , for now they fetch their Gold from the Indies , and then other Nations fetch it from them . Some noted Rich Man in Rome . Naked Cynick . Diogenes , a snarling Dog-Philosopher ( for there have been Dog-Philosophers as well as Poets in Doggrel . ) Socrates and Epicurus two Wise Philosophers , contented with the bare Necessaries of Life : The first of these was esteem'd the best Moral Philosopher , the latter the best Natural . Roscian Law ; so call'd from Roscius Otho Tribune of the People , who made a Law , that none shou'd fit in the 14 first Seats of the Theatre , unless they were worth 4 Hundred Sestertiums , per annum , that is above 3 Thousand pounds of our Moneys , and these were esteem'd Noblemen , ipso facto . Claudius the 5th Caesar , who had no better luck in a Wife than his Predecessors , Iulius and Augustus , and most of the Great Men in History . THE FIFTEENTH SATYR OF JUVENAL , Translated into ENGLISH VERSE BY Mr. TATE . ARGUMENT OF THE Fifteenth Satyr . In this Satyr against the Superstition and Cruelty of the Egyptians , 't is probable our Author had his Old Friend Crispinus ( who was of that Country ) in his Eye ; and to whom he had paid his Respects more than once before . The Scene is now remov'd from Rome , which shews our Author a profest Enemy of Vice wheresoever he meets with it . But if by the Change of Place , his Subject and Performance in this Satyr , be ( as some think ) more Barren than in his others ( the People being obscure and mean Rabble , whose Barbarous Fact he relates ) We find in it however , sprinklings of the same Moral Sentiments and Reflections , that Adorn the rest . THE FIFTEENTH SATYR . HOW Egypt , mad wìth Superstition grown , Makes Gods of Monsters , but too well is known : One Sect , Devotion to Nile's 1 Serpent pays ; Others to 2 Ibis that on Serpents preys . Where , 3 Thebes , thy Hundred Gates lie unrepair'd , And where maim'd 4 Memnon's Magick Harp is heard , Where These are Mouldring lest , the So●s combine With Pious Care a Monkey to Enshrine ! Fish-Gods you 'll meet with Fins and Scales o're grown ; Diana's Dogs ador'd in ev'ry Town , Her Dogs have Temples , but the Goddess none ! 'T is Mortal Sin an Onion to devour , Each Clove of Garlick , is a Sacred Pow'r . Religious Nations sure and Blest Abodes , Where ev'ry Orchard is o're-run with Gods. To Kill , is Murder , Sacrilege to Eat A Kid or Lamb ▪ — Man's Flesh is lawful Meat ! Of such a Practise when 5 Vlysses told , What think you ? Cou'd A●inous Guests , with-hold From Scorn or Rage ? Shall we ( cries one ) permit This lewd Ro●ancer and his Bantring Wit ? Nor on Charybdis Rock beat out his Brains , Or send him to the Cyclops whom he feigns . Of Scylla's Dogs , and stranger Flams than these , Cyan●'s 6 Rocks that justle in the Seas , Of Winds in Bags ( for Mirths sake ) let him tell And of his Mates turn'd Swine by Circe ' s spel● , But Men to Eat Men Humane Faith supasses : This Trav'ler takes us Islanders for Asses . Thus the incred'lous Phaeac ( having yet Drank but one Round ) reply'd in sober Fret . Nor without Reason truly , since the Board ( For Proof o' th' Fact had but Vlysses Word . ) What I relate's more strange , and ev'n exceeds All Registers of Purple Tyrants Deeds ; Portentous Mischiefs They but ▪ singly Act , A Multitude conspir'd to this more horrid Fact. Prepare , I say , to hear of such a Crime As Tragick Poets , since the Birth of Time , Ne're feign'd , a thronging Audience to Amaze ; But true , and perpetrated in our Days . Ombus and Tentyr Neighb'ring Towns , of late Broke into Out-rage of deep-fester'd Hate . A Grutch in both , time out of Mind , begun , And mutually bequeath'd from Sire to Son. Religious spight and Pious Spleen bred first This Quarrel , which so long the Big●ts Nurst . Each calls the others God a Senseless Stock , His own , Divine ; tho from the self-same Block One Carver fram'd them , diff'ring but in Shape , A Serpent this resembling , that an Ape . The Tentyrites to execute their Crime Think none so proper , as a Sacred Time ; Which call'd to Ombites forth to Publick Rites , Sev'n Days they spent in Feasts , sev'n sleepless Nights . ( For Scoundrel as these Wretched Ombites be Canopus 7 they exceed in Luxury ) Them Rev'ling thus the Tentyrites invade , By giddy Heads and stagg'ring Legs betray'd : Strange odds ! where Crop-Sick Drunkards must engage A Hungry Foe , and Arm'd with sober Rage . At first both Parties in Reproaches Jar , And make their Tongues the Trumpets of the War. Words break no Bones , and in a Railing Fray , Women and Priests can be as stout as They. Words serve but to enflame our War-like Lists , Who wanting Weapons clutch their Horny Fists . Yet thus make shift t' exchange such Furious Blows , Scarce one escapes with more than half a Nose . Some stand their Ground with half their Visage gone ▪ But with the Remnant of a Face Fight on . Such Transform'd Spectacles of Horror grow , That not a Mother her ow● Son wou'd know ▪ One Eye , remaining , for the other spies , Which now on Earth a trampled Gelly lies . Yet hitherto both Parties think the Fra● But Mockery of War , meer Children's Play : Tho , Traversing , with Streams of Blood they meet , They tread no Carkase yet beneath their Feet . And Scandal think 't to have none Slain out-right Between two Hosts that for Religion Fight . This whets their Rage to search for Stones , as large As they cou'd lift , or with both Hands discharge . Not ( altogether ) of a size , if match'd With those which Ajax once or Turnus snatch'd For their Defence , or by Tydides thrown That brusht Aeneas Crest and struck him down ▪ Of Weight wou'd make two Men strein hard to Raise , Such Men as liv'd in honest 8 Homer's Days : Whom Gyants yet to us we must allow , Dwindled into a Race of Pygmies now ; The Mirth and Scorn of Gods , that see us Fight , Such little Wasps , and yet so full of spight : For bulk meer Insects , yet in Mischief strong ▪ And , spent so ill , our short Life 's much too long ! Fresh Forces now of T●●tyrites , from Town , With Swords and Darts , to Aid their Friends , come down . Who with fleet Arrows levell'd from a far , E're They themselves app●ach'd , secure the War. Hard set before , what cou'd the Ombites do ? They fly ; their pressing Foes as fast pursue . An Ombite Wretch ( by head-long hast betray'd , And falling down i' th' Rout ) is Pris'ner made . Whose Flesh , torn off by Lumps , the Rav'nous Foe In Morsells cut , to make it further go . His Bones clean Pickt , his very Bones they gnaw ; No Stomack 's baulkt because the Corpse is raw . T' had been lost Time to Dress him — keen Desire Supplies the want of Kettle , Spit , and Fire . ( Prometheus Ghost is sure o're-joy'd to see His Heav'n-sto●n Fire from such disaster free . Nor seems the sparkling Element less pleas'd than he ) The Guests are found too num'rous for the Treat , But all , it seems , who had the Luck to Eat , Swear they ne're tasted more Delicious Meat . They swear , and such good Palates you shou'd trust , Who doubts the Relish of the first free gust ? Since one who had i' th' Rear excluded been , And cou'd not for a Taste o' th' Flesh come in , Licks the soild Earth , which he thinks full as good ; While reeking with a mangl●d Om●i●'s Blood. The 9 Vascons once with Man's Flesh ( as 't is sed ) Kept Life and Soul together — grant they did . Their Case was diff'rent ; with long Siege distress'd , And all Extremities of War oppress'd . ( For Miserable to the last Degree , Th' Excuse of such a Practice ought to be ) With Creatures , Vermin , Herbs , and Weeds sustain'd , While Creatures , Vermin , Herbs , or Weeds remain'd : Till to such meagre Spectacles reduc'd , As ev'n Compassion in the Foe produc'd : Acquitted by the Manes of the Dead , And Ghosts of Carkasses on which they Fed. By 10 Zeno's , Doctrine we are taught , 't is true . For Life's support no harmless thing to do . But Zeno never to the Vascons read ; ( 'T is since their Days that Civil Arts have spred : 'T was lately Brittish Lawyers , from the Gaul Learnt to Harrangue , and Eloquently bawl . Thule hopes next t' improve her Northern Stile , And Plant ( where yet no Spring did ever Smile With Flow'rs of Rhetorick her Frozen Isle . ) That Brave , the Vascons , were we must confess , Who Fortitude preserv'd in such Distress . Yet not the Brightest their Example Shines , Eclips'd by the more Noble 11 Saguntines ; Who both the Foe , and Famine to beguile , For Dead and Living rais'd one common Pile . Maeotis first did Impious Rites devise Of Treating God's with Humane Sacrifice ▪ But Salvage Egypt's Cruelty exceeds The 12 Scythian Shrine , where , tho the Captive Bleeds , Secure of Burial when his Life is fled , The Murd'ring Knife'sthrown by , when once the Victim's Dead . Did Famine to this Monst'rous Fact compell , Or did the Miscreants try this Conj'ring Spell , In time of Drought to make the Nile to swell ? Amongst the rugged Cimbrians , or the Race Of Gauls , or fiercer Tartars can you Trace An out-rage of Revenge like This , pursu'd By an Effeminate Scoundrel Multitude . Whose utmost Daring is to cross the Nile In Painted Boats , to fright the Crocodile . Can Men , or more resenting Gods , invent , Or Hell inflict Proportion'd Punishment On Varlets who cou'd Treat Revenge and Spight With such a Feast as Famine's self wou'd fright . Compassion proper to Mankind appears , Which Nature Witness'd when she let us Tears . Of tender Sentiments we only give Those Proofs : To Weep in our Prerogative ; To shew by pittying Looks , and melting Eyes ▪ How with a Suff'ring Friend we Sympathize ! Nay , Tears will ev'n from a Wrong'd Orphan slide , When his false Guardian at the Bar is try'd : So tender , so unwilling to Accuse , So oft the Roses on his Cheek bedews , So soft his Tresses , fill'd with trickling Pearl , You 'd doubt his Sex , and take him for a Girl . B'Impulse of Nature ( tho to us unknown The Party be ) we make the Loss our own ; And Tears steal from our Eyes , when in the Street With some betrothed Virgin 's Hearse we meet , : Or Infant 's Fun'ral , from the cheated Womb Convey'd to Earth , and Cradled in a Tomb. Who can all Sense of Others Ills escape Is but a Brute at best in Humane shape . This Natural Piety did first refine Our Wit , and rais'd our Thoughts to Things Divine : This proves our Spirit of the Gods descent , While that of Beasts is Prone and down-ward bent . To them but Earth-born Li●e th●y did dispence , To us , for mutual Aid , Caelestial Sense . From straggling Mountainers , for Publick Good , To Rank in Tribes and quit the Salvage Wood. Houses to build , and them contiguous make , For cheerful Neighbour-hood and 〈◊〉 sake . In War , a Common Standard to Erect , A Wounded Friend in Battle to Protect , The Summons take of the same Trumpet 's Call To Sally from one Port or Man on publick Wall. But Serpents now more An●ty maintain ! From spotted Skins the Leopard do's refrain : No weaker Lion's by a stronger slain . Nor , from his larger Tu●ks , the Forrest Bore Commission takes his Brother Swine to Gore . Tyger with Tyger , Bear with Bear you 'll find In Leagues Offensive and Defensive join'd . But lawless Man , the Anvil dares profane , And Forg'd that Steel by which a Man is slain ! Which Earth , at first , for Plowshares did afford ; Nor yet the Smith had learnt to form a Sword. An impious Crew we have beheld , whose Rage Their En'mies very Life cou'd not Asswage , Unless they Banquet on the Wretch they slew , Devour the Corps and lick the Blood they drew ! What think you wou'd Pythagoras have sed Of such a Feast , or to what Desart fled ? Who Flesh of Animals refus'd to Eat , Nor held all sorts of Pulse for lawful Meat . The End of the Fifteenth Satyr . EXPLANATORY NOTES ON THE FIFTEENTH SATYR . THE Crocodile . A sort of Bird in those Parts , that is a great destroyer of Serpents . Thebes in Baeotia had seven Gates , this in Egypt an Hundred , and therefore call'd Hecatompylus . This Colossus , or Marble Statue of Memnon held a Harp in its Hand , which utter'd Musical sounds , when struck by the Beams of the rising Sun ; which Strabo tells us , that he both saw and heard , but confesses he is not able to Assign the Cause . He adds , that one half of this Statue was fall'n in an Earth-quake , from which Mutilation and Continuance of the strange Sound ( suppos'd to proceed from Magick ) our Author says , Dimidio magicae resonant ubi Memnone Chordae . Homer introduces Vlysses Shipwreckt at the Island Corcyra , and Treated by Alcinous , who there Reign'd King of the Phaeaks . At whose Table he recited the following Passages . The Symplegades , two Rocks in the Mouth of the Bosphorus , which being at like distance from each other , seem to strike upon one another , as the Sailers pass by them . A City in Egypt , infamous for Riots and Debauchery . Alluding to that of Homer in the Iliad . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . In the Town Caliguris , besieg'd by Metellus . The Principal of the Stoicks . The Confederates of Rome , who being besieged by Hannibal for eight Months , and having suffer'd all Extremities , at last , erected one great Pile , in which they burnt themselves with their Dead ; as also , all their Goods , to leave the Enemy no Plunder . The Temple of Diana Taurica , where they Sacrific'd Strangers . THE SIXTEENTH SATYR OF JUVENAL , Translated into ENGLISH VERSE BY Mr. DRYDEN . ARGUMENT OF THE Sixteenth Satyr . The Poet in this Satyr , proves , that the Condition of a Souldier is much better than that of a Countr●man ▪ First ▪ beca●se a Coun●ry●an ●owever A●●ron●ed , Provok'd , and St●uck ●im●●lf , dares not strike a Souldier : Who is only to be judg'd by a Court-Martial . And by 〈◊〉 Law of Camillus , which obliges him not to Quarrel without the 〈…〉 and quick dispatch : Whereas , the Townsman or Peasant , is delaid in his suit by frivolous Pretences , and not sure of Iustice when he is heard in the Court. The Souldier is also Priviledg'd to make a Will ; and to give away his Estat● which he got in War , to whom he pleases , without Consideration of Parentage , or Relations ; which is deny'd to all other Romans . This Satyr was written by Juvenal , when he was a Commander in Egypt : 'T is certainly his , tho I think it not finish'd . And if it be well observ'd , you will find ●e intended an Invective against a standing Army . THE SIXTEENTH SATYR . WHat vast Prerogatives , my Gallus ▪ are Accrewing to the mighty Man of War ▪ For , if into a lucky Camp I light , Tho raw in Arms , and yet afraid to to Fight ▪ Befriend me my good Stars , and all goes right . One Happy Hour is to a Souldier better Than Mother 1 Iuno's recommending Letter ▪ Or Venus ▪ when to Mars she wo●'d prefer My Suit , and own the Kindness done to Her. See what Our Common Priviledges are ▪ As first no Sawcy 〈◊〉 shall dare To strike a Souldier , nor when struck , resent The wrong , for fear of farther Punishment ▪ Not tho his Teeth are beaten out , his Eyes Hang by a String , in Bumps his Fore-head rise , Shall He presume to mention his Disgrace , Or Beg amends for his demolish'd Face . A Booted Judge shall sit to try his Cause Not by the Statute , but by Martial-Laws ; Which old 2 Camillus order'd to confine The Brawls of Souldiers to the Trench and Line : A Wise Provision ; and from thence 't is clear That Officers a Souldiers Cause shou'd hear : And taking cognizance of Wrongs receiv'd , An Honest Man may hope to be rel●ev'd . So far 't is well : But with a General cry The Regiment will rise in Mutiny , The Freedom of Their Fellow Rogue demand , And , if re●us'd , will threaten to Disband . Withdraw thy Action , and depart in Peace ; The Remedy is worse than the Disease : Thi● Cause is worthy 3 him who in the Hall Wou'd for his Fee , and for his Client bawl : But woud'st Thou Friend who hast two Legs alone , ( Which Heav'n be Prais'd , Thou yet may'st call Thy own , ) Woud'st Thou to run the Gantlet These expose To a whole Company of 4 Hob-nail'd Shoos ? Sure the good Breeding of Wife Citizens Shou'd teach 'em more good Nature to their Shins . Besides , whom can'st Thou think so much thy Friend ▪ Who dares appear thy Business to defend ? Dry up thy Tears , and Pocket up th' Abuse , Nor put thy Friend to make a bad excuse : The Judge cries out , your Evidence produce . Will He , who saw the Souldier's Mutton Fist , And saw Thee maul'd , appear within the List ; To witness Truth ? When I see one so Brave , The Dead , think I , are risen from the Grave ; And with their long Spade Beards , and Matted Hair , Our honest Ancestors , are come to take the Air. Against a Clown , with more security , A Witness may be brought to swear a Lye , Than , tho his Evidence ●e , Full and Fair , To vouch a Truth against a Man of War , More Benefits remain , and claim'd as Rights , Which are a standing Armies Perquisites . If any Rogue vexatious Suits advance Against me for my known Inheritance , Enter by Violence my Fruitful Grounds , Or take the Sacred Land-Mark from my Bounds , Those Bounds , which with Procession and with Pray'r ▪ And 5 Offer'd Cakes , have been my Annual care : Or if my Debtors do not keep their day , Deny their Hands , and then refuse to pay ; I must with Patience all the Terms attend , Among the common Causes that depend Till mine is call'd ; and that long look'd for day Is still encumber'd with some new delay : Perhaps 6 the Cloath of State is only spred , Some of the Quorum may be Sick a Bed ; That Judge is Hot , and do'ffs his Gown , while This O're Night was Bowsy , and goes out to Piss : So many Rubs appear , the time is gone For hearing , and the tedious Suit goes on : But Buff , and Belt Men ; never know these Cares , No Time ; nor Trick of Law their Action Bars : Their Cause They to an easier Issue put ; They will be heard , or They ●ug out , and cut . Another Branch of their Revenue still Remains beyond their boundless Right to kill , Their 7 Father yet alive , impour'd to make a Will. For , what their Prowess Gain'd , the Law declares Is to themselves alone and to their Heirs : No share of that goes back to the begettor ; But if the Son fights well , and Plunders better , Like stout Coranus , his old shaking Sire Does a Remembrance in his Will desire : Inquisitive of Fights , and longs in vain To find him in the Number of the Slain : But still he lives , and rising by the War Enjoyes his Gains , and has enough to spare : For 't is a Noble General 's prudent part To cherish Valour , and reward Desert : Let him be dawb'd with Lace , live High , and Whore ; Sometimes be Lowzy , but be never Poor . The End of the Sixteenth Satyr . EXPLANATORY NOTES ON THE SIXTEENTH SATYR . JVno was Mother to Mars the God of War : Venus was his Mistress . Camillus ; ( who being first Banish'd , by his ungrateful Countrymen the Romans , afterwards return'd , and freed them from the Gaules , ) made a Law , which prohibited the Souldiers from Quarrelling without the Camp , lest upon that pretence , they might happen to be absent , when they ought to be on Duty . This Cause is worthy him , &c. The Poet Names a Modenese Lawyer , whom he calls Vagellius ; who was so Impudent that he wou'd Plead any Cause , right or wrong , without Shame or Fear . Hob nail'd Shoos . The Roman Souldiers wore Plates of Iron under their Shoos , or stuck them with Nails ; as Countrymen do now . Land-Marks were us'd by the Romans , almost in the same manner , as now : And as we go once a Year in Procession , about the Bounds of Parishes , and renew them , so they offer'd Cakes upon the Stone , or Land-Mark . The Courts of Judicature were hung , and spread ; as with us : But spread only before the Hundred Judges were to sit , and judge Publick Causes , which were call'd by Lot. The Rom●n Souldiers had the Priviledge of making a Will , in their Father's Life-time : Of what they had purchac'd in the Wars , as being no part of their Patrimony . By this Will they had Power of excluding their own Parents , and giving the Estate so gotten to whom they pleas'd . Therefore , says the Poet , Coranus , ( a Souldier Contemporary with Iuvenal , who had rais'd his Fortune by the Wars ) was Courted by his own Father , to make him his Heir . THE SATIRES OF Aulus Persius Flaccus . Made ENGLISH BY Mr. DRYDEN . Saepius in Libro memoratur Persius uno Quam levis in tota Marsus Amazonide . Mart. LONDON , Printed for Iacob Tonson at the Iudges Head in Chancery-Lane , near Fleet-street . 1693. TO Mr. DRYDEN , ON HIS TRANSLATION OF PERSIUS . AS when of Old Heroique Story tells Of Knights Imprison'd long by Magick Spells ; Till future Time , the destin'd Hero send , By whom , the dire Enchantment is to end : Such seems this Work , and so reserv'd for thee , Thou great Revealer of dark Poesie . Those sullen Clouds , which have for Ages past , O're Persius's too-long-suff'ring Muse been cast , Disperse , and flie before thy Sacred Pen , And , in their room , bright tracks of light are seen . Sure Phoebus self , thy swelling Breast inspires , The God of Musick , and Poetique Fires : Else , whence proceeds this great Surprise of Light ! How dawns this day , forth from the Womb of Night ! Our Wonder , now , does our past Folly show , Vainly Contemning what we did not know : So , Unbelievers impiously despise The Sacred Oracles , in Mysteries . Persius , before , in small Esteem was had , Unless , what to Antiquity is paid ; But like Apocrypha , with Scruple read , ( So far , our Ignorance , our Faith misled ) 'Till you , Apollo's darling Priest thought fit To place it , in the Poet 's Sacred Writ . As Coin , which bears some awful Monarchs Face , For more than its Intrinsick Worth will pass : So your bright Image , which we here behold , Adds Worth to Worth , and dignifies the Gold. To you , we , all this following Treasure owe , This Hippocrene , which from a Rock did flow . Old Stoick Virtue , cl●d in rugged lines , Polish'd by you , in Mod●rn Brillant shines : And as before , for Persius● our Esteem , To his Antiquity was paid , not him : So now , whatever Praise , from as is due , Belongs not to Old Persius , but the New. For still Obscure , to us no Light he gives ; Dead in himself , in you alone he lives . So , Stubborn Flints , their inward heat conceal , 'Till Art and Force , th' unwilling Sparks reveal ; But through your Skill , from those small Seeds of Fire , Bright Flames arise , which never can Expire . Will. Congreve . THE FIRST SATYR OF Aulus Persius Flaccus . Translated into ENGLISH VERSE BY Mr. DRYDEN . ARGUMENT OF THE PROLOGUE TO THE FIRST SATYR . The Design of the Authour was to conceal his Name and Quality . He liv'd in the dangerous Times of the Tyrant Nero ; and aims particularly at him , in most of his Satyrs ▪ For which Reason , though he was a Roman Knight , and of a plentiful Fortune , he wou'd appear in this Prologue , but a Beggarly Poet , who ●rites for Bread. After this , he breaks into the Business of the first Satyr : which is , chiefly to decry the Poetry then in Fashion ; and the Impudence of those , who were endeavouring to pass their Stuff upon the World. PROLOGUE TO THE First Satyr . I Never did on cleft 1 Pernassus dream ; Nor taste the sacred Heliconian Stream : Nor can remember when my Brain inspir'd ▪ Was , by the Muses , into madness fir'd . My share in Pale 2 Pyrene I resign : And claim no part in all the Mighty Nine . Statues 3 , with winding Ivy crown'd , belong To nobler Poets , for a nobler Song : H●edless of Verse , and hopeless of the Crown , Scarce half a Wit , and more than half a Clown , Before the 4 Shrine I lay my rugged Numbers down . Who taught the Parrot Human Notes to try , Or with a Voice endu'd the chatt'ring Pye ? 'T was witty Want , fierce Hunger to appease : Want taught their Masters , and their Masters these ▪ Let Gain , that gilded Bait , be hung on high , The hungry Wirlings have it in their Eye : Pies , Crows , and Daws , Poetick Presents bring : You say they squeak ; but they will swear they Sing . ARGUMENT OF THE First Satyr . I need not repeat , that the chief aim of the Authour is against bad Poets , in this Satyr . But I must add , that he includes also bad Orators , who began at that Time , ( as Petronius in the beginning of his Book tells us , ) to enervate Manly Eloquence , by Tropes and Figures , ill plac'd , and worse apply'd . Among●st the Poets , Persius Covertly strikes at Nero ; some of whose Verses he recites with Scorn and Indignation . He also takes notice of the Noblemen and their abominable Poetry , who in the Luxury of their Fortune , set up for Wits , and Iudges . The Satyr is in Dialogue , betwixt the Authour and his Friend or Monitor ; who dissuades him from this dangerous attempt of exposing Great Men. But Persius , who is of a free Spirit , and has not forgotten that Rome was once a Commonwealth , breaks through all those difficulties , and boldly Arraigns the fulfe Iudgment of the Age in which he Lives . The Reader may observe that our Poet was a Stoick Philosopher ; and that all his Moral Sentences , both here , and in all the rest of his Satyrs , are drawn from the Dogma's of that Sect. THE FIRST SATYR . In Dialogue betwixt the Poet and his Friend , or Monitor . PERSIUS . HOW anxious are our Cares ; and yet how vain The bent of our desires ! FRIEND . Thy Spleen contain : For none will read thy Satyrs . PERSIUS . This to Me ? FRIEND . None ; or what 's next to none ; but two or three . 