AN ESSAY Upon the Third Punic War. LIB. I. and II. To which are added Theodosius' Advice to his Son. AND THE PHOENIX; Out of CLAUDIAN.  
By T. R. Esquire.  Scribimus indocti doctique poemata. Hor. 
In the SAVOY, Printed by T. N. for William Nott at the Queen's Arms in the Pall-Mall. MDCLXXI.   

To the Illustrious Prince JAMES DUKE OF MONMOUTH, BUCCLEUGH, etc.  
May it please your Grace,  
THe Art of War being that to which all great Men should apply their Studies (as the most Heroic Profession, to which Your Grace hath dedicated Your thoughts:) This Essay (besides that it hath the Honour to be born in Your Service) may justly claim Your Protection; and the rather, because in it there is an Image of a Brave Young Hero, whose Virtue so far outstripped the Deliberate Promotions of his Country, that He ascended to the Highest Dignities by Dispensations of the Roman Laws, not sought by his Ambition; but voluntarily indulged to his Worth: all which he obtained, not so much by his Birth (though of the most Noble) as by an early application of Himself to the Study of what a Great Man should do, and bringing into practice what he had studied. And he was happy in this, that his Employments seemed to be conferred on Him, rather by Necessity than choice, He appearing rather the Sanctuary, than Servant of his Country, by securing them from the Fears of Carthage and Numantia. Ipresent Him to Your Grace, in little and a rough Draught, leaving Him to some better Hand to finish; hoping Your Grace will more regard my desire, than my Art to express myself  
Your Grace's Most humble and most faithful Servant T. R.   

AN ESSAY Upon the Third PUNIQVE WAR. LIB. I.  

TIme to that Point had run; when Conscious Fate,  
Resolved no more to strive with Juno's Hate,  
But with the Gods comply, who now their doom  
Had given 'gainst Carthage, and reserved for Rome  
The Empire of the World: while Libya sees  
Signs of their Wrath, and their severe Decrees.  
All that of Prodigy, in Heaven or Earth  
Can be produced; All that with monstrous Birth  
Can Nature fright; or fill the World with Fear,  
Or could confirm the People in Despair,  
Showed that all Causes must to Fates give way,  
And, that the Gods themselves those Laws obey.  

(a) The Peace after the end of the Second Punic War, continued about 50 years; during which time though the Carthaginians increased in Wealth and People, Massanissa very injuriously possessed himself of much of their Territories, and though they often appealed to the Romans, yet could they never have redress; which in some of the Great Ones added much to their in bred detestation of their power over them.  Scarce were the wounds of that Destructive War,  
Which left in Africk's Face so deep a Scar,  
Closed up, when a Disdain of Roman Chains,  
And sense of Shame, through her yet Bloodless Veins,  
Like a dire Fever, runs, inflames her Heart,  
And with a troubled Pulse, strikes every Part.  

(b) Massanissa presuming upon his friendship with the Romans, had so highly provoked the Carthaginians, that they sent an Army against him under the Conduct of Hasdrubal, who was overthrown; by reason of which, Massanissa not only more encroached upon them, but the Romans likewise (to whom they still appealed for Justice) made this an infringement of an Article of their League, obliging them not to take Arms against an Ally of Rome, and thereupon prepared for War.  The Cause of so great Ills, my Muse relate;  
And why the Ruin of an Anient State  
The Gods, and Men should jointly so conspire.  
Must nothing under Heaven be kept entire  
When Great? then (Rome) thy Fate will be the same,  
With that of Carthage, and when thy proud Name  
Hath filled the World so, that Thou canst not rise  
More high, nor be a nobler Sacrifice  
To Fortune; Nations, conquered by Thee, shall  
Divide, with Joy, the Trophies of thy Fall.  
After the Ivory Palaces inlaid  
With Gold, and Syphax crown the spoils were made  
Of Scipio, Carthage disarmed of all  
Her Force by Sea and Land, and Hannibal  
In all the World, Rome's Fear, Alone, remained;  
Whose death, with infamy soon after stained  
Bithyniae's Throne; as if above the stroke  
Of Fate, or Fortune, Massanissa's Yoke,  
Heavier than Rome's, on Libya's Neck was laid,  
For than a Civil Hand, which has betrayed  
Its Country, what can give a deeper Wound?  
Such to serve Rome was Massanissa found.  
What she had spared, He, cruelly destroyed:  
And what her Pity left, his Pride enjoyed,  
She, Honour; only, by her Conquest sought,  
And lasting Trophies to her Temples brought,  
Where emulous Nephews, might her Actions read,  
And boldly in those steps of Honour tread.  
He sought not to subdue, but to oppress.  
And by extending Power, made Glory less.  
No Bounds to his Ambition set a Bar,  
But all was justly gained, achieved in War.  
His violated Faith must serve the Times,  
And give a Pious Name to greatest Crimes.  
Poor Libya must believe, 'tis Heaven's Decree  
That she to Roman Laws, should subject be.  
Her Ancient Valour to Religion now.  
Must yield, and to such servile Dictates bow,  

(c) The Numidians though their Country was very fertile, wholly neglected Tillage and all sort of Husbandry, living in Tents, and removing as their Pasture failed; till Massanissa having united Syphax Kingdom to his own Inheritanee, reduced them to a more civil life. Vid. App. lib. Libyc.  As to her Fathers were unknown before;  
And what she hated once, she must adore.  
Unhappy State, where Treason takes her Stand  
Upon the Throne, and does in Chief command;  
All Rites, all Laws to Insolence give way,  
And what should most command, does most obey.  
The Voice of Heaven to attend all Power appears,  
But a vain Sound still filis the Peoples ears;  
What they expect, they seldom can enjoy,  
And present Evils, all future Hopes destroy.  
The gilded Name of Public Good brings in  
All Mischief, and what Virtue seems, is sin.  
Their use of Arms, under the Latin Gown,  
Is lost, Rome's Rites the Libyan Customs drown.  
As a fierce Horse, by stroking, does admit  
To bear a Rider, and receives the Bit;  
Which settled in his Jaws, he quickly feels  
The Wand, and sury of the Rider's Heels.  
So by the Civil Customs brought from Rome,  
By Massanissa, Libya lost at Home  
That noble fierceness that once armed their hand  
Against the World, and gained by Sea and Land,  
Such Conquests, as no Nation, could exceed,  
But that, to which, Heaven had the World decreed.   

But in some breasts, the Ancient Tyrian Name  
As yet survived, and Courage was the same,  
As when Amilcar, or his Valiant Son,  
For Empire, and Revenge the War begun.  
The chief of these was Hasdrubal, who stood  
High in the People's favour, as in Blood  
Derived from Ancestors, who thither came  
With Dido, and preserved a Noble Name.  
Grief now to see the Carthaginian Bounds  
Confined to Byrsa's Walls, his soul confounds.  
Pity, and Rage, at once his thoughts divide,  
Which straight are wholly to revenge appied.  
Revenge, that gives all ease to present Ills,  
And with false hope deluded Fancy fills.  
On this he often meditates, yet dares  
Not speak his thoughts, but while he hopes, despairs.  
He's safe, while his designs he lays alone  
But still in danger, when to others known.  
The Power of Rome, all Courage had suppressed,  
And planted Terror in each Tyrian breast;  
So that all confidence of Friends o'erthrown,  
The Punic Faith (now to a Proverb grown)  
The nearest Trust, and strictest Vows betrays,  
And Treachery Religion oversways.   

But yet this Fury, with another joined,  
Dispels these doubts, and reconfirms his mind.  
Ambition, which in Hell her Throne maintains,  
And equal, every where, with Pluto reigns,  
Adorned with spoils of Kings, of Crowns, of Courts,  
With their sad Ruin, she insulting sports  
Her Eyes, with Envy fired, still upward gaze,  
As if she'd blast, with those Infectious Rays,  
All that above her shines. On either hand  
Attending her commands, the Furies stand.  
Rebellion, Murder Treason, with all Ills  
Nurtured in Hell, she the dire Circle fills.  
For Action arm d, and when from thence she flies  
T'embroil the World, they all are in disguise.  
Rebellion lifting up her zealous hands,  
Dressed like Religion, at the Altar stands,  
And to deluded gods her Incense burns.  
Murder, herself to awful Justice, turns.  
And Forms of Law, in all she acts proclaims.  
Treason, the Loyal shape, and all the Names  
Of Virtue takes, officiously attends  
The Prince, and flattering, all he does commends;  
Till his had Deeds, the good by much out weigh,  
And so to Ruin, the secure betray.   

It was a time, when Carthage (though her Fall  
Recorded was, from rising Hannibal)  
Grateful to his great Name, those Annual Rites 
(d) Though these Sacrifices were in use with some other Nations: (even among the Romans, until prohibited by Decree of Senate, An. Urb. Conned. 657. Cornel. Lepid. and Licinius Crassus' Consuls; Plin. lib. 30. Natural. Histor.) yet most notorious they were among the Carthaginians, who observed them yearly. Vid. Sil. Ital. lib. 4.   
In Dido's ruin d Grove, three following Nights,  
Performed, which dire Religion, long ago,  
Had celebrated to the Powers below.  
When at the Altars cruel Mothers stood,  
And from their Breasts, while yet they suck d their blood,  
With flattering kisses, smiling Babes betrayed  
To Stygian flames, and dreadful Victims made:  
While Nature in the Act subdued appears,  
And Zeal chokes all their Sighs, & stops their Tears 
(e) In great Calamities, commonly the Children of the Nobility were chosen by Lot, who sometimes redeemed them by the purchase of others; whose Mothers lost their Reward, if they were seen to weep or sigh: continually kissing and flattering their Children, that the Sacrifice might not he offered weeping or lamenting. Vid. Arnob. lib. 8. Plutarch. de Superstit.    

