THE SECOND PUNIC WAR Between HANNIBAL, And the ROMANS; Englished From the LATIN of SILIUS ITALICUS By THOMAS ROSS.  
Ordior Arma quibus coelo se gloria tollit  
Aeneadum patiturque ferox Oenotria jura  
Carthago: damn, Musa, decus memorare Laborun   

THE SECOND PUNIC WAR Between HANNIBAL, AND THE ROMANS: The whole Seventeen BOOKS, ENGLISHED FROM THE LATIN OF SILIUS ITALICUS: WITH A CONTINUATION from the Triumph of SCIPIO, To the Death of HANNIBAL. By THO: ROSS, Esq Keeper of His MAJESTY'S Libraries, and Groom of His most Honourable Privy-Chamber.  
Aut Prodesse solent, aut Delectare Poetae.  Horat. 
LONDON, Printed by THO. ROYCROFT, and are to be sold by JO. MARTIN, JA. ALLESTRY, and THO. DICAS, at the Bell in S. Paul's Churchyard, MDCLXI.   


CAROLUS Secundus Dei gratia Magna Britaniae Franciae et Hiberniae Rex.   

Can Hannibal, and Scipio, in whom  
All the vast Hopes of Carthage, and of Rome,  
Were fixed, Revive, and see how easily You,  
By Your sole Virtue, Kingdoms can Subdue;  
How from the Rage of War, without the Stain   

Of Blood, You Sacred Crowns, and Triumphs gain:  
They would no more contend, who best might claim  
Priority; but yield it to Your Name.  
Rome would her Gen'ral, Carthage Hers refuse,  
And jointly You the World's Commander choose.   THO: ROSS.  

TO THE KING'S MOST SACRED MAJESTY.  
DREAD SOVEREIGN,  
YOUR majesty's most Gracious Acceptance of this Poem, when it wanted all Ornament, both of the Press, and Pencil, hath Emboldened Me to this second Address, most humbly imploring, that, as Your Goodness was then, both to It, and Me, the only Refuge from the Tyranny of the Times; You will, now, be pleased to protect Us, from the Envy of this censuring Age, in the Sanctuary of Your Name, which will make this Copy as Immortal, as its Original, and fix on it a Character, as Indelible, as the Faith, and Obedience of  
Your MAJESTIE'S Most Loyal SUBJECT, and humble SERVANT, THO: ROSS.   

The Epistle at BRUGES. TO HIS SACRED MAJESTY;  
May it please Your Majesty,  
I Had not presumed, to present this Poem to Your majesty's view, had I not believed, the Dignity of the Subject might, in some Measure, plead my Apology. I know Your Majesty is familiar with the History, in its plainer Dress of Prose; but this Author being frequent in the hands of few, but those, whose business is Books, I have adventured to make him English; believing (since, to my strictest Observation of Historians, he does not, in the main, deviate from the granted Truth) that his Poetical Fancies do not only add Lustre, but a more than ordinary Pleasure to the Story; for herein all the most eminent Actions, in that famous War (which once disputed the Empire of the Universe) are described, with so vigorous, and lively a Flame, that (if my English hath not too much depressed it) it may create in the Readers an emulation of the renowned Performers: which I have not presumed to present to Your Majesty (who are above them) as Examples for Imitation, but that, by reflecting on them, Your Majesty may see what unperishable Monuments Great Persons may build to themselves, in asserting their Country; and, that as Your Sacred Person is endowed with all those Virtues, that rendered the Valiant HANNIBAL famous, or SCIPIO a Conqueror: so, by the blessing of Heaven on Your majesty's Designs, some happy Pen may have Matter to build you such another Monument for future Times; and that Your majesty's Kingdoms being Restored to their former Glory by Your Hand, Posterity may date their Happiness from Your Conquest; and Your Name become an eternal Terror to Rebellion.  
So prays, Your majesty's most Humble, and most Obedient Subject, and Servant, THO: ROSS. Bruges, Novemb. 18 th'. 1657.   

TO THE KING.  
HAD Fortune placed You on a peaceful Throne,  
Had not Rebellion made Your Virtues known  
(As Stormy Nights, and Dark Eclipses, may  
Set greater Value on a Fairer Day)  
Posterity had only understood,  
That You, like Your Great Ancestors, were Good,  
And Just; that, under You, the Church, and State  
Flourished, and seemed above their present Fate.  
But then, when Hell, and Earth, had Must'red all  
Their Forces, to procure Your Father's Fall;  
When Traitorous Hands had seized upon Your Crown;  
When all Our Rights, and Laws, were trampled down;  
Temples to Stables turned; Our Flamens fly,  
Or else, for Victims, on their Altars die;  
All Holy things profaned: That You, alone,  
(As when the Arrian Heresy was grown  
Too strong for Truth, and in one Holy Breast  
Religion dwelled, exiled from all the rest)  
Have against these Cruel Storms a Bulwark stood,  
And (like the Great Restorer, when the Flood  
O'reran the Universe) an Ark prepare,  
To which all such, as Good, and Loyal are,  
For Safety fly; had ne'er been known to Fame,  
And still this great Addition to Your Name  
Had been concealed, and, after Your Decease,  
The Good, but Easie, Titles of a Peace,  
Had been Your sole Renown: but now we see,  
What You in Peace, what You in War can be;  
With what an equal Temper You can stand  
The Shocks of Fortune, and Yourself command.  
So that by You the Old instructed are  
To live, the Young the worst of Fate to dare.  
Hence all, but such, as are withheld by Charms  
Of Wealth, or Rebels, that now fear Your Arms,  
Come from all Quarters of the World, in You  
Their Present Happiness, their Future, view.  
Our Church within Your Walls, alone, can keep  
Her Rites, and recollect her scattered Sheep.  
Within Your Breast the Archives of the Law  
Are safely lodged, and thence we hope to draw  
Those Streams of justice, that (as sacred Nile  
Swells, and makes fruitful the Egyptian Soil)  
Shall England Happy make, that, now, with War,  
As rudely looks, as if hot Sirius Star  
On it, in stead of Libya, only shed  
Its Flames, and Men, worse than her Monsters, bred.  
None then can justly of their Fate complain,  
That are Exiled, unless You there did Reign.  
You are our only Wealth; and whether You  
Austers, or Boreas' Frozen Kingdoms view;  
Or should You to America repair,  
Or t'other Indies bless: whereer'e You are,  
All, that are Good, will follow You, and all,  
That Place their Home, that Place their Country call.  
But, Oh! (me thinks) I see, with squalid Locks,  
Poor England, rear her Head above the Rocks,  
And this great Blessing beg, That She may be  
Eased of her Chains, and, by Your Conquest, Free.  
Go then (Great Prince) go; may propitious Gales  
Still wait upon You, and extend Your Sails!  
Those, that from Tyranny their Native Land  
Redeem, in Fame's large Temple Greater stand,  
Then those, whose Foreign Conquests Trophies rear.  
Such the Camilli, such the Decii were,  
Whose Names, in Story, are more Sacred far,  
Then theirs, that, happy in Invasive War,  
Brought Western Gold, and Eastern Spices home:  
These did Enrich, but those Preserved Rome.  
Such (Sacred Prince) be Your Return! May We  
Such Your Success, and such Your Triumphs see!  
As when the Phoenix, in his Parent-Nest  
Revived, in Triumph from the Spicy East  
Returns, and Offers, on the Pharian Coast,  
Due Sacrifice to his Paternal Ghost;  
While all the Birds of Night, and those of Prey,  
Into the Deserts fly, to give him way.  
But a more Noble, and Obsequious Train  
Their King attend, and Egypt, wanting Rain,  
Sees Father Nilus Flow, without Excess,  
O'er all the Land, and give a rich Increase,  
Without their Labour. May You then repair  
The Ruins of Your Throne, and, sitting there,  
Restore to Us again an Age of Gold;  
While Your Blessed Father may, from Heaven behold,  
Himself in You, as Great, as You are Good,  
And all due Expiations for his Blood  
On Rebels made. While all, that now for Fear,  
Or Interest with them Comply, when there  
They You behold, shall then, repenting, come,  
And justly from Your Mouth attend their Doom.  
When France shall tremble, and the Swede shall run,  
Fearing Your Arms, yet further from the Sun.  
And Victory, attending on Your Hand,  
wherever Your Ensigns fly, shall take her Stand,  
Resolved to fix with You, and shall divest  
Herself of Wings, to Plume Your radiant Crest.  
And then those Wounds, those Ills, which We before  
So much lamented have, We will Adore.   

THE LIFE OF CAIUS SILIUS ITALICUS.  
CAIUS SILIUS ITALICUS (whether born in SPAIN, but of ITALIAN Extraction, or in ITALY, but of SPANISH Predecessors, I shall leave PETRUS CRINITUS, GYRALDUS, and others to dispute) in his Youth, applying himself to the Study of Rhetoric, was a close Imitator of CICERO, as the most perfect Pattern of ROMAN Eloquence; after whose Example, he pleaded many Causes, with such Success, and Reputation, that he was, in a short time, made a Judge among the CENTUM-VIRI: nor was that Honour the sole Reward of his Virtues, though he lived in the Reign of the worst of Emperors; for he was thrice Consul, and his first Consulship was signalised with (that great felicity to the ROMAN Empire) the Death of NERO. He was Proconsul of ASIA, and returned to ROME from that Province, with great advantage, both of Wealth, and Honour. It is no mean Argument of his wisdom, and Prudence, that in the most troublesome Changes of the Empire, he never fell under the displeasure of the prevailing Party: For, as he was the last Consul, that NERO made, so he died the last of all, that had been Consuls under him. Among the chief of the City, neither covetous of Power, nor Obnoxious to Envy, he was reverenced, and esteemed by all: and of such Integrity in the Opinion of VITELLIUS, that, when he despaired of Force to resist the Power of VESPASIAN, he selected him, with CLUVIUS RUFUS, and SABINUS, to Treat his Conditions with the Conqueror. Nor did his Friendship with VITELLIUS, eclipse him with VESPASIAN, having ever entertained it with Prudence, and Moderation; so, that he survived that Noble Emperor, and was Honoured with a third Consulship by his Son DOMITIAN. Under whom, finding the weight of Business too heavy for his declining years, he retired into CAMPANIA, and recreated himself with the MUSES: and, as his Veneration of CICERO had moved him to purchase a Lordship, called by that Renowned ORATOR, His Academy (in imitation of that of ATHENS) where he composed his Books, entitled his ACADEMIQUES. So his high Esteem of VIRGIL caused him to buy a Farm, once belonging to that Prince of Latin Poets, to whose Tomb (near NAPLES) as to a Temple, he frequently repaired; and celebrated his Birthday, more Religiously, than his own. Nor was he only a Devote to his Memory, but a Noble Emulatour of his Muse, after whose Example, he composed this Immortal Work, supplying with his Care, and Judgement, the Defects of Nature. He was Co-temporary with many other famous Wits, as LUCAN, STATIUS, PERSIUS, JUNIUS AQUINAS, and MARTIAL, who is frequent in his Praises, and commits to his Censure his own Works, in this Epigram, among many other, excellently Englished by my worthy Friend JO: HEATH Esquire. Martial. ad Silium; Lib. 4. Epigr. 14. 

SILI, Castalidum Decus, etc.  
Silius, who art the Muse's Fame,  
Who the fierce perjured Africk's Name,  
And crafty Hannibal's (Rome's Foes)  
Makest yield to th' greater Scipio's,  
With thy commanding, powerful Style,  
Thy severe Looks laid by a while,  
Whilst lose December now abounds  
With cogging Dice, and Boxes sounds,  
And wanton Lots fly round the Board,  
Thou to my Lines some Time afford.  
But (pray) thy smooth, not knitted Brow,  
To this my loser Mirth, allow.  
So soft Catullus Sparrow might,  
Appear in our great Virgil's sight.   He was esteemed Happy by those of his Time, through the whole course of his Life, unless in the loss of the youngest of his Sons, who died in his Youth; the other he left flourishing in Wealth, and Consular Dignity. In this Tranquillity, and Content, he lived to the Age of seventy five years, when, surprised by an incurable Ulcer, he, Voluntary, set a Period to his Life by Abstinence.   



Hic Crine effuso, atque Emieae Numina Divae,  
Atque Acheronta vocat Stygia cum Veste Sacerdos.  
— Haec patrio jussu ad Penetrasia fertur.   

Vt fari primamque datum distinguere Lingua  
Hannibali vocem Solers Nutrire Furores  
Romanum sevit Puerisi pectore Bellum.   
Augustissmo: ac Potentissmo: Principi Caroso Regi. Fidei Defensor: Domino suo Clementissmo. Ejus Ausp●●●js Inchonto. tandemquee Absoluto Secundo Magnae Britaniae, Franciae, et Hiber Tabulam Hanc, unà cum Silio suo Angli ●an●, su● Humillimè Vovet, Dicat, Consecratque Thomas Ross●●s.  SILIUS ITALICUS OF The Second Punic War. The First Book.  
THE ARGUMENT.  
At nine Years Old, Young Hannibal doth swear,  
At th' Altar, to maintain the Roman War;  
His Father, leading into farthest Spain  
The Libyan Army, is in Battle slain:  
Him Hasdrubal, in chief Command, Succeeds;  
Who, Hate Contracting by his cruel Deeds,  
By a poor Slave's revengeful Hand doth fall:  
Then Hannibal, elected General,  
Breaks Faith with Rome, and to Sagunthus brings  
His Arms, whose famous Siege the Poet sings.  
I Sing those Arms, by which Rome's Glory swelled  
To Heaven, and Haughty Carthage was compelled  
To bear Oenotrian Laws. My Muse, relate  
Hesperia's Toils: how many Men, how Great,  
Rome bred, of Old, for War. When 
(a) Cadmus, who was the Son of Agenor, King of the Phoenicians, from whom the Tyrians descended, and from them Did●, who built Carthage.  Cadmus Seed  
Perfidiously infringed their Sacred Deed,  
And, struggling for Command, did War embrace.  
While Fortune long was doubtful, where to place  

(b) Carthage, her Power increased by many Conquests in Libya, and Spain; and Rome, no less Potent in Italy: they both aspired to the Empire of the World.  The Empire of the World. The Tyrian Lords  
Thrice with Successless 
(c) They had there sharp Wars: in the first, the Carthaginians were overthrown, in a Sea-fight, by Lutatius the Consul, near Aegates, (an Island between Sicily, and afric) in the second, Hannibal was subdued by Scipio Africanus. In the third, Carthage was subverted by Scipio Aemilianus.  Arms, and Impious Swords,  
The Senate's Peace, and League, which they had sworn  
To jove, first broke. And, while, with Fury born,  
Each Nation mutual Ruin did contrive,  
They, to whom Fate the Victory did give,  

(d) After the Battle of Cannae, nothing was wanting to the Subversion of the Roman Fortune, but Hannibal's Vigorous Prosecution of his Victory, in besieging Rome itself; which neglected, gave her time to recover that memorable Defeat.  Were nearest to their Fall. The Phrygian Powers  
In Triumph enter Carthaginian 
(e) The Roman Conqueror (Scipio) who first entered Carthage.  Towers.  
Rome's Palaces 
(f) Hannibal, thinking to divert Qu. Fulvius from the Siege of Capua, advanced with his Army to the very walls of Rome, where He was repulsed by prodigious Storms. See Book 13.  Sidonian Troops surround;  
While only in her Walls she Safety found.  
The Cause of so great Rage, and Hate, with Care  

(g) 
Alluding to Dido's Execration at her Death, on Aeneas' Posterity; 
Exoriare aliquis nostris exossibus ultor,  
Qui face Dardanios, ferroque, sequare Colonos.  
Then from our Bones shall some Revenger rise,  
To persecute the Trojan Colonies  
With Fire, and Sword—  Ogilby, Vieg. Aen. l. 4.   Bequeathing to their Nephews endless War,  
Let me relate, and their dark Counsels scan,  
The Source of so great Stirs, which thus began.  

(h) It is not easy to reconcile Appian, Eusebius, and josephus, concerning the Building of Carthage. The first affirming it to be built fifty Years before the Destruction of Troy: the other seventy Years after the Building of Rome: and the last, more than three hundred years after Troy was destroyed. But most conclude it to have been built by Dido; who, when her Brother Pygmalion had slain her Husband for his Wealth, which she got into her Possession, fled, with such Friends, as hated the Tyranny of Pygmalion, by Sea into Lybia, where the Inhabitants, refusing to let her share in their Country, She only desired to purchase as much Land as She could encompass with a Bull's Hid. Which Request, seeming ridiculous, was easily granted: and the Hid cut into small Thongs, encompassed all that Ground, where the Tower called Byrsa was built, which first denominated the City, that, afterward called Carthage, contended with Rome in Greatness. See Appian, in his Book De Lybic.  Long since, when Dido fled her Native Land,  
Polluted by her Brother's Impious Hand,  
By Chance, on Libya's fatal Coast she falls,  
And, on her purchased Land, erects new Walls,  
With a Bull's-Hide, in Thongs divided round,  
Encompassed, and set out the measured Ground.  
Here juno (as the Ancient Story goes)  
Neglecting Argos, and Mycenae, those  
Beloved, and pleasant Seats, desired to build  
Eternal Mansions for her dear Exiled.  
But, when She saw Rome raise her lofty Head  
So high, and, crossing Seas, her Eagles spread  
Through all the World; moved by a Jealous Fear,  
She the Phoenicians filled with Thoughts of War.  
But these, at first, repressed, and having lost  
Their high Attempts on the 
(i) Sicanian Coast. Where with a Fleet of three hundred Ships, Luctatius overthrew a Navy of double the Number, and thereby forced the Carthaginians to quit Sicily, Sardina and other Isles in the Sea; between afric, and Italy, and accept a dishonourable Peace.  Sicanian Coast,  
Again she Arms prepares: One Captain may  
Suffice Her to embroil the Earth, and Sea.  
And He was Hannibal; who now puts on  
All Her dire Fury: Him She dares alone  
Even against the Fates oppose. When, Joyed to find  
A Man so bloody, casting in her Mind  
The Ills, that She would bring on Italy;  
Shall that Dardanian Fugitive (said She)  
His Troy, and Household-gods, twice Captivate,  
In Spite of Me, to Latium translate?  
And, for the Trojans, Latin Sceptres found?  

(k) Ticinus, a small River in Lombardy, that falls into the Po, more renowned by Hannibal's first Encounter with the Consul Corn. Scipio, who was worsted by him, then by the City of the same Name. See the Fourth Book.  Ticinus, rather may thy Banks abound  
With slaughtered Romans; and my 
(l) Tr●bia, a River near Plac●ntia, where, in a second Conflict, the Consul Sempronius was overthrown by Hannibal. See the same place.  Trebia's Flood  
Swell, through the Celtic Plains, with Trojan Blood;  
And Troubled 
(m) Thrasimen, a Lake in the Plains of Perusia, near which Hannibal overthrew the Roman Army, and slew the Consul Caius Flaminius. See Book 5.  Thrasimenus backward fly,  
Affrighted at the Streams of Purple Dy.  
So I may see Hesperian 
(n) Cannae, a small Village in Apulia, where the Romans received a most signal Overthrow. See Book 9  Cannae Crowned  
With Bodies, and in Blood the Valleys drowned;  
And Thee, swift 
(o) Aufidus descending, with a strong Current from the Hirpin Hills, emptieth itself into the Adriatic Sea.  Aufidus, incertain where  
To leave a Ford, when as no Banks appear,  
Labouring o'er Arms, and scattered Limbs, thy Way  
To break into the Adriatic Sea.  
This said; the Youth, who nothing else desires,  
But Broils, and War, with Martial Thoughts she fires.  
Faithless, replete with Guilford, Unjust was He,  
And, when once armed, contemned the Deity,  
Valiant, but Cruel, hating Peace, and fired  
With a strange Thirst of Humane Blood, desired,  
Then, in His pride of Youth, to wipe away  
His Father's 
(p) Not only the Dishonour of Amil●ar, (His Father's) Repulse out of Sicily, but the Loss of many other Victories, by former Generals, both by Sea, and Land.  Stains, and i'th' Sicilian Sea  
To drown all Leagues. juno, with Hope of Praise,  
Inflames his Heart, to which His Soul obeys.  
Now in His Dreams, He seems to break into  
The Capitol, and o'er the Alps to go:  
Oft in His troubled Sleep, rising by Night,  
With horrid Cries His Servants he'd affright;  
Who found Him, bathed in Sweat, His future War  
To wage, and beat with Rage the empty Air.  
This Fury, against Italy abused,  
While yet a 
(q) Amilcar, about to lead an Army into Spain, and having Thoughts of a greater War against the Romans, Hannibal, than nine years old, flattering Him to go wtih Him, it is said, that He caused the Child to lay His Hand on the Altar, and to swear, that, so soon as He was able, He would become an Enemy to the Romans.  Child, his Father had infused,  

