STANZAS IN IMITATION OF HORACE, LIB. II. ODE XIV. Ebeu fugaces, Pofthume, Pofihume, I. An! no, 't is all in vain, believe me 'tis, Not all these pray'rs and alms can buy Eternity! that boundless race 3 Which Time himself can never run, (Swift as he flies with an unwearied pace) Which, when ten thousand thousand years are done, Fix'd are thofe limits which prescribe In vain's thy inexhausted store 10 15 The rich, the great, the innocent, and juft, With the most vile and ignominious slave, In vain the fearful flies alarms, 20 In vain he is fecure from wounds of arms,. 25 In vain avoids the faithlets feas, And is confin'd to home and ease, Bounding his knowledge to extend his days: 30 All our evafions and regret to die; From the contagion of mortality And no retreat Is fo obfcure as to be hid from Fate. 35 Thou muft, alas! thou muft, my Friend, All must be left, and all be loft; Thy houfe, whofe ftately ftructure fo much coft, Room for the ftinking carcafs of its lord. 45 Of all thy pleafant gardens, grots, and bow'rs, Nought fhalt thou fave, Or but a sprig of rosemary shalt have, 50 Which thou haft taken fo much pains to get : All thy hid ftores he shall unfold, And fet at large thy captive gold. That precious wine, condemn'd by thee To vaults and prifons, fhall again be free; 60 Bury'd alive tho' now it lies, Again fhall rife, Again its fparkling furface fhow, And free as element profufely flow. With fuch high food he fhall fet forth his feafts, 65 That Cardinals fhall wish to be his guests, And pamper'd prelates fee Themfelves outdone in luxury. 68 M PRIAM'S LAMENTATION AND PETITION ΤΟ ACHILLES FOR THE BODY OF HIS SON HECTOR. Tranflated from the Greek of Homer, 'Inidd. w. Beginning at this line, Ως άρα φωνήσας ἀπέβη πρὸς μακρὸν, Ὄλυμπον The Argument Introduäsry. HECTOR'S body, (after he was flain) remained ftill in the poffeffion of Achilles, for which Priam made great lamentation. Jupiter had pity on him, and fent Iris to comfort him, and direct him after what manner he thould go to Achilles' tent, and how he fhould there ranfom the body of his fon. Priam accordingly orders his chariot to be got. ready, and, preparing rich prefents for Achilles, fets forward to the Grecian camp, accompanied by nobody but his herald Idæus. Mercury, at Jupiter's command, meets him by the way, in the figure of a young Grecian, and, after bemoaning his misfortunes, undertakes to drive his chariot, unobferved, through the guards, and to the door of Achilles' tent; which having performed, he discovered himself a god, and giving him a fhort instruction how to move Achilles to compaffion, flew up to heaven. So fpake the god, and heav'nward took his flight; When Priam from his chariot did alight, Leaving Idæus there, alone he went, With folemn pace into Achilles' tent. Heedlefs he pafs'd thro' various rooms of state, IC } There at a feaft the good old Priam found And feeking refuge does from juftice run, 15 20 Ent'ring fome houfe in hafte, where he's unknown, So did Achilles gaze, furpris'd to fee And mute, yet feem'd to queftion with their eyes, And thus the venerable fuppliant fpoke. 64 Divine Achilles! at your feet behold "A proftrate king, in wretchedness grown old: 25 30 |