The Night was come, when to Barcinna, sprung  
From the Bareean Line, and when but young,  
(Scarce full three Lustra old) by Hymen join d  
To Hasdrubal, when the glad Priest divined,  
She, for her Country, with a Name above  
Her Sex, should Valour's great example prove;  
To Her, with a distracted look, he thus  
Gins, What end to Carthage, and to Us,  
Us born to Greater Things, does Fate design?  
Fortune not Us, We rather Her decline,  
While thus, with our unactive hands, we seem  
As chained, nor seek Our Country to redeem.  
Rome, though remote, with her Decrees alone,  
Extends perfidious Massanissa 's Throne;  
Our Walls contracts, deprives us of our Force,  
And from Our Temples doth Our God's divorce.  
All that with Us is Sacred, is their Scorn,  
Our Altars Spoils, Triumphal Cars adorn.  
'Tis not enough that they should Us subdue,  
Our Laws are lost, Religion's captived too.  
Yet this, true Libyan Courage may restore,  
We may do that which hath been done before.  
A Woman first Our Famed Foundation laid,  
Heaven hath to Thee, a Soul, as brave conveyed.  
All that was Great in Her, Thou art, and more:  
As to Begin is less, than to Restore.  
Her weak Beginnings nothing did oppose.  
Rome, and the World about Us, are Our Fots;  
As if that Heaven had built up all these Powers  
To be o'rthrowu, and make that Glory Ours.  
Great Actions from their dangers take esteem,  
And should we want success, we shall not seem  
In Story less: 'tis next to Victory  
To attempt bravely, and if Carthage be  
Destined to Ruin, Future Times will call  
Us Happy, who scorn to survive her Fall.  
As thus he spoke, Barcinna whom the same  
Thoughts and desires did equally inflame,  
Prevents the rest with Kisses, and inspires  
New Rage into Him with those melting Fires;  
Applauds his high Designs (for her before  
The Furies had possess d with this and more:)  
Tells him, with smiles, This, Hasdrubal, alone,  
Becomes Our Blood, and can give Thee a Throne.  
Hopes of Revenge and Power, may Woman bear  
To all Attempts, if not restrained by Fear.  
Her above that Barcean Blood had placed,  
And therefore all things else, she soon embraced;  
All that his Reason could before Her lay,  
As to be shunned, her Courage takes away.  
She Rome's and Massanissa's force defies.  
And fond dreams of Future Victories.  
Cries, Come (my Hasdrubal) 'tis only Fear  
Hath kept that Yoke, upon Us, which We bear.  
Now shake it off; United Force, though less  
Than when dispersed, is nearer to success.  
Our strength, which once their Policy disjoined,  
Their Tyranny doth now more firmly bind.  
Carthage is One; not Hanno 's Race can call  
Themselves more free, than that of Hannibal.  
We all are equal Slaves, all equal Foes,  
Rome after Victory, no Difference knows.  
No Faction now, will for their Peace declaim,  
All equally detest the Dardan Name.  
Babes from Our breasts, an innate hatred take,  
And curse a Roman, soon as they can speak  
No Age, or Sex, will their best Aid deny,  
And those, who cannot fight for Us, can die.  
Die to appease those gods, whose Rites now lost,  
Have made poor Carthage mourn, and Rome to boast.  
As this she spoke, her hand she laid upon  
A lovely Boy (scarce six year old) her Son.  
Princes, in pious Acts, should Leaders be,  
And this the gods expect from Us, (said she)  
This was the First-Fruit of our Nuptial Vow,  
And we the Noblest Victims should allow  
To Powers, which we adore: Amazed he stood  
At this, and Horror runs through all his blood.  
Within himself he feels a cruel War,  
And yet assents to what he does abhor.  
And straight by either Hand, they lead the Boy,  
A Sacrifice both of their Grief and Joy.  
The Place and Season for the Fact conspires,  
The Night in Horror wrapped up all her Fires.  
The Moon to Hell retired, ashamed her Eye  
Should see it, while She governed in the Sky,  
The Place (a Place of Terror) was the Wood  
Where once Elysa's Stygian Temple stood.  
Where Birds of Night, perpetual Dirges sung  
Of those were sacrificed, and among  
The Boughs and hollow Trunks, sad howl gave.  
Under the Temple was a spacious Cave,  
Where in eternal Darkness next to Hell,  
The dreadful Priestess, ever chose to dwell;  
Detesting all that pleased the Eye or Ear,  
A constant Friend to Terror and Despair.  
Three Lamps, with Sulphur filled, a noisome Mist  
Expired, and Serpents in each corner hist.  
The Roman General, who did abhor  
What here was done, after the former War  
This Temple with the Grove had quite destroy d,  
But yet they, secretly, the Cave enjoyed.  
In midst of which a Marble Altar stood  
Still to maintain their thirst of Human blood.  
Hither this Impiously Pious Pair  
Conduct their Son, upon whose curling Hair  
His cruel Mother several Fillets tied,  
In each a Charm; pleased with their Fatal Pride,  
The Pomp of his approaching Death, the Child  
First on his Father, then on's Mother smiled;  
Who takes Him in her Arms, and thrice caressed  
With Kisses, while He, mutually expressed  
His Joy, and's hands upon her Shoulders throws;  
While the sad Father, by his silence shows  
His inward grief. She like Medea round  
The Altar trots, and with the dreadful sound  
Of words, scarce understood, the Powers of Hell  
Implores, with all that in those Mansions dwell.  
All that she fond, did believe could lend  
Their Aid, or did of Cadmus' Race descend.  
Above the rest She Hannibal invokes,  
And straight at his great Name the Altar smokes.  
A thick and gloomy Flame from neighbouring Hell,  
Arose, and struck the Sense with Sulphurous smell.  
Pleased with the Prodigy (she cries) See there,  
My Hasdrubal, see where the gods appear.  
From her own Throne, see Hecate, intent  
In what we offer here, her Fire hath sent  
A friend to Hannibal, and all that are  
Friends to his Name, and Carthage in this War,  
The Omen (power full goddess) we adore,  
And thy forsaken Rites we thus restore.  
This said, the dire distraction of her Face  
Creates and adds new Terror to the place.  
The Boy snatched up, She on the Altar flings,  
And horrid Notes in broken Murmurs sings.  
So to delude, and to suppress his cries,  
Till smiling on her Face with doubtful Eyes,  
The Stygian Knife, was to his Throat applied,  
Which twice the trembling Father put aside;  
Until at length Religion oversway d,  
And Nature Laws, which she detests, obeyed.   

The Wound thus by the Mother given, the Life  
O'th' Child, straight followed the Retracted Knife.  
Then with redoubled strokes she opens wide  
His breast, where her dire Hands the Lungs divide,  
And a fresh Part at every dreadful Name  
Of Hecat, offers to the Rising Flame,  
Till, with the Night consumed, th' approaching day,  
(Which must not see such deeds) them called away.   

And now the noise of war all Libya fills,  
And Prodigies denounce approaching Ills.  
Wild Beasts the Deserts quit in midst of Day,  
Run into Cities, and return with prey.  
Serpents from thirsty sands to Rivers fly,  
And poison springs, while there they drink and die.  
Earth in her Womb doth strange Convulsions feel,  
By which the Palaces of Princes reel,  
As drunk, with lusts of those, who in them dwell.  
And to fore-shew their Master's Ruin, fell.  
The Sea, unmoved by Winds, is heard to roar,  
And casts up bodies long since wracked ashore.  
Prodigious Fires above her Surface fly,  
While Mariners no more explore the Sky  
For Guides to sail, but fooled by Panic Fear,  
Forsake their Course, and after Meteors steer,  
Comets with points uncertain shine above,  
And threaten all beneath them as they move:  
Or menace, as their flattering Prophets say,  
All Nations but their own, and so betray  
To a secure Credulity their Friends,  
Or to presume 'gainst that, which Heaven intends.  
And such was Hasdrubal's sad Fate, who now,  
Assumes the War, under a guilty Vow.  
Turns all those threaten of the gods on those,  
Who Carthage emulate, or are her Foes.   

'Mong all the Nations, that in Libya dwell,  
From whence the Nile's eternal Waters swell.  
To Ethiopian Woods, or dangerous Sands  
Of Nasamon, none equal Force commands  
To the Numidian, a People blest  
With Air, and Soil, more temperate than the rest.  
They Natures Dictate follow every where,  
And promptly, whatsoever Earth doth bear,  
Take up for Food, without all skill to raise  
The Appetite, the Dews of Nights and Days,  
Intemperate Heats, they patiently endure,  
And to Continual Toil themselves enure.  
Ready for War, flying the Arts of Court  
And City-frauds, They to the Fields resort,  
Lodge with their Flocks, still armed, expect the Foe,  
No costly Equipage for Camps they know,  
Nor aught that may effeminate the mind.  
Over all these, since Carthage first declined,  

(f) Massanissa confident of the Friendship he had contracted with the House of Scipio, at his death left his Kingdom to be divided among his three Sons, as Scipio should determine; who so disposed the parts of it, as none of them should be entrusted with too much power. Appian. ibid.  Great Massanissa reigned; but, soon as Fate  
Took him away, Rome conscious of what weight  
That Sceptre was, not to be swayed by One  
Alone, divides it. On his Eldest Son  
The noblest Part, the Charge of Peace at Home,  

(g) Cirta, situate in the midst of Numidia, the Metropolis of Massanissa and his Successors Kingdom, and by them made so potent, that it could furnish out 10000 Horse, and 20000 Foot. Vid. Strab. lib. 17.  Bestows, with Cirta's Riches, but (what Rome  
Did more import) upon the Next confers  
The Charge of all Numidia's Arms and Wars.  
Wither they should pursue Maurusian Horse,  
Or Byrsa's Walls, or Hippargeta Force:  
Or following Roman Ensigns City's awe  
That doubtful stood, and to Alliance draw.  
The Third the People did to Justice bring,  
And Laws observed, in this no less a King;  
Which Title by Decree they all did share,  
And equally the Royal Ensigns wear.  
With this 
* Three Brothers who reigned in Spain, so unanimous in their Government, that they gave occasion to Poets to fain them one Monster with three heads, and all members trebled, etc.  Geryon Rome a while maintained  
Th'instable power she had in afric gained;  
But when despair again had Carthage armed  
By Hasdrubal's successful I roops alarmed, 
(h) Hasdrubal had in the Field a flying Army of about 20000 men, with which he contiwally infested the Romans then in afric; and upon some successes over Manlius the Consul, several Cities declared for him, and some joined with him in the Field.   
The Libyan Cities, the attested gods  
Forget, and where they see the present odds,  
To Carthage, or to Rome, as Friends adhere,  
And lend their Aid, induced by Hope or Fear,  
Some nobler Souls, their country's Freedom fired,  
Some Memory of Ancestors inspired,  
Some that their Captived gods might be reslored,  
Or Princes, whom they next to them adored;  
Of these Numidia many yet retained,  
Who Syphax Name still honoured and disdained  
The pride of Rome, who no distinction made  
'Twixt Kings, and Slaves, but did alike invade  
Their Necks with Chains, and those of highest Birth,  
(The next to Heaven) levelled with basest Earth,  
And, now with Hasdrubal Phamaeas joins 
(i) Phamaeas was made General of the Horse to Hasdrubal, and so active, that he in several conflicts, worsted the Romans, and in their Marches cut off their Provisions. Vid. Appian. ibid.   
Numidian Troops, and Rome's Command declines;  
Derides her Fasces and her Consul meets  
In open Fields, and valiantly defeats  
Her late Victorious Bands, and by success  
Her power impairs, and makes her Glory less.  
So that the Faith of Massanissa's Heir, 
(k) The ill success of the Roman Arms both under Manlius and Calphurnius, gave courage to some to declare against them, and many to appear Neuters; among others one Bithyas left Gulassa (the second Son of Massanissa) and fled with 800 Horse to Hasdrubal, while Micipsa and Mastanabas his two Brothers, could not be invited to take the Field, neither would Gulassa march with the Army under his command, but with the rest expected further Events. Vid. Appian. ibid.   
In Arms is broke, or else depressd by Fear.  
While, doubtful, He his promised Aid withdraws,  
And seems to favour Libya's Common Cause,  
Jealous alike, both of his Friends, and Foes,  
Through Deserts, and through Sands, the Conful goes,  
To seek a safe Retreat, sometimes he stands  
In Battle, in a Plain; His weary Bands  
Sometimes encamp d, are licenc'd to repose.  
When straight they are surrounded by their Foes:  
Whose active Fury, to disturb their Rest,  
With showers of Darts, and Arrows them infest;  
While, as besieged, they day and night defend  
Their Trenches, and still fresh Assaults attend.  
Here, with light Troops Phamaeas scours the Plains,  
There Hasdrubal all Foragers restrains,  
Till Famine waked in every Roman Breast  
That ancient Valour which their Fear suppressed:  
Creates new Rage, gives such a Sense of Shame,  
That, even the Common Men their Leaders blame,  
Call for the Signal, and without delay,  
Through their insulting Foes do force their way.  
All Orders lost, and, what they did allow  
Was Mutiny before, is Valour now.  
In this brave Fury, with a joint Consent  
They fill with Clamour the Praetorian Tent,  
Where for the Rest, Sertorius thus begun,  
Do we live, Consul, and behold the Sun,  
While all the Victories, that Rome may boast,  
In this Inglorious Camp, are tamely lost?  
Even we are they, who in the Book of Fame,  
Degenerate, and Base, expunge her Name;  
All the Disgraces, which her Infant Wars  
Had brought upon her, were with noble Scars,  
In her Maturer Age to Glories turned,  
And, where She once her slaughtered Sons had mourned,  
Triumphal Arches stood, which now again  
We here demolish, with a deeper stain  
Than 
* Where near the Town Caudium, the Samnites vanquished the Roman Army, commanded by Sp. Posthumius, making them all to pass under the Took.  Caudine straits, or the Victorious Gaul  
Can ere have given, what more could Hannibal  
Before have wished, or Carthage now desire  
Then thus to see the Roman Youth expire,  
Armed, and without a Wound. It is Our Fear  
Gives Strength and Courage to the Foe, 'tis here,  
We put the Capitol, into their Power.  
To ravish Matrons, Virgins to deflower,  
To captivate Our Sons, and what is more  
To give Them, All that World was Ours before.  
Oh base desire of Life! when abject Fear  
Of Death, shall prompt Us all, those Ills to bear!  
These Wounds (with that detects his Breast) these Scars,  
Ensigns of Honour, gained in Former Wars,  
Would blush for shame, did not the want of Food  
Which makes them pale, deny supplies of Blood.  
If after this, another life there be  
Where Virtue hath reward, unhappy We  
Who, though this Infamy, no place can claim  
In those blessed Shades, with those of Roman Name.  
Unburied here, our Ghosts must wandr'ing go,  
Lamenting still this Memorable Woe,  
And never Lethe pass. As this he spoke,  
A storm of sighs the Camp about him shook.  
Their pallid Cheeks o'erflown with Silent Tears,  
And Indignation straight expelling Fears,  
Their Eagles are advanced, and every Hand  
Armed for the Charge, expecting the Command  
Which now the Consul gives, and leads them on,  
With that the Gates and Ramparts overthrown,  
They rush into the Plain, as when with rain  
Increased, the Banks that lately did restrain  
Its force, a River overflows, and fills  
The neighbouring level round, straight to the Hills  
The Shepherds with their Flocks affrighted fly,  
The Herds their Pastures quit, and suddenly  
The Folds and Cottages are born away,  
And to the Torrent, the whole Fields a Prey.  
With no less Fury the Ausonian Bands  
The Libyans invade; no Force withstands  
Where they appear, but scattered through the Plain  
Where Terror leads, they fly, while all, in vain,  
Here Hasdrubal, Phamaeas there exclaims,  
Upbraids their flight, recalls them by their Names  
Into the Fight: but deafness every Ear  
Had stopped, and Sense of Honour's lost in Fear.  
All forward press, not any One is found  
To turn his Face, and take a noble Wound,  
But feel that Danger, which they never see,  
While Showers of Piles and Javelins as they flee,  
Fall on their backs. Confusion drives them all,  
Yet stops their speed, while every one doth call  
On his Comrade, and with a threatening Hand  
Repels his Steed, and bids him make a stand,  
Yet spurs to be the first, until the Night  
Approached, and better to secure their flight,  
Upon an Hill a spacious Wood appeared,  
Thither they fly: there, boldly, what they feared  
Examine, why they fled? who first begun  
To turn their backs, and from the Combat run?  
None guilty are, on Fortune, all, the Crime  
Reject, and vow Revenge another time.   

