XXV select allusions to several places of Horace, Martial, Anacreon and Petron. Arbitr. Part I written by Mr. Dilke.

Select Allusions.

I.

Mart. Epigr. 77. Lib. 8.

Liber amicorum Dulcissima, &c.

STrephon, thou darling Fav'rite of the Age, Your Looks alone can more than Love engage: Where-e're you come, such Glory you display, That none can less than Veneration pay. Strephon 'tis you must to your self be just, And spring fresh Joys to ev'ry varying Gust. Let lusty Bowls foment a sprightly fire, And swell each Vein with vigorous desire: In melting Charms then steep your Am'rous Heat; Be Strephon still, in all your Actions Great: Thus if you live but half your days design'd, Cast up the summ, you'll more than total find.

II.

Hor. Ode 13. Lib. 4.

Audivere, Lyce, Dii mea Vota, &c.

1.

WEll Peg, at length, the Gods I praise, You're old and ugly grown; And yet with painted haggard Face, You brazen all the Town.

2.

With some raw Cull, you drink, and toy, And Youthful smiles put on; Yet faith you're but the snuff of joy, All but the stench is gone.

3.

The God of Love your wrinckles scorns, Your grisly Locks defys, 'Tis Molly's Cheeks he now adorns, And Wantons in her Eyes.

4.

Where are those Charms now gone astray? Those former Graces fled? That stole me from my self away, And fixt me to your Bed?

5.

'Twas then the second place you bore Of all the Harlot Tribe; Seuky, 'tis true, was prais'd by more, But not by more enjoy'd.

6.

Seuky, alas! soon stoop't to Fate, And dy'd in her Vocation: While Peg is left, and grown of late, The sink of all the Nation.

III.

Hor. Ode 36. Lib. 1.

Et Thure & Fidibus juvat, &c.

NOw Friends, let jov'al Mirth take place, And sweetness smile on ev'ry Face; See Bellardin is safe return'd, Whose Absence, we so long have mourn'd: Once more the Noble Youth is come, Richly adorn'd with Honours home. Come then to Lockets let us steer, And give our Joys their full Career; The largest Draughts shall there declare Which is the Friend that's most sincere. There let us Drink, till all our Eyes Into one spacious Optick rise; Then gaze on all his lovely Charms, Pierce him with sight, and crush him in our Arms.

IV.

Hor. Ode 23. Lib. 1.

Vitas hinnuleo me similis Chloe!

WHen Miss was told that she was Mans meat grown, She wou'd not trust herself alone, For fear of being eaten up by Men: But when at length I'd forc'd the tim'rous Maid, She gently sigh'd, and smiling said, Pray Sir be pleas'd to eat me up again.

V.

Mart. Epigr. 47. Lib. 10.

Vitam quae faciunt Beatiorem, &c.

WOuld you know what it is, that can make a man blest? 'Tis to have a rich Dad in good time go to Rest, A good House well contriv'd, in the midst of that Ground, That does with much Wood, and much Water abound. A Mind free and easie, a Body robust, A Table sufficient to please ev'ry Mans gust.

Books, and Friends that are choice, and a Cellar well stor'd; A true satisfaction both in Bed, and at Board: Not too fond of a Life, when his Fate is decreed: This alone is the Man, that is happy indeed.

VI.

Hor. Ode 27. Lib. 1.

Natis in usum laetitiae Scyphis, &c.

1.

WHat a Pox is the meaning of all this clutter? Can't you take off your Cups in quiet? Let the barbarous Dutch Cods Sawcrawment mutter, And of ev'ry Club make a Riot.

2.

Come, for shame let's no more in such Quarrels embark, But ev'ry Man start a fresh Query, Who met my Lady upon the Stairs in the dark? And who tickled Doll in the Dairy?

3.

See how Jack hangs his Ears at such Questions as these, What need'st thou be asham'd to hear on't? Tho bonny black Bess had a Belly in the case, And honest Church-warden took care on't.