'T is hard , I grant . PERSIUS . T is nothing ; I can bear That paltry Scriblers have the Publick Ear : That this vast universal Fool , the Town , Shou'd cry up 1 Labeo's Stuff , and cry me down . They damn themselves ; nor will my Muse descend To clap with such , who Fools and Knaves commend ▪ Their Smiles and Censures are to me the same : I care not what they praise , or what they blame . In full Assemblies let the Crowd prevail : I weigh no Merit by the common Scale . The Conscience is the Test of ev'ry Mind ; Seek not thy self , without thy self , to find . But where 's that Roman ? — Somewhat I wou'd say , But Fear ; — Let Fear , for once , to Truth give way . Truth lends the Stoick Courage : when I look On Humane Acts , and Real in Nature's Book , From the first Pastimes of our Infant Age , To elder Cares , and Man's severer Page ; When stern as Tutors , and as Uncles hard , We lash the Pupil , and defraud the Ward : Then , then I say — or wou'd say , if I durst — But thus provok'd , I must speak out , or burst . FRIEND . Once more forbear . PERSIUS . I cannot rule my Spleen ; My scorn Rebels , and tickles me within . First , to begin at Home , our Authors write In lonely Rooms , secur'd from publick sight ; Whether in Prose or Verse , 't is all the same : The Prose is Fustian , and the Numbers lame . All Noise , and empty Pomp , a storm of words , Lab'ring with sound , that little Sence affords . They 2 Comb , and then they order ev'ry Hair : A Gown , or White , or Scour'd to whiteness , wear : A Birth-day Jewel bobbing at their Ear ▪ Next , gargle well their Throats ; and thus prepar'd , They mount , a God's Name , to be seen and heard From their high Scaffold ; with a Trumpet Cheek : And Ogling all their Audience e're they speak . The nauseous Nobles ▪ ev'n the Chief of Rome , With gaping Mouths to these Rehearsals come , And pant with Pleasure , when some lusty line The Marrow pierces , and invades the Chine . At open fulsom Bawdry they rejoice ; And slimy Jests applaud with broken Voice . Base Prostitute , thus dost thou gain thy Bread ? Thus dost thou feed their Ears , and thus art fed ? At his own filthy stuff he grins , and brays : And gives the sign where he expects their praise . Why have I Learn'd , say'st thou , if thus confin'd ▪ I choak the Noble Vigour of my Mind ? Know , my wild 3 Fig-Tree , which in Rocks is bred , Will split the Quarry , and shoot out the Head ▪ Fine Fruits of Learning ! Old Ambitious Fool , Dar'st thou apply that Adage of the School ; As if 't is nothing worth that lies conceal'd ▪ And Science is not Science till Reveal'd ? Oh , but 't is Brave to be Admir'd , to see The Crowd , with pointing Fingers , cry That 's he : That 's he , whose wondrous Poem is become A Lecture for the Noble Youth of Rome ! Who , by their Fathers , is at Feasts Renown'd : And often quoted , when the Bowls go round . Full gorg'd and flush'd , they wantonly Rehearse : And add to Wine the Luxury of Verse . One , clad in Purple , not to lose his time , Eats , and recites some lamentable Rhime : Some Senceless Phyllis , in a broken Note ; Snuffling at Nose , or croaking in his Throat : Then , Graciously , the mellow Audience Nod : Is not th' Immortal Authour made a God ? Are not his Manes blest , such Praise to have ? Lies not the Turf more lightly on his Grave ? And Roses ( while his lowd Applause they Sing , ) Stand ready from his Sepulcher to spring ? All these , you cry , but light Objections are ; Meer Malice , and you drive the Jest too far . For does there Breath a Man , who can reject A general Fame , and his own Lines neglect ? In 4 C●dar Tablets worthy to appear ; That need not Fish , or Franckincense to fear ? Thou , whom I make the adverse part to bear , Be answer'd thus : If I , by chance , succeed In what I Write , ( and that 's a chance indeed ; ) Know , I am not so stupid , or so hard ▪ Not to feel Praise , or Fames deserv'd Reward : But this I cannot grant , that thy Appl●use Is my Works ultimate , or only Cause ▪ Prudence can ne're propose so mean a prize : For mark what Vanity within it lies . Like Labeo's Iliads ; in whose Verse i● found Nothing but trifling care , and empty sound ▪ Such little Elegies as Nobles Write ; Who wou'd be Poets , in Apollo's spight . Them and their woful Works the Muse defies : Products of Citron Beds , and Golden Canopies ▪ To give thee all thy due , thou hast the Heart To make a Supper , with a fine dessert ; And , to thy threed-bare Friend , a cast old Sute impart . Thus Brib'd , thou thus bespeak'st him , tell me Friend ( For I love Truth , nor can plain Speech offend , ) What says the World of me and of my Muse ? The Poor dare nothing tell , but flatt'ring News : But shall I speak ? thy Verse is wretched Rhyme ; And all thy Labours are but loss of time . Thy strutting Belly swells ; thy Pau●ch is high ; Thou Writ'st not , but thou Pissest Poetry ▪ All Authours , to their own defects , are blind ; Hadst thou but , Ianus like , a Face behind , To see the People , what sp●ay-Mouths they make ; To mark their Finge●s , pointed at thy back ; Their Tongues loll'd out , a foot beyond the pitch , When most a thirst , of an Apulian Bitch : But Noble Scriblers are with Flatt'ry fed ; For none dare find their Faults , who Eat their Bread. To pass the Poets of Patrician Blood , What is 't the common Reader takes for good ? The Verse in fashion , is , when Numbers flow ; Soft without Sence , and without Spirit ●low : So smooth and equal , that no sight can ●ind The Rive● , where the polish'd piece was join'd . So even all , with such a steady view , As if he shut one Eye to level true . Whether the Vulgar Vice his Satyr stings . The Peoples Riots , or the Rage of Kings , The gentle Poet is alike in all ; His Reader hopes no rise , and fears no fall . FRIEND . Hourly we see , some Raw Pin-feather'd t●ing Attempt to mount , and Fights , and Heroes sing ; Who , for false quantities , was whipt at School But t'other day , and breaking Grammar Rule . Whose trivial Art was never try'd , above The bare description of a Native Grove : 5 Who knows not how to praise the Country store ▪ The Feasts , the Basket● ▪ nor the fatted Bore ; Nor paint the flowry Fields , that pain● themselves before ▪ Where Romulus was Bred , and 6 Qui●●iu● Born , Whose shining Plough-share was in Furrows worn ▪ Met by his trembling Wife , returning Home , And Rustically Joy'd , as Chief of Rome : She wip'd the Sweat , from the Dictator's Brow ; And , o're his Back , his Robe did rudely throw ; The Lictors bore , in State , their Lord 's Triumphant Plough . Some , love to hear the Fustian Poet roar ; And some on Antiquated Authours pore : Rummage for Sense ; and think those only good Who labour most , and least are understood . When thou shalt see the Blear-Ey'd Fa●hers Teach Their Sons , this harsh and mouldy sort of Speech ; Or others new affected ways to try , Of wanton smoothness , Female Poetry ; One wou'd enquire , from whence this mo●ley Stil● Did first our Roman Purity defile : For our Old Dotards cannot keep their Seat ; But leap and catch at all that 's obsolete . Others , by Foolish O●tentation fed , When call'd before the Bar , to save their Head , Bring trifling Tropes , instead of solid Sence : And mind their Figures more than their Defence . Are pleas'd to hear their thick-scull'd Judges cry Well mov'd , oh finely said , and decently ! Theft , ( says th' Accuser ) to thy Charge I lay O Pedius ! What does gentle ▪ 7 Pedius say ? Studious to please the Genius of the Times , With Periods , Points , and Tropes ; he slurs ▪ his Crimes : " He Robb'd not , but he Borrow'd from the Poor ; " And took but with intention to restore . He lards with flourishes his long Harangue ; 'T is fine , say'st thou ; what to be Prais'd and Hang ? Effeminate Roman , shall such Stuff prevail To tickle thee , and make thee wag thy Tail ? Say , shou'd a Shipwrack'd Saylor sing his woe , Woud'st ▪ thou be mov'd to pity , or bestow An Alms ? What 's more prepost'rous than to see A Merry Beggar ? Mirth in Misery ? PERSIUS . He seems a Trap , for Charity , to lay : And cons by Night , his Lesson for the day . FRIEND . But to raw Numbers , and unfinish'd Verse , Sweet sound is added now , to make it Terse : " 'T is tagg'd with Rhyme , like 8 Berecynthian Atys , " The mid part chimes with Art , which never flat is . " The Dolphin brave , that cut the liquid Wave , " Or He who in his line , can chine the long-rib'd Apennine . PERSIUS . All this is Dogrel Stuff : FRIEND . What if I bring A Nobler Verse ? 9 Arms and the Man I sing . PERSIUS . Why name you Virgil with such Fops as these ? He 's truly great ; and must for ever please . Not fierce , but awful is his Manly Page ; Bold is his Strength , but sober is his Rage . FRIEND . What Poems think you soft ? and to be read With languishing regards , and bending Head ? PERSIUS . " 10 Their crooked Horns the Mimallonian Crew " With Blasts inspir'd : and Bassaris who slew " The scronful Calf , with Sword advanc'd on high , " Made from his Neck his haughty Head to fly . " And Maenas , when with Ivy-bridles bound , " She led the spotted Lynx , then Evion rung around ; " Evion from Woods and Floods repairing Ecchos sound . Cou'd such rude Lines a Roman Mouth become , Were any Manly Greatness left in Rome ? Maenas 11 and Arys in the Mouth were bred ; And never hatch'd within the lab'ring Head. No Blood , from bitten Nails , those Poems drew : But churn'd , like Spettle , from the Lips they flew . FRIEND . 'T is Fustian all ; 't is execrably bad : But if they will be Fools , must you be mad ? Your Satyrs , let me tell you , are too fierce ; The Great will never bear so blunt a Verse . Their Doors are Barr'd against a bitter flout : Snarl , if you please , but you shall snarl without ▪ Expect such Pay as railing Rhymes deserve , Y' are in a very hopeful way to sterve . PERSIUS . Rather than so , uncensur'd let 'em be : All , all is admirably well for me . My harmless Rhyme shall scape the dire disgrace Of Common-shores , and ev'ry pissing place . Two 12 painted Serpents shall , on high , appear ; 'T is Holy Ground ; you must not Urine here . This shall be writ to fright the Fry away , Who draw their little Bawbles , when they play . 13 Yet old Lucilius never fear'd the times ; But lash'd the City , and di●●ected Crimes . Mutius and Lupus both by Name he brought ; He mouth'd 'em , and betwixt his Grinders caught . Unlike in method , with conceal'd design , Did crafty Horace his low Numbers joyn : And , with a ●ly insinuating Grace , Laugh'd at his Friend , and look'd him in the Face : Wou'd raise a Blush , where secret Vice he found ; And tickle , while he gently prob'd the Wound . With seeming Innocence the Crowd beguil'd ; But made the desperate Passes , when he smil'd . Cou'd he do this , and is my Muse controll'd By Servile Awe ? Born free , and not be bold ? At least , I 'll dig a hole within the Ground ; And to the trusty Earth commit the sound : The Reeds shall tell you what the Poet fears , King 14 Midas has a Snout , and Asses Ears . This mean conceit , this darling Mystery , Which thou think'st nothing , Friend thou shalt not buy ▪ Nor will I change , for all the flashy Wit , That flatt'ring Labeo in his Iliads writ . 15 Thou , if there be a thou , in this base Town , Who dares , with angry Eupolis , to frown ; He , who , with bold Cratinus , is inspir'd With Zeal , and equal Indignation fir'd ; Who , at enormous Villany , turns pale , And steers against it with a full-blown Sail , Like Aristophanes ; let him but smile On this my honest Work , tho writ in homely Stile : And if two Lines or three in all the Vein Appear less drossy , read those Lines again . May they perform their Author 's just Intent ; Glow in thy Ears , and in thy Breast ferment . But , from the reading of my Book and me , Be far ye Foes of Virtuous Poverty : Who 16 Fortune 's fault upon the Poor can throw ; Point at the tatter'd Coat , and ragged Shooe ; Lay Nature's failings to their Charge ; and ●eer The dim weak Eye-sight , when the Mind is clear . When thou thy self , thus insolent in State , Art but , perhaps , some Country Magistrate ; Whose Pow'r extends no farther than to speak Big on the Bench , and scanty Weights to break . Him , also , for my Censor I disdain , Who thinks all Science , as all Virtue vain : Who counts Geometry , and Numbers , Toys : And 17 with his Foot , 18 the Sacred Dust destroys . Whose Pleasure is to see a Strumpet tear A Cynicks Beard , and lug him by the Hair. Such , all the Morning , to the Pleadings run ; But , when the Bus'ness of the Day is done , On Dice , and Drink , and Drabs , they spend their Afternoon . EXPLANATORY NOTES ON THE PROLOGUE . PErnassus , and Helicon , were Hills Consecrated to the Muses ; and the suppos'd place of their abode . Pernassus was forked on the top ; and from Helicon ran a Stream ; the Spring of which , was call'd the Muses Well . Pyrene , a Fountain in Corinth ; Consecrated also to the Muses . Statues , &c. The Statues of the Poets , were Crown'd with Ivy about their Brows . Before the Shrine ; that is , before the Shrine of Apollo , in his Temple at Rome , call'd the Palati●e . EXPLANATORY NOTES ON THE FIRST SATYR . LAbeo's Stuff . Nothing is remaining of Atticus Labeo , ( so he is call'd by the Learned Casaubon ) Nor is the mention'd by any other Poet , besides Persius : Casaubon , from an old Commentator on Persius , says that he made a very Foolish Translation of Homer's Iliads . They Comb , &c. He describes a Poet preparing himself to Rehearse his Works in publick : which was commonly perform'd in August . A Room was hir'd , or lent by some Friend ; a Scaffold was rais'd , and a Pulpit plac'd for him , who was to hold forth ; who borrow'd a new Gown ▪ or scour'd his old one ; and Adorn'd his Ears with Jewels , &c. My wild Fig-Tree : Trees of that kind , grow wild in many parts of Italy ; and make their way through Rocks : Sometimes splitting the Tomb-stones . Ianus like , &c. Ianus was the first King of Italy ; who refug'd Saturn , when he was expell'd by his Son Iupiter from Cr●et ; ( or as we now call it Candia . ) From his Name , the first Month of the Year is call'd Ianuary . He was Pictur'd with two Faces , one before ▪ and one behind : As regarding the past time , and the future . Some of the Mythologists , thi●k he was No●h , for the Reason given above . The Romans wrote on Cedar , and Cypre●● Tables , in regard of the duration of the Wood : III Verses might justly be afraid of Franckincense ; for the Papers in which they were Written , were fit for nothing but to wrap it up . Products of Citron Beds , &c. Writings of Noblemen , whose Bedsteds were of the Wood of Citron . Where Romulus & c.. He speaks of the Country in the foregoing Verses ; the Praises of which , are the most easie Theme for Poets : but which a bad Poet cannot Naturally describe : Then he makes a digression ▪ to Romulus , the first King of Rome , who had a Rustical Education ; and enlarges upon Quintius Cincinnatus , a Roman Senator ; who was call'd from the Plough , to be Dictator of Rome . In Periods , &c. Persius here names Antitheses , or seeming Contradiction ; which in this place are meant for Rhetorical Flourishes , as I think , with Casaubon . Berecynthian Atys ; or Attin , &c. Foolish Verses of Nero , which the Poet repeats ; and which cannot be Translated properly into English. Arms and the Man , &c. The first line of Virgil's Aeneids . Their crooked Horns , &c. Other Verses of Nero , that were mee● bombast . I only Note ; that the Repetition of these and the former Verses of Ner● , might justly give the Poet a caution to conceal his Name . Maenas and Atys . Poems on the Maenad●s , who were Priestesses of Bacchus ; and of Atys , who made himself an Eunuch , to attend on the Sacrifices of Cybele , call'd Berecynthia by the Poets ; she was Mother of the Gods. Two painted Serpents , &c. Two Snakes twin'd with each other , were painted on the Walls , by the Ancients , to shew the place was Holy. Yet old Lucilius , &c. Lucilius wrote long before Horace ; who imitates his manner of Satyr , but far excels him , in the design . King Midas , &c. The Story is vulgar , that Midas King of Phrygia , was made judge betwixt Apollo and Pan , who was the best Musician ; he gave the prize to Pan ; and Apollo in revenge gave him Asses Ears ▪ He wore his Hair long to hide them ▪ but his ●arber discovering them , and not daring to divulge the secret , dug a hole in the ground , and whisper'd into it : the place was marshy ; and when the R●eds grew up , they repeated the words which were spoken by the Barber ▪ By Midas ▪ the Poet meant Nero. Eupolis and Cr●tinus , as also Aristophanes mention'd afterwards , were all Athenian Poets ; who wrote that sort of Comedy , which was call●d the old Comedy , where the People were Nam'd , who were Satyriz'd by those Authors . Who Fortunes fault , &c. The People of Rome in the time of Persius were apt to scorn the Grecia● Philosophers , particularly the Cinicks and Stoicks , who were the poorest of them . And with his foot , &c. Arithmetick and Geometry were Taught , on floors which were strew'd with dust , or sand ; in which the Numbers ▪ and Diagrams were made and drawn , which they might strike out again at Pleasure . THE SECOND SATYR OF Aulus Persius Flaccus . Translated into ENGLISH VERSE BY Mr. DRYDEN . ARGUMENT OF THE Second Satyr . This Satyr , contains a most Grave , and Philosophical Argument , concerning Prayers and Wishes . Undoubtedly , it gave occasion to Juvenal's Tenth Satyr ; And both of them had their Original from one of Plato's Dialogues , call'd the second Alcibiades . Our Author has induc'd it with great mastery of Art ; by taking his rise , from the Birth-day of his Friend ; on which occasions . Prayers were made , and Sacrifices offer'd by the Native . Persius commending first the Purity of his Friend's Vows , descends to the Impious and Immoral Requests of others . The Satyr is divided into three parts . The first is the Exordium to Macrinus , which the Poet confines within the compass of four Verses , the second relates to the matter of the Prayers and Vows , and an enumeration of those things , wherein Men commonly Sinn'd against right Reason , and Offended in their Requests . The Third part consists , in shewing the repugnancies of those Prayers and Wishes , to those of other Men , and inconsistencies with themselves . He shews the Original of these Vows , and sharply inveighs against them : And Lastly , not only corrects the false Opinion of Mankind concerning them ; but gives the True Doctrine of all Addresses made to Heaven ; and how they may be made acceptable to the Pow'rs above , in excellent Precepts ; and more worthy of a Christian than a Heathen . THE SECOND SATYR . Dedicated to his Friend Plotius Macrinus on his Birth-day . LET this auspicious Morning be exprest With a white 1 Stone , distinguish'd from the rest : White as thy Fame , and as thy Honour clear ; And let new Joys attend , on thy new added year . Indulge thy Genius , and o'reflow thy Soul , Till thy Wit sparkle , like the chearful Bowl . Pray ; for thy Pray'rs the Test of Heav'n will bear ; Nor need'st thou take the Gods aside , to hear ▪ While others , ev'n the Mighty Men of Rome , Big swell'd with Mischief , to ●he Temples come ▪ And in low Murmurs , and with costly Smoak , Heav'ns Help , to prosper their black Vows , invoke . So boldly to the Gods Mankind reveal , What from each other they , for shame , conceal . Give me Good Fame , ye Pow'rs , and make me Just : Thus much the Rogue to Publick Ears will trust : In private then : — When wilt thou , mighty Iove , My Wealthy Uncle from this World remove ? Or — O thou Thund'rer's Son , great 2 Hercules , That once thy bounteous Deity wou'd please To guide my Rake , upon the chinking sound Of some vast Treasure , hidden under-ground ! Oh were my Pupil fairly knock'd o' th' head ; I shou'd possess th' Estate , if he were dead ! He 's so far gone with Rickets , and with th' Evil , That one small Dose wou'd send him to the Devil . This is my Neighbour Nerius his third Spouse , Of whom in happy time he rids his House . But my Eternal Wife ! — Grant Heav'n I may Survive to see the Fellow of his Day ! Thus , that thou may'st the better bring about Thy Wishes , thou art wickedly devout : In Tiber ducking thrice , by break of day , To wash th' Obscenities of 3 Night away . But prithee tell me , ( 't is a small Request ) With what ill thoughts of Iove art thou possest ? Wou'dst thou prefer him to some Man ? Suppose I dip'd among the worst , and Stai●s chose ? Which of the two wou'd thy wi●e Head declare The trustier Tutor to an Orphan Heir ? Or , put it thus : — Unfold to Staius , straight , What to Iove's Ear thou didst impart of late : He 'll stare , and ▪ O Good Iupiter ! will cry , Can'st thou indulge him in this Villany ! And think'st thou , Iove himself , with patience then , Can hear a Pray'r condemn'd by wicked men ? That , void of Care , he lolls supine in state , And leaves his Bus'ness to be done by Fate ? Because his Thunder splits some burly T●ee , And is not darted at thy House and Thee ? Or that his Vengeance falls not at the time , Just at the Perpetration of thy Crime ; And makes Thee a sad Object of our Eyes , Fit for 4 Ergenna's Pray'r , and Sacrifice ? What well-fed Off'ring to appease the God , What pow'rful Present , to procure a Nod , Hast thou in store ? What Bribe hast thou prepar'd , To pull him , thus unpunish'd , by the Beard ? Our Superstitions with our life begin : Th'Obscene old Grandam , or the next of Kin , The New-born Infant from the Cradle takes , And first of Spettle a 5 Lustration makes : Then in the Spawl her Middle Finger dips , Anoints the Temples , Forehead , and the Lips ; Pretending force of Witchcraft to prevent , By virtue of her nasty Excrement . Then dandles him with many a mutter'd Pray'r ; That Heav'n wou'd make him some rich Miser's Heir ; Lucky to Ladies , and , in time , a King ▪ Which to insure , she adds a length of Navel-string . But no fond Nurse is fit to make a Pray'r ; And Iove , if Iove be wise , will never hear ; Not tho' she prays in white , with lifted hands : A Body made of Brass the Crone demands For h●r lov'd Nurseling , strung with Nerves of Wire ; Tough to the last , and with no toil to tire : Unconscionable Vows ! which , when we use , We teach the Gods , in Reason , to refuse . Suppose They were indulgent to thy Wish ; Yet the fat Entrails , in the spatious Dish , Wou'd stop the Grant : The very overcare , And nauseous pomp , wou'd hinder half the Pray'r . Thou hop'st with Sacrifice of Oxen slain , To compass Wealth , and bribe the God of Gain , To give thee Flocks and Herds , with large increase : Fool ! to expect 'em from a Bullock's Grease ! And think'st , that when the fatten'd Flames aspire , Thou see'st th' accomplishment of thy desire ! Now , now , my bearded Harvest gilds the plain , The scanty Folds can scarce my Sheep contain , And show'rs of Gold come pouring in amain ! Thus dreams the Wretch , and vainly thus dreams on , Till his lank Purse declares his Money gone . Shou'd I present thee with rare figur'd Plate , Or Gold as rich in Workmanship as Weight ; O how thy rising heart wou'd throb and beat , And thy left side , with trembling pleasure , sweat ! Thou measur'st by thy self the Pow'rs Divine ; Thy Gods are burnish'd Gold , and Silver is their Shrine . Thy puny Godlings of inferiour Race ; Whose humble Statues are content with Brass . Shou'd some of These , in 6 Visions purg'd from fl●am , Foretel Events , or in a Morning Dream ; Ev'n those thou wou'dst in Veneration hold ; And , if not Faces , give 'em Beards of Gold. The Priests , in Temples , now no longer care For 7 Saturn's Brass , or 8 Numa's Earthen-ware ; Or Vestal Urns , in each Religious Rite : This wicked Gold has put 'em all to flight . O Souls , in whom no heav'nly Fire is found , Fat Minds , and ever groveling on the ground ! We bring our Manners to the blest Abodes , And think what pleases us , must please the Gods. Of Oyl and Casia one th' Ingredients takes , And , of the Mixture , a rich Ointment makes : Another finds the way to dye in Grain : And make 9 Calabrian Wool receive the Tyrian Stain : Or from the Shells their Orient Treasure takes , Or , for their golden Ore , in Rivers rakes ; Then melts the Mass : All these are Vanities ! Yet still some Profit from their Pains may rise : But tell me , Priest , if I may be so bold , What are the Gods the better for this Gold ? The Wretch that offers from his wealthy Store These Presents , bribes the Pow'rs to give him more : As 10 Maids to Venus offer Baby-Toys , To bless the Marriage-Bed with Girls and Boys . But let us for the Gods a Gift prepare , Which the Great Man's Great Chargers cannot bear ▪ A Soul , where Laws both Humane and Divine , In Practice more than Speculation shine : A genuine Virtue , of a vigorous kind , Pure in the last recesses of the Mind : When with such Off'rings to the Gods I come ; A 11 Cake , thus giv'n , is worth a Hecatomb . The End of the Second Satyr . EXPLANATORY NOTES ON THE SECOND SATYR . WHite Stone . The Romans were us'd to mark their Fortunate Days , or any thing that luckily befell 'em , with a White Stone which they had from the Island Creta ; and their Unfortunate with a Coal . Hercules was thought to have the Key and Power of bestowing all hidden Treasure . The Antients thought themselves tainted and polluted by Night it self , as well as bad Dreams in the Night , and therefore purifi'd themselves by washing their Heads and Hands every Morning ; which Custom the Turks observe to this day . When any one was Thunderstruck , the Soothsayer ( who is here call'd Ergenna ) immediately repair'd to the place , to expiate the displeasure of the Gods , by sacrificing two Sheep . The Poet laughs at the superstitious Ceremonies which the Old Women made use of in their Lustration of Purification Days , when they nam'd their Children , which was done on the Eighth day to Females , and on the Ninth to Males . In Visions purg'd from Fleam , &c. It was the Opinion both of Grecians and Romans , that the Gods , in Visions or Dreams , often reveal'd to their Favourites a Cure for their Diseases , and sometimes those of others . Thus Alexander dreamt of an Herb which cur'd Ptolomy . These Gods were principally Apollo and Esculapius ; but , in after times , the same Virtue and Good-will was attributed to Isis and Osiris . Which brings to my remembrance an odd passage in Sir Tho. Brown's Religio Medici , or in his vulgar Errours ; the sense whereof is , That we are beholding , for many of our Discoveries in Physick , to the courteous Revelation of Spirits . By the Expression of Visions purg'd from Phlegm , our Author means such Dreams or Visions , as proceed not from Natural Causes , or Humours of the Body ; but such as are sent from Heaven ; and are , therefore , certain Remedies . For Saturn's Brass , &c. Brazen Vessels , in which the Publick Treasures of the Romans was kept : It may be the Poet means only old Vessels , which were all call'd Κρόνια from the Greek Name of Saturn . Note also , that the Roman Treasury was in the Temple of Saturn . Numa's Earthen-ware . Under Numa the second King of Rome , and for a long time after him , the Holy Vessels for Sacrifice were of Earthen Ware ; according to the Superstitious Rites which were introduc'd by the same Numa : Tho afterwards , when Memmius had taken Corinth , and Paulus Emilius had conquer'd Macedonia , Luxury began amongst the Romans ; and then their Utensils of Devotion were of Gold and Silver , &c. And make Calabrian Wooll , &c. The Wooll of Calabria was of the f●●est sort in Italy ; as Iuvenal also tells us . The Tyrian Stain , is the Purple Colour dy'd at Tyrus ; and I suppose , but dare not positively affirm , that the richest of that Dye was nearest our Crimson ; and not Scarlet , or that other Colour more approaching to the Blue . I have not room to justifie my Conjecture . As Maids to Venus , &c. Those Baby-Toys were little Babies , or Poppets , as we call them ; in Latin Pupae ; which the Girls , when they came to the Age of puberty , or Child● bearing , offer'd to Venus ; as the Boys at Fourteen or Fifteen years of age offer'd their Bullae . or Bosses . A Cake thus given , &c. A Cake of Barley , or course Wheat-Meal , with the Bran in it : The meaning is , that God is pleas'd with the pure and spotless heart of the Offerer ; and not with the Riches of the Offering ▪ Laberius in the Fragments of his Mimes , has a Verse like this ; Pur as , Deus , non plenas a●picit manus . — What I had forgotten before , in its due place ▪ I must here tell the Reader ; That the first half of this Satyr was translated by one of my Sons , now in Italy : But I thought so well of it , that I let it pass without any Alteration . THE THIRD SATYR OF Aulus Persius Flaccus . Translated into ENGLISH VERSE BY MR. DRYDEN . ARGUMENT OF THE Third Satyr . Our Author has made two Satyrs concerning Study ; the First and the Third : The First related to Men ; This to Young Students , whom he desir'd to be Educated in the Stoick Philosophy : He himself sustains the Person of the Master , or Praeceptor , in this admirable Satyr . Where he upb●aids the You●h of Sloth , and Negligen●e in learning . Yet he begins with one Scholar reproaching his Fellow Students with late rising to their Books . After which he takes upon him the other part , of the Teacher . And addressing himself particularly to Young Noblemen , tells them , That , by reason of their High Birth , and the Great Possessions of their Fathers , they are careless of adorning their Minds with Precepts of Moral Philosophy : And withall inculcates to them the Miseries which will attend them in the whole Course of their Life , if they do not apply themselves betimes to the Knowledge of Virtue , and the End of their Creation , which he pathetically insinuates to them . The Title of this Satyr , in some Ancient Manuscripts , was The Reproach of Idleness ; tho in others of the Scholiasts , 't is inscrib'd , Against the Luxury and Vices of the Rich. In both of which the Intention of the Poet is pursu'd ; but principally in the former . I remember I translated this Satyr , when I was a Kings-Scholar at Westminster School , for 〈◊〉 Thursday Nights Exercise ; and believe that it , and many other of my Exercises of this nature , in English Verse , are still in the Hands of my Learned Master , the Reverend Doctor Busby . THE THIRD SATYR . IS this thy daily course ? the glaring Sun Breaks in at ev'ry Chink : The Cattle run To Shades , and Noon● tide Rays of Summer shun . Yet plung'd in Sloth we lye ; and snore supine , As fill'd with Fumes of undigested Wine . This grave Advice some sober Student bears ; And loudly rings it in his Fellows Ears . The yawning Youth , scarce half awake , essays His lazy Limbs and dozy Head to raise : Then rubs his gummy Eyes , and scrubs his Pate ; And cries I thought it had not been so late : My Cloaths , make haste : why when ! if none be near , He mutters first , and then begins to swear : And brays aloud , with a more clam'rous note , Than an Arcadian Ass can stretch his throat . With much ado , his Book before him laid , And 1 Parchment with the smoother side display'd ; He takes the Papers ; lays 'em down agen ; And , with unwilling Fingers , tries the Pen : Some peevish quarrel straight he strives to pick ; His Quill writes double , or his Ink's too thick ; Infuse more water ; now 't is grown so thin It sinks , nor can the Character be seen . O Wretch , and still more wretched ev'ry day ! Are Mortals born to sleep their lives away ! Go back to what thy Infancy began , Thou who wert never meant to be a Man : Eat Pap and Spoon-meat ; for thy Gugaws cry ; Be sullen , and refuse the Lullaby . No more accuse thy Pen ; but charge the Crime On Native Sloth , and negligence of time . Think'st thou thy Master , or thy Friends to cheat ? Fool , 't is thy self , and that 's a worse deceit . Beware the publick Laughter of the Town ; Thou spring'st a Leak already in thy Crown . A flaw is in thy ill-bak'd Vessel found ; 'T is hollow , and returns a jarring sound . Yet , thy moist Clay is pliant to Command ; Unwrought , and easie to the Potter's hand : Now take the Mold ; now bend thy Mind to feel The first sharp Motions of the Forming Wheel . But thou hast Land ; a Country Seat , secure By a just Title ; costly Furniture ; A 2 Fuming-Pan thy Lares to appease : What need of Learning when a Man 's at ●ase ? If this be not enough to swell thy Soul , Then please thy Pride , and search the Herald's Roll : Where thou shalt find thy famous Pedigree Drawn 3 from the Root of some old Thuscan Tree ; And thou , a Thousand , off , a Fool of long Degree . Who , clad in 4 Purple , canst thy Censor greet ; And , loudly , call him Cousin , in the Street . Such Pagcantry be to the People shown : There boast thy Horse's Trappings , and thy own : I know thee to thy Bottom ; from within Thy shallow Centre , to thy ou●most Skin : Dost thou not blush to live so like a Beast ; So trim , so dissolute , so loosely drest ? But , 't is in vain : The Wretch is drench'd too deep ; His Soul is stupid , and his Heart asleep : Fatten'd in Vice ; so callous , and so gross ; He sins , and sees not ; senseless of his Loss . Down goes the Wretch at once ; unskill'd to swim ; Hopeless to bubble up , and reach the Water's Brim . Great Father of the Gods , when , for our Crimes , Thou send'st some heavy Judgment on the Times ; Some Tyrant-King , the Terrour of his Age , The Type , and true Vicegerent of thy Rage ; Thus punish him : Set Virtue in his Sight , With all her Charms adorn'd ; with all her Graces bright : But set her distant ; make him pale to see His Gains out-weigh'd by lost Felicity ! Sicilian 5 Tortures , and the Brazen Bull , Are Emblems , rather than express the Full Of what he feels : Yet what he fears , is more : The 6 Wretch , who sitting at his plenteous Board , Look'd up , and view'd on high the pointed Sword Hang o'er his Head , and hanging by a Twine , Did with less Dread , and more securely Dine . Ev'n in his Sleep he starts , and fears the Knife ; And , trembling , in his Arms , takes his Accomplice Wife ▪ Down , down he goes ; and from his Darling-Friend Conceals the Woes his guilty Dreams portend . When I was young , I like a lazy Fool , Wou'd blear my Eyes with Oyl , to stay from School : Averse from Pains , and loath to learn the Part Of C●to , dying with a dauntless Heart : Though much , my Master , that stern Virtue prais'd , Which , o'er the Vanquisher , the Vanquish'd rais'd : And my pleas'd Father came , with Pride , to see His Boy defend the Roman Liberty . But then my Study was to Cog the Dice ; And dext'rously to throw the lucky Sice : To shun Ames-Ace , that swept my Stakes away ; And watch the Box , for f●ar they shou'd convey False Bones , and put upon me in the Play. Careful , besides , the Whirling Top to whip ; And drive her giddy , till she fell asleep . Thy Years are ripe , nor art thou yet to learn What 's Good or Ill , and both their Ends discern : Thou , 7 in the Stoick Porch , severely bred , Hast heard the Dogma's of great Zeno read : Where on the Walls , by 8 Polignotus Hand , The Conquer'd Medians in Trunk-Breeches stand . Where the Shorn Youth , to Midnight-Lectures rise , Rous'd from their Slumbers , to be early wise : Where the coarse Cake , and homely Husks of Beans , From pamp'ring Riot the young Stomach weans : And , 9 where the Samian Y , directs thy Steps to run , To Virtue 's Narrow Steep , and Broad-way Vice to shun . And yet thou snor'st ; thou draw'st thy Drunken Breath , Sour with Debauch ; and sleep'st the Sleep of Death . Thy Chaps are fallen , and thy Frame dis-joyn'd : Thy Body as dissolv'd as is thy Mind . Hast thou not , yet , propos'd some certain End , To which thy Life , thy ev'ry Act may tend ? Hast thou no Mark , at which to bend thy Bow ; Or like a Boy pursu'st the Carrion Crow With Pellets , and with Stones from Tree to Tree : A fruitless Toil , and liv'st Extempore ? Watch the Disease in time : For , when within The Dropsy rages , and extends the Skin , In vain for Hellebore the patient Cries ; And Fees the Doctor ; but too late is wise : Too late , for Cure , he proffers half his Wealth : Conq●est and Guibbons cannot give him Health . Learn Wretches ; learn the Motions of the Mind : Why you were made , for what you were design'd ; And the great Moral End of Humane Kind . Study thy self : What Rank , or what degree The wise Creator has ordain'd for thee : And all the Offices of that Estate Perform ; and with thy Prudence guide thy Fate . Pray justly , to be heard : Nor more desire Than what the Decencies of Life require . Learn what thou ow'st thy Country , and thy Friend ; What 's requisite to spare , and what to spend : Learn this ; and after , envy not the store Of the Greaz'd Advocate , that Grinds the Poor Fat 10 Fees from the defended Vmbrian 11 draws ; And only gains the wealthy Clients Cause . To whom the Marsians more Provision send , Than he and all his Family can spend . Gammons that give a relish to the taste ; And potted Fowl , and Fish come in so fast , That , e're the first is out , the second stinks : And mouldy Mother gathers on the brinks● But , here , some Captain of the Land , or Fleet , Stout of his hands , but of a Souldiers Wit ; Cries , I have sense to serve my turn , in store ; And he 's a Rascal who pretends to more . Dammce , what-e're those Book-learn'd Blockheads say . Solon's the veriest Fool in all the Play. Top-heavy Drones , and always looking down , ( As over-Ballasted within the Crown ! ) Mutt'ring , betwixt their Lips , some Mystick thing , Which , well examin'd , is flat Conjuring . Meer Madmen's Dreams : For , what the Schools have taught Is only this , that nothing can be brought From nothing ; and what is , can ne're be turn'd to nought . Is it for this they study ? to grow pale , And miss the Pleasures of a Glorious Meal ; For this , in Rags accouter'd , they are seen , And made the May-game of the publick spleen ? Proceed , my Friend , and rail : But hear me tell A story , which is just thy Parallel . A Spark , like thee , of the Man-killing Trade , Fell sick ; and thus to his Physician said ; Methinks I am not right in ev'ry part ; I feel a kind of trembling at my Heart : My Pulse unequal , and my Breath is strong ; Besides , a filthy Fur upon my Tongue . The Doctor heard him , exercis'd his skill ; And , after , bad him for four Days be still . Three Days he took good Counsel , and began To mend , and look like a recov'ring Man : The fourth , he cou'd not hold from Drink ; but sends His Boy to one of his old trusty Friends : Adjuring him , by all the Pow'rs Divine , To pity his Distress , who cou'd not Dine Without a Flaggon of his healing Wine . He drinks a swilling Draught : And , lin'd within , Will supple , in the Bath , his outward skin : Whom shou'd he find , but his Physician there ; Who , wisely , bad him once again b●ware . Sir , you look Wan , you hardly draw your Breath , Drinking is Dangerous , and the Bath is Death : 'T is Nothing , says the Fool ; but , says the Friend , This Nothing , Sir , will bring you to your end . Do I not see your Dropsy-Belly swell ? Your yellow Skin ? — No more of that ; I 'm well . I have already Buried two or three That stood betwixt a fair Estate and me , And , Doctor , I may live to Bury thee . Thou tell'st me , I look ill ; and thou look'st worse : Iv'e done , says the Physician ; take your Course . The laughing Sot , like all unthinking Men , Baths and gets Drunk ; then Baths and Drinks again : His Throat half throtled with Corrupted Fleam , And breathing through his Jaws a belching steam : Amidst his Cups with fainting shiv'ring seiz'd , His Limbs dis-jointed , and all o're diseas'd , His hand refuses to sustain the bowl : And his Teeth chatter , and his Eye-balls rowl : T●ll , with his Meat ; he vomits out his Soul : Then , Trumpets , Torches , and a tedious Crew Of Hireling Mourners , for his Funeral due . Our Dear departed Brother lies in State ; His 12 Heels stretch'd out , and pointing to the Gate : And Slaves , now manumis'd , on their dead Master wait . They hoyst him on the Bier , and deal the Dole ; And there 's an end of a Luxurious Fool. But , what 's thy fulsom Parable to me ? My Body is from all Diseases free : My temperate Pulse does regularly beat ; Feel , and be satisfi'd , my Hands and Feet : These are not cold , nor those Opprest with heat . Or lay thy hand upon my Naked Heart , And thou shalt find me Hale in ev'ry part . I grant this true : But , still , the deadly wound Is in thy Soul : 'T is there thou art not sound : Say , when thou seest a heap of tempting Gold , Or a more tempting Harlot do'st behold ; Then , when she casts on thee a sidelong glance , Then try thy Heart ; and tell me if it Dance . Some Course cold Salade is before thee set : Bread , with the Bran perhaps , and broken Meat ; Fall on , and try thy Appetite to eat . These are not Dishes for thy dainty Tooth : What , hast thou got an Ulcer in thy Mouth ? Why stand'st thou picking ? Is thy Pallat sore ? That Bete , and Radishes will make thee roar ? Such is th' unequal Temper of thy Mind ; Thy Passions , in extreams , and unconfin'd : Thy Hair so bristles with unmanly Fears ; As Fields of Corn , that rise in bearded Ears ▪ And , when thy Cheeks with flushing Fury glow , The rage of boyling Caldrons is more slow ; When fed with fuel and with flames below . With foam upon thy Lips , and sparkling Eyes , Thou say'st , and do'st , in such outrageous wise ; That 13 mad Orestes , if he saw the show , Wou'd swear thou wert the Madder of the Two. The End of the Third Satyr . EXPLANATORY NOTES ON THE THIRD SATYR . AND Parchement , &c. The Students us'd to write their Notes on Parchments ; the inside , on which they wrote , was white ; the other side was Hairy : And commonly yellow . Quintilian reproves this Custom , and advises rather Table-books , lin'd with Wax , and a Stile , like that we use in our Vellum Table-books , as more easie . A Fumeing-Pan , &c. Before eating , it was Customary , to cut off some part of the Meat ; which was first put into a Pan , or little Dish ; then into the Fire ; as an Offering to the Household Gods : This they called a Libation . Drawn from the Root , &c. The Thuscans were accounted of most Ancient Nobility . Horace observes this , in most of his Compliments to Mecenas ; who was deriv'd from the Old Kings of Tuscany , now the Dominion of the Great Duke . Who Clad in Purple , &c. The Roman Knights , attir'd in the Robe call'd Trabea ; were Summon'd by the Censor , to appear before him ; and to Salute him , in passing by , as their Names were call'd over . They led their Horses in their hand . See more of this , in Pompey's Life , written by Plutarch . Sicilian Tortures , &c. Some of the Sicilian Kings were so great Tyrants ; that the Name is become Proverbial . The Brazen Bull is a known Story of Phalaris , one of those Tyrants ; who when Perillus , a famous Artist , had presented him with a Bull of that Metal hollow'd within , which when the Condemn'd Person was inclos'd in it , wou'd render the sound of a Bull 's roaring , caus'd the Workman to make the first Experiment . Docuitque suum mugire Iuvencum . The Wretch who fitting , &c. He alludes to the Story of Damocles , a Flatterer of one of those Sicilian Tyrants , namely Dionysius . Damocles had infinitely extoll'd the Happiness of Kings . Dionysius to convince him of the contrary , invited him to a Feast ; and Cloath'd him in Purple : But caus'd a Sword , with the point downward , to be hung over his Head , by a Silken Twine ; which , when he perceiv'd he co●'d Eat nothing of the Delicates that were set before him . Thou , in the Stoick Porch , &c. The Stoicks taught their Philosophy , under a Porticus , to secure their Scholars from the Weather . Zeno was the Chief of that Sect. Polygnotus , A Famous Painter ; who drew the Pi●tures of the Medes and Persians , Conquer'd by Miltiades , Themistocles , and other Athenian Captains , on the Walls of the Portico , in their Natural Habits . And where the Samian Υ , &c. Pithagoras of Samos , made the allusion of the Y , or Greek Upsilon , to Vice and Virtue . One side of the Letter being broad , Characters Vice , to which the ascent is wide and easie . The other side represents Virtue ; to which the Passage is strait , and difficult : And perhaps our Saviour might al●o allude to this , in those Noted words of the Evangelist , The way to Heaven , &c. Fat Fees , &c. Casaubon here Notes , that among all the Romans , who were brought up to Learning , few besides the Orators , or Lawyers , grew Rich. The Martians and Vmbrians , were the most Plentiful , of all the Provinces in Italy . His Heels stretch'd out , &c. The Romans were Buried withoout the City ; for which Reason the Poet says , that the Dead man's heels were stretch'd out towards the Gate . That Mad Orestes . Orestes was Son to Agamemnon and Clitemnestra . Agamemnon , at his return from the Trojan Wars , was slain by Aegysthus , the Adulterer of Clitemnestra . Orestes to revenge his Fathers Death , slew both Aegysthus and his Mother : For which he was punish'd with Madness , by the Eumenides , or Furies , who continually haunted him . THE FOURTH SATYR OF Aulus Persius Flaccus . Translated into ENGLISH VERSE BY Mr. DRYDEN . ARGUMENT OF THE Fourth Satyr . Our Author , living in the time of Nero , was Contemporary and Friend to the Noble Poet Lucan ; both of them , were sufficiently sensible , with all Good Men , how Unskilfully he manag'd the Common-wealth : And perhaps might guess at his future Tyranny , by some Passages , during the latter part of his first five years ▪ tho he broke not out , into his greater Excesses , while he was restrain'd by the Counsels and Authority of Seneca . Lucan has not spar'd him in the Poem of his Pharsalia : For his very Complement look'd asquint , as well as Nero. Persius has been bolder , but with Caution likewise . For here , in the Person of Young Alcibiades , he arraigns his Ambition of meddling with State Affairs , without Iudgment or Experience . 'T is probable that he makes Seneca in this Satyr , sustain the part of Socrates , under a borrow'd Name . And , withal , discovers some secret Vices of Nero , concerning his Lust , his Drunkenness and his Effeminacy , which had not yet arriv'd to publick Notice . He also reprehends the Flattery of his Courtiers , who endeavour'd to make all his Vices pass for Virtues . Covetousness was undoubtedly none of his Faults ; but it is here describ'd as a Veyl cast over the True Meaning of the Poet , which was to Satyrise his Prodigality , and Voluptuousness ; to which he makes a transition . I find no Instance in History , of that Emperour 's being a Pathique ; tho Persius seems to brand him with it . From the two Dialogues of Plato , both call'd Alcibiades , the Poet took the Arguments , of the Second and Third Satyr , but he inverted the order of them : For the third Satyr is taken from the first of those Dialogues . The Commentatours before Casaubon , were ignorant of our Author 's secret meaning ; and thought he had only written against Young Noblemen in General , who were too forward in aspiring to publick Magistracy : But this Excellent Scholiast has unravell'd the whole Mystery : And made it apparent , that the Sting of the Satyr , was particularly aim'd at Nero. THE FOURTH SATYR . WHo-e're thou art , whose forward years are bent On State-Affairs , to guide the Government ; Hear , first , what 1 Socrates , of old , has said To the lov'd Youth , whom he , at Athens , bred . Tell me , thou Pupil , to great 2 Pericles , Our second hope , my Alcibiades , What are the grounds , from whence thou dost prepare To undertake , so young , so vast a Care ? Perhaps thy Wit : ( A Chance not often heard , That Parts and Prudence , shou'd prevent the Beard : ) T is seldom seen that , Senators so young , Know when to speak , and when to hold their Tongue . Sure thou art born to some peculiar Fate ; When the mad People rise against the State , To look them into Duty : And command An awful Silence with thy lifted hand . Then to bespeak 'em thus : Athenians , know Against right Reason all your Counsels go ; This is not Fair ; nor Profitable that ; Nor t'other Question Proper for Debate . But thou , no doubt , can'st set the business right ; And give each Argument its proper weight : Know'st , with an equal hand , to hold the Scale : See'st where the Reasons pinch , and where they fail : And where Exceptions , o're the general Rule , prevail . And , taught by Inspiration , in a trice , Can'st 3 punish Crimes ; and brand offending Vice. Leave ; leave to fathom such high points as these ; Nor be ambitious , e're thy time , to please : Unseasonably Wise , till Age , and Cares ; Have form'd thy Soul , to manage Great Affairs . Thy Face , thy Shape , thy Outside , are but vain : Thou hast not strength such Labours to sustain : Drink 4 Hellebore , my Boy , drink deep , and purge thy brain . What aim'st thou at , and whither tends thy Care , In what thy utmost Good ? Delicious Fare ; And , then , to Sun thy self in open air . Hold , hold ; are all thy empty Wishes such ? A good old Woman wou'd have said as much . But thou art nobly born ; 't is true ; go boast Thy Pedigree , the thing thou valu'st most : Besides thou art a Beau : What 's that , my Child ? A Fop , well drest , extravagant , and wild : She , that cries Herbs , has less impertinence ; And , in her Calling , more of common sense . None , none descends into himself ; to find The secret Imperfections of his Mind : But ev'ry one is Eagle-ey'd , to see Another's Faults , and his Deformity . Say , dost thou know 5 Vectidius ? Who , the Wretch Whose Lands beyond the Sabines largely stretch ; Cover the Country ; that a sailing Kite Can scarce o'reflye 'em , in a day and night ? Him , do'st thou mean , who , spight of all his store , Is ever Craving , and will still be Poor ? Who cheats for Half-pence , and who doffs his Coat , To save a Farthing in a Ferry-Boat ? Ever a Glutton , at another's Cost , But in whose Kithin dwells perpetual Frost ? Who eats and drinks with his Domestick Slaves ; A verier Hind than any of his Knaves ? Born , with the Curse and Anger of the Gods , And that indulgent Genius he defrauds ? At Harvest-home , and on the Sheering-Day , When he shou'd 6 Thanks to Pan and Pales pay , And better Ceres ; trembling to approach The little Barrel , which he fears to broach : He ' says the Wimble , often draws it back , And deals to thirsty Servants but a smack . To a short Meal , he makes a tedious Grace , Before the Barly Pudding comes in place : Then , bids fall on ; himself , for saving Charges , A peel'd slic'd Onyon eats , and tipples Verjuice . Thus fares the Drudge : But thou , whose life 's a Dream Of lazy Pleasures , tak'st a worse Extream . T is all thy bus'ness , bus'ness how to shun ; To bas'k thy naked Body in the Sun ; Suppling thy stiffen'd Joints with fragrant Oyl : Then , in thy spacious Garden , walk a while , To suck the Moisture up , and soak it in : And this , thou think'st , but vainly think'st , unseen . But , know , thou art observ'd : And there are those Who , if they durst , wou'd all thy secret sins expose . The 7 depilation of thy modest part : Thy Catamite , the Darling of thy Heart , His Engine-hand , and ev'ry leuder Art. When , prone to bear , and patient to receive , Thou tak'st the pleasure , which thou canst not give . With odorous Oyl , thy head and hair are sleek : And then thou kemb'st the Tuzzes on thy Cheek : Of these thy Barbers take a costly care ; While thy salt Tail is overgrown with hair . Not all thy Pincers , nor unmanly Arts , Can smooth the roughness of thy shameful parts . Not 8 five , the strongest that the Circus breeds , From the rank Soil can root those wicked Weeds . Tho , suppled first with Soap , to ease thy pain , The stubborn Fern springs up , and sprouts again . Thus others we with Defamations wound , While they stab us ; and so the Jest goes round . Vain are thy Hopes , to scape censorious Eyes ; Truth will appear , through all the thin Disguise : Thou hast an Ulcer , which no Leach can heal ; Tho thy broad Shoulder-belt the Wound conceal . Say thou art sound and hale in ev'ry part ; We know , we know thee rotton at thy heart . We know thee sullen , impotent , and proud : Nor canst thou cheat thy 9 Nerve , who cheat'st the Croud . But , when they praise me , in the Neighbourhood , When the pleas'd People take me for a God , Shall I refuse their Incense ? Not receive The loud Applauses which the Vulgar give ? If thou do'st Wealth , with longing Eyes , behold ; And , greedily , art gaping after Gold ; If some alluring Girl , in gliding by , Shall tip the wink , with a la●civious Eye , And thou , with a con●enting glance , reply ; If thou , thy own Sollicitor become , And bid'st arise the lumpish Pendulum : If thy lewd Lust provokes an empty storm , And prompts to more than Nature can perform ; If , with thy 10 Guards , thou scour'st the Streets by night , And do'st in Murthers , Rapes , and Spoils delight ; Please not thy self , the flatt'ring Crowd to hear ; T is fulsom stuff , to feed thy itching Ear. Reject the nauseous Praises of the Times : Give thy base Poets back their cobbled Rhymes : Survey thy 11 Soul , not what thou do'st appear , But what thou art ; and find the Beggar there . The End of the Fourth Satyr . EXPLANATORY NOTES ON THE FOURTH SATYR . SOcrates , whom the Oracle of Delphos prais'd , as the wisest Man of his Age ; liv'd in the time of the Peloponnesian War. He , finding the Uncertainty of Natural Philosophy , appli'd himself wholly to the Moral . He was Master to Xenophon and Plato ; and to many of the Athenian Young Noblemen ; amongst the rest , to Alcibiades , the most lovely Youth , then , living ; Afterwards a Famous Captain ; whose Life is written by Plutarch . Pericles was Tutor , or rather Overseer of the Will of Clinias , Father to Alcibiades . While Pericles liv'd , who was a wise Man , and an Excellent Orator , as well as a Great General , the Athenians had the better of the War. Can'st punish Crimes , &c. That is by Death . When the Judges wou'd Condemn a Malefactor , they cast their Votes into an Urn ; as according to the Modern Custom , a Ballotting-Box . If the Suffrages were mark'd with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they signify'd the Sentence of Death to the Offendor ; as , being the first Letter of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which in English is Death . Drink Hellebore , &c. The Poet wou'd say ; that such an ignorant Young Man , as he here describes , is fitter to be govern'd himself , than to go●ern others . He therefore advises him to drink Hellebore , which purges the Brain . Say , dost thou know Vectidius , &c. The Name of Vectidius is here us'd Appellatively to signifie any Rich Covetous Man ; though perhaps there might be a Man of that Name then living . I have Trans●ted this passage Paraphrastically , and loosely : And leave it for those to look on , who are not unlike the Picture . When He shou'd thanks , &c. Pan the God of Shepherds , and Pales the Goddess presiding over rural Affairs ; whom Virgil invocates in the beginning of his Second Georgique . I give the Epithete of Better ▪ to Ceres ; because she first taught the Use of Corn for Bread , as the Poets tell us . Men , in the first rude Ages , feeding only on Acorns , or Mast , instead of Bread. The depilation of thy modest part , &c. Our Author here taxes Nero , covertly , with that effeminate Custom , now us'd in Italy , and especially by Harlo●● , of smoothing their Bellies , and taking off the Hairs , which grow about their Secrets . In Nero's times they were pull'd off with Pincers ; but now they use a Past , which apply'd to those Parts , when it is remov'd , carries away with it those Excrescencies . Not five the Strongest , &c. The Learned Holiday , ( who has made us amends for his bad Poetry in this and the rest of these Satyrs , with his excellent Illustrations , ) here tells us , from good Authority , that the Number Five , does not allude to the Five Fingers of one Man , who us'd 〈…〉 off the Hairs before mention'd ; but to Five Strong Men , such as were skillful in the five robust Exercises , then in Practice at Rome , and were perform'd in the Circus , or publick place , ordain'd for them . These five he reckons up , in this manner . 1. The Caestus , or Whirlbatts , describ'd by Virgil , in his fifth Eneid : And this was the most dangerous of all the rest . The 2d was the Foot-race , The Third the Discus ; like the throwing a weighty Ball ; a sport now us'd in Cornwall , and other parts of England : We may see it daily practis'd in Red-Lyon-Fields . The Fourth was the Saltus , or Leaping : And the Fifth Wrastling Naked , and besmear'd with Oyl . They who were Practis'd in these five Manly Exercises , were call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Thy Nerve , &c. That is , thou can'st not deceive thy Obscene part , which is weak , or Impotent , tho thou mak'st Ostentation of thy Performances with Women . If with thy Guards , &c. Persius durst not have been so bold with Nero , as I dare now ; and therefore there is only an intimation of that in him , which I publickly speak : I mean of Nero's walking the Streets by Night , in disguise ; and committing all sorts of Outrages : For which he was sometimes well beaten . Survey thy Soul , &c. That is , look into thy self ; and examine thy own Conscience , there thou shalt find , that how wealthy soever thou appear'st to the World , yet thou art but a Beggar ; because thou art destitute of all Virtues ; which are the Riches of the Soul. This also was a Paradox of the Stoick School . THE FIFTH SATYR OF Aulus Persius Flaccus . Translated into ENGLISH VERSE BY Mr. DRYDEN . ARGUMENT OF THE Fifth Satyr . The judicious Casaubon , in his Proem to this Satyr tells us , that Aristophanes the Grammarian , being ask'd , what Poem of Archilochus his Iambicks he preferr'd before the rest , answerd , the longest . His answer may justly be apply'd to this Fifth Satyr ; which , being of a greater length than any of the rest , is also , by far , the most instructive . For this Reason , I have selected it from all the others ; and inscrib'd it to my Learned Master Doctor Busby ; to whom I am not only oblig●d my self , for the best part of my own Education , and that of my two Sons ; but have also receiv'd from him the first and truest Taste of Persius . May he be pleas'd to find in this Translation , the Gratitude , or at least some small Acknowledgment of his unworthy Scholar , at the distance of 42 Years , from the time when I departed from under his Tuition . This Satyr consists of two distinct Parts : The first contains the Praises of the Sto●ck Philosopher Cornutus , Master and Tutor to our Persius . It also declares the Love and Piety of Persius , to his well-deserving Master : And the Mutual Friendship which continu'd betwixt them , after Persius was now grown a Man. As also his Exhortation to Young Noblemen , that they wou'd enter themselves into his Institution . From hence he makes an artful Transition into the second Part of his Subject ▪ Wherein he first complains of the Sloath of Scholars ; and afterwards perswades them to the pursuit of their true Liberty : Here our Author excellently Treats that Paradox of the Stoicks , which affirms , that the Wise or Virtuous Man is only Free ; and that all Vicious Men , are Naturally Slaves . And , in the Illustration of this Dogma , he takes up the remaining part of this inimitable Satyr . THE FIFTH SATYR . Inscrib'd to The Reverend Dr. Busby . The Speakers Persius , and Cornutus . PERS . OF ancient use to Poets it belongs , To wish themselves an hundred Mouths and Tongues : Whether to the well-lung'd Tragedians Rage , They recommend their Labours of the Stage , Or sing the Parthian , when transfix'd he lies , Wrenching the Roman Javelin from his thighs . CORN . And why wou'd'st thou these mighty Morsels chuse , Of Words unchaw'd , and fit to choak the Muse ? Let Fustian Poets with their Stuff be gone , And suck the Mists that hang o're Helicon ; When 1 Progne's or 2 Thyestes's Feast they write ; And , for the mouthing Actor , Verse indite ▪ Thou neither , like a Bellows , swell'st thy Face , As if thou wert to blow the burning Mass Of melting Ore ; nor can'st thou strain thy Throat ; Or murmur in an undistinguish'd Note ; Like rowling Thunder till it breaks the Cloud , And rattling Nonsense is discharg'd aloud . Soft Elocution does thy Stile renown ; And the sweet Accents of the peaceful Gown : Gentle or sharp , according to thy choice , To laugh at Follies , or to lash at Vice. Hence draw thy Theme ; and to the Stage permit Raw-head , and Bloody-Bones , and Hands and Feet . Ragousts for Tereus or Thyestes drest ; T is Task enough for thee t' expose a Roman Feast . PERS . T is not , indeed , my Talent to engage In lofty Trifles , or to swell my Page With Wind and Noise ; but freely to impart , As to a Friend , the Secrets of my heart : And , in familiar Speech , to let thee know How much I love thee ; and how much I owe. Knock on my Heart ; for thou hast skill to find If it sound solid , or be fill'd with Wind ; And , thro the veil of words , thou view'st the naked Mind . For this a hundred Voices I desire ; To tell thee what an hundred Tongues wou'd tire ; Yet never cou'd be worthily exprest , How deeply thou art seated in my Breast . When first my 3 Childish Robe resign'd the charge ; And left me , unc●●fin'd , to live at large ; When now my golden B●lla ( hung on high To House-hold Gods ) declar'd me past a Boy ; And my 4 white Shield proclaim'd my Liberty : When , with my wild Companions , I cou'd rowl From Street to Street , and sin without controul ; Just at that Age , when Manhood set me free ; I then depos'd my self , and left the Reins to thee . On thy wise Bosom I repos'd my Head ; And , by my better 5 Socrates , was bred . Then , thy streight Rule , set Virtue in my sight ; The crooked Line reforming by the right . My Reason took the bent of thy Command ; Was form'd and polish'd by thy skilful hand : Long Summer-days thy Precepts I reherse ; And Winter-nights were short in our converse : One was our Labour , one was our Repose ▪ One frugal Supper did our Studies close ▪ Sure on our Birth some friendly Planet shone : And , as our 6 Souls , our Horoscope was one : Whether the 7 mounting Twins did Heav'n adorn , Or , with the rising 8 Ballance , we wore born ; Both have the same Impressions from abov● ; And both have 9 Saturn's rage , repell'd by love . 