And now with constant speed, the Hours had run,  
To call to Thetis Bed the sleeping Sun:  
Where while He lay, both Armies watchful are,  
And fear, alike, the Stratagems of War.  
The Roman General amidst the Plain  
Sets out, anew his Camp, and calls again  
His Troops from the pursuit, rewards the Toils  
Of this so happy Day, with Libyan Spoils.  
Spoils by despair, as well, as Valour gained,  
And without danger not to be retained.  
For now incensed, at their so shameful Flight  
The Libyans in Counsel spend the Night.  
And with the rising Day advance again,  
And cover with their rallied Force the Plain,  
Rending with barbarous shouts the trembling Air,  
When straight the Romans to their Arms repair;  
And with prompt Courage in good Order from  
Their Trenches March, as if in view of Rome,  
Their Public gods, and every Private Lar,  
Had witnessed, how they then pursued the War.  
The Libyan Troops on every side appear,  
Sometimes the Front infest; sometimes the Rear.  
Then on the Flanks impetuously fall.  
Or flying, Parthian-like, with Arrows gall  
Th' advancing Foe, whose constant Valour makes  
His way, and all Attempts against him breaks.  
As when a Bull, first in the Cirque appears  
While Cries of Dogs, and Shouts of Men his Ears  
Invade, He expects the sight, and murmuring stands  
And kicking into Air the flying sands,  
Prepares his Fury, that still greater grows  
By the Attaques, and Clamour of his Foes.  
Which, though on every side he bravely scorns,  
Some crushing with his Feet, some with his Horns,  
Tossed to the Clouds, through all he, fearless, runs,  
Meets every Wound, nothing of danger shuns,  
Till by his rage, his strength improved, he o'erthrows  
The Bars, and breaks, a Conqueror, through his Foes.   

Famed through the Libyan Coast, old Hippo stands 
(l) This Hippo (for there were two in Africa) was likewise called Hippargeta, situate betwixt Carthage and Utica, of great strength, and very commodiously built upon the Sea-coast by Agathocles King of Syracuse. Their Emulation of Utica's power, made them constant in their friendship to Carthage.   
Whose Walls, at first, raised by Tinacrian Bands,  
By Naval Power, o'er all the neighbouring Sea  
Such Terror spread, was so enriched by prey,  
That, emulous of Utica by none,  
She was excelled, but Dido ' Tower's alone.  
Resolved her Fate, whatever it was, to bear  
Where Carthage had a Foe, she, firmly, there  
A Friend appeared, her Enemies defies,  
And all her wants, with Roman spoils supplies.  
Thither through all the dangers of a way 
(m) Calphurnius coming before Carthage, those of Hippo were so active in its Relief, by burning his Engines, and destroying his Works towards the Sea, that quitting Carthage, he resolved first to be revenged on Hippo; but spending the whole Summer in this Siege, with great loss both of Men and Honour, he was forced to retire to Winter in Utica. Vid. Appian. ibid.   
That or to want or labour could betray  
Their troops, the Romans march, with hope their Fame,  
(By a fresh Conquest of so great a Name)  
Again to raise, to wipe off Widows tears  
At home, and Rome absolve from future Fears.  
For weak, as at her Birth then Carthage stood;  
Full of distempers, Faint with loss of Blood.  
Like a sick body whose declining Parts  
Supported are alone by outward Arts;  
Which once with-drawn, to Ruin the whole Frame  
Inclines, and scarce retains an empty name.  
Such then with Hippo's (Carthage) was thy Fate.  
Hippo, thy sole Support, and Prop of State.  
Whose Friendship (which the World now only knows  
By name) all Shocks of Fortune did oppose.  
Scorning to base Advantage to give way,  
Or let her Profit, 'bove Her Honour sway;  
Still mindful of the Vows which she had made,  
While even the greatest Libian betrayed  
Their Faith, and such Phamaea's, nor is't strange  
That Men of Noble Birth are apt to change.  
Since Interest first from Earth Astrea forced,  
And Piety from Souls of Men divorced,  
Fear to be less, and an untamed Desire  
To be more great, so furiously conspire,  
That rarely Virtue, mixed with their high Blood,  
Makes them continue Valiant, Just, or Good.  
Whether Ambition to be raised above  
What Carthage did allow, at first did move  
His thought to this, as Massanissa found  
Himself above his hopes, with Empire Crowned,  
After he Roman Arms to Libyan joined;  
Or that the Fear of Rome's great Power inclined  
His Soul to Treachery, He in the view  
Of his Armed Friends, whom that they should pursue  
His vile example, he invites aloud,  

(*) Phamaeas resolving to revolt to the Romans, would render himself to none but Scipio Aemilianus then a Commander under the Consul, and famous for his Integrity; who sent him to Rome, where the Senate received him with great Honour. Vid. Appian. in Lybicis.  To Scipio flies, and to Rome's Service vowed  
His future Arms, and safety, basely, sought  
From that right hand, which so great Ruin brought  
Upon his Country, th' Infamous Reward  
Of Treason, which all generous Souls abhorred,  
At Rome receives, with honours seeks his shame  
To hid, while Carthage execrates his Name.   

And now about the Walls, their Eagles shine  
With Silver Wings, while all within combine  
Against their Force, no Age, nor Sex their hands  
Withhold, but bravely, in divided Bands  
Their fiercest Rage, with equal Fury meet,  
And Stratagems with Stratagems defeat;  
Nor from the Walls alone, their Valour show,  
But day and night, with Sallies vex the Foe;  
Their Trenches, with their frequent slaughters fill,  
And (as all Africa they excelled in skill  
At Sea) the fierce Invaders from the Port  
Repel, and in their Galleys Ruins sport.  
Not Archimedes' in Sicilian Wars,  
Tossing tall Ships, like Balls, unto the Stars,  
As if he had designed to invade their Sphere,  
And fix more wondrous Constellations there,  
Then Colchis had renowned, could e'er employ  
More Arts, the Roman Navy to destroy.  
While vain attempts, their Foes with terror filled,  
And Winter's Cold, their Limbs and Courage chilled.  
When both by Sea and Land incessant storms  
Threatened to these a Wrack, the Use of Arms  
To those denied, and the Besieged enjoy  
All shelter from those Ills which them annoy:  
And with their plenty from the Walls upbraid  
Their Camp's necessities, with Wealth displayed,  
Their silent Bands to new Attaques invite,  
And proudly, but in vain, provoke the fight.  
For now the change of Fasces, as the year  
Expired, and Augurs superstitious Fear,  
The Consul to remove the Camp persuade,  
And their known Valour to strange doubts betrayed;  
While from their Birds fantastic Appetite,  
Which Food rejects, or their Ambiguous flight,  
They boldly dare pronounce the future State  
Of things, as if they read the Book of Fate.  
And from swollen Entrails of slain Beasts divine  
That Carthage then should rise and Rome decline.  
Even those who Nature's Secrets with a more  
Sublime Conceit, and sharper Sense explore,  
From the Aspects of Stars and Planets seem  
To stamp their guilty Follies with esteem,  
And Heaven entitle to the Crime, and stra it  
The Consuls silent Orders for Retreat  
Run through the Camp, and cover with the Night,  
From Hippo, the dishonour of their Flight.   

The Moon with all her Starry train gave way,  
To the Alternate Empire of the Day,  
When to the Walls the People haste in Arms  
Ready to entertain those fierce Alarms.  
Which gave the rising Morn, a deeper Red,  
And all the Furies with dire slaughter Fed  
But now no Warlike Sounds invade their Ears,  
Peace shines about, the Ensigns of their Fears  
Are all removed, and what they there before  
Had trembling viewed, they boldly now explore.  
With busy eyes and hands their Children show  
Each Quarter of the Camp, where every Foe  
Of name his Tent had pitched, and, vainly, kind  
Promise them spoils, of what was left behind.  
No more confined, out at the Ports they run,  
And, in their Sallies, what they late had done  
With glory to their joyful friends repeat,  
How here Phamaeas in a base Retreat,  
A Libyan, from Libyan Ensigns fled,  
And in the Roman Camp his hated Head  
Secured. How there the stout Isalces, while  
His Friends retired to safety, till a Pile  
Struck through his heart, from an unerring hand,  
The Victim of his Country, kept his stand;  
Not Cocles, when the Tuscan King pursued, 
(n) Horatius' Cockles, who gave a stand to the whole Army of Porsenna, while the fliing Romans broke down the Bridge over Tiber behind him, which saved the City.   
(Though happier in his Fate) more bravely stood  
The memory of his Fall mixed Joy with tears,  
And thoughts of dangers past, revived their fears.  
The wise, though safe, are doubtful still in War,  
And think their dangers near, though ne'er so far.  
Back to the Temples then, with Garlands crowned,  
They Paeans sing, and strew with flowers the ground.  
The Priests their Offerings on the Altars lay,  
And Vows for their Recovered safety pay.  
All joys of People, who by Heaven are blessed,  
With unexpected Peace, are there expressed.  
As when his Vessel charged with all the Wealth  
The East affords for Pleasure or for Health.  
A Merchant in return by tempest tossed,  
His Helm disordered, Sails, and Riggings lost;  
While death and horror him surround, his prayer  
Now undisturbed, and lengthened by Despair,  
When beyond hopes, the Seas, and Angry Winds,  
By some propitious god appeased, he finds,  
And the desired Shore attained, at last,  
He values safety, by his dangers past,  
Which to delight his Friends, are often told,  
And from his former Fears, create him Bold.   