VII.

Mart. Epigr. 34 Lib. 6.

Basia da nobis Diadumene, pressa, &c

PRithee, dear Youth, let me some kisses have: D'y' ask how many wou'd suffice? Bid me account the numbers in the Grave, Or tell the Stars that sparkle in the Skies; Bid me as well repeat Those many anxious Cares that wait Upon the Rich and Great. Ask me how many Wives there are That love Gallants more than their Husbands far. How many Females mount th' Nupt'al Bed Without one tittle of a Maidenhead. If I might have, as I the Blessing prize, Not Time itself shou'd e're confine my Joys.

VIII.

Hor. Ode 9. Lib. 1.

Vides ut alta stet Nive Candidum.

1.

SEe, how the Daemons of the Northern Clime Flutter along with Wings of dusky Rimo; Extending wide their Hands, To setter up the Floods in Crystal bands: Dispencing as they go, Their chilly gifts of unpolluted Snow.

2.

If then we're Wise, let us their Force defy, With towring Flames let's pierce the curdled Sky. Then shall large Bowls of Wine, Together with the outward Heat combine: 'Tis Fire may the Work begin; But Godlike Wine will warm our Souls within.

3.

No tort'ring Cares shall then our Joys infest, No thoughts of what to the wise Fates seems best; Love shall alone take place; And well turn'd Measures all our Actions grace. Thus we'll in Circle move, Love, Drink, and Dance, and then again we'll Love.

IX.

Mart. Epigr. 5. Lib. 4.

Vir bonus, & Pauper, &c.

WHat's this you say? You're Honest, Good and Just? What then the Devil made you come to Town? None here must Live, that can't betray a Trust, Or at a Great Mans Nod, can't smile, or frown. Those Sheep unpitty'd fall, and well they may, Whose Choice it is, to herd with Beasts of Prey.

X.

Hor. Ode 8. Lib. 1.

Lydia dic per omnes, &c.

1.

PRithee, Dear Cocky, let me know The Witchcraft of thy Art: At ev'ry step where-e're you go, Down drops a Conquer'd Heart.

2.

Jasper, that stubborn Youth, that long No Female Charms cou'd brook, Sings at your Feet a whining Song, And dyes at ev'ry Look.

3.

No more he bristles in the Pit, No more the Scenes he scowrs, No more he vents his pointed Wit Against young Cupid's pow'rs.

3.

Let then his frantick Zeal be fed In this Effem'nate sotting; Give him be sure good store of Thread, And set the Fool a Knotting.

XI.

Mart. Epigr. 53. Lib. 2.

Vis fieri Liber? Mentiris Maxime, &c.

1.

WHat makes you thus still Curse your Fate, And Dam your wretched Stars? 'Twas you your self began the date Of all your racking Cares.

2.

Twas you forsooth wou'd be a Beau, Nay more, a Treating ••ool: Then ben't surpriz'd, where-e're you go, To hear your self call'd Fool.

3.

Had wholesome Landlady gone down, When Hubby was in Bed, You still had been a Spark o'th' Town, And ne're have shrunk your Head.

4.

Henceforth for shame no more disburse Amongst the Harlot train; Some mouldy Hag, with well stuff'd Purse, May set you right again.

XII.

Mart. Epigr. 64. Lib. 3.

Quod spirat tenere Malum, &c.

SWeet as the Roses in their morning Dew, Or full as sweet as new blown Jesmin is, Sweet as the Wind whene're it gently blew From fragrant boughs of Aromatick Trees. Sweet as the Incense curling up in smoke, Or as rich Ointment when the Urn is broke: So are thy Joys, tho forc't; What wou'd they be, Wer't thou so kind, to make the Offring free?

XIII.

Hor. Ode 25. Lib. 1.

Parcius junctas quatiunt fenestras, &c.

1.

SLeep on, old Nibs, and nothing fear, You'll unmolested snore; No more will ever Coach or Chair Come rapping at your Door.

