Ah, do not seek, my dearest friend,
With anxious care to know,
Or how, or when, thy life shall end,
Or what thy fate below.
The same kind Power, that gave thee breath,
Still holds thee in his hand;
And when he bids thee sleep in death,
All wise is his command.
The power, whose watchful goodness feeds
The warblers of the air,
And clothes with flowers the smiling meads,
Shalt thou not be his care?
If lengthen'd years thy life should crown,
Then be his praise expressed;
Or if in this he cut thee down,
Still what he does is best.
[All the smaller pieces of poetry here republished, appeared at different times in the Monthly Anthology. Of this imitation, the author "says: "To the Epicureanism of the preceding Ode, I have endeavoured to give a Christian turn in the following imitation.']
Contract your hopes; how short at best The term of earthly bliss!
Let brighter worlds fill all thy breast; We are but born in this.
How swift our moments steal away;
E'en while we speak they fly;
Trust not the morrow, seize to day,
And only live to die.
FIRST PUBLISHED IN THE GENERAL REPOSITORY AND REVIEW,
FOR JANUARY 1812.
FLORUS, the illustrious Nero's* faithful friend,
What if some one, who wished a slave to vend,
Should with you thus about the purchase treat?—
"He's a fine lad, from head to foot complete;
"Eight thousand sesterces, and he's your own,
"Quick at a nod, at once your will is done;
"Talks Greek, learns any thing you wish, with ease, "Just like moist clay, you'll mould him, as you please, "Then he's a singer too, his voice is fine,
"And tho' untaught, will charm you o'er your wine.
"But why this praise; 'tis but the common tale
"Of pedlars, seeking for their wares a sale.
"I under no necessity am laid,
"And though not rich, yet all my debts are paid.
"No dealer e'er would sell him half so low,
"And 'tis not every one, should have him so.
"I own that once he made a trifling slip,
"And hid himself, as usual, from the whip.
* Tiberius, the successor of Augustus, one of whose names was Nero
FLORE, bono claroque fidelis amice Neroni,
Si quis forte velit puerum tibi vendere natum
Tibure vel Gabiis, et tecum sic agat: Hic et
Candidus, et talos a verticè pulcher ad imos,
Fiet eritque tuus nummorum millibus octo:
Verna ministeriis ad nutus aptus heriles,
Litterulis Græcis imbutus, idoneus arti
Cuilibet; argillâ quidvis imitaberis udâ:
Quin etiam canet indoctum, sed dulce bibenti.
Multa fidem promissa levant, ubi plenius æquo
Laudat venales, qui vult extrudere, merces.
Res urguet me nulla: meo sum pauper in ære.
Nemo hoc mangonum faceret tibi: non temere a me
Quivis ferret idem. Semel hic cessavit, et, ut fit,
In scalis latuit metuens pendentis habenæ.
"That he wont run away I dont pretend;
"In all things else, I'll warrant and defend."
If then with open eyes, you bought the slave,
It seems to me, that you can fairly have
No claim for damages; yet you dispute,
And vex the seller with a tedious suit.
All blame, before you left me, to prevent,
I told you I was dull and indolent.
Yet say, of what avail was this to me,
If still you murmur at so just a plea ;
Nay more, complain, because I did not send
Th' expected poems, I've deceived my friend?
One of Lucullus' soldiers, as 'tis said,
By service hard a little sum had made.
One night, as weary, fast asleep he lay,
Some pilfering scoundrel stole the whole away.
He, with himself and foes alike enraged,
Fierce as an hungry wolf, in fight engaged,
Dislodged a garrison well fortified,
And took the place with richest stores supplied.
The man, praised loudly for a feat so bold,
Received besides a good round sum in gold.
About this time, the Prætor wished to storm
A certain fort, ('twas dangerous to perform ;)
When thus the daring hero he addressed,
In words, that might have fired a coward's breast:-
"Go, go, my friend, where valor leads the way,
"And large rewards shall your deserts repay;
"Go, and may victory on your footsteps wait;
"Astonishment! and do you hesitate ?"
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