But Utica, reserved by Fate to be 
(o) Utica situate in the same Bay with Carthage, and next to it in power, was the Receptacle of the Romans for the management of their Affairs in Libya, and after the destruction of Carthage was the Metropolis.   
The last Retreat of Vanquished Liberty  
(Since there, the 
(p) After the defeat near Thapsus of Scipio, Cato (as the last General of the Pompeian party) commanded then in Utica, and finding himself unable to resist Caesar, (who marched towards him) in despair of a retreat from his Power, (to which all Africa did then submit) slew himself, and from his death, and Command there, was called Uticensis.  Senate's General must fall,  
Whose envious Ancestors so oft did call  
For Byrsa's Ruin) the Ausonian troops  
Receives, and to Inglorious Fasces stoops.  
Not conscious then, that in succeeding time,  
A Roman hand should vindicate that Crime,  
And Caesar seem on 
(q) Cato the Censor (Ancestor to the former) who never gave his opinion in the Senate (after the second Punic War) but he added, This is my Opinion, And that Carthage should be destroyed. That he was envious of the glory of Scipio, who put Carthage into the power of the Romans, may be observed in all Story.  Cato's Name to take  
Revenge, in Utica, for Carthag's sake;  
Which Act, alone, could Juno's Wrath appease,  
And in the Shades below, sad Dido please.   
FINIS.   

AN ESSAY Upon the Third PUNIQVE WAR. LIB. II.  

NOw 
(a) The ill management of this war, under the conduct of the Consul Manlius, much distracted the Romans, till Scipio Aemilianus, who had gained a great reputation (even among his Enemies) was chosen Consul and changed the face of affairs, and under him the War was finished. Vid. Appian. Libyc.  with a thousand Tongues, and thousand Eyes,  
Dispersing Terrors, Fame from Libya flies.  
And, is at Rome, as readily, received,  
As Truth itself, and easier, Far, believed.  
Their long success, crowned, with so many years,  
In afric checked, revives, and heightens fears:  
As if the Virtue of the Roman Name,  
Were, now, extinguished, or not still the same,  
No more the Famed Marcelli, Fabii, or  
The Scipio's and Pauli, great in War,  
In Italy survive. Luxurious Peace  
Had made the Memory of their Deeds to cease.  
Their sacred Images, alone, declare  
Their Virtues, none their Imitators were.  
It is enough th' Italian Youth enjoy  
Their Wealth, acquired, with honoured Wounds, and cloy  
Their wanton appetites so, that even Fate  
Seems, now, to change, 'gainst the degenerate,  
Who nothing of Themselves, can, justly boast,  
But their great Father's glories, which  lost.   

Such, from Olympus' Top, Eternal Jove  

(b) Romulus and Remus descended from Mars.  The Race of Mars, and of the 
(c) Julius Caesar descended from Aeneas, the Son of Venus and Anchises.  Queen of Love,  
Beheld, and both the Deities arraigns,  
In these mild words: What (Daughter) now remains  
To ruin thy great Issue, or (Mars) thine.  
If You, your Interest, fofar disjoin?  
You Cytherea may indulge to Love,  
Yet suffer that, He Warlike Arts improve.  
What will become of your 
(d) The Son of Aeneas, from whom Julius Caesar, whose Star appearing at Noon- day, while Augustus (his adopted Son) celebrated Games to his honour, he was deified, first of the Emperors.  julus' race?  
Where will They, who must this Celestial place  
Supply, be found? who must the Heavens with Stars  
Adorn, unless they, first, shall shine in Wars?  
See how near Heaven, bright 
(e) The Temple of Virtue, and that of Honour, were so built one by the other; that they could not pass to that of Honour, but through that of Virtue. It was first built by M. Marcellus (out of his Spoils of Sicily) near the Porta Capena, through which they always entered in Triumph.  Virtue's Temple stands;  
And next Our Capitol, the Earth commands.  
Your Issue (Mars) must that Highway pursue,  
And though they keep 
(f) Venus was honoured with several Names among the Romans, and with several Temples, but the first dedicated to Her at Rome was by Titus Tatius, in that part of the Forum, where the Romans and Sabines laid down their Arms and sacrificed. Vid. Plin. lib. 15.  her Temple, in their view,  
Yet on those Altars first, their Victims lay,  
And then to Her, their lesser Offerings pay.  
With which, be 
(g) The Temple of Mars was very magnificently built near the Porta Capena in the Highway (called Via Appia) and so repaired (when decayed) and enlarged by Sylla the Dictator, that it stood upon an 100 Columns.  you content, if more you claim,  
What was for Honour meant, will turn to shame,  
Bid then, that Mercury to Earth descend,  
And to lascivious Rome this straight commend.  
Tell her how weak, her Riot, and Excess,  
Have rendered Her; how much, She, now, is less  
Since She gave Ear to those Circaean Charms,  
And, stood so deaf, to Libya 's alarms:  
And, that He may, more readily, diffuse  
This Our Command, some Noble Hero choose,  
Who still preserves the Honour of his Race,  
Nor will their Glory, by his Vice, deface,  

(*) An Opinion cherished by Scipio Africanus, that he was the Son of Jupiter. Vid. Sil. Ital. lib. 13.  If any such Rome, yet, retains, he must  
From Us descend, the Rest are lost in lust.   

At this Command, straight the 
(*) Mercury.  Cyllenian God,  
Wings both his Head, and Feet, assumes his Rod,  
With which, He can the Powers of Hell subdue,  
Imprisoned Shades relieve, make them review  
Desired Day: the restless Furies charm  
To sleep, and their dire Ministers disarm.  
Then, suddenly, to Earth, He takes his flight,  
And summons, from the bosom of the Night,  
Her Troop of dreams, that fly, in various Shapes,  
Through all the World, commit their several Rapes  
On Humane Sense. Some with dire Horror fill  
The Fancy: Some the Stygian drops distil  
Of black despair, into distracted Minds,  
And where these fix, th' Afflicted hardly finds  
Relief, awake. Others, more lightly, fly  
Through all variety of thoughts, and die  
As soon as born. Some kind and gentle move,  
Offering soft pleasures, and delights of Love.  
All these, near Earth still hovering, straight the God  
Dismissed, as useless, to their dark Abode;  
And, from the numerous Throng, selected One  
Of a Celestial Form, which waits Alone  
On Souls, that still abstract from all that's vain,  
None but divine Ideas entertain.  
And when they wake, to what they dreamed aspire,  
And cherish in themselves the Sacred Fire.  
Not far from Rome, yet distant from the noise,  
And tumult, that a Studious Mind destroys,  
A Villa stands, in the Campanian Fields,  
That, a Fair Image of Elysium yields,  
Where a brave Youth, of that 
(*) The Scipio ' s.  Illustrious Line,  
To which, the Fates of Libya did resign  
Their power o'er Carthage, the great Acts revolved  
Of Ages past, and with Himself resolved  
To imitate, at least, if not exceed  
His Ancestors, and each Heroic Deed.  
Hither the God conducts the Heavenly Dream.  
The Youth was studious on that Noble Theme,  

(h) Plato in his Phaedo.  That Immortality to Souls assigns,  
And Man unto the Gods, by Reason, joins.  
Soon as they here descend, th' Arcadian Wand  
Sheds Sleep through all the House. From Scipio's hand  
Straight Divine Plato fell, and while with swarms  
Of thoughts, the Brain his busy Fancy warms,  
The Dream great Africanus Shape assumes;  
Not such, as when to shun ingrateful Rome's  
Impetuous Votes, He to Linternum came,  

(i) Scipio Africanus causing himself to be buried at Linternum a small Town in Campania, with this Inscription, Ingrata Patria ne Ossa quidem mea habebis, being persecuted by a Faction, after his great Service to his Country.  And on his Tomb engraved their lasting Shame.  
But like Him, when his Valiant Hand redeemed  
From Libyan Chains, the flattering Tribes, and seemed  
A God, and, to the Capitol conveyed  

(k) It was the Custom of the Triumpher, soon as he had dismissed his Captives (at the Gate of the Capitol) cither to death, or perpetual prison, to advance into the Temple, and after his thanks paid (before the Statue of Jupiter) to all the gods, and a short prayer for continuance of their favour, to offer his Laurel, and deposit it, in the Lap of Jupiter, or redeem it, with a Crown of Gold.  His Lawrelin the Thunderers bosom laid.  
Such, and so Great He now appeared, and while  
The Youth, with horror trembled, with a smile  
That promised safety, to a Starry Place,  
(From whence, beneath Him, all of Humane Race  
He might survey, conducts Him) Hence, said He,  
The World, and thine own Fortune thou shalt see.  
Behold that City, which I first subdued,  
By which a bloody War is now renewed;  
Were Rome as Virtuous now as She was then,  
Carthage could ne'er shake off her Yoke again.  
Rebellion never dares her Arms display,  
But when the Rulers Virtue doth decay.  
Thou shalt this Age redeem; Carthage by Thee  
Shall be overthrown, and Thou shalt honoured be,  

(l) Coming to Rome, as Candidate for the Aedileship, he was chosen Consul, with applause of the People, and undertook the War of Carthage which he destroyed. He was Nephew to the great Africanus by Paulus Aemilius his Daughter, and by Adoption his Son. In his first Consulship he had a Dispensation for being chosen before the Age allowed, and was employed as Legate, or Proconsul in all the places mentioned; but most famous (next his destruction of Carthage, for Numantia, in Spain) which he likewise utterly destroyed; being chosen Consul in his absence for that War. Vid. Liv. Appian.  With envied Titles, heretofore by none  
Deserved, nor due, but unto Us alone.  
Yet other Honours Thee attend; Thou Nile  
Thou Syria, Asia, Greece, shalt rule, and while  
Fame of a dangerous War, with terror fills  
All Latium, to divert impending Ills,  
To Thee, when absent, Rome shall recommend  
Her Safety, and her unsought Fasces send.  
Then Spain shall tremble, and, the vainly proud  
Numantia, as with Thunder from a Cloud,  
Dashed by thine Arms to ruin, shall proclaim  
Titles as great as Carthage to thy Name.  

(m) This War of Numantia lasted 13 years, in which several great Captains, had been employed; among others Tiberius Gracchus (whose Sister he had married) who made a Peace with the Numantines, so dishonourable, that the Romans afterward broke it. But Scipio undertaking the War, so closely besieged them, for some time, that to the envy of all other before him, he forced them in one day to burn themselves with all their Wealth together; not one remaining, saith Florus and Justine, to wear Chains in his Triumph; though Appian otherwise.  Thy Trophies than thou shalt in Triumph bring  
To Jove, and Rome shall Joyful Paeans sing.  
But Envy will on all thou dost attend,  
Envy, that never doth the Good commend.  
She thy bright Glories, by thy 
(n) Those who most envied him were the Gracchis his own Kindred, whom he with Scipio Nasica so opposed in their Popular Faction, that one of the Gracchis was slain in the Capitol; and Our Scipio resolving to harangue the People the next day, his Wife Sempronia (as believed) poisoned him, in revenge, and he was found dead in his Bed, when the Commonwealth, was so distracted, that it was conceived, nothing but his being Dictator could settle it. Vid. Cicer. Somn. Scipion.  Friends shall wound:  
Yet persevere; Thou shalt at length, be crowned  
With all that Rome can give, nor safe will She  
Herself esteem, till thou Dictator be.  
This is thy way to Heaven, who deviates from  
This path, can ne'er to these blessed Mansions come.  
For know that God, who did create this Place,  
Reserves it, only, for that Glorious Race,  

* The praeexistence of Souls asserted by Plato in his Phaedo and Timaeus, and Cicero in Somn. Scip.  Whose Souls from hence descending, while they are  
Confined to Bodies, which, on Earth, they wear;  
Love Virtue, and their country's Good pursue:  
Its Wealth and Power augment. Themselves subdue,  
And, so the Fury of their Lusts restrain,  
That, We, with Joy, receive Them here again.   