〈…〉 Has giv'n Thee an Ascend 〈◊〉 ●o're my Mind . CORN . Nature is ever various in her Frame : Each has a different Will ; and few the same : The greedy Merchants , led by lucre , run To the parch'd Indies , and the rising Sun ; From thence hot Pepper , and rich Drugs they bear , Bart'ring for Spices , their Italian Ware. The lazy Glutton safe at home will keep ; Indulge his Sloth , and batten with his Sleep : One bribes for high Preferments in the State , A second shakes the Box , and sit up late : Another shakes the Bed ; dissolving there , Till Knots upon his Gouty Joints appear , And Chalk is in his crippled Fingers found ; Rots like a Doddard Oke , and piecemeal falls to ground . Then , his lewd Follies he wou'd late repent : And his past years , that in a Mist were spent . PERS . But thou art pale , in nightly Studies , grown : To make the 10 Stoick Institutes thy own : Thou long with studious Care hast till'd our Youth ; And sown our well purg'd Ears with wholsom Truth : From thee both old and young , with profit , learn The bounds of Good and Evil to discern ▪ CORN . Unhappy he who does this Work adjourn ; And to To Morrow wou'd the s●arch delay ; His lazy Morrow will be like to day . PERS . But is one day of Ease too much to borrow ? CORN . Yes sure : For Yesterday was once To Morrow . That Yesterday is gone , and nothing gain'd ; And all thy fruitless days will thus be drain'd : For thou hast more To Morrows yet to ask , And wilt be ever to begin thy Task : Who , like the hindmost Chariot Wheels , art curst ; Still to be near ; but ne're to reach the first . O Freedom ! first Delight of Humane Kind ! Not that which Bondmen from their Masters find , The 11 Priviledge of Doles ; nor yet t'inscribe Their Names in 12 this or t'other Roman Tribe : That false Enfranchisement , with ease is found : Slaves are 13 made Citizens , by turning round . How , replies one , can any be more free ? Here 's Dama , once a Groom of low degree , Not worth a Farthing , and a Sot beside ; So true a Rogue , for lying's sake he ly'd But , with a turn , a Freeman he became ; Now 14 Marcus Dama is his Worship's Name ▪ Good Gods ! who wou'd refuse to lend a Sum , If Wealthy Marcus Surety will become ! Marcus is made a Judge , and for a Proof Of Certain Truth , He said it , is enough . A Will is to be prov'd ; put in your Claim ; T is clear , if 15 Marcus has subscrib'd his Name ▪ This is 16 true Liberty , as I believe ▪ What farther can we from our Caps receive , Than as we please , without Control to live ? Not more to 17 Noble Brutus cou'd b●long . Hold , says the Stoick , your Assumption's wrong : I grant true Freedom you have well defin'd : But living as you list , and to your mind , Are loosely tack'd ▪ and must be left behind . What , since the Praetor did my Fetters loose , And left me freely at my own dispose , May I not live without Control or Awe , Excepting still the 18 Letter of the Law ? Hear me with patience , while thy Mind I free From those fond Notions of false Liberty : T is not the Praetor's Province to bestow True Freedom ; no● to teach Mankind to know What to our selves , or to our Friends we owe. He cou'd not set thee free from Cares and Strise ▪ Nor give the Reins to a lewd vicious life : As well he for an Ass a Harp might string ; Which is against the Reason of the thing : For Reason still is whisp'ring in your Ear , Where you are sure to fail , th' Attempt forbear . No need of Publick Sanctions , this to bind , Which Nature has implanted in the Mind : Not to pursue the Work , to which we 're not design'd . Unskill'd in Hellebore , if thou shou'd'st try , To mix it , and mistake the Quantity , The Rules of Physick wou'd against thee cry . The High-stoo'd Ploughman , shou'd he quit the Land , To take the Pilot's Rudder in his hand , Artless of Stars , and of the moving Sand , The Gods wou'd leave him to the Waves and Wind And think all Shame was lost in Human-Kind . Tell me , my Friend , from whence hadst thou the skill , So nicely to distinguish Good from Ill ? Or by the sound to judge of Gold and Brass ; What piece is Tinkers Metal , what will pass ? And what thou art to follow , what to flye , This to condemn , and that to ratifie ▪ When to be Bountiful , and when to Spare , But never Craving , or oppress'd with Care ? The Baits of Gifts , and Money to despise , And look on Wealth with undesirng Eyes ? When thou can'st truly call these Virtues thine , Be Wise and Free , by Heavn's consent and mine ▪ But thou , who lately of the common strain , Wer 't one of us , if still thou do'st retain The same ill Habits , the same Follies too , Gloss'd over only with a Saint-like show , Then I resume the freedom which I gave , Still thou art bound to Vice , and still a Slave . Thou can'st not wag thy Finger , or begin The least light motion , but it tends to si● ▪ How 's this ? Not wag my Finger , he replies ? No , Friend ; nor fuming Gums , nor Sacrifice , Can ever make a Madman free , or wise . " Virtue and 19 Vice are never in one Soul : " A Man is wholly Wise , or wholly is a Fool. A heavy Bumpkin , taught with daily care , Can never dance three steps with a becoming air . PERS . In spight of this my Freedom still remains . CORN . Free , what and fetter'd with so many Chains ? Can'st thou no other Master understand ▪ Than 20 him that freed thee , by the P●aetor's Wand ? Shou'd he , who was thy Lord , command thee now , With a harsh Voice , and supercilious Brow , To servile Duties , thou wou'd'st fe●r no more ▪ The Gallows ▪ and the Whip are out of door . But if thy Passions lord it in thy Breast , Art thou not still a Slave , and still opprest ▪ Whether alone , or in thy Harlot's Lap , When thou wou'd'st take a lazy Morning's Nap ; Up , up , says Avarice ; thou snor'st again , Stretchest thy Limbs , and yawn'st , but all in vain ; The Tyrant Lucre no denyal takes ; At his Command th' unwilling Sluggard wakes : What must I do , he cri●s ? What , says his Lord ? Why rise , make ready , and go streight aboord : With Fish , from Euxine Seas , thy Vessel freight ; Flax , Castor , Coan Wines , the precious Weight Of Pepper , and Sabean Incense , take With thy own hands , from the tir'd Camel's back : And with Post-haste thy running Markets make . Be sur● to turn the Penny , lye and swear , Ti● wholsom sin : But Iove , thou say'st , will hear ? Swear , Fool , or starve ; for the Dilemma's even : A Tradesman thou ! and hope to go to Heav'n ? Resolv'd for Sea ▪ the Slaves thy Baggage pack ; Each saddled ▪ with his Burden on his back : Nothing retards thy Voyage , now ▪ unless Thy other Lord forbids ; Voluptuousness ▪ And he may ask thi● civil Question ▪ Friend ▪ What do'st thou make a Shipboord ? ●o what end ▪ Art thou of Bethlem's Noble College free ▪ Stark , staring mad ; that thou wou'd'st tempt the Sea ? Cubb'd in a Cabbin , on a Mattress laid , On a Brown George , with lowsie Swobbers fed , Dead Wine that stinks of the Boracchio , sup From a fowl Jack , or greasie Maple Cup ? Say , wou'd'st thou bear all this , to raise thy store From Six i' th' Hundred , to Six Hundred more ? Indulge ; and to thy Genius freely give : For , not to live at ease , is not to live : Death stalks behind thee , and each flying Hour Does some loose Remnant of thy Life devour . Live , while thou liv'st : For Death will makes us all , A Name , a nothing but an Old Wife's Tale. Speak ; wilt thou Avarice , or Pleasure chuse To be thy Lord : Take one , and one refuse . But both , by turns , the Rule of thee will have : And thou , betwixt 'em both , wilt be a Slave . Nor think when once thou hast resisted one , That all thy Marks of Servitude are gone : The strugling Greyhound gnaws his Leash in vain ; If , when 't is broken , still he drags the Chain . Says 21 Phaedria to his Man , Believe me , Friend , To this uneasie Love I 'le put an End : Shall I run out of all ? My Friends Disgrace , And be the first lewd unthrift of my Race ? Shall I the Neighbours Nightly rest invade At her deaf Doors , with some vile Serenade ? Well hast thou freed thy self , his Man replies ; Go , thank the Gods ; and offer Sacrifice . Ah , says the Youth , if we unkindly part , Will not the Poor fond Creature break her Heart ? Weak Soul ! And blindly to Destruction led ! She break her Heart ! She 'll sooner break your Head. She knows her Man , and when you Rant and Swear Can draw you to her , with a single Hair. But shall I not return ? Now , when she Sues ? Shall I my own , and her Desires refuse ? Sir , take your Course : But my Advice is plain : Once freed , 't is Madness to resume your Chain . Ay ; there 's the Man , who loos'd from Lust and Pelf , Less to the Praetor owes , than to himself . But write him down a Slave , who , humbly proud , With Presents begs Preferments from the Crowd ; That early 22 Suppliant who salutes the Tribes , And sets the Mob to scramble for his Bribes : That some old Dotard , sitting in the Sun , On Holydays may tell , that such a Feat was done : In future times this will be counted rare . Thy Superstition too may claim a share : When Flow'rs are strew'd , and Lamps in order plac'd , And Windows with Illuminations grac'd , On 23 Herod's Day ; when sparkling Bouls go round , And Tunny's Tails in savoury Sauce are drown'd , Thou mutter'st Prayers obscene ; nor do'st refuse The Fasts and Sabbaths of the curtail'd Iews . Then a crack'd 24 Eggshell thy sick Fancy frights : Besides the Childish Fear of Walking Sprights . Of o'regrown Guelding Priests thou art afraid ; The Timbrel , and the Squintifego Maid Of Isis , awe thee ; lest the Gods , for sin , Shou'd , with a swelling Dropsie , stuff thy skin : Unless three Garlick Heads the Curse avert , Eaten each Morn , devoutly , next thy heart . Preach this among the brawny Guards , say'st thou , And see if they thy Doctrine will allow : The dull fat Captain , with a Hound's deep throat , Wou'd bellow out a Laugh , in a Base Note : And prize a hundred Zeno's , ●ust as much As a clipt Sixpence , or a Schilling Dutch. The End of the Fifth Satyr . EXPLANATORY NOTES ON THE FIFTH SATYR . PRogne was Wife to Tereus , King of Thracia : Tereus fell in Love with Philomela , Sister to Progne ; ravish'd her , and cut out her Tongue : In Revenge of which Progne kill'd Itys , her own Son by Tereus ; and serv'd him up at a Feast , to be eaten by his Father . Thyestes and Atre●s were Brothers , both Kings : Atre●s to Revenge himself of his unnatural Brother , kill'd the Sons of Thyestes ; and invited him to eat them . By the Childish Robe , is meant the Praetexta , or first Gowns which the Roman Children of Quality wore : These were W●lted with Purple : And on those Welts were fasten'd the Bullae ; or little Bells ; which when they came to the Age of Puberty , were hung up , and Consecrated to the Lares , or Household Gods. The first Shields which the Roman Youths wore , were white , and without any Impress , or Device on them ; to shew they had yet Atchiev'd nothing in the Wars . Socrates , by the Oracle was declar'd to be the wisest of Mankind : He instructed many of the Athenian Young Noblemen , in Morality ; and amongst the rest , Alcibiades . Astrologers divide the Heaven into Twelve parts , according to the Number of the 12 Signs of the Zodiack : The Sign or Constellation which rises in the East , at the Birth of any Man , is call'd , the Ascendant : Persius , therefore , judges that Cornutus and he had the same , or a like Nativity . The Sign of Gemini . The Sign of Libra . Astrologers have an Axiome , that whatsoever Saturn ties , is loos'd by Iupiter : They account Saturn to be a Planet of a Malevolent Nature ; and Iupiter of a Propitious Influence . Zeno was the great Master of the Stoick Philosophy : And Cleanthes was second to him , in Reputation : Cornutus , who was Master or Tutor to Persius , was of the same School . When a Slave was made free ; he had the Priviledge of a Roman Born ; which was to have a share in the Donatives or Doles of Bread , &c. which were Distributed , by the Magistrates amongst the People . The Roman People was Distributed into several Tribes : He who was made free was inroll'd into some one of them ; and thereupon enjoy'd the common Priviledges of a Roman Citizen . The Master , who intended to infranchise a Slave , carried him before the City Praetor , and turn'd him round , using these words ; I will that this Man be free . Slaves had only one Name before their Freedom : After it , they were admitted to a Praenomen , like our Christen'd Names : so Dama ▪ is now call'd Marcus Dama . At the Proof of a Testament , the Magistrates were to subscribe their Names ; as allowing the Legality of the Will. Slaves , when they were set free , had a Cap given them , in Sign of their Liberty . Brutus freed the Roman People from the Tyranny of the Tarquins ; and chang'd the Form of the Government , into a glorious Common-wealth . The Text of the Roman Laws , was written in Red Letters ; which was call'd the Rubrick ; Translated here , in more general words , The Letter of the Law. The Stoicks held this Poradox , That any one Vice , or Notorious Folly , which they call'd Madness , hinder'd a Man from being Virtuous : That a Man was of a piece , without a Mixture ; either wholly Vicious , or Good ; one Virtue or Vice , according to them , including all the rest . The Praetor held a Wand in his hand ; with which he softly struck the Slave on the Head , when he declar'd him free . This alludes to the Play of Terence , call'd the Eunuch ; which was excellently imitated of late in English , by Sir Charles Sedley : In the first Scene of that Comedy , Phoedria was introduc'd with his Man Pamphilus , Discoursing , whether he shou'd leave his Mistress Thais , or return to her , now that she had invited him . He who sued for any Office , amongst the Romans was call'd a Candidate ; because he wore a white Gown : And sometimes Chalk'd it , to make it appear whiter . He rose early , and went to the Levees of those who headed the People : Saluted also the Tribes severally , when they were gather'd together , to chuse their Magistrates ; and Distributed a Largess amongst them , to engage them for their Voices : Much resembling our Elections of Parliament-Men . The Commentators are divided , what Herod this was , whom our Author mentions : Whether Herod the Great , whose Birth● day might possibly be Celebrated , after his Death , by the Herodians , a Sect amongst the Iews , who thought him their Messiah ; or Herod Agrippa , living in the Author's time , and after it . The latter seems the more probable Opinion . The Ancients had a Superstition , contrary to ours , concerning Egg-shells : They thought that if an Egg-shell were crack'd , or a Hole bor'd in the bottom of it , they were Subject to the Power of Sorcery : We as vainly , break the bottom of an Egg-shell , and cross it , when we have eaten the Egg ; lest some Hag shou'd make use of it , in bewitching us , or sailing over the Sea in it , if it were whole . The rest of the Priests of Isis , and her one-ey'd , or squinting Priestess , is more largely treated in the Sixth Satyr of Iuvenal , where the Superstitions of Women are related . THE SIXTH SATYR OF Aulus Persius Flaccus . Translated into ENGLISH VERSE BY Mr. DRYDEN . ARGUMENT OF THE Sixth Satyr . This Sixth Satyr Treats an admirable Common-place of M●ral Philosophy ; of the true Vse of Riches . They are certainly intended by the Power who bestows them , as Instruments and 〈…〉 betwixt these , is the Opinion of the Stoicks : Which is , That Riches may be Vseful to the leading a Virtuous Life ; In case we rightly understand how to Give according to right Reason ; and how to receive what is given us by others . The 〈…〉 Virtue , that Persius writes in this Satyr : Wherein he not only shews the lawful Vse of Riches , but also sharply inveighs against the Vices which are oppos'd to it : And especially of th●se , which consist in the Defects of Giving or Spending ; or in the Abuse of Riches . He writes to Caesius Bassus his Friend , and a Poet also . Enquires first of his Health and Studies ; and afterwards informs him of his own ; and where he is now resident . He gives an account of himself , that he is endeavouring by little and little to wear off his Vices ; and particularly , that he is combating Ambition , and the Desire of Wealth . He dwells upon the latter Vice : And being sensible , that few Men either De●ire , or Use Riches as they ought , he endeavours to convince them of their Folly ; which is the main Design of the whole Satyr . THE SIXTH SATYR . To Caesius Bassus , a Lyrick Poet. HAS Winter caus'd thee , Friend , to change thy Seat , And seek , in 1 Sabine Air , a warm retreat ? Say , do'st thou yet the Roman Harp command ? Do the Strings Answer to thy Noble hand ? Great Master of the Muse , inspir'd to Sing The Beauties of the first Created Spring ; The Pedigree of Nature to rehearse ; And sound the Maker's Work , in equal Verse : Now , 2 sporting on thy Lyre , the Loves of Youth , Now Virtuous Age , and venerable Truth : Expressing justly , Sapho's wanton Art Of Odes ; and Pindar's more Majestick part● For me , my warmer Constitution wants More cold , than our Ligurian Winter grants ; And , therefore , to my Native Shores retir'd , I view the Coast old Ennius once admir'd ; Where Clifts on either side their points display ; And , after , opening in an ampler way , Afford the pleasing Prospect of the Bay. 'T is worth your while , O Romans , to regard The Port of Luna ; says our Learned Bard : Who , in 3 a Drunken Dream , beheld his Soul The Fifth within the Transmigrating roul : Which first a Peacock , then Euphorbus was , Then Homer next , and next Pythagoras ; And last of all the Line did into Enniu● pass . Secure and free from Business of the State ; And more secure of what the vulgar Prate , Here I enjoy my private Thoughts ; nor care What Rots for Sheep the Southern Winds prepare : Survey the Neighb'ring Fields , and not repine , When I behold a larger Crop than mine : To see a Beggar 's Brat in Riches flow , Adds not a Wrinckle to my even Brow ; Nor , envious at the sight , will I forbear My plentious Bowl , nor bate my bounteous Cheer . Nor yet unseal the Dregs of Wine that st●nk Of Cask ; nor in a nasty Flaggon Drink ; Let others stuff their Guts with homely fare ; For Men of diff'rent Inclinations are , Tho born , perhaps , beneath one co●●on Stat. In minds and manners Twins oppos'd ●e ●ee In the same Sign , almost the same Degree : One , Frugal , on his Birth-Day fears to dine : Does at a Penny 's co●t in Herbs repine , And hardly dares to dip his Fingers in the Brine . Prepar'd as Priest of his own Rites , to stand , He sprinkles Pepper with a sparing hand . His Jolly Brother , opposite in sence , Laughs at his Thrift ; and lavish of Expence , Quaffs , Crams , and Guttles , in his own defence . For me , I 'le use my own ; and take my share ; Yet will not Turbots for my Slaves prepare : Nor be so nice in taste my self , to know If what I swallow be a Thrush or no. Live on thy Annual Income ! Spend thy store ; And freely grind , from thy full Threshing-Floor ; Next Harvest promises as much or more . Thus I wou'd live : But Friendship 's holy Band , And Offices of kindness hold my hand : My 4 Friend is Shipwreck'd on the Brutian S●rand . His Riches in ●h ' Ioni●● Main are lost : And he himself stands shiv'ring on the Coast ; Where , destitute of help , forlorn , and bare , He wearies the Deaf Gods with Fruitless Pray'● . Their Images , the Relicks of the W●ack , Torn from the Naked Poop , are tided back , By the wild Waves , and ●udely thrown ashore , Lye impotent : Nor can themselves restore . The Vessel sticks and shews her open'd ●ide , And on her shatte●'d Mast the Mews in Triumph ride . From 5 thy new hope and from thy growing store , Now lend Assistance , and relieve the Poor . Come ; do a Noble Act of Charity : A Pittance of thy Land will set him free . Let him not bear the Badges of a Wrack Nor 6 beg with a blue Table on his back Nor tell me , that thy frowning Heir will say , 'T is mine that Wealth thou squander'st thus away ; What is 't to thee , if he neglect thy Urn ; Or 7 without Spices lets thy Body burn ? If Odours to thy Ashes he refuse , Or buys Corrupted Cassia from the Iews ? All these , the wiser Bestius will reply , Are empty Pomp , and Deadmen's Luxury : We never knew this vain Expence , before Th'effeminated Grecians brought it o're : Now Toys and Trifles from their Athens come : And Dates and Pepper have unsinnew'd Rome . Our sweating Hinds their Sallads , now , defile ; Infecting homely Herbs with fragrant Oyl . But , to thy Fortune be not thou a Slave ; For what hast thou to fear beyond the Grave ? And thou who gap'st for my Estate , draw near ; For I wou'd whisper somewhat in thy Ear. Hear'st thou the News , my Friend ? th' Express is come With Laurell'd Letters from the Camp to Rome : Caesar 8 Salutes the Queen and Senate thus ; My Arms are , on the Rhine , Victorious . From Mourning Altars sweep the Du●t away : Cease Fasting , and proclaim a Fat Thanksgiving Day . The 9 goodly Empress , Jollily inclin'd , Is , to the welcome Bearer , wond'rous kind : And , setting her Goodhousewifry aside , Prepares for all the Pageantry of Pride . The 10 Captive Germans , of Gygantick size , Are ranck'd in order , and are clad in frize : The Spoils of Kings , and Conquer'd Camps we boast , Their Arms in Trophies hang , on the Triumphal post . Now , for so many Glorious Actions done , In Foreign parts , and mighty Battels won ; For Peace at Home , and for the publick Wealth I mean to Crown a Bowl , to Caesar's Health : Besides , in Gratitude for such high matters ▪ Know 11 I have vow'd two hundred Gladiators . Say , woud'st thou hinder me from this Expence ? I Disinherit thee if thou dar'st take Offence . Yet more a publick Largess I design Of Oyl , and Pyes to make the People dine : Controul me not for fear I change my Will ; And yet methinks I hear thee grumbling still , You give as if you were the Persian King ; Your Land does no such large Revenues bring . Well ; on my Terms thou wilt not be my Heir , If thou car'st little , less shall be my care : Were none of all my Father's Sisters lest ; Nay were I of my Mother's Kin bereft ; None by an Uncle's , or a Grandam's side , Yet I cou'd some adopted Heir provide . I need but take my Journey half a day From haughty Rome , and at Aricea stay ; Where Fortune throws poor M●●ius in my way . Him will I chuse : What him , of humble Birth , Obscure , a Foundling , and a Son of Earth ? Obscure ! Why prithee what am I ? I know● My Father , Grandsire , and great Grandsire too : If farther I derive my Pedigree , I can but guess beyond the fourth degree . The rest of my forgotten Ancestors , Were Sons of Earth , like him , or Sons of Whores . Yet why shou'd'st thou , old covetous Wretch , aspir● To be my Heir , who might'st have been my Sire ? In Nature's Race , shou'd'st thou demand of me My 12 Torch , when I in course run after thee ? Think I approach thee , like the God of Gain● With Wings on Head , and Heels , as Poets ●eign : Thy mod'rate Forune from my Guift receive : Now fairly take it , or as fairly leave : But take it as it is , and a●k no more : What , when thou hast embezel'd all thy store ? Where●s all thy Father left ? 