2.

Faith Child thou'rt old and fusty grown, Then don't thy self defraud: For you, there's nothing to be done, Unless you'll be a Bawd.

3.

If still some Sparks of Lust remains, If still you wou'd stand buff; One third of all your Pimping gains, Will purchase Brawn enough.

XIV.

Hor. Ode 11. Lib. 1.

Tu ne quaesieris, Nefas, &c.

1.

COme Ned, what need it trouble thee, or I, What end the Gods will give? Alas! there's forty ways to die, But one alone to live.

2.

He only lives that drinks good store of Wine, And clarifies his Brain; If we our Sences can't refine, Our Reason were in vain.

3.

While thus I speak, our Moments glide away, And fleeting Time does pass: Then Drink about, that so we may O'retake it with the Glass.

XV.

Mart. Epigr. 71. Lib. 4.

Quero diu totam, &c.

TO each new Face, I swear I am in Love, Then pressing ask t' enjoy, And not an Oath, but does Compassion move, Not one, but does Comply. Then sure for Chastity there's no regard: Yes, those are Chaste that ne're the Question heard.

XVI.

Hor. Ode 33. Lib. 1.

Albi, ne doleas plus nimio, &c.

1.

WHat cursed Love-sick Devil can Poor Strephon so bewitch? Must he himself thus quite unman, 'Cause Phillis proves a Bitch?

2.

Look but abroad into the World, The case you'll find the same; Where-e're the Boy his Darts has hurl'd, 'Tis still a cross-grain'd Game.

3.

Lovebright with Daelia's Charms does burn, And she for Jasper dies: Jasper you hear at ev'ry turn, Cries dam the Cockatrice.

4.

With me young Moll does Coo and Bill, And vows I am her Dear: And yet I can't, with all my skill, From brawling Bess get clear.

XVII.

Mart. Epigr. 46. Lib. 8.

Quanta tua est Probitas, quanta est praestantia formae, &c.

CHarming Alexis, is so sweet a Boy, To look on him, is more than to enjoy. No Blushes yet did ever grace, A more bewitching modest Face. Whene're I see the lively Red, His tender Cheeks o'respread, Methinks they do invite me to a Kiss: Yet seem to say, that I must struggle for the Bliss. The Youth that did the Mighty Thund'rer move, Had never Eyes more fraught with Love. He that with Lightning cou'd the World destroy, Stoop'd to the Flames of his dear lovely Boy. How then can wretched I, Whom all the pangs of Love do thus enrage, Forbear to try Whether Alexis won't my panting pains asswage?

XVIII.

Hor. Ode 19. Lib. 1.

Mater saeva Cupidinum, &c.

1.

BE gone Chaste Icy thoughts, be gone, Once more I feel the mighty God-like Guest, Through ev'ry Vein come rushing on, To Triumph in my Breast.

2.

From Glaura's Eyes there's no Reprieve, Such killing Charms do ev'ry Look descry, To stand their force I cannot live, And if not seen, I die.

3.

Oh thou impetuous God of Love! Why from your Transports shou'd I thus delay? When most you do a Ferment move, Then least can I obey.

XIX.

Fragment. Petron. Arbitr.

Faeda est in Coitu, & brevis Voluptas, &c.

TO do the Trick is but a nasty sport, The tickling joy is momentary short: How cursed foolish do our Looks appear, When all our Courage dwindles to a sneer? Let beastly Goats their nauseous Lusts pursue, More gen'rous Flames are to our Transports due: From harmless Lips we'll suck Eternal Bliss, And dwell an Age on ev'ry single Kiss. No conscious Guilt will then our Cheeks invade, No sordid fear that we shall be Betray'd: But when from Units, Hundreds do ensue, The last of Thousands still begins anew.

XX.

Hor. Ode 13. Lib 1.

Quum tu Lydia Telephi, &c.

1.