(r( Belus was the Father of Dido, and King of Phoenicia, from whom Amilcar Barca likewise descended, his Ancestor, her Kinsman, accompanying her in her Flight.  Born of the Noble Barcean Race, derived  
From ancient Belus. For, when first, deprived  
Of her Sichaeus, Dido fled from Tyre;  
The Belian Youth, t'escape the Tyrian's Ire,  
Joined to her Train, resolved to embrace  
Her Fate, and Fortune: from that Noble Race,  
Amilcar, famed for Valour, claimed Descent,  
And, studious former Hatred to foment,  
Soon as his Son could speak, and Words expressed,  
Kindled the Roman War within His Breast.  
Amidst the City, circled by a Grove  
Of shady Yew, that did all Light remove,  
A Temple stood, built to Eliza's Ghost,  
And dreadful held through all the Tyrian Coast.  
Here (as 'tis said) the Queen with Her own Hand,  
Herself from Grief absolved: sad Statues stand  
Of Father Belus, and, in Order, all  
His Offspring, with Agenor, whom they call  
The Glory of their Line, Phoenix, whose Fame,  
Gave to that Land, an everlasting Name.  
At length, Eliza 
(s) 
Her Image was placed next to her Husband Sichaeus, whose Memory she preferred to all the Temptations of other Suitors, keeping herself constant to her first Nuptial Vow, till the Arrival of Aeneas (as Poets feign) but her Honour is vindicated by Historians, and by Ausonius in this Epigram (CXI.) on her Picture.  
I Dido am, whom thou beholdest here;  
Fair, even to Wonder, such my Features were.  
Such I: not such, as Maro feigned, my Mind:  
Nor to incestuous Lusts my Life inclined.  
For Me ne'er did Aeneas see, nor yet  
To Libya, with his Trojan Fleet, retreat.  
I fled jarbas Arms, and Rage, and by  
My Fall ('tis true) preserved my Chastity.  
Transfixed that Breast, which a chaste Sword did prove,  
Not Rage, or Grief, incensed by injured Love.  
Thus pleased, I fell, lived chaste: by Fame belied.  
Revenged my Husband: built a City: died.  
What envious Muse did Maro then excite  
My Loss of Honour, falsely, so to write.  
Believe Historians rather in my Fame,  
Then those, who Thefts, and Lusts of Gods proclaim.  
False Poets, who the Truth with Verse pollute,  
And Humane Crimes to Deities impute.   joined to her Lord  
For ever; at Her Feet the Phrygian Sword:  
Next unto these twice fifty Altars stand,  
Built to the Gods, that Heaven, and Hell command:  
Clad in a Stygian Vest with scattered Locks,  
The Priestess, here, 
(t) Enna was a City situate in the midst of Sicily, where Ceres had a Temple, near to which, was a Sacred Grove. Out of which Pluto stole Pros●●pina, who is from thence called En●●a.  Ennaea's Power invokes,  
And Acheron: when from the trembling Ground,  
Sad Murmurs breaking, through the Temple sound,  
And Flames from the unkindled Altars rise:  
Then, raised by Magic Songs, with horrid Cries,  
The wand'ring Ghosts fly through the hollow Air;  
While Dido, in her Marble, sweats for Fear.  
Hither comes Hannibal, commanded by  
Amilcar; who observed with Curious eye  
His Face, and Gesture. Him no Horrid Rites  
O'th' Place, nor mad 
(u) 
A Priestess of the Massiliae Nation, a Barbarous People, most familiar with those horrid Rites, which were there to be performed: wherein, as if inspired from Hell, she walked, as mad, about the Altars; like that described by our English Lucan. (Lib. 5.) 
Then first from her mad Mouth the foaming runs:  
And, in the horrid Cave, were heard at once  
Broke-winded Murmurs, Howl, and sad Groans.    Massila's Fury frights,  
Nor the dark Pavement stained with Blood, nor Flames  
Arising at the sound of Horrid Names.  
Stroking his Head, his Father kissed him, cheers  
His early Courage, and thus fills his Ears.  
An unjust Nation, sprang from ruin'd Troy,  
With their harsh Leagues do Cadmus' Sons annoy:  
If Fates deny the Honour should be Mine,  
To wipe off this Disgrace, may it be Thine.  
Think on a War may Italy destroy:  
And may the Tyrrhene Youth (my warlike Boy)  
Thy Rising dread; and teeming Mothers fear  
Their Children to produce, if Thou appear.  
Moved by this Language, He replies. By Sea,  
And Land, so soon as Years will suffer Me,  
With Fire and Sword the Romans I'll pursue,  
And what Rhetaean Fates decree undo.  
Neither the Gods, nor Leagues forbidding War,  
Tarpeian Rocks, nor Alps shall Me debarr.  
This my Resolve by Mars I swear, and by  
Thy Ghost, great Queen. This said, to Hecate  
Falls a black Victim: the Priestess inquires  
The trembling Entrails, as the soul expires.  
And when (as Custom was) with Art the mind  
O'th' Gods she had explored, she thus Divined.  
Th' Aetolian Plains I see with Armies filled,  
And Lakes, that with 
(x) Roman.  Idaean Blood are swelled.  
What mighty Bodies climb unto the Sky  
By Rocks; on whose high top thy Camp shall lie?  
Now from the Hills the furious Army falls  
Into the Plains, and now the trembling Walls  
In smoke are lost. I see 
(y) Carthaginian.  Sidonian Flames  
Through all Hesperia shine, and bloody Streams  
Mixed with Eridanus. Even He, that bare  
To jove the third 
(z) Opimous Spoils were such, as One General, or King, took from Another. Romulus was the Author of their Title; (Vid. Liv. lib. 1.) who took them first from the King of the C●nienses. The Second gained by Corn. C●ssus, a Roman Tribune; by whom T●lumnius King of the Vej●ntes was slain. And the Third were the Prize of Marcellus, in his Victory over Viridomarus King of the Insubrian Gauls: himself after slun by the Carthaginians. Vide Lib. 15.  Opimous Spoils of War,  
Lies dead on heaps of Arms and Men; his face  
Retaining still its fierceness. But, alas!  
What Tempests do with sudden storms arise;  
While, from the gaping Heaven, swift Lightning flies?  
The Gods Great things intent, I see even jove  
Engaged in War, and Thunder from above.  
The silent Entrails now no more revealed;  
But juno all the Fates to come concealed.  
Dangers, and tedious Labours are behind.  
So keeping in his breast the War designed;  
While to remotest Gades he doth lead  
His Troops, and at 
(a) The two Hills, which make the Straight of Gibraltar: Calpe, in the farthest part of Spain; and Abila in the extremest part of Mauritania, where Amilcar was slain in Battle against the Spaniards.  Alcides' Pillars spread  
His Getick Ensigns, slain in fight, in pride  
Of all his hopes, the Tyrian Captain died.  
Him 
(b) After the death of Amilcar, the Carthaginians (willing to continue that War, found then very advantageous to the State) by a general vote of the Soldiers, and People, elected Hasdrubal, who was Son-in-Law to Amilcar, to succeed in his Command.  Hasdrubal succeeds: whose Reign begun  
In that rich Land, where the declining Sun  
Stoops to the Ocean: whose Tyrant-sway  
Th' Iberi, and Beticolae obey.  
Of a dark Soul, implacable was He,  
The fruit of whose Command was Cruelty;  
His Thirst of Blood unquenchable appeared,  
Esteeming it an Honour to be feared:  
This Rage known Torments could not satiate.  
And thus, while He both Gods and Men forgot,  
Tagus of ancient Race, and noble Fame  
For Beauty, and for valiant Acts, (his Name  
Derived from Golden Tagus, and bewailed  
Through all Iberia;) on an Oak impailed,  
He shows in triumph to's sad People's eyes,  
A King deprived of his Obsequies.  
Content with his own Bounds, he nor required  
Maeonian streams, nor Lydian Pools desired,  
Nor those rich Vales, where liquid Gold doth flow,  
And Hermus with the Sand doth yellow grow.  
He first the Fight began, and last withdrew:  
And when, with's fiery Steed, he broke into  
The Ranks, no Sword, no Spear, could him withstand;  
But in both Armies, with his Conqu▪ ring hand,  
Tagus in golden Arms by all was known.  
Whom when his Servant saw impailed upon  
The fatal Oak, deformed; snatching a Sword  
From's side, esteemed by his lamented Lord,  
Into the Tyrant's Tent he sudden pressed,  
And 
(c) Hasdrubal, after he had eight years enjoyed his Command, was slain by a Slave of a Prince of that Country, whom he had cruelly put to death. Our Author dissents from Polybius and Appian, (the first affirming him to have been murdered treacherously in his Inn, the other in Hunting) and adheres to Livy, in the manner of his death.  pierced, with numerous wounds, his cruel Breast.  
Grief, now, and Rage, the Tyrian Camp divide,  
And all their thoughts to sad Revenge apply▪ de.  
Some Fire, some burning Brass, some Racks prepare,  
And some with Rods his bleeding Body tear.  
All busy hands in various Torments choose  
Their part: some deadly Poison do infuse;  
Others the gaping Wounds with Flames do fill.  
And (what was terrible to see, or tell,)  
While with all art of Cruelty each Limb  
Was stretched; that Bones in liquid Flesh did swim,  
And Marrow, mixed with Blood, in smoke did rise:  
His Courage still was firm, and did despise,  
And scorn their Torments; or as he had been  
A safe Spectator only, and had seen,  
Not felt, what they inflict, the 
(d) 
The Constancy of this Slave is recorded by Livy in these words; When he was apprehended by those that were present, his Joy so far exceeded all sense of Torments, that he endured them with as pleasant a countenance, as if he had escaped: so that the Poet doth not much Hyperbolise the History, when he adds, that he stoutly called for the Cross, the last punishment of condemned Slaves.   Slave disdains  
His fainting Executioners; complains  
They're dull, and stoutly for the Cross doth call.  
'Midst these despised pains, the General  
Thus lost, the trembling Army with one voice,  
And cry, on 
(e) So soon as Hasdrubal came to the Command of the Army, he sent for Hannibal (to the great dislike of Hanno's Faction, who apprehended his haughty Spirit) into the Camp: where he soon acquired the Love of the Soldiery, especially of the old Bands, (that had served under his Father) who were the first, that, after the death of Hasdrubal, declared him General, at the age of twenty five years: which, assented to by the rest of the Troops, was immediately confirmed by the Senate of Carthage, where the Barcean Faction was most prevalent.  Hannibal straight fix their choice.  
The Image of his Father's Valour, Fame  
Of the War vowed against the Roman Name,  
His young and active Courage, noble Heat,  
His Eloquence, and mind armed with Deceit,  
Procured this Applause. And, first of all,  
The Libyan Troops salute him General;  
Next these, the Pyrenaean People; than  
The warlike Bands of the Iberian.  
When straight a Confidence of this Command  
Inflames his soul: as if the Sea and Land,  
Where Austere rules, or where the Lamp of Day  
In Cancer lodged tormenteth Libya,  
Or Asia did submit; or He beheld  
A third part of the World Obedience yield.  
His Bounds were where Famed Nilus sees the Day  
First rise, and with seven Streams invades the Sea.  
But where they milder look to either Bear,  
Washed by th' Herculean-sea, the 
(f) Hannibal, now Commander of so vast an Army, commanded likewise all the Dominions of the Carthaginians, wh●ch were then very great, especially in Libyan ● being Lords of all that vast Tract of ground, upon the Sea-coast, from Carthage unto Hercules-Pillars: where they found an easy passage into Spain; whose fertile Plains, to be seen from the Hills of Mauritania, invited them to that Conquest, wh●ch Hannibal obtained.  Plains appear  
Of fertile Europe, from the neighbouring Hills:  
All the vast Tract beyond the Ocean fills.  
Nor will huge 
(g) Which terminated the Bounds of the Carthaginians Westward, in the extreme parts of Mauritania; as Nilus was their Boundary southward.  Atlas suffer that his Name  
Farther extend: Atlas, whose Neck the Frame  
Of Heaven doth prop: Whose clouded Head doth all  
The Stars support; which, that withdrawn, would fall.  
The Winter of unmelting Frost, and Snow,  
Dwells on his Beard; upon his lofty Brow  
A Grove of Pines, that cast Eternal shade;  
His Temples by the Winds are hollow made;  
And Rivers from his misty Jaws descend  
In Froth; and both his sides with Seas contend:  
Which, when his panting Steeds the weary Sun  
Doth drench in smoking Waves, do seem to drown  
The Chariot. But where parched Africk's Fields  
Appear, the barren Earth no Harvest yields;  
But Serpents, with fell Poison charged; yet where  
The Soil is blessed with a more temperate Air,  
Nor Pharian, nor Ennaean Plains excel.  
Here the 
(h) The Numidians, a wand'ring People, descended (as Sallust relates) of the Persians, were part of Hercules his Army: and, after his Death, returning into Spain, planted themselves in that part of afric; which borders upon the Carthaginian Bounds, and Mauritania. Their manner of fight is described by the Poet: and of what great use they were to Hannibal appears through the whole Poem, agreeable to History.  Numidians insulting fill  
One quarter of the Camp: no use they know  
Of Bridles; but, when Horses swiftest go,  
Them, with a Wand, between their Ears applied,  
As with the Reins, or Curbs, at pleasure, guide.  
A warlike Nation, that in Wars delight;  
Yet trusting more to Fraud, then open Fight.  
The Spanish Troops another part contained;  
Aids, by his valiant Father's Trophies, gained  
From Europe: whose fierce Horse with neighing fills  
The Plains, and swiftly climbs th' encamped Hills:  
(Not Mars through Thracian Fields more furious drives  
A Nation fierce, and prodigal of Lives,  
Willing to hasten Death: for, when their Prime  
Of years is overpast by conquering Time,  
Scorning decay of Strength, or Age, to know,  
Bear in their hands their Fate. Here Metals grow  
Of matter mixed, 
(i) Of Electrum there are two sorts: one whereof is a Gummy substance, which becomes hard, and hath formerly been found, (though not very plentifully) mixed with the Sands of Eridanus; (the Po) which gave occasion to the P●et to fain Phaethon's Sisters to be turned into Poplars, and their Tears into that substance, of which some Statues were made for Augustus. The other sort (meant here) is a mixture of the Seeds of Gold with Silver.  Electrum's Pallid Veins  
Produced, and darker Steel the Earth contains:  
But God those Springs of Mischief deeply hides;  
Yet Astur, covetous, the Earth divides,  
And, in her mangled Entrails drowned again,  
Returns with Gold, and bears the Precious Stain.  
Hence Durius, and rich Tagus, with thy Streams  
Contend, Pactolus, and that 
(k) Ana (a River in Spain, now called Guadiana) which, according to the Ancient division of Spain, separates Hispania Baetica (that contained the Kingdoms of Granata, Andalusia, with part of N●w C●stil●, and Esiramadura) from L●stania (Portugal) it runs, for the space of eight German Miles, under Ground, and afterwards breaking forth again, emp●ieth itself with a full Channel into the Atlantic Sea. Upon some part of this was a Grecian Colony, mentioned here by the Poet, and asserted by Cluverius. lib. 1. Introd. Geograph.  Flood, that seems  
To bring up Lethe to the People, and  
Upon the Gravii rolls the Glistering Sand.  
A Land where Ceres, and Lyaeus too  
Do dwell, and Olive-Trees in plenty grow.  
These Nations, now, reduced to the Command  
Of Warlike Hannibal, and in his Hand  
The Reins of Rule: straight with his Father's 
(l) Amilcar, who, by his cunning persuasions, drew many Cities to the Obedience of the Carthaginians: in which Art Hannibal no less excelled, as appeared, not only at his first entrance on his command, which gained him the ready Obedience of that vast Army, led by him into Italy; but among the Gauls, and Italy itself. And for this he himself commends Pyrrhu●, at that Interview with Scipio, at the Court of Antiochus, as an eminent Virtue in him. Vide Liv. lib. 35.  Arts  
He makes his Party; now with Arms subverts  
Decrees of Senate, now with Bribes; appears  
The first to walk on Foot; the first, that bears  
A part, if haste require, a Trench to make;  
The first, that all Attempts would undertake:  
Remiss in nothing, that to Honour tends;  
Refuseth nature Rest, and watchful spends  
The night in Arms. Now, by his Cassock known,  
Mixed with the Libyssaean Foot, lies down  
On th' Earth, contending with the Steel he wore  
In Hardness: sometimes he'd Advance before  
His numerous Troops; and, with a valiant Hand,  
Perform in Person, what he did Command:  
Sometimes, on his bare Head, he'd entertain  
The Ruins of the heavens; their Storms, and Rain.  
The Tyrians saw, th' Asturians did admire  
To see, when jove did dart his forked Fire,  
When Thunder fell in Storms, and every Blast  
Of Wind struck forth the Flames, how bold he passed  
Through all, on's snorting Steed: nor would retire,  
Though clogged with Dust, and scorched with Sirius fire.  
And, when the sultry Air did fry with Heat,  
That parched the Earth, they seemed Effeminate,  
Who sought a Shade: while He, to exercise  
His Thirst, where ere he sees a Fountain, flies▪  
His sole Delight's, to dress a furious Horse  
For War, and to be famous for the Force  
Of's kill Arm: to swim a Stream unknown  
O'er Echoing Rocks: t' assail the Foe, upon  
The adverse Bank. The first, that would ascend  
To scale a Wall, and, when he did contend  
In open Fight, where ere his Sword did go,  
It carried Death, and Streams of Blood did flow.  
Being therefore, now, resolved to violate  
The Sacred League, he urgeth on his Fate.  
And, where he can, on Rome's Allies doth fall,  
And storms in farthest Lands the Capitol.  
His waving Ensigns (first displai●d for love  
Of greater Wars) against 
(m) Alteia, Hermandica, Arbacaia, and some other Provinces of Spain, had before felt the Fury of the Carthaginians: but Sagunthus was the first Confederate City (with the Romans) that was Attaqued by them. It is now called Morviedro, Scituate upon the River Iberus (or Ebro) about a mile from the Sea; great only in its Fame of this memorable Siege.  Sagunthus move.  
The Walls, first built by Hercules, not far  
From Sea, upon a rising Hill appear.  
Whose noble Name Zacynthus, there by Fate  
Entombed upon the Top, did consecrate.  
He, among others of Alcides' Train,  
Returned to Thebes, the famed Geryon 
(n) Three Brothers, that Reigned in Spain, with such admirable Unanimity; that all seemed to be Governed by one Mind: which gave Birth to this Fable. They were subdued by Hercules.  slain.  
Three Souls that Monster did inform, three pair  
Of Hands, his Head a triple Neck did bear.  
Earth ne'er beheld another could survive  
One Death, to whom the Fates three Lives did give.  
Yet here the Conqueror showed his Spoils: and, as  
In Heat of day the Captive Herds did pass  
Unto the Springs, a Serpent, kicked by chance,  
Big with enflaming Poison, did advance  
His tumid Jaws, and by a deadly Wound  
Laid the Inachian dead on Spanish Ground.  
About that time, an exiled Colony,  
Born in an Island of the Grecian Sea,  
Came from the South, and by Zacynthus there  
To Ithaca's Dominions added were.  
The Daunian Youth, wanting a dwelling, then  
Rich in their Numbers, led by Valiant men,  
Sent from a City, which we Ardea term,  
Arriv●d, their weak Beginnings to confirm,  
These, by Agreement with the Roman State,  
Having their Liberties inviolate,  
And Honour of their Ancestors, forsaken,  
What they had long endured, the Tyrian Yoke.  
Against these, therefore, his incensed Bands,  
Breaking the League, fierce Hannibal commands:  
Disturbs their Peace with Arms. Shaking his Head,  
Himself high-mounted on his panting Steed,  
Surveys the Walls; and, when he had beheld  
The trembling Houses, Summons them to yield  
Their Gates, and Forts: tells them; That Italy,  
Their League●, and hoped-for Aids, far distant be;  
Nor should his Mercy meet them, if subdued  
By Arms: That all the Senate could conclude,  
Their Laws, and Statutes, nay their Gods, and Faith,  
Were now within his Power. And what he saith,  
Confirms by's Javelin thrown against the Walls:  
Which on Caïcus, vainly threatening, falls;  
And through his Arms his Body pierced. He slain,  
And tumbling from the Rampart, brings again  
To the insulting Conqueror his Dart,  
Reeking in Blood, and trembling in his Heart.  
The rest th' Example of the General  
With Shouts pursue; and straight obscure the Wall  
With a dark Cloud of Darts. Nor was their clear  
Valour in Number lost: each man doth bear  
Himself against the foremost; as if he,  
Alone, would undertake the Enemy.  
Here one the Sling with frequent Jerks doth ply;  
Which, waved thrice about his Head, let's fly  
A Weapon with the Winds; which in the Air  
Is lost, to sight. Huge Stones another, there,  
Flings from his sinewy Arm: this doth advance,  
And from the slippery noose expels a Lance.  
But Hannibal, before all other, rich  
In's Father's Arms, now flings, with flaming Pitch,  
A smoking Lamp; then hurls his Javelin; now,  
With Stakes, and Stones, doth press upon the Foe:  
Or poisoned Arrows sends, and doth applaud  
Insulting, as they fly, his Quiver's fraud.  
Such Shafts the Daci, on the Getique Coast,  
Steeped in the Poison of their Country, boast,  
And by the Banks of two-named 
(o) It being also called Danubius by the Scythians; by reason of an unfortunate Expedition they once made over it. Eustath. in Dion.  Ister shoot.  
But now it is decreed, and they, about  
The Hill, their horned Bulwarks raise; and, round  
The City, armed Towers do abound.  
Oh Faith, by ancient Times adored, which now  
On Earth, we only by thy Name do know!  
The Valiant Youth resolved stand, and see  
All hope of Flight cut off; their Walls to be  
Begirt with Arms: yet think a noble Death,  
Most worthy Rome. And that, Sagunthus Faith  
By them preserved, she might more Glorious fall,  
Then stand: they now more resolutely all  
Their Strength collect. Then from contracted Strings  
Stones of vast Bulk the Phocaean 
(p) The Balista was a kind of Sling; invented (saith Pliny, lib. 7. cap. 36.) by the Phoenicians: wherewith they cast Stones, Spears, Darts, etc. and is here called Phocaean: for that the Sagunthines were descended of the Thebans, in whose Territory was Pho●●s.  Engine slings:  
Or, changing weight, whole Trees with Iron bound  
Ejects; that, breaking through, the Ranks confound.  
A Shout both Armies raise, and furious come  
To Blows; as if they had besieged Rome.  
Among so many thousands, that did stand,  
Circled in Arms, like Corn on fertile Land;  
Bold Hannibal, desirous to inspire  
Into his Army's minds that furious Fire  
Was lodged in his own Breast, doth thus excite  
Their Rage, and Stimulates the following Fight.  
Do we stand still before a Captived Foe?  
Ashamed we have begun? Ashamed to go  
On with this Omen! goodly Valour! Shall  
These be the first-Fruits of the General?  
Must we fill Italy with such a Fame?  
Premise such Fights as this? Go on, for shame.  
This said, with Fury they invade the Wall,  
On which they leave their Hands, and backwards fall.  
With that in haste a Mount was raised, above  
The Town, whereon the Fight Squadrons move.  
But with an 
(q) This Engine is described by Livi (Lib. 21.) to have been very long, smooth, and round: but square at the End; out of which came a Pike of Iron, (like that of the ●omane Pile) in length three Foot: that it might penetrate both through the Arms, and Bodies of the Enemy. About it they fastened Flax and Pitch: which kindled, and gathering Flames in its Motion, was not only very hurtful to all that stood in its way, but terrible to those at Distance.  Engine, that by many hands  
Was moved, the brave Besieged, the thronging Bands  
Drive from the Gates. It was a mighty Oak,  
Strange to behold; which, for defence, they took  
From th' Pyrenaean Hills. This, strongly lined  
With numerous Pikes of Steel, could hardly find  
By Walls, resistance; and about besmeared  
With Sulphur, and with unctuous Pitch, appeared  
Like an huge Thunderbolt, and from the Walls  
Of their high Arcenal it swiftly falls,  
Cutting with trembling Flames the yielding Air;  
(So Comets, running with their bloody Hair,  
From Heaven to Earth, cast a Prodigious light)  
And with a furious Force, that did affright  
Even Hannibal, upon the Army flies,  
Tossing their smoking Members to the Skies:  
Till, fixed to a vast Tower, the active Flames,  