'T is true , I grant , Some I have mortgag'd , to supply my want : The Legacies of Tadius too are flown : All spent , and on the self same Errand gone . How little then to my poor share will fall ? Little indeed , but yet that little 's all . Nor tell me , in a dying Father's tone , Be careful still of the main chance , my Son ; Put out the Principal , in ●rusty hands : Live of the Use ; and never dip thy Lands : But yet what 's left for me ? What 's left , my Friend , Ask that again , and all the rest I spend . Is not my Fortune at my own Command ? Pour Oyl ; and pour it with a plenteous hand , Upon my Sallads , Boy : Shall I be fed With sodden Nettles , and a sing'd Sow's head ? T is Holyday ; provide me better Cheer : T is Holyday , and shall be round the Year . Shall I my Houshold Gods , and Genius , cheat , To make him rich , who grudges me my Meat ? That he may loll at ease ; and pamper'd high , When I am laid , may feed on Giblet Pye ? And when his throbbing Lust extends the Vein , Have wherewithall his Whores to entertain ? Shall I in homespun Cloath be clad , that he His Paunch in triumph may before him see . Go Miser , go ; for Lucre sell thy Soul ; Truck Wares for Wares , and trudge from Pole to Pole : That Men may say , when thou art dead and gone , See what a vast Estate he left his Son ! How large a Family of Brawny Knaves , Well fed , and fat as 13 Capadocian Slaves ! Encrease thy Wealth , and double all thy Store ; T is done : Now double that , and swell the score ; To ev'ry thousand add ten thousand more . Then say , 14 Chrysippus , thou who wou'd'st confine Thy Heap , where I shall put an end to mine . The End of the Sixth Satyr . EXPLANATORY NOTES ON THE SIXTH SATYR . AND seek , in Sabine Air , &c. All the Studious , and particularly the Poets , about the end of August , began to set themselves on Work : Refraining from Writing , during the Heats of the Summer . They wrote by Night ; and sate up the greatest part of it . For which Reason the Product of their Studies , was call'd their Elucubrations ; or Nightly Labours . They who had Country Seats retir'd to them , while they Studied : As Persius did to his , which was near the Port of the Moon in Etruria ; and Bassus to his , which was in the Country of the Sabines , nearer Rome . Now sporting on thy Lyre , &c. This proves Caesius Bassus to have been a Lyrick Poet : 'T is said of him , that by an Eruption of the Flameing Mountain Vesuvius , near which the greatest part of his Fortune lay , he was Burnt himself , together with all his Writings . Who , in a Drunken Dream , &c. I call it a Drunken Dream of Ennius ; not that my Author in this place gives me any encouragement for the Epithete ; but because Horace , and all who mention Ennius , say he was an Excessive Drinker of Wine . In a Dream , or Vision , call you it which you please , he thought it was reveal'd to him , that the Soul of Pithagoras was Transmigrated into him : As Pithagoras , before him believ'd , that himself had been Euphorbus in the Wars of Troy. Commentators differ in placing the order of this Soul , and who had it first . I have here given it to the Peacock ; because it looks more according to the Order of Nature , that it shou'd lodge , in a Creature of an Inferiour Species ; and so by Gradation rise to the informing of a Man. And Persius favours me , by saying that Ennius was the Fifth from the Pithagorean Peacock . My Friend is Shipwreck'd on , &c. Perhaps this is only a fine Transition of the Poet , to introduce the business of the Satyr ; and not , that any such Accident had happen'd to one of the Friends of 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 . The others are those in this present Satyr , which are subjoyn'd . — trabe ruptâ . Bruttia Saxa Prendit Amicus inops : Remque omnem , surdaque vota Co●didit Ionio : Iacet ipse in Littore ; & ●nà Ingentes de puppe Dei : Iamque obvia Mergis Costa ratis lacerae . — From thy new hope , &c. The Latin is , Nunc & de Cespite 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 lo●t 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 Shipwreck'd 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 Cinnamun● and Cassia , which Cassia , was sophisticated with Cherry Gum : And probably enough by the Iews ; 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 , 't is plain , that the Latin Names of them are Modern . Caesar Salutes , &c. The Caesar 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 Caesonia , whom I here cal● 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 A●hes which were left there ; after the last Sacrifice for Victory ; or might perhaps mean the Dust or Ashes , which were left on the Altars , si●ce some former Defeat of the Romans , by the Germans : After which overthrow , the Altars had been neglected . Caesonia 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 Messallina , for Adultery . 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 . 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 . Shou'd'st thou demand of me , my Torch , &c. Why shou'd'st thou , who art an Old Fellow , hope to out-live me , and be my Heir , who am much Younger ? He who was first , in the Course , or Race , deliver'd the Torch , which he carried , to him who was Second . 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 shew the good Habit of their Body ; and made to play Tricks before the Buyers , to shew their Activity and Strength . Then say , Chrysippus , &c. Chrysippus the Stoick , invented a kind of Argument , consisting of more than three Propositions ; which is call'd 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 . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A46439-e17160 1 COdrus , or it may be Cordus , a bad Poet who wrote the Life and Actions of Theseus . 2 Telephus , the Name of a Tragedy . 3 Orestes , another Tragedy . 4 Some Commentators take this Grove to be ● Place where Poets were us'd to repeat their Works to the People , but more probably , both this and Vulcan's Grott , or Cave , and the rest of the Places and Names here mention'd , are only meant for the Common Places of Homer , in his Iliads and Odysses . 5 The best and worst ; that is , the best and the worst Poets . 6 This was one of the Themes given in the Schools of Rhetoricians , in the deliberative kind ; Whether Sylla should lay down the Supreme Power of Dictatorship , or still keep it . 7 Lucilius , the first Satyrist of the Romans , who wrote long before Horace . 8 Mevia , a Name put for any Impudent or Mannish Woman . 9 Iuvenal's Barber now grown Wealthy . 10 Crispinus , an Egyptian Slave ; now by his Riches transform'd into a Nobleman . 11 The Romans were grown so Effeminate in Iuvenal's time , that they wore light Rings in the Summer , and heavier in the Winter . 12 Matho , a Famous Lawyer , mention'd in other Places by Iuvenal and Martial . 13 At Lyons ; a City in France , where Annual Sacrifices and Games were made in Honour of Augustus Caesar. 14 Here the Poet complains that the Governours of Provinces being accus'd for their unjust Exactions , though they were condemned at their Tryals , yet got off by Bribery . 15 Horace , who wrote Satyrs : 'T is more Noble , says our Author , to imitate him in that way , than to write the Labours of Hercules , the Sufferings of Diomedes and his Followers , or the Flight of Dedalus who made the Labyrinth , and the Death of his Son Icarus . 16 Nero Marry'd Sporus an Eunuch ; though it may be the Poet meant Nero's Mistress in Mans Apparel . 17 Mecenas is often Tax'd by Seneca and others , for his Effeminacy . 18 The meaning is , that the very consideration of such a Crime , will hinder a Virtuous Man from taking his Repose . 19 Deucalion and Pyrrha , when the World was drown'd , escap'd to the top of Mount Parnassus ; and were commanded to restore Mankind by throwing Stones over their Heads : The Stones he threw became Men , and those she threw became Women . 20 The Ears of all Slaves were bor'd as a Mark of their Servitude ; which Custom is still usual in the East-Indies , and in other Parts , even for whole Nations ; who bore Prodigious holes in their Ears , and wear vast Weights at them . 21 The poor Patrician ; the poor Nobleman . 22 Pallas , a Slave freed by Claudius Caesar , and rais'd by his Favour to great Riches . Licinius was another Wealthy Freedman , belonging to Augustus . 23 Perhaps the Storks were us'd to build on the top of the Temple dedicated to Concord . 24 He calls the Roman Knights , & ● ▪ Harpies , or Devourers : In those Days the Rich made Doles intended for the Poor : But the Great were either so Covetous , or so Needy , that they came in their Litters to demand their shares of the Largess ; and thereby prevented , and consequently starv'd the Poor . 25 The meaning is , that Noblemen wou'd cause empty Litters to be carried to the Giver's Door , pretending their Wives were within them : 'T is Galla , that is , my Wife : the next words Let her Ladyship but peep , are of the Servant who distributes the Dole ; Let me see her , that I may be sure she is within the Litter . The Husband answers , she is asleep , and to open the Litter would disturb her Rest. 26 The Poet here tells you how the Idle pass'd their time ; in going first to the Levees of the Great , then to the Hall , that is , to the Temple of Apollo , to hear the Lawyers Plead , then to the Market-place of Augustus , where the Statues of the Famous Romans were set in Ranks on Pedestals : Amongst which Statues were seen those of Foreigners , such as Arabs , &c. who for no desert , but only on the Account of their Wealth , or Favour , were plac'd amongst the Noblest . 27 A Poet may safely write an Heroick Poem , such as that of Virgil , who describes the Duel of Turnus and Aeneas ; or of Homer , who Writes of Achilles and Hector ; or the death of Hylas the Catamite of Hercules ; who stooping for Water , dropt his Pitcher , and fell into the Well after it . But 't is dangerous to write Satyr like Lucilius . Notes for div A46439-e22680 1 SUppos'd by some , to be Caesar , Pompey , and Crassus ; but by others ( more probably ) Augustus , Anthony , and Lepidus . 2 The Lex Iulia against Adultery . 3 Viz. Deform'd , and so resembling Domitian . 4 The Law so called , from Scantinius , against whom it was put in Execution . 5 Suppos'd to be the Colledge of Priests , appointed by Domitian to Celebrate the Quinquatria to Minerva . 6 Because here Women were Excluded from the Mysteries , as Men were elsewhere from Ceres's Worship . 7 The Goddess of Impudence Worshipp'd at Athens . A Strumpet in her Life time , that us'd to Dance Naked with most Obscene Gestures . 8 An Instance of Extraordinary Effeminacy , it being the Custom for only Women to Swear by Goddesses ; the Men by Iove , Hercules , &c. 9 Alluding to the Priests of the Phrygian Goddesses , who were castrated . 10 Viz. The One to Punish , the Other to Expiate such Unnatural Crimes . 11 He means one of the Salii , or Priests of Mars , who carry'd his Shield and Implements , and was Brawny enough to Dance under them at his Festival . C●elestia Martis Arma ferunt Salii . Ov. Fast. 3. 12 Mars , Father of Romulus , who Founded Rome . 13 Emrods , call'd in Latin , Ficu● . Notes for div A46439-e27040 1 CVmae , a small City in Campania , near Puteoli , or Puzzolo as it is call'd . The Habitation of the C●maean Sybil. 2 Another little Town in Campanio , near the Sea : A pleasant Place . 3 A small Barren Island belonging to the Kingdom of Naples . 4 The Poets in Iuvenal's time , us'd to rehearse their Poetry in August . 5 The second King of Rome ; who made their Laws , and instituted their Religion . 6 Nymph . Aegeria , a Nymph , or Goddess ; with whom Numa feign'd to converse by Night ; and to be instructed by her , in modeling his Superstitions . 7 Where Daedalus , &c. Meaning at C●m●e . 8 Lache●is ; one of the three Desti●ies , whose Office was to spin the Life of every Man : as it was of Clotho to hold the Distaff , and Atropos to cut the Thread . 9 Any debauch'd wicked Fellow who gains by the times . 10 With Thumbs ben● backward . In a Prize of Sword-Players , when one of the Fencers had the other at his Mercy , the Vanquish'd Party implor'd the Clemency of the Spectators . If they thought he deserv'd it not , they held up their Thumbs and bent them backwards , in sign of Death . 11 Praetor in Sicily , Contemporary with Cicero ; by whom accus'd of oppressing the Province , he was Condemn'd : His Name is u●'d here for any Rich Vicious Man. 12 Tagu● , a Famous River in Spain , which discharges it self into the Ocean near Lisbone in Portugal . It was held of old , to be full of Golden Sands . 13 Orontes , the greatest River of Syria : The P●et here puts the River for the Inhabitans of Syria . 14 Tyber ; the River which runs by Rom● 15 First King of Rome ; Son of Mars , as the Poets feign , the first Romans were Originally Herdsmen . 16 But in that Town , &c. He means Athens ; of which , Pallas the Goddess of Arms and Arts was Patroness . 17 Antiochus and Stratocles , two Famous Grecian Mimicks , or Actors in the Poet's time . 18 A Rigid Stoick , &c. P●blius Egnatius a Stoick , falsly accus'd Bareas Soranus ; as Tacitus tells us . 19 Diphilus , and Protogenes , &c. Were Grecians living in Rome . 20 Or him who ●ad , &c. Lucius Metellus the High Priest ; who when the Temple of Vesta was on Fire , sav'd the Palladium . 21 For by the Roscian Law , &c. Roscius a Tribune , who order'd the distinction of Places in Publick Shows , betwixt the Noblemen of Rome and the Plebeians . 22 Where none but only dead Men , &c. The meaning is , that Men in some parts of Italy never wore a Gown ( the usual Habit of the Romans ) till they were bury'd in one . 23 Cossus is here taken for any great Man. 24 Where the tame Pidgeons , &c. The Romans us'd to breed their ●ame Pidgeons in their Garrets . 25 Codrus , a Learned Man , very poor : by his Books suppos'd to be a Poet. For , in all probability , the Heroick Verses here mention'd , which Rats and Mice devour'd , were Homer's Works . 26 He means Herbs , Roots , Fruits , and Sallads . 27 Gygantick Corbulo . Corbulo was a Famous General in Nero's time , who Conquerd Armenia ; and was afterwards put to Death by that Tyrant , when he was in Greece , in reward of his great Services . His Stature was not only tall , above the ordinary Size ; but he was also proportionably strong . 28 T●e Ferry-Man's , &c. Charon the Ferry-Man of Hell ; whose Fare was a Half-penny for every Soul. 29 The Friend of Achilles , was Patroclus who was slain by Hector . 30 Beneath the Kings , &c. Rome was Originally Rul'd by Kings ; till for the Rape of Lucretia , Tarquin the proud was expell'd . After which it was Govern'd by two Consuls , Yearly chosen : but they oppressing the People , the Commoners Mutiny'd ; and procur'd Tribunes to be Created ; who defended their Priviledges , and often oppos'd the Consu ar Authority , and the Senate . 31 Aquinum , was the Birth-place of Iuvenal . Notes for div A46439-e35870 1 IF Laws their course , &c. Ought to descend , &c. Crispinus had deflour'd a Vestal Virgin , but by his Favour with Domitian , she escap'd the Punishment due to her Offence ; which was to be bury'd alive by Numa's Law ; as may be seen in Livy , l. 1. and is more particularly describ'd in Plutarch's Life of Numa . 2 Six thousand of the Roman Sestertii , which makes six Sestertia , according to our Account , 46 l. 17 s. 6 d. 3 Apicius . A Man for Gluttony and Prodigality famous even to a Proverb , who having spent most of his vast Estate upon his Gut , for fear of want poison'd himself , Senec. 4 Part of Italy , near the Adriatick Gulf , where Land it seems , was very cheap , either for the barrenness and cragged heighth of the Mountains , or for the unwholsomness of the Air , and the Wind Atabulus . Horac . Lib. 1. Sat. 5. Montes Apulia notos — quos torret Atabulus & quos Nunquam erepsemus , &c. 5 The Emperor Domitian . 6 The Flavian Race decay'd . Domitian was the last and worst of the Flavian Family , which tho at first obscure , yet had produc'd great and good Men. Reipublica nequaquam paenitenda , says Sueton. 9. For of this Family were Vespasian and Titus . 7 Domitian , who could not so much as bear with Patience the mention of baldness ▪ tho in Jest only , and objected to another , as Suetonius in his Life tells us . And who , for his Cruelty , is here call'd a second Nero. 8 The Emperor Domitian call'd so , either from his Instituting the Colledge of the Alban Priests , of whom he was as it were , Chief ; or for taking upon him the Office of Pontifex Maximus in the Condemnation of the Vestal Virgin Cornetia ; or , more generally , because often the Emperors assum'd both the Title and Office of High Priest. 9 Palphurius and Armillatus . Both Men of Consular Degree : Lawyers , and Spies , and Informers , and so Favourites of Domitian . 10 What remains of Alba , &c. Alba longa built by Ascanius , about fifteen Miles from Rome , was destroy'd after by Tullus Hostilius , the Temples only excepted , ( Liv. l. 1. ) The Albans upon this their Misfortunes neglecting their Worship , were by sundry Prodigies commanded to restore their Ancient Rites , the chief of which was the keeping perpetually burning the Vestal Fire , which was brought thither by Aenaeas and his Trojans as a fatal Pledge of the perpetuity of the Roman Empire . 11 There was a more stately Temple erected to Vesta at Rome by Numa , than this of Alba , where the same Ceremonies were us'd . 12 The Senate always so call'd . Patres Conscripti . 13 Some say that of the People of this Country , which is a part of Illyricum , the Romans made their Cryers , because of their lowd Voyces . Others take Liburnus for the proper Name of one Man — Liburnus that the Senate call'd . 14 A Citizen of Alba , a very Learned Lawyer , and Praefect or Chief Magistrate of Rome . He calls him here Bayliff : As if Rome , by Domitian's Cruelty , had so far lost its Liberty and Priviledges , that it now was no better than a Country Village , and fit to be Govern'd by no better than a Bayliff . 15 Old Crispus , ( Vibius Crispus . ) This was he that made the known Jest upon Domitian's killing Flies . When one day Domitian being alone in his Closet , and being ask'd whether there was any one left within with the Emperor , he answer'd No , not so much as a Fly. The Names and Characters of most of these Senators here mention'd may be found in Suetonius ' Life of Domitian , and in Tacitus . 16 Of an obscure and unknown Family . 17 'T is a known Story , how Brutus finding that his own Brother and some of the most considerable Men of Rome had been put to Death by Tarquinius Superbus , counterfeited himself a Madman or Fool , and so avoided the Tyrant's Cruelty , till he had gain'd a fit time to destroy him , revenge his Brother's and Countrymens Deaths , and free Rome . 18 ●In those Antient and more simple times , when it was the Custom never to shave their Beards : For 400 Years there was no such thing as a Barber heard of in Rome . 19 For Domitian's Cruelty reach'd even to the common People , and those of lower Birth , which ( in the end of this Satyr ) the Poet tells us , caus'd his Destruction . 20 Nero , who wrote a Satyr upon Quintianus , whom he charges with his own Prof●igate Lewdness , and Debauchery . Tacit. Annal. 15. 21 Cornelius Fu●cus , a Noble Man of no manner of Experience , or more knowledge in War Affairs than what he had study'd in his own Country Retirement , was yet by Domitian twice sent with an Army against the Dacians , in the last of which his Army was defeated , and himself slain . 22 The common stands for Beggars . 23 Arviragus . One of the Ancient Brittish Kings . 24 He makes the Flatterer call the sharp Fins rising on the Fishes back , Spears ; and to signifie and portend that Domitian shall stick the like in some Foreign Enemy . 25 Some skilful Potter . Alluding to the old Fable of Prometheus , whose skill in this Art was such , that he made a Man of Clay . 26 The Cirecean Promontory , nam'd from Circe that liv'd there , on the Shore of Campania . 27 The Lucrine Lake . Between Bajae and Puteoli . 28 The Rutupian Shore . Rutupae or Rutupi , an Antient Towns Name on the Kentish Shoar , suppos'd to be our Richborough . These were all Famous in those times for Oysters . Notes for div A46439-e42250 1 A Buffoon and Parasite of Augustus Caesar. The same perhaps with that Sarmentus in Horace . Sat. 3. l. 1. 2 Where common Beggars us'd to place themselves . 3 It was the Custom in Rome for the Clients to attend their Patrons , to salute them in the Morning . Virgil , Martial , &c. 4 That Constellation otherwise call'd the Bear , which appearing always above the Horizon , is said by the Poets never to descend into the Sea. The meaning is , that Trebius was forc'd to run early in the Morning , by the light of those Stars . 5 A Priest of Cybele . 6 From Setia a Town of Campania , renowned for the best Wines . 7 Thrasea and Helvidius his Sons-in-Law , Men of great Virtue , Constancy , and Zeal for the Liberty of their Country ; they were both oppress'd by Nero , Thrasea put to death , and Helvidius banish'd : Tacitus has related at large the Charge and Accusation of Thrasea , with what bravery he received the Order by which he was commanded to dye , and being allowed his choice , opened his Veins with these words , Libemus Iovi Liberatori . Annal. Lib. 16. They are said here to have solemnly observ'd the Birth-days of Brutus and Cassius , the Deliverers of their Country ; which may perhaps be true , tho it be not objected among many things of this kind in Tacitus . 8 An Allusion to that of Virgil describing Aeneas Stellatus , iaspide fulvâ Ensis erat . 9 The Romans mightily affected to be serv'd by beautiful Boys , whom they bought at vast rates . Martial , &c. 10 One of the seven Hills on which Rome was built . 11 The Authors whom I have the opportunity to consult , are not agreed what Fish is meant by Squilla ; I have translated it Sturgeon , I confess at random , but it may serve as well . 12 A Town in Campania , famous for the best Oil. 13 The Name of a King of Mauritania : But here must be understood as the Name of any Noble Moor. 14 A Town of Sicily . 15 One of those whom the Romans call'd H●●redipetae ; who courted and presented the Rich and Childless , in hope to become their Heirs . 16 The Fish of Tyber were for this Reason thought the worst in Italy . 17 The Story of the Cale●onian Bo●r ▪ slain by Meleager , is to be found , Metamor . lib. 8. 18 Rainy and thundring Springs produce abundance of Mushroms , and were therefore desired . Pliny Lib. 19. 19 Rome was supply'd with great Quantities of Corn from Africa , and of Mushroms too it seems . 20 The Name of a Glutton or Parasite . 21 The Name of a famous Thief , who stole the Oxen of Hercules , and drew them into his Den backwards ; but was slain by Hercules , and drag'd out by the Heels . Aeneid . 8. 22 The Census Equestris , about 3125 l. English. Roscius Otho made a Law , that whereas before Roman Gentlemen and Commons sat promiscuously in the Theatres , there shou'd be Fourteen Seats or Benches apart for those who were worth that Sum. 23 An allusion to that of Dido , Si quis mihi parvulus aula ▪ ●●deret Aen●as . The meaning is , thou must have no Child to de●eat hi● hopes of becoming thy Heir . 24 Ironically . 25 His Wife Agrippina gave him a poyson'd one of which he dy'd . See that ingenious Satyr of Seneca , Cla●dij Apocolocyntosis . 26 The Gardens of Alcinous , King of the Phaeacians , are renown'd in Homer and all Antiquity . 27 In the following Lines there is in the Original Reference to the Custom of Roman Children , wearing for distinction of their Quality , the Bulla aurea or Corsacca . I have translated them according to the intent and sense of the Poet , without allusion to those Customs ; which being unknown to meer English Readers , wou'd have only made the Translation as obscure as the Original . 28 Of so many Indignities . 29 I know the Commentators give another sense of these last Lines , but I take them to allude to the manner of the Manumission of Slaves , which was done by giving them a touch or blow on the Head , by their ●ord or the Praetor , with a Wand call'd Vindicta ; and thus the meaning will be that Trebius , weari'd at last , will be glad to be discharg'd from the Slavery of attending , where he finds such usage . Notes for div A46439-e47660 1 IN the Golden Age : when Saturn Reign'd . 2 Acorns were the Bread of Mankind , before Corn was found . 3 When Iove had driven his Father into Banishment , the Silver Age began , according to the Poets . 4 Vneasie Iustice , &c. The Poet makes Justice and Chastity Sisters ; and says that they ●●ed to Heaven together ; and left Earth for ever . 5 When the Roman Women were forbidden to bed with their Husbands . 6 Of whom more Fornicating Stories are told , than any of the other Gods. 7 She fled to Egypt ; which wonder'd at the Enormity of her Crime . 8 He tells the Famous Story of Messalina , Wife to the Emperor Claudius . 9 Wealth has the Priviledge , &c. His meaning is , that a Wife who brings a large Dowry may do what she pleases , and has all the Priviledges of a Widow . 10 A Ring of great Price , which Herod Agrippa gave to his Sister Berenice . He was King of the Iews , but Tributary to the Romans . 11 Mother to the Gracchi , of the Family of the Cornelit ; from whence Scipio the Affrican was descended , who Triumph'd over Hannibal . 12 O Paean , &c. He alludes to the known Fable of Ni●be in Ovid. Amphion was her Husband : Paean is Apollo , who with his Arrows kill'd her Children , because she boasted that she was more fruitful than Latona , Apollo's Mother . 13 The thirty Pigs , &c. He alludes to the white Sow in Virgil , who farrow'd thirty Pigs . 14 Women then learnt Greek , as ours speak French. 15 All the Romans , even the most Inferiour , and most Infamous sort of them , had the Power of making Wills. 16 Go drag that Slave , &c. These are the words of the Wife . 17 Your Reason why , &c. The Answer of the Husband . 18 Call'st thou that Slave a Man ? The Wife again . 19 A Famous Carthaginian Captain ; who was upon the point of Conquering the Romans . 20 The good Goddess . At whose Feasts no Men were to be present . 21 Who lived three hundred Years . 22 What Singer , &c. He alludes to the Story of P. Clodius , who , disguis'd in the Habit of a Singing Woman , went into the House of Caesar , where the Feast of the Good Goddess was Celebrated ; to find an opportunity with Caesar's Wife Pompeia . 23 He taxes Women with their loving Eunuchs , who can get no Children ; but adds that they only love such Eunuchs , as are g●elded when they are already at the Age of Manhood . 24 The God of Lust. 25 A Famous Singing Boy . 26 That such an Actor whom they love might obtain the Prize . 27 He who inspects the Entrails of the Sacrifice , and from thence , foretels the Successor . 28 The God of Smiths . 29 The Ancients thought that with such sounds , they cou'd bring the Moon out of her Eclipse . 30 A Woman who has learn'd Logick . 31 A Woman-Grammarian , who corrects her Husband for speaking false Latin , which is call'd breaking Priscian's Head. 32 That is , of she Asses . 33 Are grown to a Proverb in Latin , for their Cruelty . 34 This dressing up the Head so high , which we call a Tow'r , was an Ancient way amongst the Romans . 35 Bellona's Priests were a sort of Fortune-tellers ; and the High-Priest an Eunuch . 36 A Garment was given to the Priest , which he threw into the River ; and that , they thought , bore all the Sins of the People , which were drown'd with it . 37 Chaldaeans are thought to have been the first Astrologers . 38 Otho succeeded Galba in the Empire ; which was foretold him by an Astrologer . 39 Mars and Saturn are the two Unfortunate Planets ; Iupiter and Venus , the two Fortunate . 40 A Famous Astrologer , an Egyptian . 41 The Brachmans are Indian Philosophers , who remain to this day ; and hold , after Pythagoras , the Translation of Souls from one body to another . 42 His meaning is , help her to any kind of Slops , which may cause her to miscarry ; for fear she may be brought to Bed of a Black-moor , which thou , being her Husband , art bound to Father ; and that Bastard may by Law , Inherit thy Estate . 43 The Romans thought it ominous to see a Blackmoor in the Morning , if he were the first Man they met . 44 Wife to Caius Caligula , the great Tyrant : 'T is said she gave him a Love-Potion , which flying up into his Head , distracted him ; and was the occasion of his committing so many Acts of Cruelty . 45 The Story is in Homer ; where Iuno borrow'd the Girdle of Venus , call'd Cestos ; to make Iupiter in love with her , while the Grecians and Trojans were fighting , that he might not help the latter . 46 Agrippina was the Mother of the Tyrant Nero , who Poyson'd her Husband Claudius , that Nero might Succeed , who was her Son , and not Britannicus , who was the Son of Claudius , by a former Wife . 47 The Widow of Drymon Poison'd her Sons , that she might S●cceed to their Estate : This was done either in the Poet's time , or just before it . 48 Medea , out of Revenge to Iason who had forsaken her , kill'd the Children which she had by him . 49 Who were fifty Sisters , Marry'd to fifty young Men , their Cousin-Germans ; and kill'd them all on their Wedding-Night , excepting Hipermnestra , who sav'd her Husband Linus . 50 The Wife of Agamemnon , who , in favour to her Adulterer Estgyhus , was consenting to his Murther . Notes for div A46439-e61290 1 A Statue Erected in Honour of a Poet. 2 In which the Poets Rehears'd . 3 A Famous Poet , who was in great Favour with the Emperour Augustus Caesar , by the means of his Patron Mecaenas . 4 One of the three Furies . 5 A Favourite to Augustus , and a great Patron of Poets . 6 Mecenas his Boy ; with whom Virgil was in Love. 7 A poor Tragick Poet. 8 An excellent Poet of Athens , who wrote Greek Tragedies . 9 A Rich Nobleman of Rome . 10 A great Poet , who was put to Death by Nero , partly out of Envy to his Poetry , partly , for being in a Plot with his Unckle Seneca and Piso. 11 A poor Poet. 12 Sirnam'd Papinius , a Famous Poet in the ti●● of Caesar Domitian . 13 Paris , a Famous Actor ; and Favourite to Domitian ; the Patron of Statius . 