Than this to boast, if, to Laurentum sped, And thy shrine fix'd in every human breast. But while, with anxious eyes, the great explore How much the dole augments their annual store, What misery must the poor dependants dread, Whom this small pittance clothed, and lodged, and fed? Wedged in thick ranks before the donor's gates, A phalanx firm of chairs and litters waits: Thither one husband, at the risk of life, Hurries his teeming, or his bedrid wife; Another, practised in the gainful art, With deeper cunning tops the beggar's part; Plants at his side a close and empty chair: "My Galla, master;-give me Galla's share." "Galla!" the porter cries; "let her look out." "Sir, she's asleep; nay, give me :—can you doubt!" What rare pursuits employ the clients' day!First to the patron's door, their court to pay, Thence to the forum, to support his cause, Last to Apollo, learned in the laws, (128) 109. Pallas was the freedman of Claudius, a weak prince, who lavished unbounded wealth upon his favourites, and impoverished himself. Pallas outlived Claudius, and was for some time in high favour with Nero, but was involved in the disgrace of Agrippina, and dismissed the Court. 128. The statue of Apollo stood in the forum of Augustus; where the public business was chiefly carried on. And the triumphal statues; where some Jew, Fit to be pagainst, or what you please. 130. Holyday says, that it was one Tiberius Alexander, a renegado Jew, who embraced the religion of Rome, and was made præfect of Egypt. He was the first to declare for Vespasian, (Tacit. Hist. x1. 79,) to whose party he brought a vast accession of strength, and was therefore, probably, honoured with a statue. F. Hold! where's the genius for this boundless theme? And where the liberty? Or dost thou dream Of that blunt freedom (freedom, that I fear To name or hint at) which allow'd, while-ere, Our sires to pour on vice, without control, The impassion'd dictates of the kindling soul, Heedless alike who smiled or frown'd? To glance at Tigellinus, and you glare (155) In that pitch'd shirt, in which such crowds expire, Chain'd to the bloody stake, and wrapp'd in fire. Now dare J. What, shall the man who drugg'd three uncles! three! Tower by triumphant, and look down on me? F. Yes; let him look: he comes! avoid his way, Then tears of shame, and dire revenge succeed- J. Yet I MUST write: and since these iron times And pour its gall on each obnoxious head. 155. Tigellinus was a creature of Nero, in whose house the great fire that devastated Rome first broke out; but for which the tyrant put thousands of Christians to most horrible deaths. |