(r) These were called Plut●i by the Latins: and were made use of, to cover Beams, and Planks, while the Soldiers were working; to keep them from being fired by the Enemy.  Through the raw Hides, consume the mighty Beams.  
And there, in burning Ruins, both the Men,  
And Arms involves. The Carthaginians then,  
Grown wise by loss, through secret Mines convey  
Their Troops, and so the City open lay.  
That labour of Great Hercules, the Wall,  
To th' Earth, with noise incredible, doth fall;  
And in its Ruin Stones immense doth roll,  
That Echo from the Alps unto the Pole.  
So airy Rocks, torn from their Native side  
By Storms, with horror do an Hill divide.  
The Breach was soon, with Heaps of Bodies slain,  
Obstructing their Advance, supplied again.  
Amidst those Ruins, both with equal Rage  
Do meet; before the rest, in's prime of Age,  
Murrus, ennobled by a Latin Line,  
Himself a Greek, his Mother Sagunthine;  
Whose Parents, in a Sacred League combined,  
Dulichian Nephews to Italian joined.  
He, as stout Vaidus his Companions calls  
Aloud unto the Fight, upon him falls,  
And wounds him, where unarmed he did appear,  
Between his Cask and Corslet; with his Spear  
Stopping his bold Attempts: and, as he lies  
Prostrate upon the Ground, insulting cries;  
The art down, false Carthaginian: surely thou,  
As Conqueror, didst fancy foremost now  
To climb the Capitol: but, what could move  
Such bold Desires? Go, war with Stygian jove.  
Then, as Iberus fiercely did advance,  
To secure him, fixed in his Thigh his Lance:  
And, spurning Vaidus dying Face, quoth he;  
This to the Walls of Rome your Way must be,  
O feared, and valiant Hands! you all must tread  
This Path, whither soe'er your Haste doth lead.  
And, as Iberus laboured to renew  
The Fight, his Target seized, and pierced him through  
His naked Side. Iberus, rich in Land,  
And Flocks, unknown to Fame, could well command  
His Dart, and Bow, against a flying Beast:  
Happy in's Private life, had he possessed  
Those Weapons still, within his Father's Groves.  
To secure him with speed now Ladmus moves:  
On whom bold Murrus grimly smiling, Thou  
(Said he) shalt tell Amilcar's Shade below;  
That this right-Hand, after the Vulgars' fall,  
Shall give you for Companion Hannibal:  
Then, rising high, with's Sword on's Helmet struck,  
Which, through the very brazen Cover, broke '  
His cracking Scull. Then Chremes, who his Hair  
Unshorn, like to a Cap, on's Brow did wear:  
With Masulus, and Harcalo, though old,  
Yet not unfit for War; who with a bold  
And fearless Hand, a teeming Lioness  
Would struck: then Bragada, whose Shield's Impress,  
A River's Urn: Hyempsal, who the Wrack  
Of Ships from dangerous Sands would boldly take,  
As Spoils, from raging Seas: these sadly all,  
Slain by his fatal Hand, together fall:  
And with them Atyr, skilful to disarm  
Serpents of Poison, whose sole Touch could charm  
To sleep the baneful Adder, and apply  
The Cerast, all suspected Brood's to try.  
And thou Hyarba, Garamantick, born  
By Oracular Groves, thy Helmet, like an Horn,  
Bending about thy Temples, there were't slain;  
Accusing jove, and Destinies, in vain,  
That often falsely thy Return expressed.  
But now with Bodies slain the Heap increased,  
And with the yet-warm Streams of slaughter smokes;  
While Murrus to the Fight aloud provokes  
The General: as when, pursued by cries  
Of Spartan Dogs, a Boar the Forest flies,  
And, met by Hunters, on his Back doth rear  
The Ensigns of his Rage, and his last War  
Attempts, and, as his foamy Blood he eats,  
Groaning, his Tusks against their Javelins beats.  
But in another Quarter, where Despair  
Had forced the Youth to sally, free from fear,  
That any Hand, or Dart, could work his fall,  
Raging amidst the Troops was Hannibal:  
And shakes his Sword, that was, not long before,  
With Fire enchanted, on th' Hesperian Shore,  
Made by Old Temisus; whose powerful Skill  
Can temper, with his Charming Tongue, the Steel.  
So, in Bistonian Plains, the God of War  
Brandished his Sword; when, in his Iron Car,  
The Titans he pursued; or, with the Breath  
Of's Steeds, and Noise of's Wheels, extinguisheth  
The Flames of War. Hoscus, and Pholus, now,  
Lygdus, and Dirius, to the Shades below,  
By him were sent. To them Galesus fair;  
The Twins, Chronus, and Gyas, added were:  
With Daunus; who all other did excel,  
In Pleading at the Bar, and by his Skill  
(Though a most Just Observer of the Laws)  
Still gained the Hearers minds unto his Cause.  
But, furiously, with Rage transported, now,  
This Language adds, as he his Darts doth throw;  
Whither, proud Carthaginian, will the Spite,  
And Fury, of thy Father, thee incite?  
Here are no Fabrics, by a Woman's Hand  
Erected, purchased with a Price; or Land  
To Exiles measured, by an Ox's Hide:  
Here the Foundations of the Gods abide,  
And Roman Leagues. While thus he, boasting, speaks;  
With a fierce Charge, the Carthaginian breaks  
Into the fight Ranks, that him surround,  
And seizing on him Captive, having bound  
His Hands upon his Back▪ commands him straight,  
In slowly-killing Pains, to meet his Fate.  
Then bids his Ensigns to Advance; and, through  
The Heaps of Slaughtered Men, the Way doth show,  
Exciting all by Name; and gives away,  
Sure of Success, the City, as their Prey.  
But now, informed by some, that Fled, that Heaven  
To Murrus, in another Part, had given  
The Day with Victory, enraged, he flies  
Like a fierce Tiger, and that Enterprise  
Forsakes: while, as he goes, his Helmet seems,  
Upon his Head, to cast forth killing Beams.  
As when a Comet, with its fiery Hair,  
A Kingdom frights, and scatters through the Air  
It's Bloody Flames; which, as they issue forth,  
With Horror, threaten Ruin to the Earth.  
The Ensigns, Arms, and Men, unto his Rage  
Give way; and, as he, Furious, doth engage,  
Both Armies tremble: while his Spear ejects  
A Light, prodigious; that round reflects,  
Like Lightning, on his Shield. As when the Waves,  
Swelling up to the Stars, while Corus raves  
On the Aegaean-Sea, hang in the Air;  
Filling th' affrighted Seaman's Hearts with Fear:  
And roaring, Thunderlike, as they increase,  
Toss, to and fro, the trembling 
(s) The Cycladeses are Islands in the Arch●●pelago; in number fifty three: Scituate round about the Isle of Delos; and from the Circle derive their general Name. Solin. cap. 17.  Cycladeses,  
Within their hollow Bosoms. Him, not all  
The Darts, that do invade him, from the Wall;  
Nor Flames, cast at his Face; nor Stones, by Art,  
Excussed from mighty Engines, could divert.  
Soon as a shining Crest he did behold,  
And, by the Sun's reflection, Arms of Gold,  
Besmeared with Blood, look red; enrag▪ d, he says.  
See Murrus, who Our great Attempts delays,  
And Libya's Affairs: I'll make Thee know,  
What thy Iberus, and vain Leagues can do.  
Keep still your Laws, Faith, Justice: but (said he)  
Leave your deceived Deities to Me.  
Murrus replies; Th' art Welcome. My desire  
To Combat Thee, long since, did burn like Fire,  
In hope to have thy Head: receive what's due  
For all thy Fraud, and under Ground pursue  
Thy Way to Italy; to thee this Hand  
Shall a long Journey give to th' Trojan Land,  
And Alps, and high Pyrene, crowned with Snow▪  
This said, perceiving his approaching Foe,  
From the high Breach, a firm, and weighty Stone,  
With all his Strength, he takes, and hurls it down,  
As he Advanced, and in its speedy fall  
Oppressed him, as if stricken with the Wall.  
Shame fires his Thoughts; nor, still wont to prevail,  
Though checked, did then his conscious Valour fail.  
Gnashing his Teeth, he labours to ascend  
The Wall, through all the Darts, that it defend:  
But when he nearer shined, and stood upon  
The Rampart, all the Tyrian Troops came on,  
And compassed Murrus round, who all the Host  
Amazed, and soon among his Foes was lost.  
A thousand Hands, and Swords, together shine,  
Unnumbered waving Crests on Casks decline.  
Loud Shouts, and Clamours, from all Quarters came.  
As if Sagunthus all were in a Flame.  
Murrus, his Limbs, with instant Death possessed,  
Drags after him, and these Last words expressed.  
Alcides, Thou, who first these Walls didst rea●,  
Whose Sacred footsteps we inhabit here,  
Avert this Storm, which menaceth our Land;  
If I defend not with a sluggish Hand  
Thy Walls. And looking up (as thus he prayed)  
To Heaven, Shall not our bold Attempts (he said)  
More justly favoured be, Great Hercules?  
Unless our emulous Valour thee displease.  
For, not unlike thyself, when Mortal, Me  
Thou shalt acknowledge. Then propitious be,  
Thou God, that first didst 
(t) First Sacked by Hercules, in the Reign of King Laomedon.  waste unhappy Troy.  
Me rather, who the Relics will destroy  
Of th' Phrygian Race, (said Hannibal) assist.  
And, as he spoke, with all his Fury pressed  
His Sword through Murrus. Troubled at his Fall,  
The Youth run in; his Arms, and Corpse, by all  
Well known, were to the Conqueror denied,  
For Spoil: the Troops increase on either side,  
And stand all in an Heap; while Stones rebound  
Against Helmets, & while Spears against Targets sound.  
Some hardened Stakes do throw, some ponderous Lead,  
By which the Crest's divided on the Head,  
And Glory of the Plumes in Slaughter fall.  
And now the Rivulets of Sweat o'er all  
The 
* Hannibal.  Libyan's Members flow; on every Scale  
Stand barbed Arrows, in his Coat of Mail.  
No Rest, no Shelter left to shun a Blow:  
His Knees decline, and weary Shoulders bow  
Under his Arms. Then, from his parched Jaws,  
His Breath like Vapour breaking forth, he draws  
Deep sighs, and Groans, that checked by panting throws,  
A broken Murmur through his Helmet goes.  
His Courage his Adversity outvies,  
Persuading Virtue, then to exercise  
Her Strength, when Fortune frowns: and so outweighs  
Dangers, by th' Glory of ensuing Praise.  
A sudden Noise, among the Clouds, breaks forth  
From the divided Heaven, and shakes the Earth.  
jove, over both the Armies, thund'red twice;  
Then, in an horrid Whirlwind, in the Skies,  
Shaked the revengeful Lance of unjust War,  
And couched upon his adverse Thigh the Spear.  
Ye, Rocks Tarpeian, where Powers Divine  
Reside! and Trojan Flames, that ever shine  
On Virgin Altars! what great things (alas)  
To you, by that fallacious Meteor, was  
Promised by Heaven? for, had it nearer been  
Opposed against their Rage, we ne'er had seen  
A Passage through the Alps; nor Allia  
Should (Thrasimenus) to thy Streams give way.  
But juno, on Pyrene's Top, from far,  
Beholding his so early Heat, in War,  
And fruitless Onset, pulls his falling Spear  
From the hard Bones, where it did first appear.  
He hiding with his Shield the Blood, that swims,  
Diffused in Streams, upon his wounded Limbs;  
Fainting, with slow, and doubtful Steps, retires.  
The Night, at length, arrives to their desires,  
And both the Earth, and Sea, in darkness hides,  
And, putting Day to flight, the Fight decides.  
But their resolved Minds still watch, with Care,  
And, labouring in the Night, the Breach repair.  
Extremities of Danger do incense  
Their Thoughts, and Courage; which takes Violence  
From their Despair. Hence Men oppressed with Age,  
Women, and tender Children, all engage  
To help, and in that dubious State of things,  
With his yet bleeding Wounds, the Soldier brings  
Stones to the Work: the Senators their share  
Partake, and Nobles, in the Public Care.  
They meet, and chosen Men exhort, with Prayers,  
To secure their deplorable Affairs,  
And from Sagunthus Walls to drive away  
The Tyrian Flames. Now, go, with speed (say they)  
And, 
(u) Though Plutarch (in Vita Marcelli) admires, that Hannibal in those many Fights against the Romans, and their Allies, was never wounded: yet Livy (Lib. 21.) is positive; that, in this Assault, going too unadvisedly near the Wall, he was desperately wounded, by a barbed Lance, in the Thigh: which so much discouraged his Men, that his Officers had much ado to keep them from deserting their Trenches.  while the wounded Tiger is restrained,  
And shut within his Den, their Ships ascend.  
A speedy Diligence is best in War;  
The way to Honour is, where Dangers are.  
Haste ye, these ancient Walls, that can no more  
Defend us, and our Faith, at Rome deplore.  
Come home with better Fates: in brief, Return,  
Before in Funeral Flames Sagunthus burn.  
With this sad Charge to the next Shore they high,  
And o'er the Seas with swelling Canvas fly.  
Now Tithon's rosy Wife had Sleep exiled,  
And with her Horses early neighing filled  
The Misty Hills, and shook her Reins, with Dew  
Surcharged: when from the Walls the Youth did show  
Their high-built towers; that there by Night had been  
Erected, and the City compassed in.  
All Action's laid aside; the Soldiers sad;  
The Siege declines; that Heat stands still, that had  
So Active been; and, in that Danger, all  
Their Cares are turned upon the General.  
The 
(x) The Sagunthines.  Rutuli, by this, the Seas had crossed,  
Beginning now to see th' Herculean Coast,  
And Cloud-encompassed Rocks, that to the Skies  
From the 
(y) Monoecian Hills, hanging over a little Port, where Hercules had a Temple, called Monoecian; because he would allow no other God to share with him in his Temple. And it was a Canon in the Augural Laws; That no Chapel, or Temple, should be dedicated to two Gods: for that, if any Prodigy happened, the Priests could not determine, to which of the two Deities they should Sacrifice. Val. Max. lib. 1. cap. 1.  Monoecian Hills aspiring rise.  
Here Thracian Boreas his Imperial Seat  
Maintains: and, always Cold, sometimes doth beat  
Upon the Shore; sometimes, with roaring Wings,  
Cleaves even the Alps; and, when himself he flings  
Over the Earth, from the still-Icie Bear,  
No other Winds against him dare appear.  
With whirling Blasts, the Ocean is broke  
Into divided Waves, that rise in Smoke,  
And hid the Hills from sight: then, as he flies,  
Heaves Rhine, and Rhodanus, unto the Skies.  
When this dire Fury of fierce Boreas they  
Had scaped, th' alternate Dangers of the Sea,  
And their sad War, and dubious Success  
Of things, with frequent Sighs they thus express.  
Dear Country! Faith's renowned Temple! where  
Are now thy Fates? do yet thy towers appear  
Sacred on Hills? Or, of so Great a Name,  
Do Ashes, the sad Relics of a Flame,  
Only remain; ye Gods? Oh! fill our Sails  
With gentle Winds, and give us prosperous Gales;  
If that our Temples Roofs the Fire invade  
Not yet, or Latian Ships can lend us Aid.  
In such Complaints, they, Day and Night, deplore  
Their State; until on the Italian Shore  
The Ship arrived: where Father Tiber, made  
More rich by Anyo's Waters, doth invade  
With Yellow Waves the Sea. From thence they come  
Unto the Walls of their own-kindred, Rome.  
The Consul calls a Solemn Council; where  
Fathers of unstained 
(z) The Primitive Virtue of the Romans was eminently Glorious in the incorruptible Poverty of some of their Consuls: as, Q. Cincinnatus, Serranus, M. Curius Dentatus, Fabritius, etc. Who contemned the Tentations of their greatest Enemies; contenting themselves with little Possessions, and choosing, rather to command over a Wealthy People, then be rich Themselves. See Livy's Epit. lib. 14.  Poverty appear:  
Whose worthy Names do from their Triumphs rise.  
A Senate, that in Virtue equalise  
The Gods: such Men, as valiant Acts to Fame  
Commend; whom just Desires of Right inflame:  
Their Beards, and Hair, neglected on their Brow;  
Their Hands familiar with the crooked Blow;  
Content with little: Hearts, whom no desire  
Of Wealth torments; who, often, did retire  
To their small Lar, in Triumphal Cars.  
But, at the Temple-Gates, the Spoils of Wars,  
Their Captived Chariots, and Weapons stained  
With Blood, Opimous Spoils, which they had gained  
From Generals, with Axes terrible  
In Fight; then Bars of Gates, whose Cities fell  
Under their Fury; Targets, pierced through  
By Darts, and Swords, hang up: and here they view  
Aegathes War; Ships scattered on the Sea,  
Whose Stems, there hanging, Testimonials be  
Of Libya's vanquished Fleet: the Helmets here  
Of curled Senones are fixed; and there  
The Sword, the Judge of their 
(a) The Romans, besieged, in the Capitol, by the Gauls, Articled to give some Talents for their Ransom. The Gauls brought false Scales; and the Roman Tribune refusing to weigh the Gold, so much to their disadvantage, an Insolent Gaul cast his Sword into the heavier Scale; intimating, they would have on all Advantage. But, Camillu● arriving, at the same Instant, to their Relief, this Sword was taken, and (the Gauls repulsed) kept, as a Sacred Relic, in the Capitol.  redeeming Gold:  
With these, the honoured Trophies of the bold  

(b) Camillus was a Noble Roman, no less famous, for the Preservation of his Country; then Romulus, for Founding it. He was five times dictator, and was chosen, by the Besieged Romans, to his second Dictatourship, while he was in Banishment. At which time he gave that memorable Defeat to the Gauls. The Arms, which he wore in that Expedition, were preserved in the Capitol See Livy, lib. 5.  Camillus, and his Arms, in Triumph borne  
(The Gauls now all repulsed) at his Return:  
Here were the Spoils of great 
(c) Pyrrhus, (descended from Ae●cus) King of Spain; who gave great Testimonies of his Virtue, in his Expedition into Italy, to Aid the Tar●●tines against the Romans. With whom he 〈◊〉 several Conflicts, with various Events; and was forced to quit Italy, 〈◊〉 Conduct of Fabritius.  Aeacides;  
And Epirotick Ensigns: among these,  
Dreadful Ligurian Crests, with the rude Shield  
Of Spain, and Alpine 
(d) The Gesa were a sort of Weapons, used by the Celtic Gauls, and seem▪ by Varro, to have been Long, and Slender, like Darts. For that such, as had no Targets, carried more than one of them, in their Hands. Those, reserved in the Capitol, were, either taken by Camillus; or from the Celtaes, who (as Appian) were Mercenaries to the Carthaginians in the first Punick War.  Gesa, they beheld.  
But, when the Ruins they had born, and feared,  
As written in their Squalid Looks appeared,  
So, that Sagunthus Image seemed to stand,  
Before their Eyes, and their Last Aid demand;  
Grave Sycoris, with Tears, began, and saith.  
Ye, Romans, famous for your sacred Faith;  
Whom justly all the Nations, that give place  
Unto your Arms, acknowledge Mars his Race;  
Think not, that we have measured o'er the Sea,  
For Dangers light. Our Walls, and Country, we,  
Besieged, and falling, saw: and there, whom wild  
Beasts, or the raging Seas, brought forth, beheld,  
Fierce Hannibal. Far from these Walls, Oh! far,  
Keep him, ye Gods, I pray: and to our War  
Confine his dreadful Hand. What mighty Beams  
He hurls? How Strong, how Great in Arms he seems?  
Over Pyrene's Hills he makes his Way,  
And, scorning that 
(e) Iberus (now called Ebro) runneth, from its Fountain in Cantabria, with a large Navigable Stream, through a large Tract of Ground, by many fair Cities, for the space of two hundred and threescore Miles. The Carthaginians were obliged, by the Articles, between them, and the Romans, after the first War, not to pass over this River. Which Articles were violated by Hannibal; who this way led his Army, over the Pyrenae●n-Hills (near which it runs) in his March towards Italy.  Iberus Flood should stay  
His Speed, he listeth Calpe, in his Bands,  
With those, that dive in 
(f) 
A People, bordering upon the greater Lybian Syrts: whose manner of Living is described by the Noble Lucan▪ (Lib. 9) and thus by Mr. May 
— Yet this dull Earth  
Unto a few small Herbs affords 〈◊〉▪  
Which are the hardy Nasamonians Far:  
Near the Sea-Coast they bleakly seated are.  
Whom barbarous Syrts with the World's Loss maintain.  
For Spoil, they, still, upon the Sand remain;  
And, though no Merchant's Trade with them, yet Gold  
They have; and still, by Shipwreck, Traffic hold  
With all the World.—    Nasamonian Sands;  
And seeketh greater Walls: that, if the Sea,  
Whose Rage we lately felt, shall cease to be  
His Bar, into your Cities he will break.  
Think you, this desperate Youth would undertake  
The charge of so great Broils, and violate  
With Arms your League, or thus precipitate  
By Vows into a War; only to give  
Sagunthus' Laws, or Us of Life deprive?  
Oh! haste, suppress the rising Flame, for fear  
The Danger prove too strong for tardy Care.  
Or, though you have no Terrors of your Own,  
Nor yet the Seeds of War, which he hath sown,  
Appear: can your Sagunthus be denied  
An helping Hand, so near in 
(g) The Sagunthines were Allied to the Latins, by the Ardeates, derived from the Zacynthians, who built Sagunthum.  Blood allied?  
All the Iberi, Galli, all that are  
Still thirsting under Libya's fiery Star,  
Under his Ensigns march. We pray you, by  
Th' adored Beginnings of the Rutuli,  
Laurentine Household-gods, and by these dear  
Pledges of Mother Troy, with speed prepare  
To Aid our Piety, who are compelled  
For poor 
(h) Ardean; from Acrisius, whose Daughter Danae built it.  Acrisionean Walls to yield  

(i) Sagunthine.  Tyrinthian towers. You nobly did contend  
Against a Sicilian Tyrant, and defend  
Campanian Walls; and, once, to have expelled  
The Samnites strength, was a great Honour held,  
Worthy Sigaean Ancestors. I call  
To Witness you Eternal Fountains, all  
That, from Time's birth, live in Apulia,  
And close Numician Pools: when Ardea,  
(Too happy then) first sent her Youth abroad,  
With Turnus' Altars, for a new Abode;  
That they, beyond Pyrene's Hills, with care,  
All the Laurentine Deities did bear.  
Why then, as Members from the Body torn,  
Or else cut off, should we expect your Scorn?  
Or why should We, descended of your Blood  
Be now oppressed, because w' have firmly stood  
Unto your Leagues? Thus, having ended all  
Their sad Complaints (a woeful Sight) they fall,  
Spreading their Squalid bodies on the Ground.  
The Senate straight consult, and, as they, round,  
Their Votes do pass, bold Lentulus, who seems  
Even then to see Sagunthus fall in Flames,  
Adviseth; That they instantly demand  
The Youth be punished, and to waste the Land  
Of Carthage, with a sudden War, if they  
Refuse. But 
(k) Q. Fabius Maximus Dictator, famous for his prudent Conduct against Hannibal; of whom, see Book 6.  Fabius, who did wisely weigh  
Future Events, in Dubious affairs  
Not too Elate, who would not stir up Wars  
On Light occasions, and well was Skilled  
To manage them, yet not engage a Field,  
Gravely advised; In matters of that Weight.  
Not to be Rash: but try, if't were the Hate,  
And Fury, of the General had moved  
Those Arms; or if the Senate them approv●d:  
That some be sent, who truly might Relate  
The State of things. This, as foreknowing Fate,  
And providently pondering in his Breast  
The rising Broils, wise Fabius expressed.  
As when, at Stern, a Skilful Pilot finds▪  
By Signs, some future Danger in the Winds,  
Contracts, unto the reeling Yard, the Sails.  
But Tears, and Grief, with Anger mixed, prevails  
With all, to hasten on the hidden Fates:  
And, from the Senate, chosen Delegates  
Are to the Gen'ral sent; and, if he stand  
Deaf to the League, in Arms, have in Command,  
To turn to Carthage City, and declare  
Against them, who had forgot the Gods, a War.  
The End of the First Book.   



Bellum Segestare Sinu, pac●●que ferebat  
Quid Sedeat legere  
Neutrū●●n●●●te Senatu   

Se● clausas Acies, gremioque effuderit● Arma,  
Accipite infaustum Libyoe, eventuque Priori  
Pa● inquit, bellum: et Laxos effudit A●●ctus   
Illustriss more: Celsissimoque Principi jacobo Secundo● Caroli Secundi Fratri: Totius Duci Eborac: Caroli Martyris Filio natu Angliae Thalassiarchae &c Tabula Humillime● Dicata  SILIUS ITALICUS OF The Second Punic War. The Second Book.  
THE ARGUMENT.  
Ambassadors from Rome, to Carthage sent,  
Young Hannibal's deserved Punishment,  
For Violation of the League, demand:  
Against Hannibal, for them, doth Hanno stand.  
The Carthaginians doubtful to declare  
What they intended; either Peace, or War,  
Stout Fabius offers, and to Rome returns.  
In voluntary Flames Sagunthus burns:  
And, to deprive the Conqueror of the Spoil,  
The People, and their Wealth, compose the Pile.  
THE Latian Ship, o'er the Herculean Seas,  
The Senate's grave Commands, with Speed, conveys,  
And some chief Senators. Wise Fabius: who,  
Descended of Tirynthian Race, could show  