14 The Romans Celebrated their gr●●t Holydays , call'd 〈◊〉 in December ; when every one Drank freely ; and the Slaves were in a manner , Masters . 15 Or rather a publick Notary . 16 In those times the Lawyers got little . 17 Alluding to that of Ovid ; consedere Duces , &c. 18 When an Orator had won a Cause ; a Garland was hung up , before his Door . 19 Treuffles , in English , call'd Ground Chest-nuts , or Pignuts : but perhaps the Authour means Onyons , or Scallions . 20 A Rich Lawyer . 21 The greatest Orator that ever Rome Bred. 22 Was a Rich Lawyer , Basilus and Gallus were very poor . 23 France and Affrica were then , Famous for great Lawyers , and fat Fees. 24 The Victory obtain'd by Hannibal at Cannae ; after which , if he h●d immediately attempted Rome , in all probability , he had carried it . 25 A notable Sorceress , Daughter of Aetes King of Colchos , and Wife to Iason , who left her afterwards , and Married another . 26 Daughter of 〈◊〉 King of 〈◊〉 , was Ravish'd by Tereus King of Thrace , who cut out her Tongue that she might not disclose the Secret. 27 Phaedra Wife of Theseus , who fell in Love with her Son in Law Hippolytus , and because she could not obtain her ends of him , Accus'd him to his Father that he would have forc'd her . 28 In any Dole , made by the Emperour or one of the City Magistrates , the poor Citizens had each a Talley given them ; which they shew'd first , and then receiv'd their proportion . 29 A Famous Man both in Rhetorick and Oratory , who Taught School in the times of Galba , Domitian , and Trajan , and receiv'd his Salary out of the Emperour's Treasury . 30 〈…〉 was Lieutenant to Marc Antony ; and the first who beat the Parthians in three Battels . 31 Here is meant Tullus Servius , one of the Roman Kings . 32 Thrasymachus , a Rhetorician of Carthage , who Hang'd himself by Reason of his Poverty . 33 Secundus Carinas ; who ws Banish'd from Rome , by the Emperour Caligula , for declaiming against Tyrants . 34 When Socrates was Condemn'd to Dye by Poyson , he wanted Money to pay for the juice of Hemlock which he was ●o Drink ; and desir'd one of his Friends , to lay it down for him , and satisfie the Fees of the Executioner . 35 The Son of Peleus and Thetis , who had Chiron the Centaur for his Tutor . 36 call'd Tully an Allobroge ; as if his Latine were Barbarous , and not truly Roman . 37 A poor Grammarian , but of great esteem . 38 Sirnam'd Maro ; the Favourite Poet of Augustus C●sar . 39 Here is meant Tribunus Aerarius , who took cognizance only of Causes of less moment , not the Tribunus Pl●bis , as Britannicus imagin'd . 40 Was Father of Aeneas the Trojan , who was the Founder of Rome . 41 The Son of Rhaetus , a King in Italy , Ravish'd his Stepmother Casperia . 42 A King of Sicily ; who kindly Entertain'd Aenaeas in his Voyage . 43 The People were us'd at their Sword-plays , to gather Money for the Conquerour . Notes for div A46439-e68610 1 THE Family of the Fabii were descended of Hercules ( in Honour of whom the Romans built a Temple in the Foro Boario . ) Fabius Maximus in remembrance of his Services in the Wars , against the People of Provence , Languedoc , Dauphiny ▪ and other Provinces of France ( formerly known by the Name of Allobroges ) was Sirnamed Allobrogicus ; which Title his Son wou'd have assumed , whom our Author here Censures , as a Man of an Effeminate Person , a profligate Life , and of Dangerous Practices . 2 Brave and Virtuous Romans . 3 The Rods and Ax , which were carry'd in Processions , as Badges of the Consular Dignity . 4 Such as Getulicus , Africanus , Numantinus , Creticus . 5 Osyris , for teaching the Aegyptians Husbandry , had a Temple built at Memphis ; where he was Worshipt in the shape of an Ox , which the Priests used to Drown at a certain Age ; and gave out , their God was withdrawn , and absented himself for a few Days ; during which time 't was their Custom to go Mourning and searching up and down , till they found another Ox to supply his place , and then they broke out with these Exclamations , We have found him , let 's rejoyce . 6 The first King of Athens . 7 I have taken the Liberty to give this Simile a Modern Air , because it happens to agree exactly with the Humour of our Author . 8 ( Meaning your Ancestors . ) Rubellius Plancus . 9 Phalaris was a Tyrant of Agrigentum in Sicily ; to flatter whose Cruelty , Perillus invented a Brazen Bull , wherein People might be Roasted alive , and their Cries were not unlike the bellowings of an Ox : But the Tyrant had the Justice to reward the Artizen as he deserv'd , by making him first try the Experiment . This and the 7 following Verses are a sort of Paraphrase upon 2 lines of the Original , which I was forced to enlarge , because the sence of the Author is too close and obscure . 10 ( Speaking to Ponticus ) 11 ( Any poor Man who is Oppress'd . ) 12 Famous Painters , Statuaries , and other Artizens . 12 Famous Painters , Statuaries , and other Artizens . 12 Famous Painters , Statuaries , and other Artizens . 12 Famous Painters , Statuaries , and other Artizens . 13 Proconsuls of Asia and Sicily . 14 Returning to Ponticus . 15 The Inhabitants of these places were Effeminate , and easie to be enslav'd . 16 The People of Africk , who supply'd Rome with Corn. 17 Marius Priscus . 18 The first King of the Latins . 19 The Poet in this place speaks neither to Rubellius nor Pontic●● , but in general to any Perjur'd , or Debauch'd Nobleman . 20 Numa P●mpilius ( the Second King of Rome ) the better to Civilize the savage Humour of the People , first introduc'd among them the fear and Worship of the Gods , and instituted the Rites and Ceremonies of Priests , Oaths , and Sacrifices . 21 Hippona was the Goddess of Jockies and Horses . 22 Ostia , the Mouth of the River Tyber . 23 Meaning Nero , whom he Censures severely in the Pages following , Fig. 33. 24 This Period is perplext , and I fear will not be understood in our Language , being only a Description of the Roman Gladiators , who were of two sorts , and had different Names according to the Arms and Habit they appear'd with , one fought with a Cymiter in his right Hand ▪ a Target on his left Arm , and an Helmet on his Head ; he was call'd Mirmillo , or Secutor . The other wore a short Coat without Sleeves ▪ call'd Tunica ; a Hat on his Head ; he carried in his right Hand a Javelin Fork'd like a Trident , call'd Fuscina ; and on his left Arm a Nett , in which he endeavour'd to catch his Adversary , and from thence was call'd Retiarius . The meaning of the Poet , is , to reprehend Gracchus ( whom he had before rebuked in the 2d Satyr ) for 3 Vices at once : For his Baseness , for as much as being a Nobleman he will condescend to fight upon the publick Theater : For his Impudence , in not chusing an Habit which might have kept him Disguis'd , and hindred him from being known : And for his Cowardise , in running away . 25 For the clearer understanding of what follows , it may be Necessary to give a short Abridgment of Nero's Cruelties , Follies , and End : Which may be found at large in his Life , written by Suetonius and Tacitus , and in the Continuation which Mr. Saville has added to his Translation of the last of these Authors , by way of Supplement to what is wanting betwixt the Annals and the History . But I shall only relate what I find mention'd in this Satyr , and shall begin with his Parricides . 26 Upon suspicion that Seneca his Tutor , had some Knowledge of the Conspiracy which Piso was carrying on against his Person , Nero laid hold on this Oportunity to Rid himself of the uneasie Censurer of his Vices , yet allow'd him the liberty of chusing the Manner of his Death . Seneca was apprehensive of Pain , and therefore desired to have his Veins opened , which he judg'd might be the most easie and pleasant Method of Dying : But finding it too tedious , he prevail'd with his Friend and Phisitian , Annaeus Statius , to give him a Draught of Poyson ; which too operating very slowly , by Reason his Veins were exhausted , and his Limbs chill'd , the Standers by , to make quicker dispatch , smother'd him with the steem of an hot Bath . Iuvenal not unjustly places this Murder of Seneca among Nero's Parricides , since a Tutor ought to be esteem'd as a Civil Parent . 27 This bold Thought and Expression of Iuvenal is grounded on the Roman Laws whereby Par●icides were Condemn'd to be sow'd up in a Bag ( call'd Cule●s ) with a Cock , a Monkey , a Serpent , and a Dog , and thrown together into the Sea , or any Neighbouring River . This Punishment of drowning in a Sack ▪ is still us'd in several Parts of Germany , but without the Company of those Creatures abovemention'd . 28 The Story of Orestes ( betwixt whom and Nero , Iuvenal wou'd draw a Parallell ) is this ; his Mother Clytemnestra finding her Husband Agamemnon was return'd alive from the Siege of Troy , and fearing he might Revenge her Amours with Egystheus , with whom she had lived in Adultery during her Husband's absence , she thought the safest way might be , to Assassinate Agamemnon , by the help of Egystheus , at his first Reception , and before he cou'd suspect such an attempt . The manner how they dispatch'd him , is reported differently . Some Auth●rs relate that as he was changing his Linnen , he was stifled in a Shirt ●ow●d together at the Neck . But Homer in the 4th and 11th Books of his Odyssea , where he describes this Murder , is of Iuvenal's Opinion , that he was kill'd at a Banquet , when he little expected such Treatment . Egystheus after this Murder Married Clytemnestra , and Usurp'd the Kingdom of Mycena 7 Years : During which time Orestes grew up to Man's Estate , and by the instigation of his Sister Electra , and the Assistance of some Neighbouring Princes , march'd from Athens , Destroy'd and Murther'd the Usurper ; and at last , under pretence of being Mad , stab'd his Mother . Homer ( as well as our Author ) justifies this Revenge , as being undertaken by the Advice of the Gods : And Paterculus infers they must needs have approved the Action , since Orestes ( after it ) lived long , and Reigned Happily . 29 Nero cou'd not suffer his Mother Agrippina , because of her encroaching on his Government ; for which Reason he made frequent Attempts upon her Life , but without success , till at last Anicetus his Bondman undertook to stab her , which she perceiving , and guessing by whose Orders he came , clapt her hand upon her Belly , and bid him ( with great presence of Mind ) strike there , supposing it deserv'd that Punishment for bearing such a Monster . 31 Britannicus ( his Brother by Adoption ) was Poison'd by his Orders , out of jealousie lest he shou'd supplant him . And Antonia ( Claudius's Daughter ) was Executed under pretence of a Conspiracy , but in truth because she refused to Marry Nero after the Death of Poppaea . 30 He ordered his first Wife Octavia to be publickly Executed , upon a false Accusation of Adultery , and kill'd his second Wife Poppaea , when she was big with Child , by a kick on the Belly . 32 He caus'd Rufinus Crispinus , Son to Poppaea , to be Drown'd as he was Fishing ; and Aulus Plancus , a Relation of his Mothers , to be kill'd because she was fond of him . I need mention no more of these unnatural Murders , but go on to his other Extravagancies . 33 He was Industrious to be esteem'd the best Musitian of his Age ; and at his Death regretted nothing more sensibly , than that the World shou'd lose so great a Master . To maintain this Reputation , he frequently condescended to Act and Sing upon the Theater among the ordinary Comedians , and took a journey to Greece on purpose to try his skill against the most Famous Artists of that Country ; from whom he bore away the Garland ( which was the usual Recompence of the first performer ) return'd to Rome in Triumph , as if he had Conquer'd a Province ; and order'd both the Garland and Instrument to be hung up among the Banners and Honours of his Family . 34 He had likewise a great Vanity towards being thought a good Poet , and made Verses on the Destruction of Troy , call'd Troica ; and 't is reported he burnt Rome to be more lively and natural in his Description : Tho 't is more probable he destroy'd the Old-Fashion'd Buildings ▪ out of dislike to the narrowness and crookedness of the Streets , and to have the Honour of rebuilding the City better , and calling it by his own Name . 35 These monstrous Frolicks and Cruelties cou'd not but make his People weary of his Government . Virginius Rufus , who was his Lieutenant General in Gaule , by the Assistance of Iunius Vindex ( a Nobleman of that Country ) soon perswaded the Armies under his Command to fall from their Allegiance ; and sollicited Sergius Galba , who was Lieutenant General in Spain , to do the like , by offering him the Empire in favour of Mankind ; which he at last accepted , upon intimation that Nero had issued out secret Orders to dispatch him ; and March'd with all the Forces he cou'd gather , towards Rome . Nero not being in a Condition to oppose such Troops , fell into Dispair , which turn'd to an uncertainty what Measures to take , whether to Poyson himself , or beg Pardon of the People , or endeavour to make his Escape . The last of these Methods seem'd most Adviseable ; he therefore put himself into Disguise , and crept with four Attendants only into a poor Cottage ; where perceiving he was pursued , as a Sacrifice to the Publick Vengeance , and apprehending the Rabble wou'd Treat him Barbarously , if he fell into their Hands ; with much adoe he resolv'd to Stab himself . 33 He was Industrious to be esteem'd the best Musitian of his Age ; and at his Death regretted nothing more sensibly , than that the World shou'd lose so great a Master . To maintain this Reputation , he frequently condescended to Act and Sing upon the Theater among the ordinary Comedians , and took a journey to Greece on purpose to try his skill against the most Famous Artists of that Country ; from whom he bore away the Garland ( which was the usual Recompence of the first performer ) return'd to Rome in Triumph , as if he had Conquer'd a Province ; and order'd both the Garland and Instrument to be hung up among the Banners and Honours of his Family . 33 He was Industrious to be esteem'd the best Musitian of his Age ; and at his Death regretted nothing more sensibly , than that the World shou'd lose so great a Master . To maintain this Reputation , he frequently condescended to Act and Sing upon the Theater among the ordinary Comedians , and took a journey to Greece on purpose to try his skill against the most Famous Artists of that Country ; from whom he bore away the Garland ( which was the usual Recompence of the first performer ) return'd to Rome in Triumph , as if he had Conquer'd a Province ; and order'd both the Garland and Instrument to be hung up among the Banners and Honours of his Family . 36 Catiline's Conspiracy is a Story too well known to be insisted on : He was of a Noble Family , but by his Extravagancies had reduced himself to great want , which engaged him in bad Practices . The Roman Armies were then pursuing Conquests in remote Provinces , which Catiline judg'd the most seasonable opportunity for undertaking some desperate Design : He therefore entred into a Conspiracy with Cethegus , Lentulus , and other Senators , and Persons considerable by their Births and Employments , to make themselves absolute Masters of their Country , by seizing the Senate , plundering the Treasury , and burning the City . 37 Incendiaries by the Roman Law were wrapt in a Pitch'd Coat ( which they call'd Tunica Molesta ) and Burnt alive : As we see by Tacitus Ann. 16. § 44. Where Nero after having set Rome on Fire , lays the blame and Punishment on the Christians , by ordering them , with a Cruel jest , to be Light up , and serve as Torches when it was dark . 38 One Fulvia ( whom Livy calls a Common Whore , tho Plutarch makes her pass for a Lady of Quality ) came to have some knowledge of this Enterprize , and discover'd it to Cicero , ( a Person whom Paterculus elegantly calls Vir●m novitatis Nobilissimae ; since he was a Man of Mean Parentage , Born at Arpinum , an inconsiderable Town among the Volscians , but by his Eloquence rais'd himself to the chief Dignities of State , and happened to be Consul at that time ) who assembled the Senate , and by a severe Oration accused and convicted Catiline : However he , with a few of his Party ▪ found means to make his escape towards Tuscany , and put himself at the Head of some Troops which Manlius had got together in those Parts , threatning publickly that he wou'd put out the Fire of the City by the Ruins of it . In the mean time Cethegus , Lentulus , and several other Complices were seiz'd and strangled in Prison by order of the Senate , at Cato's perswasion : And Caius Antonius Nepos , who was joint-Consul with Tully , March'd with what Forces he cou'd raise against Catiline , who in a sharp Battle was kill'd upon the Spot with most of his Followers , and ( as Paterculus observes ) Quem spiritum supplicio debuerat , praelio reddidit . 39 A Promontory of Epirus , near the Island Leucas , where Antony and Cleopatra were Ruin'd by a Famous Sea-Fight . 40 The Fields near Philippi , in Thessaly , where Brutus and Cassius were defeated . 41 Caius Marius , was likewise Born at Arpinum , and of such poor Parents , that he was first a Plowman , then a Common Souldier , yet at last by his Merit arrived to the highest Employments . One while he was Consul ( for that Honour was 7 times conferr'd on him ) the Cimbria●s attempted to make an Incursion into Italy ; But he kill'd 140000 of them , and made 60000 Prisoners ; For which Victory , a Triumph was ordain'd him by the Senate ; but to decline the Envy which might be rais'd by his Good Fortune , he sollicited that Q. Luctatius Catulus , his Collegue , who was of a Noble Family , might be permitted to Triumph with him , tho he had no share in the Action . 42 Among the Romans there was a Superstition , that if their General wou'd consent to be Devoted , or Sacrificed to Iupiter , Mars , the Earth , and the Infernal Gods , all the Misfortunes which otherwise might have hapned to his Party , wou'd by his Death be transfer'd on their Enemies . This Opinion was confirm'd by several successful Instances , particularly two , in the Persons of the Decii , Father and Son here mention'd . The first being Consul with Manlius in the Wars against the Latins , and perceiving the Left Wing , which he Commanded , gave back , he call'd out to Valerius the High-Priest to perform on him the Ceremony of Consecration , ( which we find describ'd by Livy in his 8th Book ) and immediately spurr'd his Horse into the thickest of his Enemies Forces , where he was kill'd , and the Roman Army gain'd the Battle . His Son Died in the same manner in the War against the Gauls , and the Romans likewise obtain'd the Victory . 43 Servius Tullus was Son to Oriculana , whom Iuvenal calls a Serving-Maid , but Livy supposes her to have been Wife to a Prince of Corniculum , who was kill'd at the taking of the Town , and his Wife was carri'd away Captive by Tarquinius Priscus , and presented as a Slave to his Wi●e Tanaquil , in whose Service she was deliver'd of this Tullus . The Family had a great Respect for the Child , because of a Lambent Fire they observ'd to play about his Head while he slept , which was interpreted as an Omen of his future Greatness ; therefore care was taken of his Education , and at last he was Contracted to the King's Daughter : Whereupon A●cus Martius his 2 Sons ( who were the true Heirs of the Crown ) fearing this Marriage might hinder their Succession , hired two Shepherds to Assassinate Tarquinius , which they undertook , but cou'd not Execute so dextrously as was expected ; for , the King lived some days after the blow was given , during which time Tanaquil caus'd the Gates of the Pallace to be kept shut , and amused the People ( who were eager on a new Election ) with assurances that the Wound was not Mortal , That the King was in a fair way of Recovery , and till he cou'd appear abroad , required them to pay Obedience to Servius Tullius : Who by this means first got possession of the Government in the King's Name , and after his Death Usurp'd it 44 Years in his own . At last he was forced out of the Senate by Lucius Tarquinius , thrown down Stairs , and Murder'd by his Orders . Livy adds this Commendation , That with him Iusta ac legitima regna occidêrunt ; which agrees with Iuvenal's calling him The last good King ; For , Tarquin , who Reign'd 25 Years after him , was hated for his Pride and Cruelty , and for the Barbarous Rape which his Son Sextus committed on Lucretia , Wise to Collatinus ; who by the help of L. Iunius Brutus reveng'd this injury , by driving Tarquin and his whole Race out of Rome , which from that time began to be Govern'd by Consuls ; and the better to secure their Liberty , Brutus Administred an Oath by which the Romans oblig'd themselves never to suffer any more Kings , and made a Decree ( which prov'd fatal to his Family ) whereby it was declared a Capital Crime in any Person who shou'd endeavour by any means to bring back the Tarquins . However they gave not over their Pre●ensions , but send Embassadours under pretence of solliciting that their Estates at least might be restored them , but underhand to insinuate themselves among the loose Young Noblemen ( who grew weary of a Common-Wealth , because the Rigour of their new Laws did not tolerate that licentious way of living which they enjoy'd under the Government of their Kings ) and to concert with them the best Methods towards their Restoration . This Design was first proposed to the Aquilii and Vitellii : The last of these were Brothers to Brutus his Wife , and by that Alliance easily engag'd Titus and Tiberius ( two Sons he had by her ) in the Conspiracy , the sum of which was , That the Gates of the City shou'd be left open for the Tarquins to enter in the Night-time ; and that the Embassadors might be assured of their sincerity , each Member of the Cabal deliver'd them , the Night before they were to return , Letters under their own hands for the Tarquins , with Promises to this effect . 44 Tarquin , who Reign'd 25 Years after him , was hated for his Pride and Cruelty , and for the Barbarous Rape which his Son Sextus committed on Lucretia , Wi●e to Collatinus ; who by the help of L. Iunius Brutus reveng'd this injury , by driving Tarquin and his whole Race out of Rome , which from that time began to be Govern'd by Consuls ; and the better to secure their Liberty , Brutus Administred an Oath by which the Romans oblig'd themselves never to suffer any more Kings , and made a Decree ( which prov'd fatal to his Family ) whereby it was declared a Capital Crime in any Person who shou'd endeavour by any means to bring back the Tarquins . However they gave not over their Precensions , but send Embassadours under pretence of solliciting that their Estates at least might be restored them , but underhand to insinuate themselves among the loose Young Noblemen ( who grew weary of a Common-Wealth , because the Rigour of their new Laws did not tolerate that licentious way of living which they enjoy'd under the Government of their Kings ) and to concert with them the best Methods towards their Restoration . This Design was first proposed to the Aquilii and Vitellii : The last of these were Brothers to Brutus his Wife , and by that Alliance easily engag'd Titus and Tiberius ( two Sons he had by her ) in the Conspiracy , the sum of which was , That the Gates of the City shou'd be left open for the Tarquins to enter in the Night-time ; and that the Embassadors might be assured of their sincerity , each Member of the Cabal deliver'd them , the Night before they were to return , Letters under their own hands for the Tarquins , with Promises to this effect . 45 Titus and Tiberius ( two Sons he had by her ) in the Conspiracy , the sum of which was , That the Gates of the City shou'd be left open for the Tarquins to enter in the Night-time ; and that the Embassadors might be assured of their sincerity , each Member of the Cabal deliver'd them , the Night before they were to return , Letters under their own hands for the Tarquins , with Promises to this effect . 46 L. Iunius Brutus reveng'd this injury , by driving Tarquin and his whole Race out of Rome , which from that time began to be Govern'd by Consuls ; and the better to secure their Liberty , Brutus Administred an Oath by which the Romans oblig'd themselves never to suffer any more Kings , and made a Decree ( which prov'd fatal to his Family ) whereby it was declared a Capital Crime in any Person who shou'd endeavour by any means to bring back the Tarquins . However they gave not over their Precensions , but send Embassadours under pretence of solliciting that their Estates at least might be restored them , but underhand to insinuate themselves among the loose Young Noblemen ( who grew weary of a Common-Wealth , because the Rigour of their new Laws did not tolerate that licentious way of living which they enjoy'd under the Government of their Kings ) and to concert with them the best Methods towards their Restoration . This Design was first proposed to the Aquilii and Vitellii : The last of these were Brothers to Brutus his Wife , and by that Alliance easily engag'd Titus and Tiberius ( two Sons he had by her ) in the Conspiracy , the sum of which was , That the Gates of the City shou'd be left open for the Tarquins to enter in the Night-time ; and that the Embassadors might be assured of their sincerity , each Member of the Cabal deliver'd them , the Night before they were to return , Letters under their own hands for the Tarquins , with Promises to this effect . 47 Horatius Cocles being Posted to guard a Bridge , which he perceived the Enemy wou'd soon be Maste● of , he stood resolutely and opposed part of their Army , while the Party he Commanded , repass'd the Bridge , and broke it down after them ; and then threw himself , Armed as he was , into the Tyber , and escaped to the City . 48 Mutius Scaevola went into the Enemies Camp with a Resolution to kill their King Porsenna , but instead of striking him , stabb'd one of his Guards ; and being brought before the King , and finding his Errour , in indignation he burn'd off his Right hand as a Penalty for his mistake . 49 Clelia , a Roman Virgin , who was given to Porsenna as an Hostage , made her escape from the Guards , and swam over the Tyber . 50 Vindicius , a Slave who waited at Table , by chance overheard part of their Discourse ; and comparing these Circumstances with some others he had observ'd in their former Conferences , he went streight to the Consul 's , and told what he had discover'd . Orders were immediately issued out for searching the Embassadors , the Letters abovemention'd were intercepted , the Criminals seiz'd , and the proof being evident against them , they suffered the Punishment ( which was newly introduced ) of being tyed Naked to a Stake , where they were firs● 〈◊〉 by t●e Lictors , then Beheaded : And Brutus , by Virtue of his Office , was unhappily obliged to see this Rigorous Sentence Executed on his old Children . To pursue the Story ; the Tarquins finding their Plot had miscarried , and fearing nothing cou'd be done by treachery , struck up an Alliance with Porsenna King of Thuscany , who pretending to restore them by open force , march'd with a numerous Army , and besieg'd Rome : But was soon surpriz'd with three such Instances of the Roman Bravery , in the Persons of Cocles , Mutius , and Clelia , that he withdrew his Army , and courted their Friendship . * The ugly Buffoon of the Grecian Army . 51 Romulus finding the City , call'd by his Name , not sufficiently Peopled , establish'd an Asylum , or Sanctuary , where all Out-laws , Vagabonds , and Criminals of what Nature soever , who cou'd make their escape thither , might live in all freedom and security . 52 The Author either means the Bastard of Mars , and R●ea Sylvia , a Vestal Virgin , of whose Rape we have a Relation in the beginning of Ovid's 3d Book de Fastis , or a Parricide , for killing his Brother Remus . Notes for div A46439-e82770 1 A Phrygian , who challenging Apollo at Musick , was overcome , and flead alive for his Presumption . 2 A Fop in Rome , that had run out his Estate . 