This said, the God, and Dream, at once, forsakes  
The Youth, amazed, who, at the instant, wakes,  
And seems still to behold, with fixed eyes,  
The fleeting Shade, to whom, he, thus, replies:  
Whether Thou art a Deity, or Shade,  
Or Dream, that thus dost, now, my Soul invade,  
Thine Image I'lretain, and so pursue,  
That, though it Fiction seem, it shall be true.  
Whether it be the Crime, or Common Fate  
Of Rome, so vilely to degenerate,  
From what She was; to scern Immortal Fame,  
And Future Bliss, for present Lusts, disclaim;  
My single Virtue, shall her Name redeem,  
Her Honour raise, revive her lost esteem.  
The Actions of Those, of Noble Blood,  
Make all beneath Them, either bad, or good.  
Example rules the World; and all that She  
Should imitate, Rome shall behold in Me.  
Assist me then thou God if such Thou art!  
Or Africanus Shade! to Me impart  
All that was thine. I shall desire no more  
To make Rome Greater, than She was before.   

As this He spoke, the Night to Hell retired,  
The Morn arose. He as from Heaven inspired,  
To Rome straight posts, in's Mind revolving all  
The Dictates of his Dream: the Capitol  
First in his prospect, thither He repairs,  
And, while He Jove consults, of all his cares,  
The Genius of Rome the Senate fills  
With Voices, that enumerate the Ills  
That by their former Generals were brought  
On Roman Arms, while They in Libya fought,  
Till Africanus undertook the reins  
Of War, and Carthage brought to Rome in chains:  
This made Her Mistress of the World, but now  
Since Fate would not the same Success allow  
To other Chiefs, and Utica alone  
The Roman name, as Sovereign, would own.  
Heaven had no other Hand reserved t' effice  
Those Stains, but one of that Illustrious Race.   

With that, bold Factions the Court divide  
Some for themselves, some for their friends employed  
Their tedious Harangues, and, some who ne'er  
Had merited in Arms, more fierce appear  
To undertake the War, and promise more  
Than those, who had been Conquerors before.   

But, while they thus contend, like Rising Day  
Dispersing Fogs, and chase Clouds away,  
Young Scipio enters. The Majestic Grace  
With which He moved, his stout and manly Face  
Where all the Lines of sober Courage might  
Be seen, and promised Victory in fight.  
The Eyes of all th' Assembly on him drew,  
Who now, no more the fierce debate pursue:  
But, as when first to the assembled Greeks,  
Godlike Achilles, did appear (his Cheeks  
The newly clothed with down) deep silence through  
The Camp was spread; while all admiring view  
The vigour of his Eyes, and Limbs, his broad  
And lofty Shoulders, like the Oetean god  
In all. Him all the Captains straight commend,  
As the most fit with Hector to contend;  
Whose Fall alone must ruin hapless Troy.  
So Scipio, with universal Joy  
The Senate entertain, and, by their choice,  
Raise acclamations of the Public Voice,  
Which the Consent of Heaven, doth straight approve;  
While from his Shining Arm, by Thunder, Jove  
Serene's the Capitol; with dreadful storms  
Makes Libya tremble, and with strange alarms  
The Carthaginian Walls and Temples shakes,  
So that even Dido, in her Mable, quakes.  
No place from Terror's free, the neighbouring Sea  
Swells, and with Waves invades, and drowns the Day.  
Night intercepts the Hours, and fills the Sky  
With Meteors, that in various Figures fly  
Towards Saturnus ruined Fane, and, there  
O'er his neglected Altars disappear.  
Religion then (as Fear before) their Minds  
Possessed, and its Effects most bloody finds.  
For now Barcinna, whose Ambition fired  
Her Husband first, and first the War inspired  
With all the Cunning Arts, that do infect  
Her Sex, or can their Minds to Ill direct,  
Th' assembled Matrons (like the Theban Dames  
At Trieterick Feasts) with zeal inflames,  
Those Ominous Portents on Italy  
To turn, and Carthage so from ruin free.  
Behold (said she) how the 
(*) Saturn, who when he fled from his Son Jupiter, lay bid in Italy, and denominated the Country.  Ausonian god  
You summons to his long-destroyed Abode!  
To memory recall, what dire effects  

(o) It was the Custom of the Carthaginians when in distress, to make these Barbarous Oblations to Saturn; as when Gelon the Sicilian overthrew Amilear with slaughter of 150000 Carthaginians, which constrained them to beg Peace; and then when Agathocles so cruelly harassed and spoiled their Country, that little was left to Them, besides their City, which Barcinna attributes to the Neglect of those Sacrifices of the Noblest Children offered by their Predecessors to the number of 200 at a time: after which their City by degrees recovered. Vid. Diodor. Sicul. lib. 20. Herodot. lib. 7. c. 153.  Sicilian Armies, once, for such neglects,  
On afric had, until the god these Rites  
Received, to which He now again invites.  
This said, to th' Senate (whom a Panic Dread  
Before had called) She (like Agave) led  
Her Frantic Troop. There with redoubled strokes  
Her Breast invades, and with wild looks invokes  
The cruel god! then to the Fathers thus  
Directs her Speech. If, yet, these Walls, and Us  
You will secure, if you will expiate  
Those Crimes, which these dire prodigies create,  
Give to the gods their due; think not your Arms  
Shall prosper, while a Foolish Pity charms  
Religion thus, and you those Rites forbear  
Which to Our Fathers so propitious were.  
Twice by Sicilian Bands, hath Libya seemed  
T' expire, as oft by this great god redeemed:  
Nor had the Roman Arms so far prevailed,  
Had you in pristine Piety not failed.  
If We are willing that you should exact  
These Victims: We, whose Bowels have been wracked  
To bring them forth, why should you fond love  
To hug those Children, may your Ruin prove?  
Or if your Consciences too tender are  
To see them bleed, why d'ye pursue the War?  
Mistaken Piety! What you to Heaven  
Deny, will be to Latium Triumphs given.  
This said, the Place, driven by Fanatic zeal,  
She quits, and boldly doth to Heaven appeal.  
Deep silence seized the Senate, who amazed  
At what she said, upon each other gazed.  

(p) This Hasdrubal was Gulussa's Sisters Son, whom the other Hasdrubal, suspecting to hold intelligence with his Uncle, took occasion to kill in the Senate, with some piece of one of the Seats. Vid. Appian. de Libyc.  At length young Hasdrubal; If it become  
Your Wisdom (Fathers) to be ruled at home,  
By this weak Sex, 'tis time that you withdraw  
Your Armies from the Field, and take the Law  
From Men 
(*) The Romans.  whose Valour hath the World subdued;  
For what is now by these desired, even rude  
And barbarous Nations have exploded long,  
And when you shall such Rites perform, you wrong  
The gods, who now are better understood:  
They, kind, all Sacrifice of Humane Blood  
Abhor: We have store of Flocks and Herds, with these,  
Or precious Gums, the Angry Gods appease:  
For if your Sons on these dire Altars bleed,  
Who shall preserve your Temples? who succeed  
In Arms? who shall the Libyan Name defend.  
Or Bounds maintain, for which you now contend.  
And though Barcinna may our long neglect  
Accuse, as if the Gods all else reject  
That we shall do, think how great things, how high  

(*) Vid. Sil. Ital. lib. 4.  Brave Hannibal performed, who did deny  
The same. What then her Hasdrubal hath done,  
Since, to inaugurate his Command, their Son  
They sacrificed. As this he spoke, straight all  
Their Eyes reflect, on th' Elder Hasdrubal,  
Who near him sat, and, as himself was named  
(His rage already at his Speech inflamed)  
Snatched up a mighty Beam, and straight his Brains  
Dashed out, and with his Blood the Senate stains.  
Is't not enough; that thus Gulussa's spy  
Oppose our Rites, but He must all decry  
That I have done (said He) I, who (you know)  
So lately have repelled th' insulting Foe;  

(q) After the defeat given by Hasdrubal to the Consul Manlius, the Romans kept themselves within Utica, till the Arrival of Scipio.  While Utica. alone, the poor Remains,  
In hatred to our Carthage, entertains,  
And you with silence (while his Crime doth call  
Or for the Cross, or some worse torture) all  
Approve! 'tis time (with that he spurns his Face)  
That now I leave him to you, and this place.  
This said, he straight retires. A sudden Dread  
Of his revenge, through the Assembly spread,  
They soon dissolve. Confusion through the Streets  
Runs like Erinnys, seizeth all she meets,  
And their distracted Minds with terror fills!  
Some least a Civil Rage (the worst of Ills)  
Might the divided City open lay  
To th' neighbouring Foe, some least they should betray  
Their Liberty to One, who too elate  
With his Command, durst, in a free debate,  
With noble Blood, a sacred Council stain;  
And, rashly, what was Holy held, profane.   

But with the day, their fears increased, while they  
A Fleet (the Burden of the Libyan Sea)  
Beheld, where Scipio, as He approached the Road,  
Offered warm Entrails to th' Indulgent god;  
Who now with Him conspired, and drove before  
The floating Sacrifice, to seize the Shore.  
From his Praetorian Ship the General views,  
And to the rest the joyful Omen shows.  
Loud Clamours then o'er all the Ocean ring,  
They ply their Oars to Land, and Paeans sing.  
This to the Walls the City straight invites,  
And all against the Common Foe unites,  
None are exempt from Arms, each Sex, and Age,  
For Universal Liberty engage.   

Now to the Shore the Navy joins, on Land  
Brave Scipio leaps, and seizing in his hand  
The barren Earth; Thus in the name of Rome  
And all her gods, do I (said He) resume  
What Africanus did o'er Carthage gain.  
No more shall She with Perjuries profane  
Those Altars, where She due Obedience swore.  
With that He calls the Army all ashore,  
Their Courage, makes them hasty to obey,  
And some precipitates into the Sea.  
But all, at length, the Field, in Order, crown,  
And show their threatening Eagles to the Town.  
As thus a while, expecting the Command  
T'advance against the Walls, they silent stand,  
Fierce Hasdrubal from an adjoining Wood  
That sacred from Eliza's Time had stood,  
With his Maurusian Troops (like sudden rain  
From Hills swelled to a Torrent) fills the Plain,  
And strikes with barbarous Shouts the Marble Sky.  
With which the City from the Walls comply,  
And the still silent Roman to the Fight,  
Vainly exciting their sad Fate, invite.   

But Scipio, whom nothing could provoke  
To any thing was rash, the Fury broke  
Of his Impatient Bands, with these few words:  
Reserve (Companions) your Victorious Swords,  
For such a Foe as will with Courage flight,  
Not such as these, who in their speedy flight,  
Or those thick Woods, where they protected are  
From your assault, seek to maintain the War.  
As you advance, they will retire, they know,  
'Tis not a Manlitis now, but Scipio,  
Who leads you on; that now, like Soldiers you,  

(r) The Roman Army under Manlius (saith Appian) was so lose in their Discipline in afric, that they lived rather like Robbers than Soldiers, and were always beaten; till Scipio, restoring the Ancient Discipline, made them Conquerors.  And not like Robbers, will the War pursue.  
Then take your Piles and Axes in your hands,  
Possess that ground, where now the Libyan stands;  
None there will dare to see a Romans Face:  
And, as you them, like Beasts, to Covert chase,  
The Wood, before you, fell, and still pursue,  
Till Carthage shall stand naked in your view.   