(a) The People of Rome assailed on all sides, by their emulous Neighbours, the Family of the Fabii undertook the War against the Veientes, and marched out three hundred & six men. Of whom (saith Livy in his second Book) the Senate would have refused none, to be their General: but they were so unhappy in their Expedition, that they all died on the Place. One Youth only remaining; of whom this great Restorer of the Name descended. See more below in the seventh Book.  Three hundred Ancestors, that, in one Day,  
The cruel Storms of War had cast away;  
When Fortune, that unequally withstood  
Their Labours, stained with 
(b) Patritii, or Patroni, were the chief of the Roman Nobility, so called either from their number of Clients, or from their Wealth, Gravity, or Number of Children: out of which Romulus, at first chose his Senate of an hundred, in time they came to be three hundred, and were called Senators, and their Sons Patritii, endowed with extraordinary Privileges.  Patrician Blood  
The Banks of Cremera. An equal Share,  
With him, in Cares, 
(c) Publius Valerius (who was made the first Consul with Brutus, after the Expulsion of the Kings) had the Surname of Publicola given him, for that he was a great Lover of the People, and their Interess. Of him descended this Consular Person, who was joined with Fabius in this Embassy.  Publicola did bear;  
Who did from Spartan Volesus descend,  
And (as his Name imports) the People's Friend,  
The Roman Fasces, as His Grandsire, bore.  
When Hannibal first heard, that these, before  
The Port, arrived, bringing Decrees of State;  
That now (amidst the Flames of War) too late,  
Forsaken Peace demanded, and withal,  
The Punishment of Him, the General,  
Included in the League. He straight commands  
His threatening Ensigns, and his armed Bands,  
To show, along the Shore, their Targets, stained  
With Blood, and Swords, that late in Slaughter reigned:  
And cries, There's now no Place for Words; you hear  
The Tyrrhen Trumpets sounding ev'ry where,  
And Groans of Dying Men. While yet they may,  
'Twere best, they would return unto the Sea;  
Unless they long to be besieged. All know  
What Armed men, in Heat of Blood, may do:  
How lawless Anger is, and what drawn Swords  
Will dare to Act. By these His threatening Words  
Repulsed, from the inhospitable Shore,  
They haste to Carthage with the labouring Oar;  
While he, to Animate the Army, rails,  
And thus pursues the Vessel, as it sails:  
Prepares that Ship to carry o'er the Sea  
My Head? Alas! Blind Souls, and Hearts, that be  
Proud with Successes! Doth your Impious Land  
Armed Hannibal to Punishment demand?  
I'll come, ne'er ask it: you enough of Me  
Shall have, ere you Expect, and that proud She,  
Which now doth Foreign Gods defend, even Rome,  
Shall fear for her own Gods, and Gates, at Home.  
Although you climb Tarpeian Rocks again,  
Or in your 
(d) The Capitol besieged by the Gauls, in the time of Furius Camillus. See below.  Capitol, immured, remain:  
No Gold your captived Lives shall disengage.  
Their Minds incensed by his Words, and Rage  
Joined to their Arms, soon Clouds of Arrows, round,  
The Skies obscure; and echoing towers resound  
With Storms of Stones: all prosecute the Fight;  
While yet the flying Ship remains in Sight,  
And views the Walls. But still the General,  
His Wounds discovering, on his Troops doth call  
For promised 
(e) Piaculum is properly a Sacrifice for the Expiation of some heinous Offence. But here a vindictive Satisfaction for the Affronts, and Losses, the Carthaginians had sustained in former Wars. If any carp at the Word, as scarce English, I shall desire them to interpret the Author (for it is his) without a Periphrasis, which I believe not proper in this Place.  Piacles; and fills the Air  
With new Complaints. We, we (Companions dear)  
Demanded are. See Fabius from the Poop  
Shows, in Contempt, our Chains, and we must stoop  
To the proud Senate's Wrath. If you repent  
Of what's begun, or our just Arms intent  
Be worthy Blame: the Roman Ship from Sea  
Recall, I care not; come, deliver Me  
Enchained unto the Wrack: for why should I,  
Born of Eöan Belus Race, deny  
To be their Slave? Although so many Hands  
Of valiant Libyan, or Iberian Bands  
Circled me in? No, let the Roman State  
For ever rule, and Ensigns propagate  
To every Age, and Nation: let us dread  
Their Words, and Frowns. This said, deep Sighs are spread  
Through all the Camp, and all convert ●heir Hate  
Against Aeneas Race, and stimulate,  
With Shouts, their Rage. Among the numerous Throngs  
Of un-girt Libian, and different Tongues,  
Fierce in the War against the Roman Name,  
Hasbyte with Marmarick Ensigns came,  
Sprang from Hyarba Garamantick. He,  
Of Ammon born, Medusa's Caves, that be  
In Phorcas Isles, Cyniphian Mace, and  
Sunburnt Battiades, did once command;  
With Nasamon, and Barce ever-dry,  
And Autololian Woods, and Shores, that lie  
Near Treacherous Syrts; Getulians, that ride,  
Swift, without Bridles. His first beauteous Bride  
The Nymph Tritonis was: from whence the Queen  
Her Stock did boast; That jove himself had been  
Her Grandsire, and in Groves, foretelling Fate,  
The Names of her great Ancestors relate.  
She, still accustomed to a Virgin-Bed,  
In Hunting, and in Woods, her Life had led;  
The Basket, or the Distaff, to her Hands  
Unknown; She Hunting, and thy Virgin-Bands  
(Diana) loved, and with Her Heel t' impel  
The running Steed, or flying Beast to kill:  
As when, disdaining Geteses, and Cicones,  
Or Rhoesus' Family, or Bistones  
With Moon-like Arms, a Troop of Amazons  
Through the Pangaean lofty Forest Runs;  
O'er Thracian Rhodope, or Hebrus Plains.  
She, by her country's Habit known, restrains,  
With Fillets of fine Gold, her flowing Hair.  
Her rightside to the Fight exposed Bare,  
Her left a Thermodoantiack Shield,  
Bright as the Sun, defends. Thus through the Field,  
Shaking the smoking Axletree, she runs  
With rapid Speed; while her Companions,  
Some in light Chariots, by two Horses Drawn:  
On horseback some, that Venus' Rites had known,  
With a more numerous Virgin-Troop, their Queen  
Attend. But She still in the Van is seen,  
Proud to expose to View her Fiery Steeds,  
(Chosen among the Best her Country Breeds)  
And, as about the trampled Field she scowrs,  
Flings wounding Darts, into the highest towers.  
But Mopsus, not enduring to behold  
Her, at the Walls so frequent, and so bold,  
Through the moist Air Gortynian Arrows sends;  
Which, by the winged Steel, where he intends,  
Give deadly Wounds. He, born in Crete, was wont  
(Bred 'mong the Sibyls Sacred Caves) to Hunt  
In the Dictaean Woods; and, when a Child,  
Birds, mounting to the Skies, had often killed;  
And stopped by sudden Wounds the running Dear,  
That scaped the Toils; and, while he yet might hear  
The singing Bow, perceived the Beast to fall.  
Nor could that Age any, more justly, call  
A skilful Archer: had Gortyna sought  
The Conquest, and Eoan Arrows brought.  
But, when his former Sports the sad Decay  
Of Wealth denied, constrained to put to Sea,  
With Meroe, his Wife, and Sons, by Fate  
Into Sagunthus led, in low Estate,  
A Guest he there remained. His hopeful Pair  
Of Sons full Quivers at their Backs did bear,  
With light, Steel-pointed, Cretan Shafts; which he,  
Standing amidst the Valiant Youth, let's flee,  
Against the Massilian Troops: by which bold Tyre,  
With Gravius, Glisco, Baga, did expire,  
And Lixus; who deserved not to have been  
The Object of so certain Aim, whose Chin  
The tender Down of Youth not yet endued.  
But, with his Arrows, while he thus pursued,  
The Fight, he aims against a Valiant Maid,  
Forsaken jove invoking to his Aid,  
Unluckily. For Sarpe, born upon  
The hollow Banks of Sandy Nasamon,  
No sooner saw him turn the fatal Bow,  
But she received within her Bosom (though  
Far distant) the swift Arrow, and her Fate;  
Which, with a gaping Wound, did penetrate  
So far, that at her Back her Sisters all  
First saw the Point appear. Before her fall,  
Incensed, another of the Virgin-Train,  
endeavouring to support, but all in vain,  
Her dying Limbs, and watering with her Tears  
Her Eyes, whose Light almost extinct appears;  
With all the Strength, that Grief and Fury lent,  
Towards the Walls a deadly Arrow sent,  
Which through the Shoulder of Stout Dorilas,  
(As swift as Thought) with Rapid force did pass.  
The Bow was drawn so far, the Horned Ends  
Did seem to touch; and, as the Nerve extends,  
The space between the Bow the Shaft supplies,  
And, when Released by her Fingers, flies  
Before the active Winds: then, from the Walls,  
Headlong, the miserable Wounded falls;  
And turning, upsidedown, his Quiver, round  
His dying Body, scatters on the Ground  
The shining Shafts. Then Icarus, who stood  
Near him (alike in Arms) his Brother's Blood  
Prepares to Vindicate; and as, in haste,  
His Hand unto the full-charged Quiver passed,  
To draw an Arrow; by a weighty Stone,  
That from the Hand of Hannibal was thrown,  
He fell to Earth: a deadly Coldness all  
His stiffened Limbs possessed; and, in his fall,  
From's fainting Hand, into its place again  
The half-drawn Arrow sinks. His Sons, thus slain,  
When Father Mopsus saw; thrice, to pursue  
Their wished Revenge, in a sad Rage he drew  
His Cretan Bow: but thrice his Right-Hand failed,  
And Grief, above his former Skill, prevailed.  
Then, by their Death, of all his Joys bereft,  
Too late, alas! he grieved, that he had Left  
His Native Soil: and, Snatching up the Stone,  
That against thee (Poor Icarus) was thrown,  
Beating his Breast, in Vain, when no Relief  
His Feeble Hands could give, to Ease his Grief,  
By speedy Death, himself he Headlong sends  
From an High Tower, and on his Son extends  
His dying Limbs. While thus Unfortunate,  
In Foreign Wars, this Stranger met his Fate;  
Teron, who kept Alcides' Temple, and  
With Incense, at his Altars, used to Stand,  
To new Designs the Army Stimulates,  
And, in a sudden Sally from the Gates,  
Invades the Tyrian Camp. He neither Spear  
In's Hand, nor Helmet on his Head, did bear:  
But, trusting to his Strength of Youth, his Broad  
And Lofty Shoulders (like th' 
(*) Hercules.  Oetaean God)  
With an Huge Club, destroys the trembling Files  
Upon his Head a Lion's threatening Spoils,  
With Gaping Jaws, he wore. An hundred Snakes,  
Carved on his Shield, displayed their Marble Backs;  
'Mong which a Monstrous double Hydra spreads,  
In several Serpents, her divided Heads.  
Thus Armed, he juba, and Micipsa, (Famed  
For Valiant Deeds, and from his Grandsire named)  
With aged Tapsus, and Saces and Moor,  
Driven from the Walls, and flying to the Shore,  
Fiercely Pursues; and, by one Valiant Hand,  
The Streams of Blood the Neighbouring Ocean stained.  
For, Hot with Slaughter, and not satisfied,  
That Idus, Rothus, and jugurtha Died,  
Or that Marmarick Cotho he had killed,  
Hasbyte's Chariot, and her Moon-like Shield,  
Shining with Gold, he covets, and t' invade  
With all his Force, and Rage, the Warlike Maid.  
Him, with his Bloody Weapon, when she spied  
Come rushing on, she turns her Steeds aside,  
And in fallacious Circles, wheeling round  
The Champain Field, divides the yielding Ground;  
And, as if winged with Speed, she makes her way,  
With her light Chariot, through the winding Sea.  
Thus, while she flies his Sight, swift as the Wind,  
The Horses raise a Cloud of Dust behind,  
And, with the rattling Wheels, in pieces tear,  
An adverse Troop. She, to augment their Fear,  
From her sure Hand, did frequent Darts expel:  
By which Bo●d Thamyris, and Lycus fell,  
With Stout 
(f) Eurydamas, the most importunate of all Penelope's Suitors: who, urging her to Marry him, assured her her Husband Ulysses was drowned; but he, arriving at the same time, slew him. See Hom. Odyss. Lib. 15.  Eurydamas, whose noble Name  
Derived was from him; who, known to Fame,  
Fond to high Embraces once aspired,  
And, mad with Love, Penelope desired:  
But by her Chaste, and Modest Arts deceived,  
And the fallacious Web, so oft unweaved,  
Gave out Ulysses, in the Sea, was drowned.  
But, what he feigned of him, he after found  
Real in his own Fate, and he expires  
By Ithacus dire Hand; his Nuptial Fires  
Turned into Funeral Flames: and, here, of all  
His Race the last, Eurydamas doth fall,  
Slain by a Libyan's Hand; whose Chariot makes  
Her way, and all his Bones in pieces breaks.  
But now, perceiving Teron, after all  
His Labours, hard beset, to work his Fall,  
Into the Fight again, the Furious Maid  
Returns with Speed, and, as, about t' invade  
Her Foe, she waves her Axe before her Brows,  
Herculean Spoils to thee, Diana, Vows.  
But Teron, no less big with hopes of Praise,  
Himself against her bounding Steeds doth raise,  
Casting before their Eyes the Lion's Skin,  
And threatening Jaws: affrighted, they begin  
To yield to Fear, and, turning swiftly round,  
Cast, with its Load, the Chariot to the Ground.  
Then on Hasbyte, who endeavours now  
To quit the Fight, he leaps, and, on her Brow,  
Strikes his Herculean Club: by which her Brains,  
Dashed through her broken Skull, upon the Reins,  
And fervent Wheels, dispersed lie; while He,  
Hasting that such a Trophy all might see,  
With her own Axe cuts off the Virgins Head.  
Nor was his Anger there determined;  
But fixed on a Spear he straight commands  
To bear't, in view of all the Punic Bands,  
And drive the Chariot to the City-Gates.  
These Slaughters Teron, ignorant of Fates,  
And that the Favour of the Gods declined,  
Commits; while his own Death's not far behind.  
For now Fierce Hannibal, whose Face the Throne  
Of Rage, and Death appeared, came Furious on,  
Incensed, and grieved to see Hasbyte dead,  
And the yet-bleeding Trophy of her Head  
In Triumph borne. But when the Troops beheld  
The bright Reflections of his Brazen Shield,  
And, as he moved (though distant far) did hear  
The fatal clashing of his Arms, with Fear  
Possessed, they trembling fled unto the Walls.  
As when, to their known Beds, the Evening calls  
The winged People, from the search of Food:  
Or, when, on the Cecropian Hills, a Cloud  
The Hony-lab'ring Bees, on tender Flowers  
Dispersed, affrighteth, with approaching Showers:  
Like one congested Heap, unto their Hive,  
And fragrant Cells, they haste, and Murmuring strive,  
One Climbing on another's Back, to gain  
Their Entrance at the Port, and shun the Rain.  
Thus Fear the Sagunthines precipitates,  
While Few discern their way, unto the Gates.  
Oh flattering Light of Heaven! is Death to be  
Shunned with so great a Fear; which none can flee,  
Since joined to their Birth? They cry for Aid,  
Repenting, that they had this Sally made  
From their safe Walls, and Works: while still, in vain,  
Teron their Flight endeavours to restrain.  
Sometime Dire Menaces, sometimes his Hand  
He does employ, and cries, Why flee ye? Stand;  
He is my Enemy: to me the Crown  
Of this great Fight belongs; and from our Town,  
And Walls, the Tyrians by this Hand, alone,  
Will I Repel. Stand therefore, and look on:  
Or, if this Panic Terror drive you all,  
To seek th' inglorious Shelter of a Wall;  
(A shame, the greatest, that the adverse Fates  
Can add) against Me only, shut the Gates.  
But Hannibal, while yet a sad Despair  
Of Safety seized their Hearts, and horrid Fear  
Did reign in every Breast, a while suspends  
The Slaughter of his Enemies, and bends  
His course unto the battered Walls, which he  
Resolves, with all his Force shall Stormed be.  
Th' Herculean Priest, perceiving his intent,  
Labours, with speed, this Mischief to prevent.  
At which Fierce Hannibal, more furious grown,  
Cries out; Receive, fond Porter of the Town,  
That Punishment of Fate, that shortly shall  
Sagunthus self involve, and, by thy Fall,  
Open the Gates. His Rage could not afford  
More Words: but, as he waves his fatal Sword,  
The Daunian Youth flings his contorted Oak,  
With all his Force, against his Breast: the Stroke,  
Clashing against his Arms, with horror sounds,  
And from the hollow Brass the Club rebounds.  
Then having lost his Weapon, and his Strength  
Employed in vain, unto the Walls, at length,  
He turns; and, with the rest, forsakes the Fight.  
Th' insulting Conqueror upbraids his Flight,  
And follows at his Back. Then, with sad Cries,  
The weeping Matrons, lifting to the Skies  
Their trembling Hands, from the high Walls, proclaim  
Their Griefs, and Fears: some, calling him by Name,  
Tell him, They fain would send unto his Aid,  
And let him in; but that they are afraid,  
With him they should receive the Conquering Fo.  
But now (alas!) He can no farther go;  
For Hannibal oppressed him with his Shield:  
And, as the City from the Walls beheld,  
Cry's; Go, and let Hasbyte Comfort take,  
In thy approaching Death. And, as he spoke,  
Into his panting Throat, which now abhorred  
A longer Life, thrusts his revenging Sword.  
Then, from the very Walls, in Triumph leads,  
Through all the Camp, his Spoils, and captived Steeds  
Which, at the thronged Gate, excluded stand  
By Multitudes, that fled his fatal Hand.  
And now, the raging Troops of Nomades  
Haste to perform their Queen's sad Exequys:  
Adding all Funeral Rites, and bearing thrice  
The Corpse of Teron (as a Sacrifice  
To Hallow her dead Ashes) round the Pile,  
Cast into th' Flames his Club, and Lion's Spoil,  
And singed his Face, now of all Form bereft,  
And to th' Iberian Fowls his Carcase left.  
While thus Affairs before Sagunthus stand,  
They, who, at Carthage, were in chief Command,  
Consult upon the War, and what shall be  
Returned to Rome's Imperious Embassy.  
Whose Orators with Fear their Hearts had filled:  
While some to their Demands persuade to yield;  
Urging their Faith, and League, that, long before,  
They, and their Fathers, at the Altars swore,  
The Gods to Witness called. Others the Love  
Of the ambitious Youth's Attempts doth move,  
To hope for Better things, if they pursued  
The War. But 
(g) Hanno, a Noble Carthaginian, Head of that Faction, that opposed the Ambition of the Barcean Family. He always persuaded the Carthaginians to keep Peace with the Rom●nes, and, endeavouring to induce them to it, by weakening Hannibal's Designs, obstructed all resolutions of Relief for his Army, and by that means, in the end, Ruined both him, and his Country.  Hanno, whom a Native Feud  
Against the General, had long inflamed,  
Their Doubts, and rash Applause thus stoutly blamed.  
I might for Fear (grave Fathers) now refrain  
(For him with Threats some laboured to restrain)  
To speak; but I will not desist, although  
I saw my Death approaching by my Fo:  
I call the Gods to Witness, and to Heaven  
I leave those Sacred Vows, that we have given,  
Which to perform, our country's Safety calls.  
Although Sagunthus be Besieged, her Walls  
Sinking in Flames; not yet too late, my Fears  
This Caution give, which oft, with anxious Cares,  
Have broke my Rest, that this pernicious Head  
Might not in Arms, and War, be nurtured;  
And while I live, my Sense shall thus abide.  
His innate Poison, and Paternal Pride,  
I know. And as those Pilots, who the Skies,  
And Stars do Contemplate, what Storms will rise,  
What future Winds will cause the Seas to Rage,  
To the affrighted Mariners Presage.  
Aspiring to a Throne, he doth invade  
The Reins of Rule. All Leagues, all Laws are made  
The Objects of his Arms: with which he falls  
On Cities, and, from far, against our Walls,  
By this last Act, Aeneas Warlike Race  
He hath incensed, and we have lost our Peace.  
His Father's Ghost, and Fury, him excites,  
And Memory of those Nefandous Rites  
He once did Celebrate, and what of Old  
Vainly to him Massila's Priest foretold:  
And thus the Gods, for his infringed Faith,  
On his perfidious Head convert their Wrath.  
With Hopes of a new Kingdom blind, he Arms  
Against Foreign Lands, and now Sagunthus Storms.  
But let him not commix this city's Fate  
With his own Fortune; let him expiate,  
With his own Punishment, his proper Crime;  
For now (Dear Carthage) at this very time,  
He Thee Besiegeth, and Assaults thy Walls.  
We 
(h) After many Conflicts by Sea, and Land, between the Romans and Carthaginians, at length C. Luctatius the Consul put an end to the War, by a Naval Victory, obtained near the Islands Aegathes (in the Sicilian Sea) where the Carthaginians received so great a loss, that they were constrained to beg a Peace, and yield to those Articles, which so much inflamed both Amilcar and Hannibal, to break into a second War.  stained, with Generous Blood, th' Aenean Vales,  
And scarce with hired Laconians could maintain  
The War: our Navies, broken on the Main,  
Have filled up Scylla's Caves: and we have seen,  
When, from Charybdis Bottom, Decks have been  
Spewed up again. Vain Wretch! whose Soul no Fire  
Of Piety doth Warm! do but retire  
Thy Thoughts, a while, upon Aegathes' War,  
And Limbs of Libya dispersed far.  
Whither dost run? Why, thirsting after Fame,  
Thus, in thy country's fall, dost seek a Name?  
The Alps may give Thee way, and Apennine,  
Equal to them, his Snowy Head decline:  
Yet, though thou gainest some Ground, thinkest thou to find  
In those great Nations a mortal Mind?  
That they to Fire, and Sword, will yield? Alas,  
You fight not now with a 
(i) A Neritian Race, such as were the Sagunthines. For Sagunthum was at first a Colony from Zacynthus, and Neritus, Islands subject to Ulysses.  Neritian Race.  

(k) Though in the Constitution of the Roman Militia, none could ordinarily, be admitted into the List of Soldiers, before the Age of seventeen years: yet Examples there were of some, that at fourteen years were in Arms, and were eminent for their Valour; as the Son of Tarqvinius Priscus, Scipio Africanus (who rescued his Father) Marus, etc. See Liv. lib. 24. Silius, lib. 6. & 14.  Their Soldiers in the Camp are Bred, and Born,  
And, ere the Down appear, their Cheeks are worn  
With Brazen Helmets: Ease, and Rests unknown  
To Aged-Men, who Pale, and Bloodless grown,  
In the continued Service of the State,  
In Fronts of Battles do provoke their Fate.  
Myself have Romans seen, who pierced through  
Their Bodies, from their Wounds their weapons drew,  
And turned them on the Fo: their Valour I  
Have seen, and thirst of Honour, when they die.  
If therefore, Carthage, thou decline this War,  
Nor give thyself up to the Conqueror,  
How much of Mischief may prevented be,  
And how much Blood shall Hanno save for Thee?  
Thus He: but Gestar, whose full Breast the while  
With Anger, and Impatience, did boil,  
Who twice to Interrupt him had essayed,  
Replies. Is then a Roman Soldier made  
One of the Libyan Councils, and must He  
A Member of the Tyrian Senate be?  
'Tis true, he is not Armed; but, well I know,  
In all things else, he is a perfect Fo.  
Us with the Snowy Alps, and horrid Height  
Of lofty Apennine, he would affright,  
With raging Seas, and Waves of Scylla's Coast:  
Nor wants it much, but he a Roman Ghost  
Still dreads; their wounds, and Deaths, he so doth praise,  
And to the Stars an Humane Race doth raise.  
Trust Me; though some cold Hearts with Fear may be  
Possessed, we have a mortal Enemy.  
Even I beheld their 
(l) Regulus vanquished by Xantippus, and led Captive to Carthage. See Lib. 6.  Regulus, the Hope  
Of the Hectorean Race, their strongest Prop,  
His Hands enchained behind, with public Joy,  
Into a Dungeon dragged, ne'er seen by Day:  
I saw, when Crucified, from the high Oak,  
He, hanging, on Hesperia did look.  
Nor doth the Face of Boys, that Helmets wear,  
A cause of Terror unto Me appear;  
Or, that their Cheeks with early Casks are worn:  
We are not of a Race so sluggish born.  
How many Libyan Troops their Years, in Deeds  
Of Arms, outgo, and War on Naked Steeds.  
The General, so soon as He could speak,  
At th' Altar vowed, this War to undertake:  
To waste with Flames the Phrygian People, and  
His Father's Arms resolved to take in Hand.  
Even in thy Sight (vile Hanno) he shall be  
Revenger of the Roman Cruelty.  
Then let the Alps increase, and let them join  
To Heaven their shining Heads, with Apennine.  
Yet I dare say (though vainest Fears do find  
Their Influence upon a guilty Mind)  
Even through those Rocks, and Snows, nay through the Stars,  
His way he'll make, and scorn to think them Bars,  
Which Hercules or'ecame, or to despair  
Of second Honour. But the former War,  
Its Devastations, and the Miseries  
Of Libya, Hanno, vainly, amplifies:  
Nor would, that we should undertake, and try  
Again, these Labours, for our Liberty.  
But let him lay those Throws of Fear aside;  
And with the Women, safe at home, abide,  
And save his sighing Soul: we, Fathers, we,  
(It is Decreed) will meet the Enemy;  
And from thy Walls (dear Carthage) far remove  
The Tyrant Romans, in despite of jove.  
But if the Fates resist, and Mars give way,  
That Tyrian Byrsa, be condemned this Day,  
I'll rather choose to Die, then give up Thee  
(Dear Country) to Eternal Slavery,  
And go with Freedom to the Shades below:  
For as to that (Good Gods) which Fabius now  
Demands, that we lay down our Arms, and qui  
Sagunthus, when our Troops have conquered it.  
Then Burn your Targets, let your Navy be  
Consumed in Flames, and wholly quit the Sea.  
But if our Carthage hath not merited  
To feel such things, as these, ye, Gods, forbidden  
This Wickedness! oh, let our General's hands  
Be free, and not bound up in peaceful Bands.  
This said, he silent sat, as custom was:  
The Senate straight proceed their Votes to pass,  
While Hanno urgeth to restore the Spoils  
Of War, and adds the Author of those Broils.  
With that the Fathers, leaping from their Seats,  
Amazed, as if the Foe were at the Gates  
O' th' Temple, Pray the Gods, that it may be  
A Fatal Omen unto Italy.  
Fabius, perceiving that their thoughts were far  
From Peace, and, treacherously, inclined to War,  
No longer able to conceal his Ire,  
With speed another Council doth require:  
And to th' assembled Fathers doth Declare,  
That in his Bosom he brought Peace, or War,  
Demands their Choice, that, Him they would no more  
Detain, with dubious Answers, as before.  
But, when no Choice of either they expressed,  
(As if he'd poured whole Armies from his Breast,)  
Take then a War (said He) (with that let's fall  