3 The Temples , and Images of their Gods , were ( by Night ) the Common Places of Assignation . 4 To the Temple of Ceres , only the Chast and strictest Matrons were admitted , &c. 5 A small Coin among the Romans . 6 A Gyant of Sicily , and one of the Cyclops , who had but one Eye , and that in his forehead , which Vlysses by craft put out , and escap'd from him , &c. 7 The Areopagus , or Court of Justice at Athens , where they gave Sentence by Characters and Signs , &c. 8 The common Name of a Shepherd , which he applies to Nevolus , for his ignorance and simplicity , in thinking the Vices of Great Men can be conceal'd . 9 The 7 Hills on which Rome was built . 10 M●●sia , a place near Tusca●y , famous for the great 〈◊〉 and strength of the Inhabit●●●●● . 11 Mermaids on the Coast of Sicily , whose Charms Vlysses ( being forewarn'd ) avoided by stopping his Mariners Ears with Wax , and so Sail'd by them securely ; at which Disappointment they threw themselves into the Sea , and were turned into Rocks , &c. Hom. Odyss . l. 12. Notes for div A46439-e86710 1 MIlo , of Crotona ; who for a Tryal of his strength , going to rend an Oak , perish'd in the Attempt : for his Arms were caught in the Trunk of it ; and he was devour'd by Wild Beasts . 2 Sejanus was Tiberius's first Favourite ; and while he continu'd so , had the highest Marks of Honour bestow'd on him ; Statues and Trium● phal Chariots were every where erected to him . But as soon as he fell into Disgrace with the Emperor , these were all immediately dismounted ; and the Senate and Common People insulted over him as meanly , as they had sawn'd on him before . 3 The Island of Capreae , which lies about a League out at Sea from the Campanian Shore , was the Scene of Tiberius's Pleasures in the latter part of his Reign . There he liv'd for some Years with Diviners , Soothsayers , and worse Company — And from thence , dispatch'd all his Orders to the Senate . 4 Iulius Caesar , who got the better of P●mpey , that was stil'd the Great . 5 Demosthenes and Tully , both dyed for their Oratory . Demosthenes gave himself Poyson , to avoid being carried to Antipater ; one of Alexander's Captains , who had then made himself Master of Athens . Tully was Murther'd by M. Antony's Order , in Return , for those Invectives he had made against him . 6 The Latin of this Couplet is a Famous Verse of Tully's , in which he sets out the Happiness of his own Consulship ; Famous for the Vanity , and the ill Poetry of it . For Tully as he had a good deal of the one , so he had no great share of the other . 7 The Orations of Tully , against M. A●●ony , were stil'd by him Philippics , in imitation of Demosthenes ; who had given that Name before to those he made against Philip of Macedon . 8 This is a Mock-Account of a Roman Triumph . 9 Babylon , where Alexander dy'd . 10 Xerxes , is represented in History , after a very Romantick Manner ; affecting Fame beyond Measure , and doing the most Extravagant things , to compass it . Mount Athos made a Prodigious Promontory in the AEgaean Sea : He is said to have cut a Channel through it , and to have Sail'd round it . He made a Bridge of Boats over the Hellespont , where it was three Miles broad : ●And order'd a Whipping for the Winds and Seas , because they had once crossed his Designs , as we have a very solemn account of it in Herodotus . But , after all these vain Boasts , he was shamefully beaten by Themistocles at Salamis ; and return'd home , leaving most of his Fleet behind him . 11 Mercury , who was a God of the lowest size , and employ'd always in Errands between Heaven and Hell. And Mortals us'd him accordingly : For his Statues were anciently plac'd , where Roads met ; with Directions on the Fingers of 'em , pointing out the several ways to Travellers . 12 Nestor , King of Pylus ; who was 300 Years old , according to Homer's account , at least , as he is understood by his Expositors . 13 The Ancients counted by their Fingers . Their Left Hands serv'd 'em till they came up to an Hundred . After that , they us'd their Right , to express all greater Numbers . 14 The Fates were three Sisters , which had all some peculiar Business assign'd 'em by the Poets , in Relation to the Lives of Men. The First held the Distaff ; the Second Spun the Thread ; and the Third cut it . 15 Whilst Troy was Sacking by the Greeks . Old King Priam is said to have Buckled on his Armour , to oppose ' em . Which he had no sooner done , but he was met by Pyrrhus , and Slain before the Altar of Iupiter , in his own Palace , as we have the Story finely told , in Virgil's 2d AEneid . 16 Hecuba , his Queen , escap'd the Swords of the Grecians , and out-liv'd him . It seems , she behav'd her self so fiercely , and uneasily to her Husband's Murtherers , while she liv'd , that the the Poets thought fit to turn her into a Bitch , when she dy'd . 17 Mithridates , after he had disputed the Empire of the World for 40 Years together , with the Romans , was at last depriv'd of Life and Empire by Pompey the Great . 18 Craesus , in the midst of his Prosperity , making his Boast to S●l●n , how Happy he was , receiv'd this Answer from the Wi●e Man , That on One could pronounce himself Happy , till he saw what his End should be●● Th●● truth of this Craesus found , when he was put in Chains by Cyrus , and Condemned to die . 19 Pompey , in the midst of his Glory , fell into a Dangerous Fit of Sickness , at Naples . A great many Cities then made Publick Supplicat●ons for him . He Recover'd , ● was beaten at Pharsalia , fled to Ptolomy King of AEgypt ; and , instead of receiving Protection at his Court , had his Head ●truck off by his Order , to please Caesar. 20 Cethegus was one that conspir'd with Catiline , and was put to Death by the Senate . 21 Catiline dy'd Fighting . 22 Virginia was kill'd by her own Father , to prevent her being expos'd to the Lust of Appius Claudius , who had Ill Designs upon her . The Story at large is in Livy's Third Book ; and 't is a remarkable one , as it gave occasion to the putting down the Power of the Decemviri ; of whom Appius was one . 23 Hippolytus the Son of Theseus , was lov'd by his Mother in Law ●haedria . But he not complying with her , she procur'd his Death . 24 Bellerophon , the Son of King Glaucus , residing sometime at the Court of Paetus King of the Argives , the Queen , Sthenobaea , fell in Love with him . But he refusing her , she turn'd the Accusation upon Him ; and he narrowly scap'd Paetus's Vengeance . 25 Messalina , Wife to the Emperor Claudius , Infamous for her Lewdness . She set her Eyes upon C. S●lius , a fine Youth ; forc'd him to quit his own Wife , and Marry her with all the Formalities of a Wedding , whilst Claudius Caesar was Sacrificing at Hostia . Upon his Return , he put both Silius and her to Death . Notes for div A46439-e96370 1 The Name of a very Eminent Person in Rome : But here it is meant to signifie any one of Great Wealth and Quality . 2 One who by his own Extravagant Gluttony , was at length reduc'd to the most shameful Degree of Poverty . This likewise , is here made use of , as a Common Name to all Beggarly Gluttons , such whose unreasonable Appetites remain after their Estates are Consumed . 3 Sometimes Persons were compell'd , by the Tyranny of Nero , to Practice the Trade of Fencing , and to Fight upon the Stage , for his Inhumane Diversion ; otherwise , seldom any but Common Slaves or Condemn'd Malefactors were so employ'd : Which made it the greater Reflection , on any Person who either Voluntarily , or forced by his own Extravagance , for a Livelyhood ( like Rutilus ) apply'd himself to that wretched Trade . Restrain'd by no Advice . Hinting , that though he was not compell'd to such a Practice of Fencing ; yet it was a shame that he was suffer'd to undertake it , and not advised , or commanded by the Magistracy , to the contrary . 4 Of the same wretched kind , viz. Reduced to Poverty by riotous living . 5 Broken , or desaced : that it might not be discover'd to be his Mother's Picture , when expos'd to Sale. 6 A Noble Roman , who liv'd Hospitably . 7 An Impudent , Deformed , Ill-Tongu'd Fellow ( as Homer describes him . Iliad 2. ) who accompany'd the Grecian Army to the Siege of Troy ; where he took a Priviledge often to rail and snarl at the Commanders . Some relate , that at last Achilles , for his sawciness , kill'd h● with a blow of his Fist. Therefore we are not to understand Iuvenal , here , as relating a matter of Fact ; but Ther●ites is used here , to signifie any body of the same kind : As before , Attic●s and Rutilus . The meaning is , that such as he , ought not ( neither would he , had he been present ) have presumed to oppose Ajax and Vlysses in contending for Achille● his Armour . See his Character admirably improv'd by Mr. Dryden in his Tragedy of Truth found too late . 8 The most Eloquent of all the Grecian Princes . After Achilles Death ; Aja● a sam'd Grecian Warriour pretended to his Armour ; Vlysses opposed him , before a Council of War , and by his admirable Eloquence obtain'd the Prize . Ovid. Metam . 13. 9 Brought to that pass , by his Gluttony ; that he was forced to ●ell his Ring , the Mark of Honour and Distinction , worn by Roman Knights . 10 The Goddess of Justice , whom the Poets feign to have fled to Heaven after the Golden-Age . Vlti●a Caelest●● Terras Astraea reliquit . Ovid. 11 Ievenal's Friend , to whom he makes an invitation and Addresses this Satyr . 12 A Prince of Arcadi● , who unluckily killing his Father , forsook his own Country and came into Italy : 〈◊〉 in that place● where afterwards Rome was built . Virgil , AE● . 8. te●●s us that he entertain'd both Hercules and AEneas , when he was in a low Condition . 13 Alcides . Hercules , so called from his Grandfather Alc●●●●s . 14 〈…〉 A Great Man who had been three times Consul of Rome , and had Triumph'd over many Kings ; yet as great an Example of Temperance as Courage . 15 A Dish in great esteem amon● the Romans . — Nil 〈…〉 . Horat. 16 If they kill'd a S●●rifice , and 〈◊〉 Flesh remain'd to spare , it was priz'd 〈◊〉 an accide●tal ra●●●y . 17 Consid. By the Tyranny of Tarquinius Superbus , ( the last Roman● King ) the very Name of King , became hateful to the People . After his Expulsion , they as●embled , and resolv'd to commit the Government● f●● the future● into the Hands of two Persons , who were to be chosen every Year anew● and whom they call'd Consuls . 18 Was a General chosen upon some emergent occasion ; his Office was limited to 6 Months ; which time expired , ( if occa●sion were ) they chose another , or continued the same , by a new Election . The Dictator , differed in nothing from a King , but in his Name , and the duration of his Authority : His Power being full as great , but his Name not so hateful to the Romans . 19 It was accounted greediness and shame●ul , to eat before the usual Hour , which was their Ninth Hour ; and our 3 a Clock , After-noon . But upon Festival Days , it was permitted them to prevent the ordinary Hour ; and always excusable in old People . 20 Were two great Officers , part of whose business was to inspect the Lives and Manners of Men ; they had Power even to degrade Knights , and exclude Senators , when guilty of great Misdemeanours : And in former days they were so strict , that they stood in awe one of another . 21 The manner of the Romans Eating , was to lie upon Beds or Couches about the Table , which formerly were made of plain Wood , but afterwards at great Expence , adorn'd with Tortoise-Shells , Pearls , and Ivory . 22 The Romans copied their Luxury from the Greeks ; the imitation of whom , was among them as fashionable , as of the French among us . Which occasions this saying , with so much Indignation in our Poet , Sat. 3. — Non possum ferre , Quirites , Graecam Vrbem — 23 Romul●s and Remus . Twins , and Founders of the Roman Empire ; whom the Poets feign were Nurst by a Wolf : The Woman's name being Lupa . 24 Formerly the Statues of the Gods were made of Clay : But now of Gold. Which Extravagance , was displeasing even to the Gods themselves . 25 The Romans used to anoint themselves with sweet Oyntments , at their Feasts , immediately after bathing . 26 Ivory was in great esteem among them , and preferr'd to Silver . 27 There were in Rome , professors of the Art of Carving ; who taught publickly in Schools . Of this kind , Trypherus was the most Famous . 28 Cup-bearer . 29 Whence pretty Boys were brought to Rome , and so●d publickly i● the Markets , to vile uses . 30 An usual part of the Entertainment● when Great Men Feasted , to have wanton Women Dance after a lascivious manner 31 Virtue wou'd shrink , to hear this leudness told , Which Husbands , now , do with their Wives behold . These lines in Iuvenal , Spectent hos nuptae , juxta recubante marito , Quod pudeat narasse aliquem praesentibus ipfis . in some late Editions , are placed nearer the latter end of this Satyr : And in the order of this Translation , wou'd so have follow'd , after Line . 349. viz. Such shows as these , were not for us design'd , But vig'●ous Touth to active sports inclin'd . But I have continued 'em in this place after Lubin . Besides the Example of the Learned Holyday for the same position ; agreeing better here , in my mind , with the sense both before and after . For the Megalensian Games consisting chiefly of Races , and such like Exercises ; I cannot conceive where the extraordinary cause of shame lay in Female Spectators : But it was a manifest Immodesty , for 'em to lie by their Husbands , and see the leud Actions of their own Sex , in the manner describ'd . 32 Games in Honour of Cybele , the Mother of the Gods. She was call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Magna Mater , and from thence these Games Megalesia , or Ludi Megalenses ; they began upon the 4th of Apr●● , and continued 6 days . 33 The place where those Games were celebrated . 34 An Officer not unlike our Mayor or Sheriff . He was to oversee these Sports ; and sate in great State , while they were Acting ; to the Destruction of many Horses , which were spoiled in running the Races . 35 In running the Races in the Circus , with Horses in Chariots ; there were four distinct , Factions , known by their Liveries : Which were Green , a kind of Russet-Red , White , and Blue . One of these Factions was always favoured by the Court , and at this time probably the Green. Which makes our Poet sancy he hears the shouts , for Joy , of their Party . Afterward Domitian added two more , the Golden and Purple Factions . 36 Reflecting on the immoderate Fondness the Romans had for such Shows . 37 〈◊〉 . A small Town , near which Hannibal obtain'd a great Victory over the Romans : In that Ba●tel were slain 40000 Me● , and so many Gentlemen , that he sent 3 bushels full of Rings to Carthage , as a Token of his Victory . 38 See the Notes at Fig. 19. Notes for div A46439-e104560 1 The Queen of the Gods ; so call'd by the Poets , as being Wife to Iupiter , who was the Supream Deity of the Greeks and Romans . By the Warlike Maid , is meant Pallas or Minerva , the Goddess of Learning and War. They had their peculiar Sacrifices appointed them in the Rituals or Books of Ceremonies of the Antients : White Bulls were offered to Iupiter ; white Cows to Iuno and Minerva . The Poet , tho' not able to undergo the Charge of so great a Sacrifice , yet willing to shew his Devotion , and pay his Vow for his Friend 's safe arrival , proportionable to his Estate , offers to Iuno an Ewe-lamb , another to Minerva , and to Iupiter a young Bullock . 2 On Mount Capitol , otherwise call'd the Tarpeian Hill , from the Ves●al Virgin Tarpeia that betray'd it to the Sabines , Iupiter had a Temple , whence he was Nam'd Tarpeian and Capitoline . 3 A Fat sensual Lady , noted as infamous for keeping a Player . Sat. 6. 4 〈◊〉 A River that divides Tuscany and Vmbria , whose Water , as Pliny relates , makes the Cows , that drink of it , calve their young White : Whence the Romans , as Virgil and Claudian observe , were plentifully furnisht with Sacrifices for Iupiter Capitoline . 5 The grandis minister of Iuvenal , some interpret in a sense referring to the Quality of the Person , as if the Chief Pontif , and not one of the Popa's , or ordinary Officers , was to give the blow : But as it is unseemly to make the Chief Pontif descend to so mean an Office ; so it is more probable the Poet meant not the Dignity , but the size and strength of the Person . 6 The Aegyptian Goddess , lookt upon by Merchants and Seamen as their Patroness ; to whom they made their Vows in their extremity . The Custom was for those that escap'd to hang up on the Walls of her Temple the Picture of a Wreck or Storm , which was call'd a Votive Table ; and her Votaries , it seems , were so numerous , that she was forc'd to employ a whole Company of Painters in her Service . 7 A proper Simile , and good Moral allusion , but the Ground is wholly fabulous ; and has experimentally been prov'd so by Sestius a Physitian , as it stands related by Pliny . Dr. Brown , in his Book of Vulgar Errors , says , that the Testicles , properly so call'd , are ●eated inwardly upon the Loins ; and therefore it were not only a fruitless attempt , but an impossible Act , to castrate it self : And might be an hazardous Practice of Art , if at all attempted by others . 8 Augustus his great Favourite ; and Patron to Virgil and Horace . Iuvenal here taxes him of being over soft and delicate ; which Horace has done too , tho' covertly , and under another Name . 9 In Boetick Spain ( now Andaluzia and the best part of Granada ) the Sheeps Fleeces are naturally of a colour betwixt Red and Black , resembling the Purple Dye , which the Antients imputed to the goodness of the Air and the Soil : And they put a great value on it , as we do now on the Spanish Wool for its fineness . 10 A great Master in the Art of Graving . 11 Fuscus was a Judge , mention'd in the last Satyr , noted by Martial for a Drunkard ; as his Wife is here by Iuvenal in the good Company of Pholus the Centaur . 12 Baskets of Brittain , Bascauda , the British word for a Basket , was by the Romans made Latin. They so much fancied the Baskets of our Island , that they would claim the Invention to themselves . Mart. Lib. 14. Barbara de Pictis veni Bascauda Britannis , Sed me jam mavult dicere Roma suam . From British Picts the barb'rous Basket came , But now Rome gladly wou'd th' invention claim . 13 A strong fortify'd City of Thrace , not to be taken by a Storm or Siege . Philip of Macedon made a considerable Present of Plate to Lasthenes , who was intrusted with the Government of it by the Athenians ; and he , being corrupted with so great a Bribe , treacherously surrender'd it to Philip. 16 The Destinies ; they were three Sisters , Clotho , Lachesis and Atropos perpetually employ'd in Spinning : If the Thread , they Spun , was White ; it was a sign of Life and Prosperity : If Black ; of Death and Adversity . 17 Near them was built Alba Longa by Ascanius , who left his Step-Mother Lavinia , in the City of Lavinium , built by his Father Aeneas , and call'd by her Name . Ascanius call'd his own City Longa from the long Form of it , and Alba from the White Sow with Thirty Pigs Sucking her , that was seen by the Trojans , a little after their Landing ; and where the City was built according to the Command of the Oracle . Virg. 18 Pharos was a Port in Aegypt famous for its Watch-Tower , wherein were plac'd Lights for the benefit and direction of Saylers by Night : Iuvenal calls the Port of Ostia , where Tiber disburthens its self into the Sea , the Tuscan Pharos : It was design'd by Augustus after the Model of that in Aegypt : Claudius Caesar , as Suetonius says , carried on , and finisht the Mole , with vast labour and charges ▪ having for eleven years together kept 30000 Men at work upon it . It was afterward repair'd by Trajan . 19 It was a Custom among the Ancients , when in Distress at Sea , to invoke the aid of some God or other , with a solemn Vow of cutting off their Hair , and offering it to him , as an acknowledgment to whose assistance they ow'd their safety . To this St Paul probably alludes . Act. 27. 34. There shall not an Hair of your Head perish : As if he had said ; they shou'd not need to vow their Hair ; for without such a Vow , and the performance of it , they shou'd all escape . 20 Two rich Men , both of them Childless ; which made the Heraedipetae or Legacy-Hunters present them , and ply them with Gift upon Gift ; in hopes to be considered in their Will. Tacitus makes mention of them both : The first he calls African ; the other Cruspilina . 21 Two crafty designing Knaves , visiters of the Sick Gallita or Paccius . 22 Elephants so call'd from their stupendious bigness ; and Ivory Teeth . 23 The Story in short is this . The Graecian Fleet lying Wind-bound at Aulis , the Oracle was consulted , and Answer return'd ; no Wind could be had for their purpose , unless Agamemnon , Commander in chief in the Expedition , would offer up his Daughter Iphigenia to appease Diana's anger , that was offended with the Greeks for killing an Hind Consecrated to her . Agamemnon , for the publick good , brings his Daughter to the Altar ; but the Goddess , relenting , convey'd her away to the Taurick Chersonese , and substituted an Hind in her place . The application of this to Pacuvius is obvious enough . 24 The prodigious Sums he extorted from the Provinces by unreasonable Taxes , Confiscations , &c. are almost incredible . He gave no Office without this charge : Thou knowest what I want , let us make it our business , that no body may have any thing . 25 Grown now to a Proverb : Who liv'd , as Homer says , to compleat the third Age of Man. The word Age is an equivocal Term , and diversly taken by many ; but if we take it in its full extent , as it comprehends an hundred years , it will serve very well Iuvenal's purpose . Notes for div A46439-e110050 1 SOme Read , Extemplo quodcunque malum , &c. 2 Thebes had but seven Gates , and the River Nile but seven Mouths . 3 That is , were of better Quality , and had more Wealth . Skins and Acorns being the primitive Cloaths and Food , according to the Poets . 4 If a swarm of Bees pitcht upon a Temple , it was lookt upon as an Omen of some very great Mischief . 5 Thyestes was treated with a Ha●h made of his own Son. 6 An Aegyptian Goddess , suppos'd to be much concern'd in inflicting Diseases , and Maladies on Mankind . 7 An Excellent Footman , who wan the Prize in the Olympian Games . 8 A famous Crier in the Grecian Army , whose single voice was as loud as that of fifty Men together . 9 Homer says that Mars being wounded by Diomedes , made as great an out-cry , as ten thousand Men shouting to the Battel . 10 A Fidler and a Player : But put here for any idle Scoundrel , or insignificant Fellow . 11 A Surgeon of no great Credit and Reputation . 12 The Villain that kill'd his Father was to be put into a Bag with a Dog , a Cock , a Serpent , and an Ape , and thrown into the Sea. 13 Philosophers of great Credit , and Worth. 14 Damocles having very much extoll'd the Happiness of Kings , in the presence of Dionysius King of Syracuse ; Dionysius invited him to Dinner , plac'd him in a rich Throne , and gave him a very splendid Entertainment ; but just over his Head hung a Sword by a Hair , with the point downward . 15 A Philosopher , who thought all things were by Chance . Notes for div A46439-e117200 1 RVtilus , some Person in the Poets time , noted for his Cruelty . 2 Polyphemus a Famous Giant with one Eye , and a Cannibal . 3 Antiphates , a King of the Lestrygons , who were all Men-Eaters . I doubt not but the Laestrigons , who were a People of Italy , learnt this Diet of King Saturn , when he hid himself among 'em , and gave this Example by making a Meals-meat of his own Children . 4 By this Lord , is still meant the same Cruel Ratilus . 5 Suppos'd Bath-Rubbers : The Romans were great Bathers . 6 Country Goals , where they kept their working Slaves in great numbers . 7 Larga , a fictitious Name for some very common Buttock . 8 Cato of Vtica , a Roman Patriot , who slew himself , rather than he wou'd submit to Iulius Caesar. 9 Catiline , a Plotter against the Common-wealth of Rome . 10 Para●ite , a Greek Word , among the Romans used for a Flatterer , and Feast-Hunter . This sort of Creature the● slighted in those days , and us'd very scurvily , terming such a one an V●bra , that is , a shadow , and Apparition , &c. 11 This Censor of good Manners , was an Officer of confiderable Power in Rome ; in some respects not unlike our Midnight Magistrate ; but not altogether so saucy . 12 The Old Romans were careful to breed up their Sons so , that afterwards they might be useful to their Country in Peace , or War , or ploughing the Ground : Vtilis agris , ( as Iuvenal has it . ) An Exercise that wou'd break the Hearts of our Modern Beaux . 13 The Eagle , so call'd for the great Service he did Iupiter , in bringing Ganymede , a Lovely Boy , on his Back to him . 14 Centronius , a Famous Extravagant Architect , who with his Son ( who took after him ) built away all his Estate , and had so many Palaces at last , that he was too poor to live in any of ' em . The Palace of the Eunuch Posides . As in Virg. Iam proximus ardet — Vcalegon . 15 Iuvenal , tho' he was wise enough to laugh at his own Country Gods , yet had not , or wou'd not have , a right Notion of the True Deity , which makes him ridicule the Iews manner of Worship . 16 This Dragon was Guardian of the Golden Fleece , which hung in the Temple of Mars at Cholchos ; and hereby hangs a Tale , or a long Story of Iason and Medea , with which I will not trouble you . 17 Beggars took their Stations then , as they do now , in the greatest Thorow-fares , which were their Bridges , of which there were many over the River Tyber in Rome . 18 The Field of Mars , or Campus Martius , which was the greatest part of the Roman Empire when in its Infancy under Romulus and Tatius the Sabine , his Copartner , admitted for the sake of the Fair Ladies he brought along with him . 19 Pyrrhus King of the Epirots , a formidable Enemy to the Romans , tho' at last overcome by ' em . He Dy'd a very little Death ( as 't is the Fate of some Heroes ) being Martyr'd by the fall of a Tyle from a House . 20 Wars against the Carthaginians . 21 Marsus , a thrifty Husbandman , from whom the Marsi were so call'd , a laborious People some 15 Miles distant from Rome . 22 Mankind fed on Acorns , till Ceres the Goddess of Corn instructed them to sow Grain . 23 Some General Officer in the Roman Army . 24 Not that the Shrine was secur'd by the care of the God Castor , for Iuvenal knew their Gods cou'd have no such thing as Care ; but it was lin'd with a strong Guard of Souldiers , who had an Eye to their God as well as their Moneys , lest he should be stoln , or unrigg'd , as Mars was . Our Poet calls him watchful Castor jearingly . 25 The first a South-west , the latter , as we term it at Sea , a strong Levant . 25 The first a South-west , the latter , as we term it at Sea , a strong Levant . 26 Orestes , said to be haunted by Furies , for Killing his Mother Clytemnestra , the Wife of Agamemnon . 27 Ajax the Son of Telamon , who ran mad , because Agamemnon gave the Armour of Achilles from him to Vlysses . But the mistaking Agamemnon , or his Brother Menelaus , for Oxen , or Oxen for them , was not so gross ; for they were both famously Horn'd : And if Report says true , Ajax need not have spar'd Vlysses , since Penelope knew which of her Suitors cou'd shoot best in her Husband's Bow. 28 Tagus , a River in Spain , said to be full of Gold Sand. This Tagus has lost his good Qualities time out of mind , or the Spaniard has coyn'd it dry , for now they fetch their Gold from the Indies , and then other Nations fetch it from them . 29 Some noted Rich Man in Rome . 30 Diogenes , a snarling Dog-Philosopher ( for there have been Dog-Philosophers as well as Poets in Doggrel . ) 31 Socrates and Epicurus two Wise Philosophers , contented with the bare Necessaries of Life : The first of these was esteem'd the best Moral Philosopher , the latter the best Natural . 32 Roscian Law ; so call'd from Roscius Otho Tribune of the People , who made a Law , that none shou'd fit in the 14 first Seats of the Theatre , unless they were worth 4 Hundred Sestertiums , per annum , that is above 3 Thousand pounds of our Moneys , and these were esteem'd Noblemen , ipso facto . 