This said, with cheerful shouts, they all advance,  
And as th' approach the Enemy, his Lance  
First Scipio threw, which through Himilco's Head,  
(Their Standard-Bearer) pierced, and struck him dead:  
The Ensign, with his Body fell, and straight,  
As if on Him, Alone, the Common Fate  
Of all the Army did depend, they fly.  
With that thick Clouds of Piles obscure the Sky  
And fall upon their backs; while to the Wood  
They, routed, haste, and various Tracts of Blood,  
Detect their flight; the Romans still pursue  
The Chase, as Hunters, having lost the view,  
Fellow the Slatt, till in some open Plain,  
From Covertforced, the Stag embossed, is slain.   

The Libyans thus dispersed, their Axes all  
Employ, and straight tall Pines and Cedars fall,  
With aged Oaks, whose mossy branches wore  
The Shields of several Nations, who that Shore  
Had fatal found: Whether they wracked had been  
Before they did on Land, the War begin,  
While the perfidious Syrts, ashore had cast  
Their Ruins, to be there, as Trophies placed:  
Or that they had their way through Libya fought,  
And thither spoils of other Cities brought;  
To boast their Victories, while Carthage stood  
Safe, in her Walls, alone, and sacred Wood;  
Where She, at length, the Enemy subdued,  
And, oft, with Joy, as in a Temple, viewed  
Those boasted Monuments, that now appear  
To give new Matter of Revenge, and Fear.   

For Fate, to hasten on what she designed,  
Calls from Atlantic Hills, a sudden Wind  
T'assist the Roman Arms, and so conspires,  
To ease their Toils. A Pine than Scipio fires,  
Whose unctuous, and impetuous Flame soon spreads  
Itself, through all the Woods, the tallest Heads  
Of Cedars, Oaks, and Beeches it invades,  
And turns to Ashes the delightful Shades;  
Where Nymphs did, since the birth of time, resort,  
And with the wanton Fauns and Satyrs sport.  
Their Ancient Abodes they now forsake,  
And with their dreadful lamentations wake  
The savage Beasts, that in their Dens still slept;  
Till roused with sudden noise, straight forth they leapt:  
But round besieged with flames, soon back retired,  
And roaring in their bloody Beds expired,  
Like a rough sea, the smoke to Heaven ascends  
And over all the Town, itself extends  
In Stygian Waves; the Walls, and Towers, in Clouds  
Are lost, while Scipio his eagle's shrowds  
Under this ruin, and on Megarian Walls  
With his whole force, like a rude Tempest, falls.  
The Place, Religion had with strength endued,  

(s) This Amilcar commanding in Sicily, while his Army was engaged in fight, withdrew himself, either despairing of Victory, or superstitious to obtain it by Sacrifice; but being never after seen, his Army being Conquerors, entertained an Opinion of his Sanctity, and built a Temple, and honoured him with Sacrifice. Vid. Herodot. in Polymn.  And in  
Amilcar's Temple oft renewed  
Their superstitious Rites, since He in fight  
Retired to sacrifice, and from their sight  
Vanished to Heaven. Here nothing could retard  
The progress of their Arms, but the reward  
Of Valour (wealthy spoils) which they divide  
In haste, and vanquished Deities deride.  

(t) This Image of Apollo (of pure Gold, and very large) the Roman Soldiers took and divided; which Sacrilege Scipio (after Carthage was taken) punished, by refusing those that were guilty of it, to have any share in the spoil of the City. Appian.  Here not Apollo did himself protect.  
But seemed his Golden Image to neglect;  
While some his Bow, his Shafts, and Quiver share,  
Others his Head divide, and shining Hair,  
And then to other parts as rich descend,  
And who shall most despoil the God contend.  
All sense of Piety in desires of Gain  
Is lost, and Avarice doth all profane.   

But Scipio, like Janus several ways  
The dangers past, and what might come survayes,  
Considers, that when Victory her Wings  
Doth slack, the Conquered, oft the Pean sings.  
Delay of the pursuit, gives strength, and time  
To turn the Victor's Valour, to his Crime.  
His men, He therefore summons from the Prey,  
Who, starting, at the Signal, soon obey,  
And with their Arms, again, all Reigned with gore,  
Threaten a greater slaughter than before;  
While killing they went on, till streams of blood  

(v) At their entrance of Megara the Romans made so great slaughter, that the blood of the Carthaginians made the way so slippery, that they could not pursue them, as they fled into the other retreats of the City. Vid. Appian. Libyc.  Choked up the way, and the pursuit withstood.   

But, now, the Sun declines, and either side,  
'Gainst future dangers, for themselves provide.  
The labours of the Day could not appease  
Their Cares, nor Night their weary Bodies ease.  

(w) Censorinus the Consul, had before persuaded the Carthaginians to deliver up all their Arms and Ships, with promise that they should enjoy their Laws, but this done pronounced the destruction of their City, and their removal higher into the Country, that they might be wholly Strangers to the Sea, by which they had ratsed their Empire. This Sentence drove them to that Despair, which made them renew the war more fiercely, than when in a better condition. Appian. ibid.  Not long before, by Censorinus doom,  
Carthage, by fatal Change for Peace with Rome,  
Her Elephants, her Arms, her Ships, with all  
She or her Glory, or Defence could call,  
Had to the Foe given up, and, every where,  
Was naked left, till Ruin and Despair,  
Armed her again, no weapons now remained,  
But such, whose matter from their Temples gained,  
Or stately Palaces, were forged by night,  
And sitted, e'er the following day for fight;  
By weak and artless hands their Bulwarks are  
From Ruins raised, and they maintain the war,  
With all that makes them weak. Nothing for Sea  
Or Land can be supplied, but by the Prey  
And Spoil upon themselves. Their Cables were  

(x) Vid. Appian. ibid.  Composed of Mothers, or of Virgin's hair,  
Who cut the lovely Tresses from their heads,  
And firmly interwove the Curling threads,  
So, that their little Navy was supplied  
With Cordage, late their Beauty and their Pride,  
Such, as even Cytherea had bewailed,  
Had not the Love of Rome, 'bove all prevailed.  
All other gods bemoaned this City's Fate,  
Whose Miseries no Muse can well relate;  
Whose dismal Story does exceed belief,  
And Cruelty itself afflicts with grief.  
That City, which seven hundred years had stood;  
Which with expense of so much wealth and blood,  
Her Walls (first measured by an Ox's Hide)  
So high, had raised, and stretched her Bounds so wide,  
That even Rome feared her Yoke, in a vast Flame,  
Must lose, at once, her Empire, and her Name.   

But 
(*) Justice.  Nemesis that sometimes slow, sometimes  
As swift, as thought's avenged on prosperous Crimes,  
Their want of Faith, by which they did delude  
The gods so oft, their unjust Arms imbrued  
So oft in blood of Innocents', their dire  
Excess of Cruelty, by sword and fire,  
While they their Arms in Italy employed,  

(y) While Hannibal was in Italy, he destroyed (saith Appian) four hundred Cities.  And twice two hundred Cities had destroyed,  
Thus to the gods (who then in Counsel sat,  
To understand the last resolves of Fate)  
With just Complaint declares, If yet (ye gods)  
Th' Impieties of Earth, to your Abodes  
Have not arrived; if their repeated Faults  
Have not with horror shook Celestial Vaults;  
I, against Carthage, should not now declaim  
Above the rest, did not her Impious Fame,  
So fill the Universe, that Men begin  
To question, that you are, or that  been.  
Your Justice thus deferred, makes them grow bold,  
And Crimes like Virtues look, while uncontrolled.  
Though Carthage hath been guilty long of all  
Those Ills, for which you let your Thunder fall  
Upon the World, yet can she not forbear  
T'excite your Anger, even in her despair.  
Not Tigers, nor her Libyan Serpents can  
More Rage and Fury, against wretched Man  
Express than She. See! what Insernal Arts  
She now in practice puts, in all her parts!  
Not 
(*) Scinis a famous Robber in Thessaly, tied such as he took Captive, to Branches of a Pine, bowing them to be fastened to their Legs and Arms, and then letting them fly back, suddenly, to their Natural Position, tore the Bodies in pieces.  Scinis Pine, nor dire 
(†) Procrustes another Robber, who tortured such as he took, on a Bed; to the length whereof he fitted all Bodies; which if too long he cut shorter, if too short he extended by the Rack.  Procrustes Bed  
So cruel were as these; nor 
(*) Diomedes King of Thrace, fed his Horses with the flesh of such strangers as he took in his dominions.  Horses fed  
With Humane Flesh. See! How around her Walls,  

(z) Hasdrubal to put the Carthaginians past all hopes of mercy from the Romans, with several exquisite and most barbarous torments, put to death all Captives upon the Walls, in view of the Camp. Vid. Appian. ibid.  To the Inhuman Spectacle, She calls  
The Roman Camp, while tortured Captives lie  
Killed in each limb, not suffered, yet, to die;  
But are constrained, expiring, to revive,  
And, Nature by fresh torments kept alive:  
'Tis therefore time this City to debel,  
And let them know, such Cruelty's for Hell,  
Alone reserved, and those who practiceed there  
On Earth, shall greater Plagues for ever bear.  
This said, the Father of the gods, the Hour  
Assigns to Fates, to execute their Power,  
Which they to Scipio devolve, and He,  
In the pursuit of their severe Decree,  

(a) Cotho was the strongest part of the Haven, encompassed by a Wall, which Laelius took by assault in the night; and this taken, there was no possibility of relief by Sea.  Cotho, their best support, first takes away,  
And cuts off all Relief by Land and Sea.  
Then Famine from the Libyan Desert comes,  
And greedily their Stores, for Food, consumes.  
Her ghastly looks, more dreadful than the Foe,  
A long, protracted Death, and Ruin show.  
Through the whole City than she raging flies,  
And with nefandous Meats a while supplies  
The weak remains of Life. All that before  
Sagunthus felt, or angry gods could more  
Inflict, poor Carthage suffers, till her strength  
Unable to support her Arms, at length,  

(b) The City being reduced to the last extremity by famine, forty thousand (among whom the Chief was Hasdrubal) came out and submitted to Scipio.  Twice twenty thousand to the Victor yield,  
And treacherous Hasdrubal, who long the Field  
Had kept, despairing to afford her aid,  
Himself, a vile submissive Captive laid  
At Scipio's Feet, and in the public view,  

(c) Hasdrubal was placed in Chains, at Scipio's Feet, sitting on a high Tribunal, that he might be seen, by his Wife, and those with Her, in the Temple of Aesculapius.  Enchained, for an Inglorious Life doth sue.   

And, now the Hour arrived, and, every where,  
Death and Destruction in all Shapes appear.  
Like Ghosts the Famished People in the Street  
Offering their throats to slaughter boldly meet  
The Conqueror, who now amazed stands,  
And does a while with hold his cruel hands,  
Till Pity the Relief of death affords  
To those, who wanted Blood to slain their Swords;  
Who this, their chief Felicity do call,  
That with their ruin'd Country they may fall;  

(d) When Scipio saw the City first a fire, be (considering the instability of Fortune, and that the same thing might happen to his Country) wept. Appian.  And leave even Scipio to bewail them, while  
Carthage in flames, is made their Funeral Pile.   