(m) The Poet in this relation follow's Livy lib 21. Polyb. l. 3. etc. But both Aulus Gell. and Marcus Varro differ in the manner of Fabius his Proposal. The first affirms, that he delivered to the Carthaginians an Epistle, wherein was written, that the Roman People sent to them a Spear, and a Caduce, two Ensigns of Peace and War, that they might choose which of the two they pleased, and that their choice, should be deemed that which was intended by the Romans. The Carthaginians replied, They would choose neither; but that those, that brought them, should leave which of them they pleased; and that should be their Choice. Varro allegeth, they sent neither Spear nor Caduce; but two little Tallies, wherein both were Carved.  His folded Garment) take a War, which shall  
To Lybia, like the former, fatal be,  
In its Events. This said, incensed, He  
The Temple, and the City quits, and home  
Returns, a Messenger of War to Rome.  
While such at Carthagen was the State of things:  
Fierce Hannibal, enriched with Trophies, brings  
Again his Arms before Sagunthus Walls,  
And, to his Aid, those many Nations calls,  
Whose Faith to Rome was shaken by the Fear  
Of dubious War; while they continued there,  
The People, that inhabited the Coast,  
Presents (the best Callaick Art could boast)  
Brought to the General. A shining Shield,  
That Beams, like Lightning terrible, did yield.  
An Helmet on whose rising Crest, a Plume  
Did tremble, and in Whiteness overcome  
The Alpine Snow. With them a Sword, and Spear  
Which afterwards to thousands Fatal were:  
With triple Chains of Gold, a Coat of Mail,  
Studded, against which no Weapon could prevail.  
These made of Brass, and harder Steel, inlaid  
With Tagus' Wealth, triumphing, he surveyed,  
And in the Carved Works was pleased to see  
His Nations happy Birth, and History.  
Dido, the first Foundation there did lay,  
Of Carthage: and, her Navy sent away,  
The Work begun, th' industrious Youth pursued.  
Some with long Piles, and Banks, the Port include:  
To others Reverend Bitias prepares  
Their Houses Platforms, all in equal shares.  
And, as they turned up the Fertile Ground,  
A Warlike Horse's Head, by chance, they found.  
The 
(n) At the first, they digged up the Head of an Ox, which they interpreted a Token of Labour, and Servitude: but, at length (saith E●stathius, finding the Head of an Horse, they saluted it, as an Omen of a Wealthy Soil, and Rest; and there began the Foundation of Carthage.  Omen, with an universal Shout  
Of Joy, they all appeared to Salute.  
Among these Figures sad Aeneas stands,  
Wracked on her Coasts, and with extended Hands,  
Deprived of his Fleet, and Friends, is seen  
To crave Assistance. Him th' unhappy Queen  
Views with an earnest Eye, and Entertains  
With Smiles: for Love within her Bosom Reigns.  
Then they Described the Cave, and secret Rites,  
The Lovers used to warrant their Delights.  
Mean while the Cries of Men, and Dogs, appear  
To Strike the Marble Sky; till sudden Fear,  
Of an Impetuous Storm, the Hunters all  
Constrained, for Shelter, into Woods to fall.  
Not far from these, upon the Empty Shore,  
Eliza Weeps, and did, in Vain, implore  
The Trojan-Fleet's return, that now to Sea  
Had hoist up Sails, and bore her Love away.  
Then on a lofty Pile, at last, She stands,  
Wounded; and to the Tyrians commands  
Revenging Wars: the Trojan Prince, the while,  
Beholding, from the Sea, the flaming Pile,  
To the propitious Fates his Sails doth spread,  
Resolved to Fellow, wheresoever they Led.  
Apart from these, at Stygian Altars, stood  
Young Hannibal (a Child) who secret Blood  
Offered, with the infernal Priest; and there  
The War against Aeneas Race did swear.  
But Old Amilcar's Image seemed to be  
Alive, and Triumph over Sicily:  
You'd think he breathed forth War; within his Eyes  
A Flame of Terror, with grim Aspect, lies.  
Upon the left Side of the Shield, a Band  
Of Spartans', with their ragged Ensigns, stand:  
Whom Bold Xantippus, as a Conqueror, led,  
From fair Amycle, famed by Leda's Bed.  
Near these, hung Regulus, their sad Renown,  
Upon a Cross; and, to the trembling Town,  
Faith's great Example was. A joyful Face  
Of Things adorns the rest: where some the Chase  
Of Beasts pursue, and carved Houses shine.  
Not far remote from them, with parched Skin,  
The black- MoorsMoors Sister, in an horrid Dress,  
Tames, with her Country's Speech, a Lioness.  
Then, through the Fields the wand'ring Shepherd moves  
Free without Stop, through unforbidden Groves:  
Near them his Dart, and (whom he Cydon names)  
His barking Dog, his Cottage, and hid Flames  
In Veins of Flint; then, lively, they expressed  
His Pipe, familiar to the labouring Beast.  
Then on a lofty Hill Sagunthus stands,  
And by unnumbered Nations, and Bands  
Of Fight men, Besieged-round appears,  
And to be pushed at, by their trembling Spears.  
About the Borders, rich Iberus seems  
To make the Circle up, with winding Streams:  
Over whose Banks fierce Hannibal, from far,  
Calls 
(o) Upon Conclusion of the first Punic War, the Carthaginians were obliged by Article, not to pass over the River ●berus: which Article was transgressed by Hannibal.  Africk-People to the Roman War.  
On his broad Shoulders, as he, smiling, tries  
These wealthy Presents; proudly, thus, he cries.  
In how much Roman Blood shall I imbrue  
These Arms? with how great Punishments pursue  
That Gowned Senate; that themselves do make  
Revengers of the War we undertake?  
Now in the Siege the Foe grows old, a Day  
Concludes the city's Fate; while, weary, they  
Their foreign Aids expect: but, now, no more  
They look upon the Seas, or helpless Shore;  

(p) Despairing of their long expected Aid from the Romans, the Sa●unthines, after eight months Sieg, resolved to die within their Walls. What miseries they endured; till the City was taken, are at large discoursed in Livy, Lib. 22.  Perceiving Death's approach, with sad Despair:  
For their parched Entrails, the Contagious Air  
Inflames, while Famine in their Bowels reigns,  
And dries the Blood, in their contracted Veins.  
From their fallen Cheeks, their sinking Eyes, within  
Their Heads retire, and through the shriuled Skin  
The Bones, and ill-knit Joints (a woeful Sight)  
With Nervs, consumed, appear; the Dew of Night,  
Some gather from the Earth, to quench the Fire  
Of thirst, and some themselves do vainly tyre  
For Liquor, while they hardest Oaks do bruise;  
Their ravening Hunger, which doth nought refuse,  
Compels them to strange Food. From Shields they tore  
The Hides to feed upon, and leave them bare.  
These Ruins of his City from the Sky,  
Alcides looked on, with a mournful Eye,  
But all in vain; for him the strict command,  
And fear of his great Father jove withstand,  
That he should nothing act against the Decree  
Of his severe 
(*) juno.  Stepmother. Therefore He,  
Concealing his Design, to Faith repairs,  
Who in the farthest part of Heaven, the Cares  
Of Deities revolved: thus, at her Shrine  
He tries Her Counsels: Thou great Power Divine!  
Born before jove himself: who art the Grace,  
And Honour both of Gods, and Humane Race,  
Consort of Justice, without whom nor Seas,  
Nor Earth, can know the benefit of Peace;  
A Goddess (where thou art) in every Breast!  
Canst thou behold Sagunthus, thus oppressed,  
Unmoved? That City, which, for Thee alone,  
So many, so great ills, hath undergone?  
For Thee the People dy, upon Thee, all,  
Men, Women, Children, that can speak, do call,  
By Famine overcome: from Heaven relieve  
Their sad Estate, and some Assistance give.  
Thus He; To whom the Heavenly Maid again  
Replies. I see all this, nor is't in vain,  
That thus my Leagues infringed are: a Day  
Shall come, Alcides, that shall sure repay,  
With Vengeance these their dire Attempts. But I  
Was forced from the polluted Earth to fly,  
To seek, in Jove's blessed Mansions, a Place,  
Free from the numerous Frauds of Humane Race.  
I left their Tyrant's, that their Sceptres hold,  
Fearing, as they are Feared: that Fury, Gold,  
The vile Reward of Treacheries, I left,  
And above all, the Men, who now bereft  
Of all Humanity, like Beasts by Spoil,  
And Rapine, live, while Honour is the Foil  
To Luxury, and Modesty by Night,  
And her dark Crimes oppressed, avoids the Light,  
The place of Right, the too imperious Sword  
Doth arrogate; and Force alone's Adored:  
Virtue gives way to Vice; for look upon  
The Nations of the Earth, and there is none  
Is Innocent; their frequent Fellowship  
In Crimes, alone, the Common Peace doth keep.  
But that these Walls, erected by thy Hand,  
May in the Book of Fame for ever stand,  
By an End worthy Thee, and that they may  
Not give their Bodies up a Captive Prey,  
To the Proud African (which, only, now  
The Fates, and State of Future things allow)  
The Honour of their Death will I extend  
Beyond the power of Fate, and them commend,  
As Patterns, to Posterity, and go,  
With their praised Souls, unto the Shades below.  
This said; The constant Virgin, through the Air,  
Descends, and to Sagunthus doth repair,  
Then struggling with the Fates: through every Breast  
She goes, invades their Minds, which, all-possest  
By her great Deity, each Soul doth prove  
Her Altar, burning by her Sacred Love.  
Now, as if Strong again, for Arms they cry,  
And in the Fight their weak Endeavours try.  
Strength, above Hope, they find, while the sweet Name,  
And Honour, of the Goddess doth inflame  
Their Hearts; resolved, for her Sake, to die,  
And suffer things, far worse than Death; to try  
The Food of Savage Beasts, and Crimes to add  
To their Repast: but them chaste Faith forbade  
Longer, with so much Gild, to view the Day,  
Or with Man's Flesh their Hunger to allay.  
Her when Saturnia (who by chance came down  
Into the Libyan Camp) within the Town,  
(Which she so hated) saw, she doth upbraid  
The Virgin's Courage, and the War she made.  
Then in a Rage, with troubled Steps she went  
To that dire Fury, that doth still torment  
The guilty Souls, and thus upon her calls,  
With Hands extended. Strike (said she) those Walls,  
Thou Darling of the Night, let thy fell Hands  
Destroy that People, 'tis juno commands;  
Myself, within a Cloud, will here stand by,  
And see the Issue of thy Industry.  
Those Weapons, which sometimes immortal jove  
Disturb, by which thou Acheron dost move,  
Thy Flames of Sulphur, and thy hideous Snakes  
In Curls, thy horrid Voice, which silent makes  
Hell's Triple-headed Porter, and let fall  
From's Jaws his poisonous Spume, commixed with Gall:  
What Plagues, and Mischief, what Impiety  
Soe'er within thy fruitful Breast do lie  
Upon these hated Rutuli throw down,  
And let Sagunthus sink to Acheron;  
Thus let their peevish Faith rewarded be.  
Incited by these words, Tisiphone  
Invades the Walls, then, round about, the Hill  
Trembles, and roaring Waves the Shore do fill.  
Innumerable Serpents, on her Head  
Hissing, her tumid Neck, and Breast, or'espread.  
Death, walking with her, his wide Jaws extends,  
On whom pale Sorrow, and black Grief attends.  
All Plagues were present, that created were,  
While Cerberus with howling rends the Air.  
Forthwith she counterfeits Tyburna's Face,  
Her Voice, her Speech, her Gesture, and her Pace.  
Tyburna, of a Noble Race, derived,  
Her Blood from Daunus, and by War deprived  
Of her dear Husband, Murrus, then bewailed  
Her Widowed Bed. The Fury having veiled  
Herself, with her sad Countenance, her Hair  
Dishevelled, to the Assembly doth repair,  
And tearing there her Cheeks, What end (said she)  
Of our great Faith, and City, shall we see?  
I have my Murrus seen, who, every Night,  
Doth me, with his yet gaping Wounds, affright,  
And lamentably, thus, on me doth call,  
Fly, my Tyburna, Fly this city's Fall.  
Or if the Conquering Libyan deny  
The Earth to thee, to me, Tyburna, fly.  
Our Gods are fallen, and we (poor Rutuli)  
Are lost, the Punic Sword doth all enjoy:  
I tremble, and his Ghost, as yet, before  
Mine Eyes, methinks, appears. Shall I no more  
Thy Stately Palaces, Sagunthus, see?  
Happy my Murrus was, thrice happy He,  
Who saw his Country standing, when he fell!  
But us Victorious Carthage will compel,  
(After so many Miseries of War,  
And Dangers of the Sea) their Yoke to bear,  
And serve Sidonian Ladies, and to lie,  
Captives in Libya's Bosom, when we die.  
But you, whose conscious Valour doth deny.  
(O brave young Men!) a possibility  
To be made Captives: to whom Death will be  
A certain Guard against all Misery;  
With your own Hands, your Mothers now redeem,  
From Slavery. True Virtue gets Esteem  
From hardest things. Go on, that Praise to gain,  
Which, hardly, meaner People can obtain.  
With this sad Language having filled their Ears,  
The Fury to an ancient Tomb repairs,  
Which on the Hill was built by Hercules,  
A Landmark unto such as Ploughed those Seas,  
By him adorned with all Sacred Rites.  
Come thither, from the Bottom she excites  
(A Sight of Terror) a Caerulean Snake,  
With Spots of Gold upon his Scaly Back;  
His shining Eyes are filled with bloody Flames:  
And (to increase the Terror of those Beams)  
He hisseth loud, and shakes his forked Tongue,  
And then, with Speed, into the trembling Throng  
Of Citizens he glides, and from the Walls,  
Into the midst of all the City, falls.  
Thence like a Fugitive he makes his way  
To th' Shore, and drown's himself i'th' foaming Sea.  
Then all distracted are; and, as betrayed,  
It's silent Mansion every frighted Shade  
Fled, and refused to stay in Conquered Ground.  
And, now, Despair of Safety doth confound  
Their troubled thoughts: they, now, their Meats detest,  
And mad Erinnys Reigns in every Breast.  
Nor is the Wrath of Heaven, which they endure,  
More grievous, than the sad Delays of sure,  
And certain Death. They all contend their Fate  
To meet, with Speed, and longer Life do hate.  

(z) The Sagunthines driven to the sad Choice, either of yielding to the Mercy of the Conqueror, or to perish by the Sword, which now had so far prevailed, as that they had lost more, then half the City, and daily quitted Ground, so that little was left to them within their Trenches, besides the Forum, (or great Marketplace) they heaped all their Riches into one Pile in the Forum, and with it burned themselves, to avoid the insulting Fury of their Enemies.  Amidst the City, by the Industry  
Of all the People, raised to the Sky,  
There stood a lofty Pile; to which they bear,  
And drag, their Riches, that congested were  
In long-continued Peace. Their Wealth, acquired  
By their own Hands, and stately Robes admired  
For Art, embroid'red with Callaick Gold  
By Skilful Matrons; and their Arms, of old,  
Brought from Dulichian Zacynthus, by  
Their Grandsires'; and those Gods, the Rutuli  
Took from their ancient Abodes; with all,  
They could their own, as yet, Unconquered, call:  
Their Shields, and hapless Swords, and what within  
The Earth, in time of War, had buried been,  
Again digged up, they add unto the Pile,  
Glad, with themselves, to burn the Conqu'rour's Spoil.  
When these the Fury saw together heaped,  
She shakes her Lamp of Sulphur, lately steeped  
In burning Phlegeton, and drives away,  
By Stygian Darkness, the affrighted Day.  
Then they began the Work, whose sad Renown  
Their Memories, with lasting Fame, shall Crown,  
Through all the World, and them Unconquered call.  
For, prompted by Erinnys (Chief of all)  
Scorning Delays, they all, with Triumph, pressed  
Th' unwilling Swords into each others Breast.  
Then thrice the Strokes of her Infernal Whip  
Sound sadly through the City; while they dip,  
In Blood of Kindred, their unwilling Hands;  
And every Man, with thoughts of Horror, stands  
Amazed at what he Acts, and doth bemoan,  
With Floods of Tears, the Mischief, that is done.  
This, mad with Rage, and sense of Misery  
So long endured, Obliquely turns his Eye  
Upon his Mother's Breast: whilst that invades  
His dear Wive's neck with's Axe; then, straight, upbraids  
Himself, and, checked with Horror, doth survey  
What he's about to do; then flings away  
The Weapon 'midst his Rage: yet cannot she  
Escape; for straight the Blows redoubled be  
By Fierce Erinnys: who through all appears,  
And, with her Breath, inspireth horrid Fears.  
Thus in the Husband Nuptial Love doth die;  
Those sweet Delights are lost, and Memory  
Of Hymeneal Tapers. Then, at length,  
The mangled Corpse he throws, with all his Strength,  
Upon the Pile: whence a dark Pyramid  
Of Smoak, like a black Storm, doth waving rise.  
But thou, Tymbrenus, with unhappy Rage,  
And Piety Sinister, dost engage,  
Amidst the Throng; hasting t' Anticipate  
The Carthaginians, in thy Father's Fate:  
Wounding that Face, and Members, that were known,  
In all things, to resemble so thine Own.  
And you, Lycormas, and Eurymedon,  
Twins, so alike in Form, that both were one,  
Who laboured in your Sons to propagate  
Your Names, and Forms, here sadly met your Fate,  
In prime of Age. But Thee that Sword, from Gild,  
Absolves; which, through thy Throat transfixed, spilt  
Thy Blood, Eurymedon: while, with her Woes  
Distracted, and deceived, Oh! whither goes  
My dear Lycormas, your sad Mother cries?  
Here turn thy Sword. And, as Lycormas dies  
By his own Hand, She, by the Marks, again,  
Of his Twin-shape, deceived, exclaims in vain;  
Whither, Eurymedon, doth Rage's thee lead?  
Thus she, with changed Names, invokes the Dead:  
Till, to her trembling Breast the Sword applied,  
On her ambiguous Sons, she, Frantic, died.  
This noble city's horrid Miseries,  
Their Punishments for Faith, and Prodigies  
Renowned, with their sad Acts of Piety;  
Who can relate, without a weeping Eye?  
Scarce could the Punic Camp, and cruel Foe,  
Forbear their Pity, in their Tears, to show.  
That City, Faith's most ancient abode,  
The Author of whose Walls was held a God,  
By the Sidonians treacherous Arms doth fall,  
And their Forefathers mighty Actions all,  
By the unequal Gods, neglected are;  
While Fire, and Sword, consumes them every where  
That Place, that wants a Flame, is impious held;  
And Clouds of Smoke, with pitchy Darkness, swelled  
Up to the very Stars: At length, the Tower,  
That stood upon the Hill, by all the Power,  
Of War, till then, untouched (from whence the Shore,  
And Carthaginian Camp, they used t' explore,  
And all Sagunthus) with those blessed Abodes  
On Earth, the Sacred Temples of the Gods,  
Now sinks in Flames; whose Image, from the Main,  
By Waves, that seem to burn, 's returned again.  
But now, behold! Tyburna, 'midst the Heat,  
And Rage of Slaughter, most unfortunate,  
Armed with her Husband's Sword, in her right-Hand,  
Her left a flaming Taper waving, and  
Her Hair dishev'led, her Breasts made black, and blue,  
With Strokes of Grief, and to the public View  
Exposed with naked Arms, to Murrus Tomb,  
O'er Heaps of mangled Carcases, doth come.  
As when, tormenting Souls, th' Infernal King,  
With Groans, like Thunder, makes his Courts to ring,  
Allecto at his Throne doth straight appear,  
To act his Will, and Plagues administer.  
Her Husband's Arms, that lately with much Blood  
Defended were, as than she weeping stood,  
Upon the Tomb she lays, and, having prayed  
Th' Elysian Ghosts to entertain her Shade,  
She puts the flaming Taper underneath,  
And willing to accelerate her Death,  
These, in the other World, myself (said She)  
My dearest Murrus, will convey to Thee.  
Then, taking up the Sword, herself she laid  
Upon his Arms, and gaping did invade  
The rising Flames, Dispersed on the Ground,  
Promiscuous Heaps of half-burnt Bodies, round  
About her lie unhappy Funerals!  
As when a Lion, fierce with Hunger, falls  
On trembling Flocks, which greedily he eats,  
With Thirsty Jaws, and Blood regurgitates  
From his extended Throat, o'er mangled Heaps  
Of half-devoured Trunks, and Limbs, he leaps;  
Then walking round them, with a murmuring Noise,  
Grinding his Teeth, surveys what he destroys:  
The Sheep, and Guardian-Dog, the Company  
Of Shepherds, with the Master, prostrate lie,  
And all the Cottages, as if a War  
Had late been there, destroyed, and wasted, are.  
And now the Carthaginians do invade  
The City, by these Ruins empty made.  
This Work, which glad Saturnia commends,  
Performed, to Hell Tisiphone descends,  
And with her, as in Triumph, proudly takes  
A numerous Troop, to the Infernal Lakes.  
But you, blessed Souls! who cannot equalled be  
By any Age, since Time's Nativity,  
May you the Glory of the Earth become,  
And, happy Dwellers in Elysium,  
Adorn the chaster Seats of pious Souls!  
But you, whom unjust Victory enrolls,  
In Fame's large Catalogue, ye Nations, hear;  
Break not the Leagues of Peace, nor Crowns more dear,  
Then Faith esteem. Cast from his Country, He  
A wand'ring Exile, through the World, shall be;  
And Carthage, trembling, shall behold him Fly,  
While, in his troubled Sleeps, affrighted by  
Sagunthine Ghosts, He'll wish he there had died  
By them: and, when a Sword shall be denied,  
This great unconquered Captain then shall go,  

(r) After the Forces of Antiochus were broken, and he made Peace with the Romans, Hannibal, when he had spent some time about Crete, and Rhodes, still suspecting his safety, fled to Prusias, King of Bythinia, who at first civilly received, and employed him in his Wars; but, at length, fearing the Power of the Romans, he basely sought to betray him into the hands of their Ambassador, C. Flaminius (whose Father Hannibal had slain; in the Fight near the Lake Thrasimenus) which to avoid, finding none other remedy to escape that Treachery, he Poisoned himself.  Deformed by Poison, to the Shades below.  
The End of the Second Book.   



Te Strages Nemorum—  
— Magnaeque Ruinae  
Idcei Generis Lachrimasaque Fata Sequuntur   

Sedjam praeteritos vl●ra meminisse Labores  
Conspectae propius dem●sere pa●●ntibus Alps.   
Memoriae Illustrissimi desideratissimique Anglis Lugendi Henrici Glocestriae ●ucis Principis● et ob Eximias Virtutes perpetuo Tabula Religiose Consecrata.  SILIUS ITALICUS OF The Second Punic War. The Third Book.  
THE ARGUMENT.  
Bostar to Ammon's Oracle is sent,  
To understand the future War's Event.  
To Carthage, Hannibal His Wife, and Son,  
Conveys by Sea, unwilling they should run  
The Hazard of the War. A numerous List  
Of all the Nations, that Him Assist.  
Pyrene overpassed, He marcheth on,  
Until His Conquering Army stood upon  
The Banks of Rhodanus: whose rapid Stream  
By Art, and Industry, He overcame.  
At length ascends the Alps, great Miseries  
The Army, in their tedious March, surprise;  
Until arriving in the Taurine Plain,  
They there Encamp. Bostar returns again,  
From Horned Ammon's Temple, and declares  
The God's Command to prosecute the Wars.  
ALL Ties of Faith by Tyrian Arms undone,  
And Walls of 
(a) The Metaphorical Epithet of the Poet, given to Sagunthus, as a City of entire, and inviolate Faith  chaste Sagunthus overthrown,  
Through Jove's Displeasure: straight the Conqueror went  
To the World's Bounds, and Gades, 
(b) The Carthaginians, and Inhabitants of Gades, being both derived from the Tyrians: who, for the Benefit of Trade, planted themselves in several Parts of the World, and had many Colonies in Libya; whence, with them, Diodorus Siculus, (lib. 5.) believes a Colony came, that built Gades. For that Gadir▪ in the Punic Tongue, signifieth a Walled Town.  by Descent  
To Him allied: and diligent to find  
What Prophets, and presaging Souls divined,  
Concerning his Command: Bostar is straight  
Dispatched by Sea, to know ensuing Fate.  