33 Claudius the 5th Caesar , who had no better luck in a Wife than his Predecessors , Iulius and Augustus , and most of the Great Men in History . Notes for div A46439-e125080 1 THE Crocodile . 2 A sort of Bird in those Parts , that is a great destroyer of Serpents . 3 Thebes in Baeotia had seven Gates , this in Egypt an Hundred , and therefore call'd Hecatompylus . 4 This Colossus , or Marble Statue of Memnon held a Harp in its Hand , which utter'd Musical sounds , when struck by the Beams of the rising Sun ; which Strabo tells us , that he both saw and heard , but confesses he is not able to Assign the Cause . He adds , that one half of this Statue was fall'n in an Earth-quake , from which Mutilation and Continuance of the strange Sound ( suppos'd to proceed from Magick ) our Author says , Dimidio magicae resonant ubi Memnone Chordae . 5 Homer introduces Vlysses Shipwreckt at the Island Corcyra , and Treated by Alcinous , who there Reign'd King of the Phaeaks . At whose Table he recited the following Passages . 6 The Symplegades , two Rocks in the Mouth of the Bosphorus , which being at like distance from each other , seem to strike upon one another , as the Sailers pass by them . 7 A City in Egypt , infamous for Riots and Debauchery . 8 Alluding to that of Homer in the Iliad . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 9 In the Town Caliguris , besieg'd by Metellus . 10 The Principal of the Stoicks . 11 The Confederates of Rome , who being besieged by Hannibal for eight Months , and having suffer'd all Extremities , at last , erected one great Pile , in which they burnt themselves with their Dead ; as also , all their Goods , to leave the Enemy no Plunder . 12 The Temple of Diana Taurica , where they Sacrific'd Strangers . Notes for div A46439-e129010 1 JVno was Mother to Mars the God of War : Venus was his Mistress . 2 Camillus ; ( who being first Banish'd , by his ungrateful Countrymen the Romans , afterwards return'd , and freed them from the Gaules , ) made a Law , which prohibited the Souldiers from Quarrelling without the Camp , lest upon that pretence , they might happen to be absent , when they ought to be on Duty . 3 This Cause is worthy him , &c. The Poet Names a Modenese Lawyer , whom he calls Vagellius ; who was so Impudent that he wou'd Plead any Cause , right or wrong , without Shame or Fear . 4 The Roman Souldiers wore Plates of Iron under their Shoos , or stuck them with Nails ; as Countrymen do now . 5 Land-Marks were us'd by the Romans , almost in the same manner , as now : And as we go once a Year in Procession , about the Bounds of Parishes , and renew them , so they offer'd Cakes upon the Stone , or Land-Mark . 6 The Courts of Judicature were hung , and spread ; as with us : But spread only before the Hundred Judges were to sit , and judge Publick Causes , which were call'd by Lot. 7 The Rom●n Souldiers had the Priviledge of making a Will , in their Father's Life-time : Of what they had purchac'd in the Wars , as being no part of their Patrimony . By this Will they had Power of excluding their own Parents , and giving the Estate so gotten to whom they pleas'd . Therefore , says the Poet , Coranus , ( a Souldier Contemporary with Iuvenal , who had rais'd his Fortune by the Wars ) was Courted by his own Father , to make him his Heir . Notes for div A46439-e131490 1 PErnassus , and Helicon , were Hills Consecrated to the Muses ; and the suppos'd place of their abode . Pernassus was forked on the top ; and from Helicon ran a Stream ; the Spring of which , was call'd the Muses Well . 2 Pyrene , a Fountain in Corinth ; Consecrated also to the Muses . 3 The Statues of the Poets , were Crown'd with Ivy about their Brows . 4 Before the Shrine ; that is ▪ before the Shrine of Apollo ▪ in his Temple at Rome , call'd the Palati●e . 1 Nothing is remaining of Atticus Labeo , ( so he is call'd by the Learned Casaubon ) Nor is the mention'd by any other Poet , besides Persius : Casaubon , from an old Commentator on Persius , says that he made a very Foolish Translation of Homer's Iliads . 2 He describes a Poet preparing himself to Rehearse his Works in publick : which was commonly perform'd in August . A Room was hir'd , or lent by some Friend ; a Scaffold was rais'd , and a Pulpit plac'd for him , who was to hold forth ; who borrow'd a new Gown ▪ or scour'd his old one ; and Adorn'd his Ears with Jewels , &c. 3 Trees of that kind , grow wild in many parts of Italy ; and make their way through Rocks : Sometimes splitting the Tomb-stones . 4 Ianus like , &c. Ianus was the first King of Italy ; who refug'd Saturn , when he was expell'd by his Son Iupiter from Cr●et ; ( or as we now call it Candia . ) From his Name , the first Month of the Year is call'd Ianuary . He was Pictur'd with two Faces , one before ▪ and one behind : As regarding the past time , and the future . Some of the Mythologists , thi●k he was No●h , for the Reason given above . 5 The Romans wrote on Cedar , and Cypre●● Tables , in regard of the duration of the Wood : III Verses might justly be afraid of Franckincense ; for the Papers in which they were Written , were fit for nothing but to wrap it up . 6 Products of Citron Beds , &c. Writings of Noblemen , whose Bedsteds were of the Wood of Citron . 7 Where Romulus & c.. He speaks of the Country in the foregoing Verses ; the Praises of which , are the most easie Theme for Poets : but which a bad Poet cannot Naturally describe : Then he makes a digression ▪ to Romulus , the first King of Rome , who had a Rustical Education ; and enlarges upon Quintius Cincinnatus , a Roman Senator ; who was call'd from the Plough , to be Dictator of Rome . 8 In Periods , &c. Persius here names Antitheses , or seeming Contradiction ; which in this place are meant for Rhetorical Flourishes , as I think , with Casaubon . 9 Berecynthian Atys ; or Attin , &c. Foolish Verses of Nero , which the Poet repeats ; and which cannot be Translated properly into English. 10 Arms and the Man , &c. The first line of Virgil's Aeneids . 11 Their crooked Horns , &c. Other Verses of Nero , that were mee● bombast . I only Note ; that the Repetition of these and the former Verses of Ner● , might justly give the Poet a caution to conceal his Name . 12 Maenas and Atys . Poems on the Maenad●s , who were Priestesses of Bacchus ; and of Atys , who made himself an Eunuch , to attend on the Sacrifices of Cybele , call'd Berecynthia by the Poets ; she was Mother of the Gods. 13 Two painted Serpents , &c. Two Snakes twin'd with each other , were painted on the Walls , by the Ancients , to shew the place was Holy. 14 Yet old Lucilius , &c. Lucilius wrote long before Horace ; who imitates his manner of Satyr , but far excels him , in the design . 15 King Midas , &c. The Story is vulgar , that Midas King of Phrygia , was made judge betwixt Apollo and Pan , who was the best Musician ; he gave the prize to Pan ; and Apollo in revenge gave him Asses Ears ▪ He wore his Hair long to hide them ▪ but his ●arber discovering them , and not daring to divulge the secret , dug a hole in the ground , and whisper'd into it : the place was marshy ; and when the R●eds grew up , they repeated the words which were spoken by the Barber ▪ By Midas ▪ the Poet meant Nero. 16 Eupolis and Cr●tinus , as also Aristophanes mention'd afterwards , were all Athenian Poets ; who wrote that sort of Comedy , which was call●d the old Comedy , where the People were Nam'd , who were Satyriz'd by those Authors . 17 Who Fortunes fault , &c. The People of Rome in the time of Persius were apt to scorn the Grecia● Philosophers , particularly the Cinicks and Stoicks , who were the poorest of them . 18 And with his foot , &c. Arithmetick and Geometry were Taught , on floors which were strew'd with dust , or sand ; in which the Numbers ▪ and Diagrams were made and drawn , which they might strike out again at Pleasure . Notes for div A46439-e137950 1 The Romans were us'd to mark their Fortunate Days , or any thing that luckily befell 'em , with a White Stone which they had from the Island Creta ; and their Unfortunate with a Coal . 2 Hercules was thought to have the Key and Power of bestowing all hidden Treasure . 3 The Antients thought themselves tainted and polluted by Night it self , as well as bad Dreams in the Night , and therefore purifi'd themselves by washing their Heads and Hands every Morning ; which Custom the Turks observe to this day . 4 When any one was Thunderstruck , the Soothsayer ( who is here call'd Ergenna ) immediately repair'd to the place , to expiate the displeasure of the Gods , by sacrificing two Sheep . 5 The Poet laughs at the superstitious Ceremonies which the Old Women made use of in their Lustration of Purification Days , when they nam'd their Children , which was done on the Eighth day to Females , and on the Ninth to Males . 6 It was the Opinion both of Grecians and Romans , that the Gods , in Visions or Dreams , often reveal'd to their Favourites a Cure for their Diseases , and sometimes those of others . Thus Alexander dreamt of an Herb which cur'd Ptolomy . These Gods were principally Apollo and Esculapius ; but , in after times , the same Virtue and Good-will was attributed to Isis and Osiris . Which brings to my remembrance an odd passage in Sir Tho. Brown's Religio Medici , or in his vulgar Errours ; the sense whereof is , That we are beholding , for many of our Discoveries in Physick , to the courteous Revelation of Spirits . By the Expression of Visions purg'd from Phlegm , our Author means such Dreams or Visions , as proceed not from Natural Causes , or Humours of the Body ; but such as are sent from Heaven ; and are , therefore , certain Remedies . 7 Brazen Vessels , in which the Publick Treasures of the Romans was kept : It may be the Poet means only old Vessels , which were all call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from the Greek Name of Saturn . Note also , that the Roman Treasury was in the Temple of Saturn . 8 Under Numa the second King of Rome , and for a long time after him , the Holy Vessels for Sacrifice were of Earthen Ware ; according to the Superstitious Rites which were introduc'd by the same Numa : Tho afterwards , when Memmius had taken Corinth , and Paulus Emilius had conquer'd Macedonia , Luxury began amongst the Romans ; and then their Utensils of Devotion were of Gold and Silver , &c. 9 The Wooll of Calabria was of the f●●est sort in Italy ; as Iuvenal also tells us . The Tyrian Stain , is the Purple Colour dy'd at Tyrus ; and I suppose , but dare not positively affirm , that the richest of that Dye was nearest our Crimson ; and not Scarlet , or that other Colour more approaching to the Blue . I have not room to justifie my Conjecture . 10 Those Baby-Toys were little Babies , or Poppets , as we call them ; in Latin Pupae ; which the Girls , when they came to the Age of puberty , or Child● bearing , offer'd to Venus ; as the Boys at Fourteen or Fifteen years of age offer'd their Bullae . or Bosses . 11 A Cake of Barley , or course Wheat-Meal , with the Bran in it : The meaning is , that God is pleas'd with the pure and spotless heart of the Offerer ; and not with the Riches of the Offering ▪ Laberius in the Fragments of his Mimes , has a Verse like this ; Pur as , Deus , non plenas a●picit manus . — What I had forgotten before , in its due place ▪ I must here tell the Reader ; That the first half of this Satyr was translated by one of my Sons , now in Italy : But I thought so well of it , that I let it pass without any Alteration . Notes for div A46439-e141040 1 The Students us'd to write their Notes on Parchments ; the inside , on which they wrote , was white ; the other side was Hairy : And commonly yellow . Quintilian reproves this Custom , and advises rather Table-books , lin'd with Wax , and a Stile , like that we use in our Vellum Table-books , as more easie . 2 Before eating , it was Customary , to cut off some part of the Meat ; which was first put into a Pan , or little Dish ; then into the Fire ; as an Offering to the Household Gods : This they called a Libation . 3 The Thuscans were accounted of most Ancient Nobility . Horace observes this , in most of his Compliments to Mecenas ; who was deriv'd from the Old Kings of Tuscany , now the Dominion of the Great Duke . 4 The Roman Knights , attir'd in the Robe call'd Trabea ; were Summon'd by the Censor , to appear before him ; and to Salute him , in passing by , as their Names were call'd over . They led their Horses in their hand . See more of this , in Pompey's Life , written by Plutarch . 5 Some of the Sicilian Kings were so great Tyrants ; that the Name is become Proverbial . The Brazen Bull is a known Story of Phalaris , one of those Tyrants ; who when Perillus , a famous Artist , had presented him with a Bull of that Metal hollow'd within , which when the Condemn'd Person was inclos'd in it , wou'd render the sound of a Bull 's roaring , caus'd the Workman to make the first Experiment . Docuitque suum mugire Iuvencum . 6 He alludes to the Story of Damocles , a Flatterer of one of those Sicilian Tyrants , namely Dionysius . Damocles had infinitely extoll'd the Happiness of Kings . Dionysius to convince him of the contrary , invited him to a Feast ; and Cloath'd him in Purple : But caus'd a Sword , with the point downward , to be hung over his Head , by a Silken Twine ; which , when he perceiv'd he co●'d Eat nothing of the Delicates that were set before him . 7 The Stoicks taught their Philosophy , under a Porticus , to secure their Scholars from the Weather . Zeno was the Chief of that Sect. 8 A Famous Painter ; who drew the Pi●tures of the Medes and Persians , Conquer'd by Miltiades , Themistocles , and other Athenian Captains , on the Walls of the Portico , in their Natural Habits . 9 Pithagoras of Samos , made the allusion of the Y , or Greek Upsilon , to Vice and Virtue . One side of the Letter being broad , Characters Vice , to which the ascent is wide and easie . The other side represents Virtue ; to which the Passage is strait , and difficult : And perhaps our Saviour might al●o allude to this , in those Noted words of the Evangelist , The way to Heaven , &c. 10 Casaubon here Notes , that among all the Romans , who were brought up to Learning , few besides the Orators , or Lawyers , grew Rich. 11 The Martians and Vmbrians , were the most Plentiful , of all the Provinces in Italy . 12 The Romans were Buried withoout the City ; for which Reason the Poet says , that the Dead man's heels were stretch'd out towards the Gate . 13 Orestes was Son to Agamemnon and Clitemnestra . Agamemnon , at his return from the Trojan Wars , was slain by Aegysthus , the Adulterer of Clitemnestra . Orestes to revenge his Fathers Death , slew both Aegysthus and his Mother : For which he was punish'd with Madness , by the Eumenides , or Furies , who continually haunted him . Notes for div A46439-e145450 1 SOcrates , whom the Oracle of Delphos prais'd , as the wisest Man of his Age ; liv'd in the time of the Peloponnesian War. He , finding the Uncertainty of Natural Philosophy , appli'd himself wholly to the Moral . He was Master to Xenophon and Plato ; and to many of the Athenian Young Noblemen ; amongst the rest , to Alcibiades , the most lovely Youth , then , living ; Afterwards a Famous Captain ; whose Life is written by Plutarch . 2 Pericles was Tutor , or rather Overseer of the Will of Clinias , Father to Alcibiades . While Pericles liv'd , who was a wise Man , and an Excellent Orator , as well as a Great General , the Athenians had the better of the War. 3 That is by Death . When the Judges wou'd Condemn a Malefactor , they cast their Votes into an Urn ; as according to the Modern Custom , a Ballotting-Box . If the Suffrages were mark'd with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they signify'd the Sentence of Death to the Offendor ; as , being the first Letter of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which in English is Death . 4 The Poet wou'd say ; that such an ignorant Young Man , as he here describes , is fitter to be govern'd himself , than to go●ern others . He therefore advises him to drink Hellebore , which purges the Brain . 5 The Name of Vectidius is here us'd Appellatively to signifie any Rich Covetous Man ; though perhaps there might be a Man of that Name then living . I have Trans●ted this passage Paraphrastically , and loosely : And leave it for those to look on , who are not unlike the Picture . 6 Pan the God of Shepherds , and Pales the Goddess presiding over rural Affairs ; whom Virgil invocates in the beginning of his Second Georgique . I give the Epithete of Better ▪ to Ceres ; because she first taught the Use of Corn for Bread , as the Poets tell us . Men , in the first rude Ages , feeding only on Acorns , or Mast , instead of Bread. 7 Our Author here taxes Nero , covertly , with that effeminate Custom , now us'd in Italy , and especially by Harlo●● , of smoothing their Bellies , and taking off the Hairs , which grow about their Secrets . In Nero's times they were pull'd off with Pincers ; but now they use a Past , which apply'd to those Parts , when it is remov'd , carries away with it those Excrescencies . 8 The Learned Holiday , ( who has made us amends for his bad Poetry in this and the rest of these Satyrs , with his excellent Illustrations , ) here tells us , from good Authority , that the Number Five , does not allude to the Five Fingers of one Man , who us'd 〈…〉 off the Hairs before mention'd ; but to Five Strong Men , such as were skillful in the five robust Exercises , then in Practice at Rome , and were perform'd in the Circus , or publick place , ordain'd for them . These five he reckons up , in this manner . 1. The Caestus , or Whirlbatts , describ'd by Virgil , in his fifth Eneid : And this was the most dangerous of all the rest . The 2d was the Foot-race , The Third the Discus ; like the throwing a weighty Ball ; a sport now us'd in Cornwall , and other parts of England : We may see it daily practis'd in Red-Lyon-Fields . The Fourth was the Saltus , or Leaping : And the Fifth Wrastling Naked , and besmear'd with Oyl . They who were Practis'd in these five Manly Exercises , were call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 9 That is , thou can'st not deceive thy Obscene part , which is weak , or Impotent , tho thou mak'st Ostentation of thy Performances with Women . 10 Persius durst not have been so bold with Nero , as I dare now ; and therefore there is only an intimation of that in him , which I publickly speak : I mean of Nero's walking the Streets by Night , in disguise ; and committing all sorts of Outrages : For which he was sometimes well beaten . 11 That is , look into thy self ; and examine thy own Conscience , there thou shalt find , that how wealthy soever thou appear'st to the World , yet thou art but a Beggar ; because thou art destitute of all Virtues ; which are the Riches of the Soul. This also was a Paradox of the Stoick School . Notes for div A46439-e148590 1 PRogne was Wife to Tereus , King of Thracia : Tereus fell in Love with Philomela , Sister to Progne ; ravish'd her , and cut out her Tongue : In Revenge of which Progne kill'd Itys , her own Son by Tereus ; and serv'd him up at a Feast , to be eaten by his Father . 2 Thyestes and Atre●s were Brothers , both Kings : Atre●s to Revenge himself of his unnatural Brother , kill'd the Sons of Thyestes ; and invited him to eat them . 3 By the Childish Robe , is meant the Praetexta , or first Gowns which the Roman Children of Quality wore : These were W●lted with Purple : And on those Welts were fasten'd the Bullae ; or little Bells ; which when they came to the Age of Puberty , were hung up , and Consecrated to the Lares , or Household Gods. 4 The first Shields which the Roman Youths wore , were white , and without any Impress , or Device on them ; to shew they had yet Atchiev'd nothing in the Wars . 5 Socrates , by the Oracle was declar'd to be the wisest of Mankind : He instructed many of the Athenian Young Noblemen , in Morality ; and amongst the rest , Alcibiades . 6 Astrologers divide the Heaven into Twelve parts , according to the Number of the 12 Signs of the Zodiack : The Sign or Constellation which rises in the East , at the Birth of any Man , is call'd , the Ascendant : Persius , therefore , judges that Cornutus and he had the same , or a like Nativity . 7 The Sign of Gemini . 8 The Sign of Libra . 9 Astrologers have an Axiome , that whatsoever Saturn ties , is loos'd by Iupiter : They account Saturn to be a Planet of a Malevolent Nature ; and Iupiter of a Propitious Influence . 10 Zeno was the great Master of the Stoick Philosophy : And Cleanthes was second to him , in Reputation : Cornutus , who was Master or Tutor to Persius , was of the same School . 11 When a Slave was made free ; he had the Priviledge of a Roman Born ; which was to have a share in the Donatives or Doles of Bread , &c. which were Distributed , by the Magistrates amongst the People . 12 The Roman People was Distributed into several Tribes : He who was made free was inroll'd into some one of them ; and thereupon enjoy'd the common Priviledges of a Roman Citizen . 13 The Master , who intended to infranchise a Slave , carried him before the City Praetor , and turn'd him round , using these words ; I will that this Man be free . 14 Slaves had only one Name before their Freedom : After it , they were admitted to a Praenomen , like our Christen'd Names : so Dama ▪ is now call'd Marcus Dama . 15 At the Proof of a Testament , the Magistrates were to subscribe their Names ; as allowing the Legality of the Will. 16 Slaves , when they were set free , had a Cap given them , in Sign of their Liberty . 17 Brutus freed the Roman People from the Tyranny of the Tarquins ; and chang'd the Form of the Government , into a glorious Common-wealth . 18 The Text of the Roman Laws , was written in Red Letters ; which was call'd the Rubrick ; Translated here , in more general words , The Letter of the Law. 19 The Stoicks held this Poradox , That any one Vice , or Notorious Folly , which they call'd Madness , hinder'd a Man from being Virtuous : That a Man was of a piece , without a Mixture ; either wholly Vicious , or Good ; one Virtue or Vice , according to them , including all the rest . 20 The Praetor held a Wand in his hand ; with which he softly struck the Slave on the Head , when he declar'd him free . 21 This alludes to the Play of Terence , call'd the Eunuch ; which was excellently imitated of late in English , by Sir Charles Sedley : In the first Scene of that Comedy , Phoedria was introduc'd with his Man Pamphilus , Discoursing , whether he shou'd leave his Mistress Thais , or return to her , now that she had invited him . 22 He who sued for any Office , amongst the Romans was call'd a Candidate ; because he wore a white Gown : And sometimes Chalk'd it , to make it appear whiter . He rose early , and went to the Levees of those who headed the People : Saluted also the Tribes severally , when they were gather'd together , to chuse their Magistrates ; and Distributed a Largess amongst them , to engage them for their Voices : Much resembling our Elections of Parliament-Men . 23 The Commentators are divided , what Herod this was , whom our Author mentions : Whether Herod the Great , whose Birth● day might possibly be Celebrated , after his Death , by the Herodians , a Sect amongst the Iews , who thought him their Messiah ; or Herod Agrippa , living in the Author's time , and after it . The latter seems the more probable Opinion . 24 The Ancients had a Superstition , contrary to ours , concerning Egg-shells : They thought that if an Egg-shell were crack'd , or a Hole bor'd in the bottom of it , they were Subject to the Power of Sorcery : We as vainly , break the bottom of an Egg-shell , and cross it , when we have eaten the Egg ; lest some Hag shou'd make use of it , in bewitching us , or sailing over the Sea in it , if it were whole . The rest of the Priests of Isis , and her one-ey'd , or squinting Priestess , is more largely treated in the Sixth Satyr of Iuvenal , where the Superstitions of Women are related . Notes for div A46439-e154370 1 All the Studious , and particularly the Poets , about the end of August , began to set themselves on Work : Refraining from Writing , during the Heats of the Summer . They wrote by Night ; and sate up the greatest part of it . For which Reason the Product of their Studies , was call'd their Elucubrations ; or Nightly Labours . They who had Country Seats retir'd to them , while they Studied : As Persius did to his , which was near the Port of the Moon in Etruria ; and Bassus to his , which was in the Country of the Sabines , nearer Rome . 2 This proves Caesius Bassus to have been a Lyrick Poet : 'T is said of him , that by an Eruption of the Flameing Mountain Vesuvius , near which the greatest part of his Fortune lay , he was Burnt himself , together with all his Writings . 3 I call it a Drunken Dream of Ennius ; not that my Author in this place gives me any encouragement for the Epithete ; but because Horace , and all who mention Ennius , say he was an Excessive Drinker of Wine . In a Dream , or Vision , call you it which you please , he thought it was reveal'd to him , that the Soul of Pithagoras was Transmigrated into him : As Pithagoras , before him believ'd , that himself had been Euphorbus in the Wars of Troy. Commentators differ in placing the order of this Soul , and who had it first . I have here given it to the Peacock ; because it looks more according to the Order of Nature , that it shou'd lodge , in a Creature of an Inferiour Species ; and so by Gradation rise to the informing of a Man. And Persius favours me , by saying that Ennius was the Fifth from the Pithagorean Peacock . 4 Perhaps this is only a fine Transition of the Poet , to introduce the business of the Satyr ; and not , that any such Accident had happen'd to one of the Friends of 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 S●tyr , 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 ; sanctosque recessus Mentis , & incoctu● generoso pectus honesto : The others are those in this present Satyr , which are subjoyn'd . — trabe ruptâ . Bruttia Saxa Prendit Amicus inops : Remque omnem , surdaque vota Co●didit Ionio : Iacet ipse in Littore ; & ●nà Ingentes de puppe Dei : Iamque obvia Mergis Costa ratis lacerae . — 5 The Latin is , Nunc & de Cespite 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 lo●t all by Shipwreck : That is , do not stay till thou hast Reap'd : but help him immediately , as his Wants require . 6 Holiday Translates it a Green Table : The sence is the same ; for the Table was painted of the Sea Colour ; which the Shipwreck'd Person carried on his back● expressing his Losses thereby , to excite the Charity of the Spectators . 7 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 Cinnamun● and Cassia , which Cassia , was sophisticated with Cherry Gum : And probably enough by the Iews ; 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 , 't is plain , that the Latin Names of them are Modern . 8 The Caesar 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 Caesonia , whom I here cal● 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 A●hes which were left there ; after the last Sacrifice for Victory ; or might perhaps mean the Dust or Ashes , which were left on the Altars , si●ce some former Defeat of the Romans , by the Germans : After which overthrow , the Altars had been neglected . 9 Caesonia 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 Messallina , for Adultery . 10 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 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 Why shou'd'st thou , who art an Old Fellow , hope to out-live me , and be my Heir , who am much Younger ? He who was first , in the Course , or Race , deliver'd the Torch , which he carried , to him who was Second . 13 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 shew the good Habit of their Body ; and made to play Tricks before the Buyers , to shew their Activity and Strength . 14 Chrysippus the Stoick , invented a kind of Argument , consisting of more than three Propositions ; which is call'd 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 .