(e) This Temple of Aeculapius (the most wealthy in all Carthage) with a Tower of great strength, by reason of the narrow passage to it, was situate on eminent Rocks, and had sixty steps to ascend to it, and was the last place of Retreat, when the rest of the City was taken and fired.  High as the Capitol, and, long, above  
All other sacred held, as that to Jove,  
A Temple stood, where the 
(*) Aesculapius.  Crotonian God  
With Offerings rich, kept his select Abode,  
And Libyan Votaries, restored to Health.  
Here to preserve his Honour, and the Wealth,  
A Tower was raised, from whence they could explore  
The Country round, the City, Seas, and Shore.  
Thither Bareinna, by her Courage led,  
To be more honoured than her husband, fled.  
And, with a few defends the narrow way,  
Against the Foe; and while she doth survey  
The Stately Palaces, whose lofty Rooms  
Enriched, with Tapestry from Tyrian Looms,  
And Rooss with Gold and Ivory inlaid,  
(To boast her former Wealth) to Vulcan made  
A Sacrifice; It well becomes (said She)  
(Dear Carthage) thy sad Destiny, and Me,  
With Universal Ruin thus to fall;  
This Pomp is fittest for Our Funeral.  
I cannot wish thee stand, when Rome shall be  
Thy Mistress, and imprse her Laws on Thee:  
Those who do covet to survive Thee, are  
Such, whom not Pity, but Contempt doth spare;  
Unworthy, in such glorious Flames to die,  
Or mixed with Thee, as in one Urn to lie.  
As this She spoke, She some, whose little breath,  
Can only beg a short Reprieve from death;  

(f) Verbenae (or Vervin) with other Herbs and Flowers, taken from the Altars, were as often used as Olive Branches, to be held out by such as begged Peace.  Their hands (with Vervin from the Altar filled)  
Extended to the Roman Camp, beheld,  
'Mong these, as chief, her Hasdrubal was seen;  
Then, as by Gorgon She surprised had been,  
All tears with rage dried up; Wretch! worthy all  
The Miseries, that can on Carthage fall,  
(She cries) perfidious Wretch! who dost desire  
To live, when thy dear Country does expire!  
Oh! born to be a Slave! and, what is worst,  
Unto the Servitude of Rome accursed.  
And most unhappy I, who live to see't!  
What shall I say, when Hannibal I meet  
In those Abodes where Noble Heroes shine?  
How blush, that such degenerate blood, as thine,  
I have commixed with His? but this disgrace  
With Thee (vile Man) the last of all thy Race,  
With Thee shall die; and these thy Sons shall be,  
My last of Sacrifice, since got by Thee;  
Worthy to be reserved, as they are Thine,  
For Roman Triumphs; but as they are Mine,  
Most worthy thus to die, and with Me go  
To Hannibal's Embrace, in Shades below.  
This said, into her hand, Erinnys puts  
A Sword, with which their tender throats she cuts.  
Then to the Fane her flaming 
(f) Verbenae (or Vervin) with other Herbs and Flowers, taken from the Altars, were as often used as Olive Branches, to be held out by such as begged Peace.  Yew applies,  
And, to deprive the Conqueror of his prize,  
All that she precious held, or did esteem  
Might to the Enemy a Trophy seem,  
Into the Fire she throws: then on them lays  
Her bleeding 
(g) This Speech of Barcinna's to Scipio; and her detestation of her Husband's pusillanimity is recorded by Appian.  Sons; and, as, a while, she prays Their hover Manes to attend her fall;  
To thee (said she) brave Scipio may all  
The gods propitious be, as now they are;  
Thou only dost pursue the Laws of War:  
But, may that most Effeminate of Slaves  
Long, such, be thine; nor cross the Stygian Waves,  
Till he shall wish, that joined unto my side.  
As in our Nuptial Bed, with Me h'had died.   

This said, into the Flames she leaps, and all  
The Temple, with the towers together fall  
Upon Her, in one Heap, as if to entomb  
Barcinna's Ashes, in despite of Rome;  
Fate had that Monument, that all surpassed,  
For her reserved, the Wealthiest, and the last,  
That so with Carthage, equal in her Fame,  
She might perpetuate to the World her Name.   
FINIS.   

THEODOSIUS His ADVICE to his Son E. Claudian. 40. Honorii Consulat.  

HAd Fortune placed Thee on the Parthian Throne,  
(Dear Youth) and far, i'th' East, adored, alone,  
The rude Tiara crowned thy ' Arsacian Brow,  
Thy high Descent might then suffice, and thou  
Secured by Birth, mightst in thy Pleasures flow.  
But Rome's great Court, will no such Princes know.  
There not in Blood, but Virtue, thou must shine,  
And, to that Virtue, noble Actions join;  
Which hid, is vile: for, what can it produce,  
In darkness drowned? like Ships, that want the use  
Of Helms; or Lutes without their Strings, or Bows  
Unbent. Yet this, who e'er Himself not knows,  
Nor can the Passions, of the Mind, alloy,  
Shall ne'er obtain. To it's a rugged way.   

Learn what Man is; when his Aetherial Flame  
Prometheus mixed with Earth, our Parts to frame,  
Sincere, as when from Heaven He stoleed, the Mind,  
Struggling for liberty, He kept confined,  
And, when Things Mortal, nothing could compose,  
Two more He added: with the Body those  
Perish, but, this survives, when they are dead,  
And upward flies. Her Empire's in the Head,  
Where all Our Actions she directs and guides.  
Their station's lower, which the Neck divides  
From Hers. Where They her Dictates entertain,  
And, that Things Sacred, might not with Profane  
Be mixed, the Workman gave, to every part,  
Its place, distinct. Anger, the Bloodlike Heart  
Within the Breast maintains, as filled with Fire,  
It swells, when headlong Rage, or mad Desire  
Of Mischief, it inflames: when chilled, with Fear,  
Itself contracts; but, when 'twas found to bear  
All things, with violence, and rest deny  
To the whole Frame, the Lungs a moist supply  
Of Air, yield to the liquid Flames, and, so  
The swelling Fibres, through soft Conduits, flow.   

But, weighing nought, all coveting, desire  
Is forced into the Liver to retire,  
And lower Tracts. Where, when she opens, wide,  
Her Monstrous Jaws, she can be satisfied  
With no supplies. Sometimes, she's wracked with cares  
Of Avarice: sometimes the Wounds she bears  
Of burning Love: sometimes her Joys overflow,  
And then, oppressed with grief, the streams as low.  
Then satisfied, again, doth higher rise  
Like Hydra slain, which Death with Strength supplies.  
But, whosoever these Tumults can control,  
Gives a safe Temple to the Purest Soul.  
Though thou command the farthest Indian Shore,  
Though Medes, soft Arabs, Serians thee adore:  
If Anger sway thee, base Desires, or Fear,  
Thou art a Slave: within thyself shalt bear  
Unequal Laws: Thou, then, of Right, mayst bring  
All, to thy Rule, when of thyself, thou'rt King.  
'Tis Custom makes Us prone to Sin, and We  
To all the Charms, of rein-less Luxury,  
By licence, yield: 'tis Conquest to be chaste  
When Venus tempts thee. Or when Wrong is placed  
Before thee, to suppress thy Rage. But these  
Dire Tumults, wisely, in thyself appease;  
Nor what thou mayst, but, what becomes thee, do,  
And teach thy thoughts, Things Honest to pursue.   

But above All, think, oft on this, That thou  
Liv'st in the midst of all the World, and how  
Thy Actions to all People are revealed.  
A Prince's Vices never are concealed.  
For their high Fate discovers all they do,  
And busy Fame explores, and pries, into  
Their most reserved Retreats. Let Piety  
Be thy chief Care; for though We ' inferior be  
In all we do, yet Piety, alone,  
Can make Us like the gods. Jealous of none  
Nor doubtful be, but, Constant to thy Friends;  
Not greedy of Reports, who e'er attends  
Such Vanities, shall empty Rumour's fear,  
And, in Himself, be wracked with anxious Care.   

No Strength of Guards, nor Rings of Piles can prove  
So safe to Thee, as will the People's Love:  
Which Thou shalt never force. Thy Kindness must  
Create this in them, and, a Mutual Trust  
Thou seest the World's fair Frame itself entire  
Preserves, by Love. The Elements conspire,  
Kindly, among themselves. His Tract the Sun  
Still keeps. The Sea, within its shores, doth run:  
and th'air, by which Earth's compassed, and upheld,  
Nor presseth on its Burden, nor doth yield.  
Tyrants, who Terrors give, fear more: They still  
The Famous envy, and the Valiant kill.  
Though Swords and Poison guard them, no Retreat  
To them seems safe, they tremble, while they threat.   

Like a Good Patriot, and a Father All  
Advise not for thyself; and, what they call  
The Public Good, prefer before thine own.  
If a Decree thou publish, to be known  
As sacred, first observe thine own command;  
The People will submit, and ne'er withstand  
A Law, whose Author, first, Himself obeys.  
A King's Example, all his Kingdom sways.  
His Life, more than Edicts, upon the Minds  
Of Men prevails; and, as the Vulgar finds  
Him change, they follow. But when this is done,  
'Slight none beneath Thee; nor desire to run  
Beyond the Bounds to man prescribed; for Pride  
Like a black cloud, the brightest parts will hid.   

We give Thee not Sabeans, apt to be  
Enslaved. Nor the Armenian Monarchy,  
Nor the Assyrian (once a Woman's) Throne.  
Thou Romans must command: who, long, alone  
Have ruled the Universe: who nor the Pride  
Of Tarquins, nor would Caesar's Laws abide;  
Our Annals ancient Crimes record, whose stains  
Eternal are. What Age the Monstrous Reigns,  
Of the Caesarean House, will not abhor?  
Who knows not Nero's cruel Murders? or  

(a) Tiberius Caesar, retired to Capri, a little Island in Campania, where be acted many cruel Murders and abominable Lusts.  The horrid Caprean Grotto, by an old  
Incestuous Man possessed. Thou mayst behold  
Great Trajan-still, Immortal, in his Fame;  
Not that, with Conquest, He from Tigris came,  
And Parthia made our Province: Or, that He  
In Triumph, for his Dacian Victory,  
Entered the Capitol; but, that his Mind  
Was Equal still, and to his Country kind.   

Such Great Examples (my dear Son) be sure  
To follow; and, when called to war, inure  
Thy Troops to labour, and for sharpest fights  
Prepare; let not the Ease, or warm delights  
Of Winter Quarters, thy unactive Hands  
Un-nerve: but, in some wholesome place, thy Bands  
Encamp, and with strong Guards, thy Line defend.  
Learn when to close thy Ranks, when to extend  
Thy equal Wings, and them to close again.  
What Troops are fit for Hills, what for the Plain.  
What Valleys apt for Ambush; what ways are  
Most difficult: And if the Foe the war  
Within their Walls maintain, for battery straight  
Prepare, and let thy Rams the massy weight  
Of stones roll down; the armed Testudo shake  
Their Gates; the labouring youth their passage make  
Through secret Mines. If a long Siege delay  
Thy hopes, let not secure Conceits betray  
Thy Conquest, or believe them close blocked in;  
Many by Careless Mirth have ruined been.  
Straggling 've perished, and while Ease they enjoyed,  
Oft Victory hath guardless Troops destroyed.  
Let not thy Tents be filled with the delight  
Of Courts; nor let armed Luxury invite  
Soft Ministers of Lust, still to attend  
Thy Ensigns; nor be careful to defend  
Thyself from Winds and Rain, nor seek to shun  
With rich Vmbrello's, the too furious Sun.  
Eat what thou ready find it, thyself apply  
To constant exercise. Be foremost, high,  
Steep Mountains to ascend; nor think it shame  
To take an Axe in hand, when need shall claim  
A Wood be felled. If thou 'rt to pass a Moor,  
Or Lake, on Horseback, first, the depth explore.  
O'er frozen Rivers let thy Chariot go  
The foremost: first swim over those that flow.  
When horsed, through Troops of Horse charge, boldly, when  
Afoot, the Foot assist; all danger then  
Will glorious, and grateful seem, when thou  
Art present, and, shalt each brave deed allow.   