(c) This Oracle was a long time very famous, so, that Alexander hazarded both himself, and a great Part of his Army, to visit the Temple, through the Sands, between Egypt, and Mesogaba: where when arrived, the flattering Priest declared him the Son of that God. But (as Strabo observes) after the Romans became Masters of Libya, the Credit of this Oracle submitted to the Sibyl's Books, and the Etrurian Augury, and in the time of Strabo, the Temple was not to be seen, but ni its Ruins.  'Tis a Belief, in Sanctuaries long  
Preserved, where horned Ammon, placed among  
The parched Garamantians, emulates  
Cyrrhaean Caves, that in a Grove, which Fates  
Foretells, he future Ages did declare,  
With their Events. An happy Omen the●  
To his Designs he sought, and, long before  
The Day arrived, all Chances did explore,  
And Fortune of the War. But here, the God  
Adored, the Holy Altars he doth load  
With Spoils, snatched lately at Sagunthus Fall,  
Half-burnt from the then flaming Arcenal.  
'Tis a Report (and not believed Vain)  
That, from the first Erecting of that Fane,  
The Timber Firm continues, and hath known  
The Hands of the first Architects alone.  
Here they rejoice to think the God doth dwell,  
And from his Temple doth Decay repel.  
And they, that have the Honour to repair  
Into the secret Places, must with Care  
Provide, that Women do not enter in,  
And from the Gates must banish bristled Swine.  
Neither before the Altars may they wear  
Discoloured Robes: their Bodies covered are  
With Linen; and Pelusiack Tulbans Crown  
Their Heads: their Garments loosely hanging down;  
They Incense burn, and, by their Fathers taught,  
The Sacrificing Vest with Studs is wrought:  
Barefoot, short-haired; their Beds from lose Desires  
Are free; their Altars keep Eternal Fires.  
Within no Statues of the Gods appear,  
Or Images. The Place a reverent Fear,  
And Majesty, adorn. But, carved with Skill,  
The Gates the Labours of Alcides' fill.  
There the Lernaean Hydra lies, her Snakes  
Cut off; and there, with Godlike Strength he breaks  
The Nemaean Lion's gaping Jaws: and than  
Hell's Porter, dragged from his Eternal Den,  
Affrights the Ghosts with Howling, and disdains  
His Thraldom; while Megaera feared the Chains.  
Near these, the Thracian Horses; and the Boar,  
Arcadia's Plague: the Hart, whose Forehead wore  
Horns, that, in Breadth, the Arms of Trees surpassed:  
Next them, a Conquest, no less easy, placed,  
Earthborn Antaeus on his Mother stood;  
And the two-formed Centaur's ugly Brood,  
While the poor 
(d) The Acarnanians were wont to cut off the Hair from their Foreheads; lest their Enemies, closing with them in Fight, should lay hold of it.  Acarnanian seems to fear  
His Naked Front: then Oeta doth appear  
To shine with Sacred Fires, and to the Skies,  
On winged Flames, his mighty Soul doth rise.  
These various Shapes of Valour having filled  
A while his Eyes; near to them he beheld  
A Sea, that, rising to a wondrous Height,  
Fell on the subject Earth, with all its Weight;  
No Shores do give it Bounds, but every where  
The Waters, o'er the Fields, diffused are.  
For, where blue Nereus, in Caerulean Caves,  
Turns, from the Bottom, the contorted Waves,  
An Inundation breaks; and, by Release  
Of hidden Springs, fierce Torrents do increase:  
Then, as if Trident-struck, with furious Throws,  
Th' impetuous Billows labour to impose,  
Upon the trembling Earth, the swelling Main:  
Then straight the falling Tide retires again,  
And the forsaken Vessel leaves aground;  
While, looking for the Flood, the Decks are crowned  
With idle Seamen: stooping from above,  
In her bright Chariot, the Moon doth move  
These restless Kingdoms of Cymotheae,  
And the continual Labours of the Sea;  
Bringing the Tide, and bearing it away,  
While still alternate Tetbys doth obey.  
These viewed in Haste: for weight of many Cares  
Lay on his Thoughts; first to remove, from Wars,  
The Consort of 
(e) The Wife of Hannibal.  his Bed, and Son, as yet  
An Infant, and depending on the Teat;  
For they their Virgin Nuptial-Tapers joined  
In Youth, and still retained a loving Mind.  
But at Sagunthus Siege begot, the Child  
Not yet the Age of twice six Moons fulfilled.  
And Hannibal, resolving to remove  
Those dear, and tender Pledges of his Love,  
From Arms, and future Danger, to his Son  
Directs his Speech; and, smiling, thus begun.  
Oh! Thou great Hope of Carthage, and no less  
A Terror to the proud Aeneades!  
May'st Thou exceed thy Father in thy Fame,  
And by thy Actions build Thyself a Name!  
May'st Thou a greater Warrior appear  
Then was thy Grandsire: and, now sick with Fear,  
May Rome teach Matrons to prepare their Tears,  
When they discourse the number of thy Years!  
If my divining Soul do not delude  
My Sense; this very Boy, we may conclude,  
A mighty Labour to the Earth will be:  
I know my Countenance in his, I see,  
Beneath his angry Brow, his threatening Eye.  
Observe the weighty Echo of his Cry,  
Those Elements of Anger, that from me  
Derived are. If any Deity,  
By Chance, so glorious Acts anticipate,  
And break off their Beginnings, by my Fate;  
(Dear Wife) endeavour to preserve, with Care,  
This Pledge of War: and, when thou first shalt hear  
Him speak, within my Cradle him convey,  
And on Eliza's Altar let him lay  
His tender Hands, and, to my Ashes, swear  
The Prosecution of the Roman War.  
Then, when, more firm in Years, his Cheeks shall wear  
The Flower of Youth, let him in Arms appear;  
And, scorning Leagues, a Conqueror at Rome,  
Raise in the Capitol for me a Tomb.  
But Thou, whom th' happy Honour of a Birth,  
So High, attends, renowned through all the Earth,  
For Faith, and Constancy; remove, O far,  
Remove, from Dangers of uncertain War,  
And leave these harder Labours▪ We must go  
O'er Rocks, and Hills, that, covered o'er with Snow,  
Seem to prop up the heavens. We, what may make  
juno, herself, admire, must undertake  
Alcides' Labours, and the Alps, that are  
A Toil, more grievous, than the sharpest War.  
But, if inconstant Fortune my Design  
Shall thwart, and promised Favours shall decline:  
May'st thou live long, and hasty Fate extend  
Thy ev'ner Thread of Life, beyond my End!  
Thus Herald Imilce, of Cyrrbaean Race,  
Whose Ancestor (Renowned Castalius) was  
Apollo's Priest: and Castulo, in Spain,  
So called from his Mother, doth retain  
As yet the Name; and from that sacred Line  
Derived her Parents; since the God of Wine,  
Shaking high Calpe, with his Thyrsus, and  
Armed Maenads, subdued th' Iberian Land:  
And Milicus, who (of a Satire born,  
And Nymph Myrîce) on his Front, the Horn  
Of his lascivious Father planted wore,  
A Potent Sceptre in that Country bore.  
From him her Country did Imilce claim,  
And famed Original; from him, her Name,  
Corrupted by their barbarous Speech▪ She than,  
Tears flowing, with sad Language, thus began.  
〈◊〉 Forgetful, that My Safety doth depend  
On Thine, dost thou refuse Me to attend  
On thy Designs? Is thus thy Nuptial Vow,  
And first-Fruits of my Bed neglected now?  
Or shall I wanting be to climb with Thee  
The Frozen Hills? believe, and try in Me  
A Woman's Strength. No Labour is too great  
For my chaste Love: but, if on me You set  
No other Rate, but of my Sex alone,  
And part for that; I yield, I look not on  
My Fate. May jove consent! Go Happy Thou,  
Go, and propitious Gods our Prayers allow!  
And when in Fight, and Heat of Arms, you are,  
Think then on Me, and this Your Son, with Care.  
For I nor Romans, nor their Darts, nor Fire,  
Do dread so much, as thou: who dost desire  
To Run upon their Swords, and dost present  
Thy Head to Danger. Thee no good Event  
Of Valour satisfies. Honour, to Thee  
Alone, seems vested with Infinity.  
Soldiers to die in Peace, to Thee appears  
A Fate ignoble. Oh! my many Fears!  
Forgive Me, for I tremble: yet, I none  
Do fear, that shall encounter Thee alone.  
But pity Us, great Father Mars, this Storm  
Avert; nor may the Trojans do Him harm!  
Now to the Shore they haste, the Seamen climb,  
And, hanging on the Yards, their Canvas trim,  
And fit them for the gently-breathing Wind:  
While to allay his Fears, and ease his Mind,  
Oppressed with Cares, Thus Hannibal; Oh spare  
These Omens, My most constant Wife! Forbear  
Thy Tears. In Peace, or War, We all must have  
A Period to Our Life. Our first Day gave  
A Being to Our last. Brave Thoughts do few  
Inflame, by Noble Actions to pursue  
Eternal Fame; such only mighty jove,  
Hath destined to the blessed Abodes above.  
Shall I the Roman Yoke endure, and see  
The towers of Carthage in Captivity?  
Ghosts do by Night affright Me, and the Shade  
Of My dead Father doth My Sloth upbraid.  
The Altars, and the horrid Sacrifice  
I once did offer, stand before mine Eyes.  
Shortness of dubious Life forbids Delay  
Of Time. Shall I sit still, that Carthage may,  
Alone, acknowledge Me, and speak My Fame?  
And shall not all the World know what I am?  
Shall I relinquish Honour, through a Fear  
To Die? Alas! How little Distant are  
Death, and a Silent Life. Yet think not I  
Do Praise affect, with mad Temerity:  
I have Esteem for Life; for Glory wears  
Titles, and is adored in length of Years.  
Great Trophies of this War shall also Thee  
Attend: if Heaven, and Gods propitious be.  
All Tiber shall Thee serve; th' Ilian Dames,  
And the rich Roman, with the Wealth he claims.  
While thus they sadly talk, and mutual Tears,  
Express their present Grief, and future Fears:  
From the tall Ship, the Master (put to Sea)  
Beckons to come aboard without Delay.  
Then, from Her Husband snatched, with fixed Eyes,  
She views the Shore, till the swift Vessel flies  
Through liquid Paths, and takes Her Sight away;  
While Sea from Land retires, and Land from Sea.  
But, Hannibal, resolving to remove,  
With Cares of War, His pensive Thoughts of Love,  
Goes to the ruin'd Walls: the which He views,  
And, often, in His Wish their Fall renews;  
Walking about the Ruins, till, at length,  
His Labours overcame His stubborn Strength;  
And Sleep insensibly, with pleasing Charms,  
Composed His Mind, intent on War, and Arms.  
Then jove, designing still to exercise  
The Trojan Race in Future Miseries,  
Revive their ancient Labours, and by Wars  
To raise their lasting Name unto the Stars,  
His slothful Rest, and Resolution curbs,  
And, by infused Fears, His Sleep disturbs.  
And, now, Cyllenius, through the humid Shade  
Of Night, His Father's high Commands conveyed:  
And, lighting on the Earth, thus sharply He  
The sleeping Youth upbraids. 'Tis base to see  
A General in Sleep consume the Night:  
They must be Vigilant, would stand in Fight.  
The Seas oppressed with Navies Thou shalt see,  
And the Ausonian Youth, insulting, flee  
O'er all the Ocean: while Thou dost stand,  
At first Attempts, in the Iberian Land.  
Is it an Action of sufficient Fame,  
Or Valour, to commemorate Thy Name;  
That, with so great Attaques, Sagunthus fell?  
Awake, if any Thing within Thee dwell,  
Fit for brave Actions; rise, and go with Me,  
And, where I call Thee, bear Me Company:  
But, I forbidden Thee to look back; for this  
By th' greater Thunderer commanded is.  
And if Thou dost obey, Thou shalt become  
A Conqueror before the Walls of Rome.  
With that He seemed to lead Him by the Hand,  
With Speed, and full of Joy, to Saturn's Land.  
When straight a Noise breaks forth, with a loud Crack,  
Like Thunder, round about; and, at His Back,  
The Hiss of direful Tongues the waving Air  
Shakes, and repels: while He, with sudden Fear  
Surprised, no more retaineth in His Mind  
The Precepts of the God; but looks behind.  
When dragging Groves from hills, &, with the Strokes  
Of His vast Bulk, eradicating Oaks,  
And bearing Rocks along, through envious Ways,  
A Serpent, black as Night, his Tongue displays  
With dreadful Hissing, and to's Eyes appears  
As big, as that, which the unequal Bears,  
In numerous Foldings, doth at once behold,  
And both the Constellations unfold.  
So large his Jaws, immanely, he distends,  
And, lifting up his Head, in Height ascends,  
Equal to Hills. Heaven's Rage ingeminates  
The Noise, and, mixed with Hail, new Fear creates.  
He, with his Monster frighted (for nor Sleep,  
Nor Night, did then their former Empire keep,  
And, with his Wand, the God had put to Flight  
The Darkness, and with Sleep had mingled Light)  
What mighty Plague it was, demands, and where  
'Twould fall, or whither that vast Body bear,  
That then the Burden of the Earth was made,  
Or, gaping, what sad People 'twould invade?  
To whom Cyllenius answers. Thou dost see  
The War, so much desired, and sought by Thee.  
thou greatest Wars attend: the dreadful Fall  
Of Woods, and Forests, with high Storms, that all  
The Face of Heaven disturb, the Slaughter Thee,  
And Death of Men, the great Calamity  
Of the Idaean Race, and saddest Fate  
Do follow, and upon Thee daily wait.  
As great, and terrible, as that dire Snake,  
Which now the Mountains, with his scaly Back,  
Depopulates, and drives the Forests through  
The Fields before him, and doth Earth imbrue  
With frothy Poison. Such thou having passed,  
And overcome the Alps, with War shalt waste  
All Italy; and, with a Noise as great,  
The Cities, and their Walls, shalt ruinated.  
Thus wounded with these Stings, the God, and Sleep  
At once forsake him, and cold Sweat doth creep  
O'er all his Limbs: while, in a woeful Fright,  
His Dreams revolving, he retracts the Night.  
And now, with happy Omens, to the King  
Of Gods, and Mars, they Holy Offerings bring:  
But, first, a Snow-white Bull devoutly they  
To Hermes, on deserved Altars, lay.  
And, all these Rites performed, He straight commands  
His Ensigns to advance. With that the Bands,  
Whose Languages, and Manners, different were,  
With Clamours shake the Camp, and fill the Air.  
But now, Calliope, declare to Fame,  
What, and how many valiant Nations came,  
(Raised by his dire Attempts) to Italy;  
What Cities, with untamed Iberians, He  
Did arm; what Troops on th' Paretonian Shore  
Libya presumed to muster, and before  
Great Rome, to challenge, to herself, the Reins  
Of Rule, and on the Earth impose new Chains:  
No Tempest, raised by impetuous Storms,  
Went on so furiously; no dire Alarms  
Of War, when twice five hundred 
(f) Xerxes' his Navy, consisting of a thousand Ships, when he made that unhappy Expedition against Greece, and boasted to make a Bridge over the Hellespont.  Ships o'erspread  
The Sea, and filled the trembling World with Dread.  
The Carthaginian Youth, the Chief of all,  
Their Ensigns spread: of Body light; not tall  
Of Stature: but of that proud Grace deprived.  
Apt for Deceit, they readily contrived  
Their secret Frauds. A Round unpolished Shield,  
With a short Sword, their Arms; and in the Field  
They Barefoot marched; ungirt, with Garments re●  
They cunningly concealed the Blood was shed.  
Captain to these, in Purple splendid, tall  
Above the rest, Brother to Hannibal,  
Mago, in's Chariot, with the Noise alarms  
The Foe, and 's Brother imitates in Arms.  
Next these, divided in Sidonian Bands,  
(Built before Towrs of ancient Byrsa) stands  
Old Utica. Then Aspis, which the Shore  
Encompassed with Sycanian Walls: whose Store  
Of crooked Turrets, that a Warlike Shield  
Resembled, all the Neighbr'ing Sea beheld.  
But young Sychaeus drew the Eyes of all  
Upon himself: whom, Son to Hasdrubal,  
With a vain Pride, his Mother's high Descent  
Had filled; and's Uncle Hannibal content,  
With no less Pride, still to repeat his Name.  
Near these, the Warlike Soldier, that came  
From watery Berenicis, and the Bands,  
That, with long 
(g) Dolon was a sort of Weapon, not always of one Fashion, being a long Staff with an head of Iron; sometimes a short Sword fastened to it, sometimes a Dagger; and sometimes a Whip.  Dolons armed, among the Sands  
Of thirsty Barce dwell. Then to the Fight  
Cyrene, sprang from Pelops, doth excite  
The false Battiades: whom, once extolled,  
And by Amilcar famed, Ilertes old  
In War, but young in Counsel, did command.  
With Tabraca (then Tyrian People) and  
Sarranian Leptis, Oea too combined,  
Trinacrian Colonies, with afric joined:  
And Tingis sent, from a Tempestuous Sea,  
By Lixus: Vaga, and Hippo famed to be  
The Love of Kings, and their Delight of old.  
And Ruspina, that doth from far behold  
Unequal Billows, rising on the Main:  
With 
(h) Zama, a small City, five days journey distant from Carthage; made famous by the Overthrow given by Scipio to Hannibal.  Zama, where the Libyan Troops were slain  
By valiant Scipio. 
(i) See the Continuation of the second Book.  Thapsus too, that stood  
Renowned, as oft imbrued with Roman Blood.  
These Nations, both in Arms, and Body great,  
Whose Name, and Deeds, did still perpetuate  
Alcides' Honour; taller by the Head,  
Then all his following Bands, 
(k) Antaeus, a Libyan King, slain by Hercules.  Antaeus led.  
Then came the Aethiopians, not unknown  
To fruitful Nile; who that mysterious Stone  
Do cut, that draws, untouched, the distant Steel:  
With Mibians; whose parched Bodies feel  
The Fury of the Sun; not wont to wear  
Helmets, or Coats of Mail, or Bows to bear;  
Accustomed, when in Fight they did contend,  
With Flax their Heads, and Bodies, to defend,  
And, in some deadly Poison, to imbrue  
Their Swords, or to infect the Darts they threw.  
Then first Cinyphian Macae did begin  
To learn Phoenician Warlike Discipline:  
Their squalid Beards, their Faces overspread,  
And Goatskins rough their Shoulders covered;  
With Sling-Darts armed, they came into the Field.  
But th' Adyrmachidae a painted Shield,  
And Swords, like Hooks, by Art intorted, bear;  
And their left-Legs with Armour guarded were:  
But they Rude Tables have, and uncouth Fare;  
For in hot Sands their Viands roasted are.  
Massilians then, with Ensigns shining bright;  
Who, last of all, behold the falling Light  
Of Day, which the Hesperian Seas do drown.  
These, with long curled Tresses hanging down,  
Fierce Bocchus leads, and views upon the Shore,  
Growing, on sacred Trees, the precious Ore.  
Getulians likewise, from their wand'ring Home,  
Into the Camp, to his Assistance, come;  
Familiar with wild Beasts, they could allay,  
With Words, the Lion's Rage. No Houses they  
Possess; but dwell, continually, in Wains,  
Bearing their restless Lares through the Plains.  
A thousand winged Troops, whose Steeds obey  
The Wand, as nimble as the Wind, their Way  
Into the Camp do break. As when the Hills,  
And Plains, a Pack of Dogs with Echo fills;  
And with full Cry, in view, the flying Deer,  
Do follow, and precipitate with Fear.  
These, his stern Face, and Brow, with Rage o'erspread,  
Acheras, slain Hasbyte's Brother, led.  
And near to them, the Medicinal Troops, in Arms  
Advance, the tanned Marmarides: whose Charms  
The Poison of fell Serpents can allay,  
And make the horned Cerast to obey.  
Then her unskilful Youth Bamura sent;  
A Nation poor in Steel for Arms, content  
Their Spears to harden only in the Fire:  
Yet, with this weak Defence, did they desire,  
To mix their horrid Murmurs with the rest,  
And furiously unto the Battle pressed.  
Then fierce Autololes, whose nimble Speed  
Outstrips the Torrent, or the fleetest Steed:  
Birds to their Speed, in Flight, might seem to yield;  
And, when they overran the Champion Field,  
It was as vain a Task, to think to find  
Their Footsteps, as to trace the lighter Wind.  
Next, who by Juice, and Fruit of that famed Tree,  
The Hospitable 
(l) See the Continuation of the Second Book.  Lotus nourished be,  
Are listed in the Camp, with those, that stand  
Amazed to see, in Garamantick Sand,  
The Dypsades; whose boiling Poison fills  
With Flames, and with strange thirst the wounded kills.  
When Perseus had cut off the Gorgon's Head,  
(As Fame reports) her baneful Blood was shed  
On Sandy Libya; and, since that, the Ground  
With Medusaean Serpents doth abound.  
These by a Captain, most renowned in War,  
And born in Meninx Isle, commanded are:  
Choaspes was his Name, who still did bear  
In's fatal Hand, a missile barbed Spear.  
Then Nasamon, who durst invade the Sea  
For Shipwreck, and deprive her of her Prey.  
Next, those, who near to Pallas Pools do dwell:  
And where the Warlike Maid (as Fame doth tell)  
Among those Waters, with her Olive found,  
With it did first enrich the Libyan Ground.  
Then all those Nations, that inhabit, where  
The Sun doth fall, and Hesperus first appear.  
Before the rest, the stout Cantabrians, whom  
Nor Frost, nor Summer's Heat could overcome,  
Nor Hunger; and were still observed to be  
Above the Reach of all Extremity:  
Who, when their Heads are crowned with hoary Hairs,  
From some high Rock prevent their weaker Years:  
Life, without War, they hate: in Arms they place  
The cause of Life; to live in Peace, is base.  
With these, unhappy Memnon's Servant, from  
The East, a Stranger to his Native Home.  
Th' Astyrian, sprinkled with Aurora's Tears,  
Within another World, in Arms appears.  
His Horse was little, and unknown to War;  
Yet swift, and firmly on his Back would bear  
The skilful Rider; or, in easy Reins,  
Hurry the peaceful Chariot o'er the Plains.  
Next, Herdrus, who Pyrene meeteth o'er  
In Chase, and fights with Arrows, like the Moor.  
To join with these, the Warlike Celtae came;  
Who with th' Iberi did divide their Name.  
By these 'tis Honour held, in War to die,  
And to be Burnt. For, when their Bodies lie  
Exposed abroad, they do believe't to be  
Against Heaven, and Gods, a great Impiety,  
If on their Limbs devouring Vultures tyre.  
Then Rich Gallecia, in Divining Fire  
And panting Entrails skilful, thither brings  
Her Youth; who sometimes in their Language sings  
Rude Sonnets; sometimes, with alternate Feet  
Striking the Ground, the barbr'ous Numbers meet;  
Or beat the lofty Tune upon the Shield:  
Their Pastime this, and chief Delight, is held;  

(m) This Custom (not wholly omitted in Spain) was not peculiar, only to the old Inhabitants of Gallicia, but to the Celtaes, Thracians, and others; who imposed those more servile Labours on their Wives.  The women's Labours other things fulfil:  
For 'tis beneath the Men to sow, or till  
The fertile Ground; and whatsoever's done  
Without a War, their Wives perform alone.  
These, with the Lusitanians drawn from far  
Removed Caves, and Dens, conducted are  