FIe Lidy, fie, how can I longer bear Such strange unheard-of things, While I sit by, you curl young Jocky's Hair, And twirl about his Rings.

2.

Then I, poor Soul! into some corner sneak, And there begin to melt: What Heart of harden'd Steel that wou'd not break, If it such Thumpings felt?

3.

Believe me Child, when once the thing is past Jocky will leave you soon; And this alone you'll have to say at last, Good faith he was a Loon.

4.

Thrice blest are they, who to one point do tend, Not vary as the weather; But in each others Arms do make an end Of Love and Life together.

XXI.

Mart. Epigr. 14. Lib. 10.

Cedere de nostris nulli te dicis Amicis, &c.

WEll Sir, you say that you are still my Friend; But when I want, the Devil a souse you'll lend; Ev'ry sly Rascal can partake your store; But no relieving of a Friend that's Poor. Full are your Barns, and richly stockt your Lands, Yet ne're to me one Morsel slipt your hands. In this alone your Friendship me adorns, For your dear sake I wear a pair of Horns.

XXII.

Hor. Ode 7. Lib. 2.

O soepe mecum Tempus in Ʋltimum, &c.

1.

WHat George! Art thou return'd, old heart of Oak? Then may the Gods be blest: How oft have we escapt the fatal stroke, That Thousands sent to Rest?

2.

Oft have we felt the various chance of War, Have oft been full, and empty; Sometimes course Highland Bonnack was our fare, Sometimes all store of Plenty.

3.

I han't forgot that Cursed Landen bout, How wet we went to Kennel; And lay all night, like brace of pickled Trout, Serv'd up without their Fennel.

4.

You still pursu'd that rambling, restless Scene, Yet nothing got by Fighting; On that account I've still your Comrade been, And got as much by Writing.

5.

Come, let's the Soul of some kind Vintner try, And make him pierce his Terces: Him with your Camps and Sieges you shall ply, And I'll repeat my Verses.

6.

With dint of Argument we'll drill him on To trust on this occasion; And make him know, that 'tis by Faith alone, He must expect Salvation.

XXIII.

Anacreon Ode 25.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

1.

NO Rents have I, no well fill'd Barns, Of Trading Stocks no share; The mighty bulk of my concerns Is Chalkt up at the Bar.

2.

And yet when Healths have long gone round, And Drunkenness commences, Strange Raptures in my soul abound, Beyond the reach of sences.

3.

'Tis then we sing, and dance by turns, And kindly hug each other, Each with Affection panting burns, For his dear drunken Brother.

4.

No sorrow then my Thoughts infest, My Stars I don't upbraid; But with content, I reel to rest, When once the Reckning's paid.

XXIV.

Anacreon Ode 2.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

WHen first Nature began to destribute her store, In a flood of her Bounty, her Kindness run o're: Not a Creature but cou'd of some Excellence boast, But the Wisdom of Man was to rule all the Rost: Tho Bulls had their Horns, and Lyons their Claws, Yet the fiercest shou'd stoop to his Reasons great Laws.

Then to curb human Pride, in a frolicksome fit, To puzzle Mans Reason, and confound all his Wit, She ordain'd that he must to fost Beauty submit. Thus in vain does Man boast all his Sov'raign sway, At each beck of a Lust he's oblig'd to obey.

XXV.

Hor. Ode 5. Lib. 1.

Quis multa Gracilis, &c.

1.

WHat foolish Youth has Molly now drawn in To be her Cully Mate? He little thinks that he must purchase sin At half so dear a rate.

2.

Alas! that tender soft bewitching Face Will fiercest frowns put on: That Oily Tongue will Rant and Curse apace, When once his Cash is gone.

3.

Each Vein will then with downright Madness smart, And rankle with the Guilt, That he shou'd prostrate both his Purse and Heart, To such a Cursed Jilt.

4.

When once I found on what a sordid score She did her Charms display, I vow'd I ne're wou'd steer my Rudder more In such a faithless Sea.

FINIS.