But, I thy early Inclinations know,  
Be not too hasty, thou will't stronger grow.  
As yet not ten years old, thou dost aspire,  
To what even men may dread, I see the Fire,  
The Marks of thy great Soul. 'Tis told by Fame,  
That the brave youth, who Porus overcame,  
'Midst his Companions joys, wept, when he heard  
His Father's frequent Victories, and feared  
Great Philip's prosperous Valour, nought would leave]  
To him for future Conquest. I perceive  
Like Motions in thee, and, may divine  
(A Father may) thou wilt, hereafter, shine  
As Great, as He; nor to my Favour own  
That Empire, which thy Innate Worth may so  
Deservedly claim. So, when the painted Spring  
Appears, the murmuring Bees their growing King,  
Who must conduct them to the Fields, adore;  
Their Public Laws for Honey, and, for store  
In Combs, observe. So, a young Bull, whose Horns  
Are yet scarce firm the Pasture claims, and scorns  
A Rival in the Herd. But war forbear,  
Till riper years, and, with thy Brother, here,  
(While I'm engaged) my place secure; you may  
Teach unsubdued Araxis to obey,  
And swift Euphrates. Yours all Nile may be,  
With whatsoever the Rising Sun doth see.  
But, if the Alps we pass, and our good Cause  
Have like success, that Warlike France thy Laws  
May hear, and Spain, obey thy just Command,  
Thou then shalt come, and, I, into thy Hand,  
Will all my Conquests put. Then, then may I,  
Secure of Fate, pleased with my labours, die:  
While you both Poles may rule. Mean time, among  
The Muses still thyself employ, while young,  
And read what thou may'st imitate, converse  
With Greece, and Rome's Antiquities; discourse  
The Acts of ancient Captains, and apply  
Thy thoughts to future war; on Italy  
As 'twas of old reflect; if thou aspire  
To a forced Liberty, 
(b) Brutus the first Consul, who expelled the Tarquins, and made Rome a Common- wealth.  Brutus admire;  
If Treachery thou hat'st, thou  approve  
Of 
(c) Metius Suffetius by the Command of King Hostilius, was fistned to two Chariots, and torn in pieces; for that when be should have assisted him against his enemies, he only looked on, resolving to side with the Conqucrour.  Metius torture. If thou dost not love  
Too great severity, thou wilt detest  

(d) Tit. Manlius Torquatus, who slew his Son for fight without his Order, though he had the Victory, and brought the spoils of the Enemy to his Father, who crowned him for his Victory, and then beheaded him for his Error.  Torquatus Act. If a vowed death seem best.  

(e) The Decii were a Noble Family in Rome, three whereof successively vowed Themselves to Death, for their Country.  The Decii, running into dangers, you  
Will reverence. What one brave Man may do,  

(f) Horatius Cocles. Vid. suprà lib. 2. 3tii. Belli Punic.  Cocles, on Tyber's broken Bridge, alone,  
Engaged, and. 
(g) Mutius Scaevola, who having vowed to kill Porsenna, then besieging Rome, and killing another instead of him, burned his right hand for the mistake, in presenee of Porsenna; who admiring his Courage, and terrified with the Information, that 300 more had vowed the like, immediately made peace, and raised the Siege.  Mutius burning Hand have shown.  
From 
(h) Fabius Maximus the Delayer, who tired out Hannibal, by his Delays of giving Battle; and so relieved his Country.  Fabius learn th' Effects, of wise delay.  
What in distressed affairs, good Conduct may  
Perform, 
(i) Furius Camillus, the Gauls besieging Rome, being then in exile, came upon them suddenly, destroyed their Army, and relieved the City.  Camillus' sliughter of the Gauls  
Declares. Hence know, whatever chance befalls,  
True Merit still excels. The cruelty  
Of Carthage gives Eternal Fame to thee  

(k) Regulus taken prisoner by the Carthaginians, was sent by them to Rome, upon promise, that if he did not obtain such terms of Peace as they desired, he should return to them. When at Rome, he advised them to pursue the war, and returning to Carthage, was cruelly put to death by them. Vid. Sil. Ital. lib. 6.  Great Regulus. Had 
* Cato Uticensis. Vid. lib. 1. 3d. Punic War.  Cata had success,  
The Glory of his sufferings had been less.  
Observe what sober Poverty may do,  

(l) Cutius Dentatus, thrice Consul, a Person of great frugality and integrity, refused the large Offers of Pyrrhus and the Samnites, whom he overthrew.  Curius was poor, when Kings he overthrew.  

(m) Fabritius did the like.  Fabritius poor, when he scorned Pyrrhus' gold.  

(n) L. Quintus Cincinnatus, chosen Dictator while be was holding the Plough, and having overcome the Aequi, in sixteen days laid down his Office, and returned to his Husbandry.  Nor did Serranus think it shame, to hold  
The dirty Plough, when a Dictator, and  
(His humble Cottage viewed) the Lictor's hand  
Fixed to the Willow Posts, his Fasces. There  
The Harvests by a Consul gathered were.  
And the rude Fallows (to advance their Rate)  
Tilled by a Ploughman, in his Robes of State.   

Thus your great Father, like an Aged Guide  
Of some tall Ship, by many Winters tried  
With various storms, of the Sea weary grown,  
And Age, commends the Helm unto his Son.  
Shows him all dangers, and his Arts: What Star  
The right-hand guides: How swelling Billows are  
By steerage, to be shunned: The Signs of Rain,  
The treachery of clear Skies: When to the Main  
The Sun descends, what will ensue: What Wind  
Disturbs the Moon, and makes her Face unkind.  
But now, great Prince, wherever thou dost shine,  
Whether the South, or Northern Heaven be thine,  
See thy desire fulfilled; thy Noble Deeds  
Thy Son not only equals, but exceeds.    

THE PHOENIX: Out of CLAUDIAN.  

BEyond the Indies, and where Eurus Wings  
Are spread, by farthest Seas encompassed, springs  
A Grove, which, by Sol's labouring Steeds, of all  
Is, first, awaked, and hears the lashes fall,  
When the moist borders, with the dewy Coach  
Resound. Whence, by her Blush, the Morn's approach  
Is seen, and; in her flying Mantle, Night  
From far grows pale, by the reflected light.  
Here, the too happy Phoenix lives, alone,  
Fenced with a matchless Climate, touched by none  
Of Nature's sickly Race: where ne'er oppressed  
By those Contagions, that the World infest,  
He (like the gods) continues Firm, as are  
The Stars, and, with Recruited Limbs, the War  
Of Time debells; not used, with Cates, the rage  
Of Hunger to subdue: or Thirst assuage  
In Springs. But, nourished by the purer Rays  
O'th' Sun, and harmless Vapours of the Seas,  
Lives on that Airy Food. A Secret Light  
Flies from his Eyes, about his Face as bright  
A Glory shines, and, on his Radiant Head,  
The rising Crest a Native Star doth spread:  
From whose clear Beams, divided Darkness flies,  
As from the Day. Rich Scarlet paints his Thighs,  
And his Wings (which Cerulean Flowers enfold)  
Outfly the Winds, above enriched with gold.  
He, Sire, and Offspring of Himself, does come  
Neither from Seed conceived, nor teeming Womb.  
But, by a Fruitful Death, without the Aid  
Of Parents, his Stiff Joints, with Age decayed;  
(From duty now discharged) repairs and flies  
To a fresh life, as often, as he dies.  
For when his Summers, through a thousand Rings  
Have run; with Winters, and as many Springs  
And Autumns, that to labouring Peasants paid  
Their wealthy Shades; at length unwieldy made,  
To time (by numerous Ages overcome)  
He yields. As Pines by Tempests shaken from  
The Head of Caucasus, decline, and are  
Pressed into Ruin by the Weight they bore.  
Some by continued Winds, some by the rage  
Of wasting showers, and some by cankered age.   

His sight now waxeth dim, his aged Beak  
Distils faint Icicles about his Neck.  
As when the Moon, encompassed in a Bay  
Of Clouds, with dubious Crescents shrinks away.  
Those Wings, that through the Clouds were wont to fly;  
Trail on the ground. Then knowing he must die,  
Framing the Cradle of is returning Form,  
He chooseth driest Simples, from the warm  
Adjoining Hills, and, of that rich Perfume,  
Makes both his future Birth-bed and his Tomb:  
Where placed, (his former Strength and Vigour done)  
He first, with Fainter Cries, salutes the Sun:  
Then prays, and with a Suppliant Anthem claims  
The Blessing of his youth-restoring flames.  
Whom, when Sol sees from far, He straight appears  
To stop, and thus his Pious Darling cheers;  
Oh thou, who shak'st off Age upon thy Pile,  
And with false Sepulchers dost Fate beguile,  
Who, out of thine own Ruins, oft, art born,  
And from thy death, as young (as doth the Morn  
From Night) returnest, thy Beginning take  
Again, and, here, thy withered Corpse forsake,  
And, in thy Figure changed, come forth more fair.  
This said, shaking his Head, a single Hair  
From's yellow Locks, He, sudden, darts, and so  
With Vital Lighrning strikes the Willing, who  
That, thus from death, He may, with speed, return  
To life, with Joy, doth voluntary burn.   

These Darts from Heaven the Heap of rich perfume  
Soon kindle, and the Aged Bird consume.  
The Moon, amazed, pulls back her Steeds; the Pole  
Ceaseth, the flow Naves of the World to role.  
The Pile, thus teeming, Nature (careful Dame)  
Lest she should lose her Bird, the faithful flame  
Removes, that so, th' Immortal Grace of Things  
She may restore; when straight warm Vigour springs  
Through all the Members, and in every vein  
Reviving Blood, gins to flow again.  
Then, of itself, the living Dust assumes  
Motion, and, the Rude Embers  with Plumes.  
He, that, of late, the Father was, the same  
Is now the Son, and New succeeds the Flame  
The Confines of his double Life, awhile,  
Divides. Then straight to hollow, near to Nile,  
His Father's Manes, covering o'er with grass,  
The Urn, and Parent-nest, He, swift, doth pass  
Into another Clime, and bears it to  
The Pharian Land. A vast, unnumbered Crew  
Of winged People (wondering as He flies)  
Attend, and, in their varied flight, the Skies  
Like an huge Army, cloud. Yet, among all  
Those many Myriads, none their General  
Presume, in flight, to cross, or go before,  
But, all the Tract of their bright King adort.  
Neither the furious Hawk, nor Bird that bears  
The Arms of Jove, dares move, or think on Wars;  
And, from their Reverence, Common Peace proceeds.   

From Tigris so, the Parthian Captain reads  
His barbarous Troops; in Gems, most proudly dressed,  
A rich Tiara doth his Brows invest;  
Gold Reins his Horse; his Purple Robe is wrought  
By ' Assyrian Needles: and, thus swelled with thought  
Of's high Command, through Tyrian Troops he goes.   

There is a City (which all Egypt knows)  
Where, in a stately Temple, raised upon  
An hundred Theban Columns, they the Sun  
Adore, with Sacred Rites. Here first (they say)  
His Custom is the Parenturn to lay.  
Then, prostrate to the Image of the god,  
Unto the Holy Flame commends his load;  
And, on the Altars offers up, instead  
Of Incense, his own Relics, and his Seed:  
When straight the Myrrh-annointed Pillars shine,  
And holy Altars breathe a Fume divine.  
The Indian Odour, now itself dilates,  
Through all the Pharian Coasts, and penetrates.  
To the Pelusian Pools, all Egypt's filled  
With wholesome Air, which, as if Heaven distilled  
Immortal Nectar through it, all the while,  
Perfumes the seven large Mouths of Swarthy Nile.   

Oh happy! thine own Heir! that gives to thee  
New Life, by which, we all dissolved be!  
From thy dead Ashes doth thine Off spring rise,  
And thou secure, thine Age before thee dies.  
Whatever was Immortal, thou hast seen,  
And, Time calls thee to witness what hath been.  
Thou knowst what time, from springing Rocks, the Seas  
Their swelling Waters to the Stars did raise:  
What year it was wherein the World's great Frame  
By Phaeton's Error perished in a Flame.  
No Ruin can thee touch; when Earth shall be  
Worn out, thou from Decay, alone, art free.  
'Gainst thee the Fates, nor Law, nor Power can have,  
Till the whole World shall be thy Pile and Grave.   
FINIS.