(n) Viriarthus was, at first, a cunning Hunter; then a Robber; after, by his Valour, attaining to be a ●eneral of a Lusitanian Army, and with it overthrew three Roman Captains, in three several Conflicts: but was in the e●d slain by some of his own Party, corrupted, by Cepio the Roman Consul. See L. Florus.  By Viriarthus; whom the active Fire  
Of Youth then warmed; who after did acquire  
By shedding Roman Blood, a noble Name.  
With these the neighbouring Ceretani came,  
Once great Alcides' Camp: and Vasions, who  
No Helmets used to wear: 
(o) Ilerda situate near the River Sicoris (in Spain) where Caesar besieged Petreius, and Afranius, two of Pompey's Generals.  Ilerda too,  
Which after saw the Romans Civil Rage.  
Neither did Concavus; who doth assuage  
His Thirst with Horse's Blood (whose Fierceness shows  
He sprang from Massagets) this War refuse.  
Now Ebesus Phoenician Arms assumes,  
And Artabus, who, armed with 
(p) Aclides were a kind of Pole-Ax, which, fastened to a Chain, they threw at the Foe, and drew back again.  Aclides, comes,  
Or slighter Darts, and fierce the War attends:  
With these the Balearique, who descends  
From Lindus. But Tlepolemus with Slings  
Is armed, and winged Lead in Battle flings.  
From Oena, and Aetolian Tide, came  
The Gravians, who had changed their Graian Name.  
Next 
(q) New Carthage in Spain, founded by Teucer.  Teucrian Carthage sends a youthful Band:  
Phocensians, and Tarraco, whose Land  
In Vines abounds, whose Grapes, in Clusters swelled,  
By Latian Bacchus, only, are excelled.  
'Mong these the Hedetanian Cohorts went  
In shining Arms, from cooler Sucro sent:  
And Setabis, which lofty Towers adorn:  
That Setabis, whose Textures seem to scorn  
The proud Arabian Webs, and overcome,  
In rarest Art, the best Egyptian Loom.  
Mandonius these Commands, and Caeso known,  
For Horse-manship, their Camps now joined in one.  
But the Balarian Light Vetonian Wings  
Tries, by the open Sea; and when the Springs  
Approach, and Zephyrs breathe their warmer Airs,  
Preserving hidden Lust, his Herds of Mares  
Exposeth, and by 
(r) This generative Wind was from the West, in the Vernal Equinox. And of this, not only the Poets, but even Philosophers, as Aristotle, Varro, and Pliny, who (Lib. 8. c. 4●.) mentions them to be about Lisbon in Portugal. And the like by Saint Augustine (Lib. 21. De Civit cap. 3.) in Cappadocia, but they allow them not so long lived, as our Author, by four years. However, both the Winds, and Mares, if ever they had this Virtue, have long since lost it.  generative Wind,  
Makes them conceive, and propagate their Kind.  
But they are not long-lived, their Age doth haste,  
And th' seventh Year is, commonly, the Last.  
But Susana (whose Walls Sarmatians reared)  
On Horses not so light, in Arms appeared:  
These Strong, and full of Mettle, to the Bit,  
Or their fierce Master's Will, do scarce submit.  
Them Rindacus commands: with crooked Spears  
They fight, and every Crested Helmet bears  
The frightful Jaws of Beasts: Themselves they give  
To Hunting; and by Theft, and Rapine, live.  
But, above all, Parnassian Cast●lo,  
With noble Ensigns, shines: and Hispal, who,  
Assaulted daily by Alternate Tides,  
Renowned, against the Ocean firm abides.  
Near these, familiar with Lyaeus' Rites,  
Nebrissa: where the Satyrs their Delights  
Enjoy by Night; and, clothed i'th' Panther's Skin,  
There Maenades their Mysteries begin:  
Carteia too (to Heighten hese Alarms)  
The Nephews of great 
(s) Argonthonius was King of that part of Spain, where stood Cart●ia, and Tartessos, upon the River Baetis: whose healthful Soil is extolled, both by Pliny, lib. 7. cap. 4. and Strabo, lib. 3. Those neither allow him above half that Age, ascribed to him by the Poet.  Argonthonius' Arms;  
A Warlike King, who●e Life the Age surpassed  
Of Men, and thrice ten times ten years did lastt.  
Tartessos' too was there; which still surveys  
The Steeds of Phoebus diving in the Seas.  
Then fatal 
(t) Where Caesar besieged the two Sons of Pompey: the one whereof was slain there in Fight; and the other fled. The Slaughter of the Romans there was so great, that Caesar made a Counter-Mure in an Attaque of thirty thousand Carcases.  Munda, that as deep a Stain  
Of Roman Blood, as the Aemathian Plain,  
Did after bear; and Corduba, the Grace  
Of the Gold-bearing Land, the War embrace.  
These Phorcis, with long yellow Tresses crowned;  
And fierce Aranthicus, in Arms renowned;  
Led, from their Native Country▪ to engage  
In Libya's Quarrel: both of Equal Age,  
Born upon Bethe's Banks; whose horned Brows  
Were overshadowed with fat Olive-Boughs.  
These the Sidonian Captain, through the Field,  
Clouded with Dust, commanded, and beheld  
Mustered in Arms: and, in what Place soe'er  
All His bright Ensigns could, at once, appear,  
He drew them up in Triumph; all along  
Covering the Ground, with Shadows of the Throng.  
As when, descending through the Liquid Plain,  
To visit farthest Tethys' in the Main,  
Where weary Phoebus rests, the God of Seas  
His Chariot drives; the blue Nereids  
Rush from their Caves, and each, contending, swims,  
Displaying, in perspicuous Waves, their Limbs.  
But Hannibal, disturbing the Repose  
O'th' World, to th' Top of high Pyrene goes:  

(u) That vast Ridg of Hills, that divides Spain from France.  Pyrene, (whose rough Brows the Clouds enfold)  
From far the Rich Iberi doth behold,  
Divided from the Celtaes, and still stands  
A firm Divorce between those mighty Lands.  
The Hills their Name from a Bebrician Maid  
Did first derive, and by the Crime ('tis said)  
Of Hercules, a Guest; when, by the Fate  
Of those his Labours, raised by Juno's Hate,  
Triple Geryon's Land he did invade:  
And then, in Bebrix cruel Palace, made  
Lyaeus' Vassal, he Pyrene left,  
Her Form bewailing, now by him bereft  
Of her Virginity; and (if we may  
Believe't) of her unhappy Death (they say)  
That God was Cause: that God, who in her Womb  
Began to swell. For She her dearest Home,  
Frighted, forsaken; and, with an awful Dread,  
Her Father's Ire, as from a Serpent, fled.  
Wand'ring in desert Caves, Alcides' Night  
She did Lament, and all his Vows recite,  
And Promises, unto the Shady Groves:  
Till, thus bewailing his ingrateful Loves,  
And lifting up her Hands t' implore his Aid,  
She to the savage Beasts a Prey was made.  
But when, at length, the God returned again  
With Spoils, a Conqueror, Geryon slain;  
Her mangled Limbs with Tears he did bewail,  
And, when he saw her Face, with Rage grew Pale.  
The lofty Hills, struck with his Godlike Voice,  
Appear to shake: when with a mournful Noise  
He on Pyrene calls; and under Ground  
The Dens of Beasts, and all the Rocks, resound  
Pyrene's Name: then sadly he prepares  
Her Sepulchre, Embalming her with Tears.  
Nor can the Teeth of Time destroy her Fame,  
The Hills retaining her lamented Name.  
Now, o'er the Airy Mountains, and through vast  
Condensed Woods, bold Hannibal had past  
The Bounds of Bebrix, and, by's armed Hand,  
His Way, through the inhospitable Land  
Of Volsians, breaks: until His Army stood  
Upon the Banks of that 
(*) Rhodanus.  unruly Flood;  
Which from the Alps, and Snowy Rocks, descends  
Upon the Celtaes, and himself extends  
Into a swelling Stream, that makes his Way  
O'er Land, with a large Current, to the Sea.  
To its great Force mixed Arar adds, that seems  
To stand (so slow his Pace) with silent Streams;  
Which Rhodanus once seizing, bears away  
In restless Billows, and, without Delay,  
Drowns in the Main, and forceth it disclaim,  
Near to its Native Shore, its country's Name.  
But now the Hostile River all invade:  
While some upon their Heads, and Shoulders, laid  
Their Arms; and, breaking through the Torrent, strive,  
Which, on the adverse Bank, shall first arrive.  
To Skifs, (that late were Trees) their Steeds they bind,  
And Waft them o'er: nor do they leave behind  
The Elephants, whose Fears awhile withstood;  
For covering, with mighty Beams, the Flood,  
So much by them abhorred, and every Plank  
With solid Earth o'respreading, from the Bank  
The Beasts descend; whom to the other side  
Swimming (as on the Ground) they gently guide.  
The River, frighted with so vast a Weight  
Of the fierce Herd, the threatening Billows straight  
From's Sandy Bottom turns, and all his Springs  
Let's lose, and, to his Aid, with Murmurs brings.  
Now the Tricassian Coast the Army gains,  
And fertile Fields; now through Vocuntian Plains  
They move, where swift Druentia, troubled, rolls  
Huge Stones, and Trunks of Trees, and so controls  
Their pleasant March: for from the Alps it springs,  
And, thence with roaring Waves devolving, brings,  
Eradicated Trees, and Quarries torn  
From hollow Rocks, at the Creation born;  
Then, deviating, his fallacious Streams  
Turns from their Course, and is not what he seems.  
The Fords deceitful are, to Foot unstable,  
The Channel to small Barks innavigable:  
But, then increased by fall of sudden Storms,  
overwhelms a Multitude of Men, with Arms  
Surcharged; who, sinking in the foaming Waves,  
Dismembered, in the Bottom find their Graves.  
But now, all Memory of Labours passed,  
And Fears, the A●ps, so near in View, displaced.  
All Parts with Frost, and undissolving Hail  
Are covered, and Eternally prevail  
To keep their aged Ice: the lofty Brow  
O'th' airy Hills is bound about with Snow;  
Which, opposite to Phoebus' rising Beams,  
Will know no Dissolution by his Flames.  
As far, as the Tartarean Abyss  
Of that pale Kingdom, where the Dwelling is  
Of mournful Ghosts, and Stygian Waters are  
Removed, from the upper Earth: so far  
Erected, through the Air, the Mountains rise,  
And, with their Shadow, intercept the Skies.  
No Springs, no Summer's Glories do appear:  
But deformed Winter still inhabits there,  
And on the Cliffs perpetually defends  
Her Seat, and thither, from all Quarters, sends  
The swelling Clouds, and Hail-commixed Showers.  
Here all the Storms, and Winds, their furious Powers  
Dispose. Beyond the Rocks no Eyes extend  
Their Sight; the Hills above the Clouds ascend.  
Though Athos lay on Taurus, Rhodope  
On Mimas, or though snowy Pelion be  
On Ossa Heaped, or Othrys were beheld  
On Haemus laid; to these they all must yield.  
Alcides, first, to these unknown Abodes  
Aspired to go: whom, cutting Clouds, the Gods  
Beheld, and cleaving highest Hills, to climb  
Those Rocks, untrod-on since the Birth of Time.  
But now the Soldiers their March retard;  
As if those sacred Bounds, which Nature barred;  
Bearing those Impious Arms, they had transgressed,  
And, going forward, should the Gods resist.  
Against which the General (whom nor the Height  
O'th' Alps, nor Terrors of the Place, affright)  
To cure their Minds, with Monsters terrified,  
And to recall their Courage, thus replied.  
Is't not a Shame, that, through Obsequious Fear  
Of Gods, You, that so many Trophies wear  
Of War, now weary of Success, should yield  
Your Backs to Snowy Hills, and be repelled  
With idle Terrors; while no Courage warms  
Your Hearts, and You to Rocks submit your Arms.  
Oh! (My Companions) think, You now assail  
The Walls of Rome, or Jove's high Temple scale.  
This Labour will give up into Your Hands  
Ausonia, and bring Tiber into Bands;  
This said; the Army, moved by promised Spoils,  
In haste the Mountain climb, nor think what Toils  
Ensue: while He commands them to forsake  
Alcides' Footsteps, and new ways to take,  
To tread in Paths, that might be called Their own,  
And by Their Names, in future Times, be known.  
Then through untrodden Places, first of all,  
He breaks, and, from the Top of Rocks, doth call  
His Troops: and where, in hard congealed Frost,  
In the white Cliffs, the slippery Path was lost,  
His Sword th' obdurate Ice divides, and now  
Into deep, gaping, Pits of yielding Snow  
Whole Squadrons sink; and, from the hollow Top,  
To Bury them alive, fresh Ruins drop.  
Sometimes fierce Corus, on his gloomy Wings  
Collecting Snow, against their Faces flings;  
Sometimes, uniting all his Rage in Storms,  
From the Adventurous Soldier takes his Arms;  
Which, with the whirling Blasts, unto the Skies,  
In Circles, that delude the Sight, arise.  
The higher they Ascend, and seek to Ease  
Their Steps, the more their Labours still increase:  
To one great Height, a greater doth succeed,  
And every Hill another seems to breed.  
Hence all their Sweats, and Labours, which before  
They had O'ercome, they durst not now Explore:  
Such Fears repeated Objects do present,  
And, wheresoever their trembling Eyes were bend,  
The horrid Face of Winter, ever White  
Appearing, gives sad Limits to their Sight.  
So Mariners, that late forsook the Land,  
And now amidst the calmed Ocean stand,  
While no propitious Wind, or gentle Blast,  
Fills the lose Sails upon the steady Mast,  
From the smooth Sea divert their weary Eyes,  
And fix their Expectation on the Skies.  
Above these Miseries, and sad Distress  
The Places gave; in a most sordid Dress,  
An Alpine Band, like savage Beasts, their Locks  
Stiff with eternal Squallour, from the Rocks  
And aged Mountain-Caves, their Faces show;  
And, with their constant Vigour, through the Snow,  
Through Thorns, and envious Paths, by them alone  
Frequented, and familiarly known,  
By various Incursions, on Them pressed,  
And their enclosed Enemy infest.  
All Places now assume another Form:  
The Snow's made red with Blood; there Ice grew warm  
With purple Streams; and that, which ne'er before  
Can be o'ercome, resolus, by reeking Gore.  
And as, with Iron Feet, the Horse divide  
The yielding Frost, their Hoofs, there fixed, abide  
Within the closing Ice. Nor was their Fall  
The only Mischief: but they leave withal  
Their Limbs behind; which, by the piercing Frost,  
Fall, as cut off, and there are sadly lost.  

(x) In this Passage over the Alps, other Authors affirm, he spent fifteen days, and broke his Forces more, then if he had fought his way through Armies of his Enemies; losing in his March from Rhodanus, before he arrived in the Taurine Plains, above six and thirty thousand Men, and a vast Number of Horses.  Through all these Miseries, when they had past  
Twelve days, as many tedious Nights; at last  
To the desired Top they come, and there,  
Hanging on broken Cliffs, their Tents they rear  
But Cytherea (who, through Fear, grew Faint)  
Goes to her Father, with this sad Complaint.  
What stint of Punishment, I pray? what end  
Of Plagues, shall the Aeneades attend?  
When shall they, after Toils by Sea, and Land,  
Repose? Why now doth Carthage take in hand,  
And labour thus, to drive my Progeny  
From that Renowned City, given by Thee?  
See! on the Alps they Libya impose;  
Threatening our Empire's Ruin: and the Woes  
Of lost Sagunthus Rome may justly fear.  
Oh! whither shall we Troy's last Ashes bear?  
Those sacred Ruins, and th' Assarick Race,  
With Vesta's Secrets? Give us, jove, a Place,  
Where we may Safely dwell. Is it so small  
A thing; that they have Wand'ring sought, through all  
The World, their Exile? Or shall Troy become,  
Again, a Prey, in captivated Rome?  
Thus Cytherea: whom the Thunderer  
Thus answers. Erycina, cease to fear;  
Nor let these high Attempts, or what's designed,  
By envious Libya, perplex thy Mind.  
Thy Blood possesseth, and shall Long possess  
The high Tarpeian Towrs: the Fates no less  
Permit. By this great weight of War, will I  
Perpend their Virtue, and their Valour Try.  
Shall that brave Nation, that so long hath been  
Inur'd to War, that hath with Triumph seen  
So many their great Labours overpast,  
The Honour of their Ancestors, at last,  
Decline? Or shall they, whom our Seed did raise,  
Who never spared their Blood in seeking Praise,  
(Still thirsting after Fame) obscurely spend  
Their Time, or with Inglorious Silence end  
Their Days, as poisoned with the Love of Ease?  
Valour suppressed doth perish by Degrees.  
It is a mighty Work, not to be done  
Without much Toil, and Labour, that alone,  
Among so many valiant Nations, Rome  
Should to herself the Reins of Rule assume:  
Yet shall the Time arrive, when She shall be  

(y) After the Battle of Cannae, Rome was reduced to such Distress, that some consulted to quit their Country; but by the Virtue of Fabius, Scipio, and others, she recovered to that Height of Glory, that afterward made her Mistress of the World.  The Chief, Ennobled by Calamity.  
Hence their great Acts shall add unto the Skies  
New Stars, and Names: hence Paulus shall arise;  
Hence Fabius, and Marcellus, who shall be  
Pleasing, for his Opimous Spoils, to Me.  
These, by their Wounds, shall raise in Italy  
An Empire, that not all the Luxury  
Of their degenerate Issuecan destroy.  
And there's already born a Warlike 
(z) Scipio Africanus, who, invading Libya, forced Hannibal to quit Italy, to ●elieve His own Country. See Book 14.  Boy;  
Who shall the Carthaginian recall  
To his own Country, and, before the Wall  
Of Carthage, of his Arms shall him deprive.  
Then Cytherea shall thy I●sue live  
Long in Command; Then, by the Cures shall  
Celestial Virtue to the Stars extol  
Herself: and, by their Sacred Rites, proclaim  
A large Addition to Iülus Name.  
Then from a 
(a) Vespasian, in whose Time, and Domitian's, the Poet lived.  Sabine Stock a Branch shall spring,  
Whose Father shall enable him to bring  
Trophies from unknown Thule, and shall be  
The first, that Caledonian Woods shall see,  
With his Victorious Troops; who shall confine,  
Within his hollow Banks, the swelling Rhine;  
Shall govern the rebellious African,  
With Vigilance; and, when an aged Man  
Palm-bearing Idumea shall subdue;  
Nor shall He, after Death, those Kingdom's view,  
That are for ever Dark, or th' Stygian Lake,  
But of our 
(b) Vespasian Deified.  Honours, and this Place, partake.  
Then shall a 
(c) Titus' made Companion in the Empire with His Father Vespasian.  Youth, excelling in his Strength  
Of Understanding, on Himself, at length,  
Assume the Burden of His Father's Care,  
And, in His Empire, have an equal Share:  
He the judaean War, so full of Rage,  
Shall quite extinguish in his tender Age.  
But, thou, 
(d) Xiphilin in this contradicts Suetonius (who says, that he performed that Expedition with admirable-Felicity) affirming, that he returned without so much as seeing the Enemy.  Germanicus, who, though a Child,  
Thy Father's Acts transcendest, and hast filled  
The yellow Germans with an awful Dread,  
Fear not the Capitolian Fires; 
(e) In the War between Vitellius, and Vespasian, Domitian, than a Youth, hide himself in a Chapel of the Capitol, which by Chance was set on Fire. In Memory of his miraculous Escape, He (when escaped) Dedicated a Temple there to the Honour of jupiter, his Preserver.  thy Head,  
Amidst those Sacrilegious Flames, shall be  
Preserved. Thou long, and happy days shalt see:  
To thee Gangetick Youth their Bows, unbent,  
Shall offer up; and Bactria shall present  
Her empty Quivers: from the Icy North  
Thou shalt, in Triumph, bring thy Chariot forth,  
And through the City ride: then from the East  
Such Trophies gain; as Bacchus ne'er possessed.  
Thou frozen Ister, scorning to give way  
To Dardan Ensigns, shalt compel t' obey,  
And in Sarmatick Limits shalt restrain.  
Thou Roman Nephews, that shall Honour gain  
By Eloquence, shalt in thy Speech excel:  
To Thee the Learned Sisters, that do dwell  
Near Thespian Springs, shall offer Sacrifice.  
Thy Lyre shall sound more sweetly, than did his,  
That Hebrus made to stand, and Rhodope  
To follow, and shall utter things may be  
Admired by Phoebus. Raised by thy Hand  
On the Tarpeian Rocks, where Faith doth stand,  
Adored of old, Rich Capitols shall shine,  
And to the Stars their lofty Turrets join.  
But thou, O born of Gods! which shalt give Birth  
To future Deities, the happy Earth  
Rule with thy Father's Power; thy Fate shall be  
Retarded, and these Heavenly Mansions thee  
A late, and Aged, Guest shall entertain:  
Quirinus shall give place, and Thou shalt gain  
Between thy Brother, and thy Sire, a Throne,  
And, near Thee fixed, shall shine thy Starry Son.  
While jove the Series of Times to come  
Doth thus unfold, the Libyan Captain, from  
Th' unequal Hills, through Ways perplexed, descends,  
And, dubiously, on Quarries moist contends  
To fix his sliding Steps. No furious Shocks  
Of Foes deter him: but the obvious Rocks;  
Whose prone, and threatening Cliffs obstruct the Way;  
So, as Besieged, they stand, and the Delay,  
And Difficulties of their March lament:  
Nor would the Time allow them to Foment  
With Rest their frozen Limbs. They spend the Night  
In Labour, and their Shoulders all unite,  
With Speed, the Forests from the Hills to bring.  
The highest Mountains naked made, they fling  
The Trees in Heaps together, and surround  
With Flames the Rocks: which, with a dreadful sound,  
Now yielding to their Bars of Iron, breaks,  
And, to the weary Troops, a Passage makes  
Into Latinus Kingdom. When they'd past,  
Through all these Miseries, the Alps; at last,  
The General within the Taurine Plains  
His Tents doth pitch, and there Encamped remains.  
In the mean time, from Garamantian Sands,  
With Ammon's Oracles, and dark Commands,  
Bostar, with Joy, arrives, and doth appear  
To glad their Hearts, as jove himself were there;  
And thus gins. Great Hannibal, whose Hand  
Hath banished Bondage from thy Native Land;  
We have through Libya passed, where Sands arise  
Up to the Stars, and lift us to the Skies.  
Us Earth, more furious, than the Raging Main,  
Had almost swallowed up: The barren Plain,  
From the first Entrance, to the farthest Bound  
Of Heaven, extends: nor can an Hill be found  
By Nature raised, in all that spacious Tract,  
But what, with hollow Clouds of Sand impact,  
The nimble-turning Whirlwinds build: or when  
Fierce Africus, escaping from his Den,  
To spoil the Earth; or Corus, that the Stars,  
Doth with the Ocean wash, with furious Wars  
Invade the Field, and with congested Sand  
Make Heaps, that there in stead of Mountains stand:  
Observing Stars, o'er this inconstant Ground  
We sail; for Day Our Voyage would confound.  
And Cynosura, that a faithful Star  
Doth prove to the Sidonian Mariner,  
The wandering Traveller, who seems t' abide  
Still in the Midst, through the deep Plain doth guide.  
But when we, weary, to the Sacred Grove,  
And Woody Empire came, of horned jove,  
Where, on large Columns, stands the shining Fane;  
With what a cheerful Brow our Entertain  
Arisbas' gave, (the God's divining Priest)  
Who to his House conducted Me his Guest?  

(f) Of the Causes of the Changes of this Spring (called by Diodorus Siculus, lib. 17. The Fountain of the Sun.) see Lucretius, lib. 6. Englished by Mr. Sandys in his Comment on Ovid, Metamorph. lib. 15.  Near to the Temple, in the Grove, a Spring  
Doth rise (a strange, and memorable Thing)  
Which, at the Birth of Day, and its Decline,  
Is Warm; when Sol, in midst of Heaven, doth shine,  
It soon grows Cold: but, in the Shades of Night,  
That Heat is greater made, that shuns the Light.  
Full of the God, these Places, then, he shows,  
And Glebes, made wealthy without Help of Plows,  
And cheerfully thus speaks. This Shady Grove,  
These Woods, whose Tops do touch the Feet of jove,  
Connexed to Heaven, here Prostrate, falling down,  
Bostar adore; for unto whom unknown  
Are Jove's famed Gifts, through all the World; the Pair  
Of Doves, that in the Top of Thebae were?  
Of which, the first, that the Chaonian Land  
Did touch, and on Dodona's Oak did stand,  
Filled it with Prophecy. But that, which o'er  
Carpathian Seas, unto the Libyan Shore,  
With Snowy Wings, repaired; this sacred Seat  

(g) These D●ves (saith the Fable) once gave their Oracles, (the most ancient o● all Greece) in a Grove sacred to jupiter, near Dodona, a City in Chaonia: but, quitting that place, one fled to Delphos; the other to this Grove: whence both Places became Oracular.  The Cytherean Bird did then create:  
And where you Altars, and dark Groves, behold  
Standing between the Horns (strange to behold)  
Of a choice Ram, the Leader of the rest  
O'th' Wealthy Flock, from its inspired Breast  
Answers, to the Marmarick People, sung.  
Then out of Earth this Wood, thus Shady, sprung;  
And Groves of aged Oaks, that now the Skies  
Do seem to touch: and such at first did rise,  
By ancient Favour; keeping, as before,  
Their Po'wr, and we with Altars warm adore.  
While I these things with Admiration view,  
Struck with a Noise of Terror, open flew  
The Temple-Doors, and straight a greater Light  
Our Eyes beheld. The Priest, arrayed in White,  
Before the Holy Altars did appear,  
The People all contending to go near.  
Then I, as I was ordered, having prayed:  
Behold! the God doth suddenly invade  
The Prophet; and, through all the Echoing Grove,  
Grave Murmurs from the trembling Beams do move.  
And, now, a Voice more loud, then usual, through  
The yielding Air doth break. For Latium you  
Intent (said he) and to infest with War  
The Issue of Assaricus prepare.  
I see what warlike Libya intends:  
And now the cruel God of War ascends  
His Chariot, and his furious Steeds expire,  
Towards th' Hesperian Coast, a gloomy Fire,  
While Blood upon their Reins doth largely flow.  
But thou, who dost desire Events to know  
Of Battles, and th'Extremities of Fate,  
(Courageously attempting Toils so Great)  

(h) The Plains in Apulia, called by the name of Diomedes, near Canna; where Hannibal gave that Memorable Overthrow to the Romans.  Th' Aetolian Captains japygian Field  
Invade, increase of Honour thou shalt yield  
To thy Sidonian Fathers: after Thee,  
Into the Bowels of rich Italy,  
No Conqueror shall further penetrate;  
Till, by thy Hand subdued, the Dardan State  
Shall tremble, and their Youth ne'er quit their Fears,  
While Hannibal alive, on Earth, appears.  
These Oracles brought Bostar, and Desires  
Of present Battle into all inspires.  
The End of the Third Book.   



Hic Puer ut patrio defixum Corpor● Telum  
Conspexit,— rapta duris ex Ossibus Hasta   

Innixum Cervice ferens humeroque Parentem  
Emicat attonitae tanta ad Spectacula Turbae. Tela tenant &c:   
Memoriae Illustriss m●. Celsissimaeque Arausionensium etc. Filiae Caroli Regis, natu Maximae. Tabula Religiose Dominae Domnae. Mariae Principissae Primi, Magnae Britt: Fra: et Hibern: Consecrata:  SILIUS ITALICUS OF The Second Punic War. The Fourth Book.  
THE ARGUMENT.  
The People's Fears, when Hannibal had past  
The Alpine Hills: the Senate's Care, and Haste  
T' oppose His Progress. On Ticinus Shore  
The Armies meet. What Auguries, before  
The Fight begun, foretold the Libyans Stay  
In Italy: the Romans lose the Day.  
Scipio in Fight's relieved by his Son,  
Then but a Boy. The Romans, marching on  
To Trebia, their Arms with Gracchus join,  
And lose a second Day. The Apennine  
When Hannibal had with His Army crossed,  
In Cold, and Moorish Grounds, an Eye He lost.  
His Son, demanded for a Sacrifice  
To Saturn, by the Senate, He denies;  
And promiseth hereafter to make good  
Those Rites, again, with Noble Roman Blood.  
NOW Fame Ausonia's frighted Cities fills  
With Rumours; That the Cloud-encompassed Hills,  
And Rocks, that threatened Heaven, the War embraced;  
That now the Carthaginians had passed  
Those pathless Ways: and often doth repeat,  
That Hannibal, who seemed to emulate  
Alcides' Labours, did the Plain possess.  
And thus mischievous Tumults doth express,  
Increasing as She goes; and, Swifter far,  
Then swiftest Winds, with the Report of War,  
Shakes the affrighted towers. The People's Fear  
(Apt to believe the Vainest things they hear)  
The Rumour feeds. Now all with Care, and Speed,  
Prepare for War, the Noise whereof is spread  
Through all Ausonia, mustering Arms, and Men.  
They whet their Piles, and (Rust wiped off again)  
Its cruel Splendour to the Steel restore.  
The Youth their Plumed Helmets, long before  
Laid up in Peace, repair: their Loops they join  
To Darts; and new, from Forges, Axes shine.  
With these, impenetrable Coats of Mail  
They form, and Breastplates, destined to prevail  
Against many Hands, and frustrate strongest Blows.  
Some, carefully, provide Italian Bows;  
While others teach the panting Steeds to wheel,  
Or troth the Round; and whet on Stones their Steel.  
Then with like Care, and Speed, they Stones convey  
To ancient Walls, and Castles; whose Decay  
Was wrought by Time: in these their Magazine  
Of Arms they make, and speedily begin  
With Bars of Oak their Trenches, and their Gates  
To fortify; while Fear precipitates  
All that they Act, and doth in chief Command.  
Some in the Desert Fields, amazed, stand;  
Others their Household-gods, and Home forsake,  
And, frighted, on their trembling Shoulders take  
Their feeble Parents, whose weak Thread of Life  
Was almost spent. One drives before, his Wife,  
With Locks dishevelled, dragging a little Son,  
That in each Hand unequally doth run.  
Thus do the People vent their Fears, nor scan  
The Cause, or whence those Rumours first began.  
The Senate, though these bold Beginnings filled  
Their Hearts with Terror, and they now beheld,  
Even in the Heart of Italy, a War,  
To which the Alps, and pathless Rocks, from far  
Seemed to descend, oppose a valiant Mind  
Against Adversity, resolved to find  
Honour in Dangers, and by Valour raise  
A Name so great, of such Immortal Praise,  
As Fortune never did before bestow,  
Or to the best Successes would allow.  
But, now, his Troops, chilled with a long Excess  
Of Cold, and Tired, doth Hannibal Caress  
In safe Retreats, and to their joyful Eyes  
Shows through rich Fields their Way, and Rome their Prize.  
Yet He omits not to pursue the Cares  
Of War; and, still consulting his Affairs,  
He, only, takes no Rest. As, when of old  
Ausonia's happy Territory bold,  
And Warlike, Nations fiercely did invade,  
And by their Valour to the World were made  
A Terror, the Tarpeian Thunderer,  
And Captived Romans, felt a cruel War.  

(a) Soon as Hannibal had passed the Pyrenaean-Hills, the Gauls, thuogh it was Rumoured, that the War was intended against Italy, hearing how He had subjugated Spain, betook themselves to their Arms, resolved to oppose him: but, upon Treaty at His Camp near Illiberis (now Salsas) the petty-Kings, won by His large Bribes to His Party, gave free Passage to His Army by their City Ruscino (now Roussilon in Gascony) whereupon the Boii, mortal Enemies to the Romans, immediately revolted from their Obedience, and wi●● Him invaded Italy. See Livy, lib. 21.  While He endeavours, with his Gifts, the vain,  
And wavering, Nations to his Side to gain,  
And join in Arms; the Consul Scipio from  

(*) Marseillus in Provence.  Massilia, by Sea, returning Home,  
Arrived, suddenly, upon the Shore:  
And these great Captains, that had tried before  
The several Labours of the Sea, and Land,  
Now, in the Plain, more near to Danger stand,  
And join their Fates; while a most dismal Hour  
Approached. For, when the Consul, with His Power,  
Came to the Camp, and Fortune all Delay  
Had laid aside, the Troops no longer Stay  
Endure; but all, incensed with Desire  
Of Fight, the Foe in view, the Sign require.  
The Tyrian Captain then, to animate  
His numerous Army, doth aloud relate  
His glorious Conquests in th' Iberian War:  
That not Pyrene's Hills could set a Bar  
To his Commands; nor furious Rhodanus:  
Sagunthus burned; that, through the Celtaes, thus  
He had, conquering, made his Way, and where't had been  
Alcides' Labour, he in Arms had seen  
His Libyan Horse insult; and, trampling on  
The Rocks, with Neighing make the Alps to groan.  
But, contrary, the Consul to the Fight,  
And noble Actions, doth his Men excite.  
You have (said He) a Tired, and weary Foe,  
Already half consumed with Frost, and Snow:  
Who scarce can drag his Limbs, benumbed with Cold.  
Go on, and let him Learn, that was so Bold  
To pass those Sacred Mountains, and those high  
And airy Rocks, how far this Trench doth lie  
Above Herculean towers: that with more Ease  
He may ascend those Hills; then break through these  
Impenetrable Ranks. Let him recite  
To Fame his vain Attempts, until in Fight  
Subdued, and hasting to Return again  
By the same Way he came, the Alps restrain  
His Flight. The Gods have brought him hither, through  
Those Difficulties, that he might imbrue,  
With his perfidious Blood, th' Italian Ground,  
And that his Bones, hereafter, may be found  
Scattered in hostile Land. I fain would know,  
If't be another Carthage, that doth now  
Intent us War, or is't the same again,  
That, near Aegutes, perished in the Main?  
This said; the Army to Ticinus goes.  
Ticinus in a shallow Channel flows  
With clear, and quiet Waters, and the Stream  
So Slowly passeth on; that it doth seem  
To Stand, as it, with Silence, glides along  
T' embrace the shady Banks, where Birds do throng,  
And their shrill Quires perpetually keep,  
As if to charm the lazy Flood asleep.  
Now, at Night's Period, the Morn begun  
With shining Shades, and Sleep its Course had run:  
When, to explore the Place's Nature, round  
The neighbouring Hill, and view the Champagn-ground,  
The Consul went abroad: the Libyans too  
The like resolve, and it with Care pursue.  
This done, they both advance into the Field,  
With Wings of Horsemen; and, as they beheld  
The Clouds of Dust to rise, and heard the Sound  
Of furious Steeds, that, prancing, made the Ground  
To tremble, and the Trumpet's shrill Alarms,  
Each Captain cries, Now (Soldiers!) to your Arms.  
In both, an equal Valour, and Desire  
Of Honour, shined, in both an equal Fire  
To press into the Fight: and when, as nigh  
They came, as from a Sling a Dart might fly,  
A sudden Augury diverts their Eyes,  
And Minds (all Clouds dispersed) unto the Skies.  
An Hawk pursuing, from the South, the fair,  
And gentle Birds, that by 
(b) Venus. Doves sacred to her?  Dione are  
So well beloved, with his devouring Bill,  
His Pounces, and his Wings, fifteen did kill;  
Nor would be satisfied: his strong Desire  
Of Blood increased, and Slaughter fed the Fire;  
Until, as stooping at a trembling Dove,  
That knew not, in its Flight, which Way to move  
To meet with Safety, from the Rise of Day  
An Eagle came; and, frighting him away,  
Towards the Roman Ensigns flies, and where  
The General's Son (young Scipio) did appear  
(Then but a Boy) in Arms, with a loud Cry  
There twice, or thrice, Proclaims the Victory:  
Then, with his Bill, his Helmet's Crest doth by't,  
And to the Stars again resumes his Flight.  
Liger, who knew, by his Divining Skill,  
The God's Advice, and by his Learned Quill  
Can Future things declare, aloud, to all,  
Exclaims. Full eighteen years the Libyan shall  
Th' Ausonian Youth in Italy pursue,  
Like that rapacious Bird, and shall imbrue  
His Hands in Blood, and wealthy Trophies gain.  
But yet, proud African, thy Rage restrain;  
For, see! Jove's Thunder-Bearer Thee denies  
Italian Sceptres. Chief of Deities  
Be present! may thy Eagles' Omen be  
At length confirmed. For, noble Youth, to Thee  
The final Fates of conquered Libya are  
Reserved, and a most glorious Name in War;  
Greater than Carthage, in her Height of Pride,  
Unless those Birds, in Flight, the Gods belied.  
But Bogus, contrary to this, doth sing  
All happy Omens to the Tyrian King.  
The Hawk a good Presage; The Doves, that fell,  
Slain in their Airy Region, foretell  
The Fall, and Ruin, of the Roman State.  
Thus having said, as Conscious of Fa●e,  
And prompted by the Gods; He, first, doth throw  
With Strength, a ready Javelin at the Fo:  
But, through the spacious Field, it had Vainly flown,  
And lost its kill Force; if Riding on  
Full Speed, Ambitious to be first of all,  
That gave the Charge, bold Catus Horse i'th' Fall  
Had not received it, on his Face; and, though  
It then was weak, he met the Fatal Blow,  
And found his Ruin: for the trembling Wood,  
Fixed in his Front, between his Temples stood.  
Now, with loud shouts, both Armies, through the plain,  
Came rushing on, and meeting, all Restrain  
Their Reins, to stand the Charge. The furious Steed  
Erected stands, and, struggling to get Head,  
Flies, like a Tempest, through the Champagne-Field;  
While to his Feet the Sand doth hardly yield.  
Before the rest, a nimble Active Band  

(c) The Boii were a Warlike People, inhabiting that part of Gallia, which was called Lugdunensis, (the Territories of Lions) they were inveterate Enemies to the Romans, and had several times invaded Italy; but, not long before, were Triumphed over by the Consul Flaminius: after which Victory, the Romans began to place Colonies on that side the Alps, which the rather provoked them to side with Hannibal.  Of Boii, whom stout Chryxus did command,  
Assault the Van; and Chryxus, with a Rage,  
Great as his Giant-Body, doth engage.  
From Brennus, He his famed Original  
Derived; and, now, the Conquered Capitol  
Among his Titles wore: upon his Shield  
The Pensive Romans, ready all to yield,  
On the Tarpeian Sacred Hill behold  
The Celtaes, weighing their redeeming Gold.  
His Iv'ry-Neck a Golden Chain did bear,  
His Garments with pure Gold Embroidered were,  
Bracelets of massy Gold adorn his Wrist,  
And the like Metal shined upon his Crest:  
By his fierce Onset, the Camertine Bands  
At first were routed. Nothing now withstands  
The Boii; who, in a condensed Throng,  
Break through the thickest Ranks, and, mixed among  
The Barbarous Senones, beneath the Feet  
Of their fierce Horses, trample all they meet,  
And strew, with mangled Corpse, the Field, which seems  
To swim in Blood, that in continued Streams  
From Men, and Horses, flows, and doth imbrue  
The sliding Steps of them, that still pursue.  
Bodies half-dead, by Horse's hoofs, are slain  
Outright, which, flying round the fatal Plain,  
Scattered from their light Heels the purple Flood,  
And lave the Wretch's Faces with their Blood.  
Tyrrhenus, born near high Pelorus Shore,  
First dying, stained with his purple Gore  
A conquering Dart; for, as he did excite,  
With a shrill Trumpet, others to the Fight,  
Reviving Courage by the Warlike Sound,  
Received, by a Barbarous Dart, a Wound  
In's panting Throat: which quickly doth impair  
The rising Noise, yet the infused Air,  
Blown from his dying Mouth, awhile, doth pass  
(His Lips now silent) through the winding Brass:  
Picens, and Laurus, both by Chryxus die.  
But yet not both alike: for Laurus by  
His Sword was slain; selected near the Po,  
A polished Spear, gave Picens fatal Blow.  
For, as aside he turned, to Delude  
(By wheeling round) the Foe, that him pursued,  
The Spear, at once, both penetrates his Thigh,  
And's Horses Flank; and both together die.  
Next he wounds Venulus, and from his Neck  
Retires the Weapon stained with Blood, to check  
Thy Speed (rash Farf●rus) who by the same  
Dost likewise fall: with Tullus, near the Stream  
Of cold Velinus bred, Ausonia's Pride,  
And of a glorious Name, had he not died;  
Or had the Tyrians their League maintained.  
With these the great Tyburti, who had gained  
Renown in Wars, and Romulus his Hand  
Sent to the Shades below. Hispellas, and  
Metaurus, Daunus too, his Ruin found  
From him, whom, with his Lance, he thought to wound.  
Nor was there room for Tyrians to engage  
In Battle, with the rest. The Coltick Rage  
Filled the whole Field: no Shafts from any Hand  
Were sent in Vain; but fixed in Bodies stand.  
Here, among trembling Files, Quirinus, high  
In Courage, and disdaining Thoughts to fly,  
Resolved to meet, with an undaunted Mind,  
His Fate, if prosperous Fortune once declined:  
Inflames his furious Courser with his Spear,  
And with his Arms disperseth here, and there,  
The Shafts, that him invade; thinking to make  
His Way, and through the thickest Ranks to break,  
T' attach the King: and, certain to receive  
His Death, attempts by Valour to achieve  
That Honour, he could not survive. A Wound  
Into the Groin of Teutalus, the Ground  
Doth make to tremble, with his weighty Fall.  
Next Sarmen died, for Valour known to all:  
Who his long yellow Tresses, that outshined  
Pure Gold, contracted in a Knot behind,  
Had vowed (if He returned a Conqueror)  
A Sacrifice to Thee, the God of War.  
But the stern Fates, regarding not his Vow,  
Him, with his Hair unshorn, to th' Shades below  
Untimely sent. O'er all his Snow-white Limbs,  
The reeking Blood, in Streams diffused, Swims,  
And stains the Earth. Lycaunus, whom a Dart,  
That met him, as he moved, could not divert,  
Rushed in, and, waving his Revenging Sword,  
With all the Strength, that Fury could afford,  
Upon his Shoulder gives a fatal Wound,  
Where his left Arm (by yielding Sinews bound)  
Its Strength, and Motion did receive; which now  
Hangs loosely down, and lets the Bridle go:  
And, as he, Stooping, laboured to retain,  
Within his trembling Hand, the Reins again,  
From's Body Vegasus lop'd off his Head,  
And in his Helmet, as it largely bled,  
Tied to his Horse's Main, it bears about;  
The Gods saluting with a barbarous Shout.  
While thus the Field the Gauls with Slaughter feed;  
The Consul, mounted on a Milk-white Steed,  
Into the Fight advanced, with fresh Supplies:  
And first, of all, with high-raised Courage, flies  
On the prevailing Foe, On Him attend  
The choicest Youth, that Italy could send.  
The Marsi, Corae, and the Latins Pride,  
Sabellus, who by all was magnified  
For flinging his swift Dart with certain Skill:  
With stout Tudertes, from his Native Hill,  
Devote to Mars; and the Falisci, who,  
Decked in their Countries-Linen, Wars pursue;  
With these, that by a silent River, near  

(d) From a famous Temple, there Dedicated to Hercules.  Herculean Walls, their wealthy Orchards rear,  
With Apples crowned. Next the Catilli came,  
That dwell on Banks, where Anyo's swift Stream  
To Tiber hasts; and those, that from their Slings  
Send Hernick Stones, hardened in freezing Springs.  
Nor were they absent, that inhabit where  
Casinum still is crowned with misty Air.  
Thus went th' Italian Youth to War, and by  
Th' unequal Gods were destined there to die.  
But Scipio, where the Fury of the Foe  
Did highest Triumph in the Overthrow,  
And Slaughter of his Men, spurs on his Horse;  
And, as if from their Fall inspired with Force,  
To their sad Ghosts kills frequent Sacrifice.  
There Padus, Labarus, and Camus dies:  
Brennus, whom many Wounds could scarce destroy;  
And Larus, that, like Gorgon, turned his Eye.  
And there Leponticus by cruel Fate,  
Most fiercely fight, fell: for, snatching at  
The Consul's Reins, and, as he stood Upright  
Afoot, the Horsman equalled in his Height,  
With his sharp Sword his Head the Consul cleaves,  
And it, divided on his Shoulders, leaves.  
Next Abbatus; that, in its furious Course,  
Endeavoured, with his Shield, to stop his Horse;  
Was by a Kick struck dead, upon the Place;  
The Beast still trampling on his wounded Face.  
The Roman Captain, through the bloody Plain,  
Thus raging Rides: as, when th' Icarian Main  
Cold Boreas, with victorious Blasts, doth raise  
From its deep Bottom, over all the Seas,  
In battered Ships, the Mariners are tossed,  
And in white Foam the Cycladeses are lost.  
Chryxus now seeing Hopes of Life declined,  
And Death's Approach, confirms his valiant Mind  
With a contempt of Fate. His horrid Beard  
Shined with a bloody Foam: his Jaws appeared  
All white with Froth: his Locks, with flying Sand,  
And Dust made squalid, stiff, like Bristles, stand.  
Thus Tarius fiercely he invades, who nigh  
The Consul fought, and with strong Blows doth ply:  
Then fells him to the Ground; for with a Spear,  
(That his last Fate upon its Point did bear)  
Wounded, he tumbles Headlong from his Steed:  
Which moved by Fear, with uncontrolled Speed,  
Drags him (his Legs fast in the Stirrup bound)  
About the Field. Blood issuing from the Wound  
Leaves a long winding Tract, that, with his Spear  
Trailed in his Hand, doth in the Dust appear.  
The Consul praised his Death, and doth prepare  
To vindicate his Ghost: when through the Air  
An horrid Noise was heard; and he descries  
Those Shouts commended Chryxus, whom his Eyes,  
Scarce known before, beheld. His Anger now  
Grew high, and viewing, with a troubled Brow,  
His Giant-Body, with a gentle Hand  
Clapping his Horse's Neck, he makes a Stand,  
And thus bespeaks him. We, as yet, have made  
A vulgar War, and to the Stygian Shade  
Have sent down People of no Name at all:  
But, my Garganus, now, the Gods us call  
To greater Actions. See'st thou not how great  
Chryxus appears? To thee I'll Dedicate  
Those Trappings, that with Tyrian Lustre shine:  
Their Grace, and golden Reins shall all be thine.  
This said: he Chryxus in the open Plain  
Aloud provokes the Combat to maintain.  
His willing Enemy the like Desire  
Inflames. On either Side the Troops retire,  
Commanded to give way, and straight beheld  
The Champions in the Lists, amidst the Field.  
Great as the Earthborn Mimas did appear  
In the Phlegraean Plains, when Heaven for Fear  
Even trembled at his Arms: from's savage Breast  
Such cruel Chryxus, here, himself expressed  
With horrid Murmuring: and, to engage  
His valiant Foe, with Howling whets his Rage,  
And thus, insulting, speaks. Do none Survive  
In Burnt, and Captivated Rome, could give  
Thee Notice, what brave Hands the Progeny  
Of Brennus bring to War? now Learn of Me:  
And, as he spoke, a knotty Beam of Oak,  
That would have shaken with its weighty Stroke  
A city's Gates, he flings. A dreadful Sound  
It makes, and, falling vainly, tears the Ground:  
For, having lost his Distance, by a Throw  
Too strong, it flew beyond his nearer Fo.  
To him the Consul answers: Take to Hell  
This with Thee, and remember, that thou tell  
Thy Grandsire, how far distant thou didst fall  
From the Tarpeian-Hill: and say withal,  
It was not lawful for thee once to view  
The Capitol. And, as he spoke, he threw  
A Javelin (fitted to destroy so vast  
A Foe) which, from the thong with vigour cast,  
Pierced through his Cassock's numerous Folds, and through  
His Coat of Mail, which Nerves confirmed, into  
His Breast, whose Depth the Weapon wholly drowned:  
With a vast Ruin, prostrate on the Ground  
He falls. The suffering Earth beneath the Weight  
Of's Arms, and Body, groans, and feels his Fate.  
So on the Tyrrhene Coast the Hills, that stand  
T' oppose the Billows, that invade the Land,  
Struck by impetuous Storms, immanely roar,  
And raving Nereus, beating on the Shore,  
The Waves, divided by their furious Shocks,  
Drown in the angry Deep the broken Rocks.  
Their Captain slain, the Celtaes all to flight  
Themselves, and Hopes, commit; their Courage quite  
Declines. As when, on the Pyraenean-Hill,  
The busy Hunter, with Sagacious Skill  
Searching the secret Dens, to rouse his Game  
From their thick Coverts, fires the Thorns: the Flame  
With Silence gathers Strength, and to the Skies▪  
Dark Clouds of pitchy Smoke aspiring rise;  
Then all on fire the Hill doth straight appear,  
Loud Noises fill the Woods: The Beasts, for fear,  
And Birds, forsake their Shelter, and from far  
Through all the Vale the Cattle frighted are.  
When Mago saw the Celtic Troops were gone,  
And their first 
(e) In this Character of the Gauls, in general (and not yet wholly worn out in the Nation) Florus agreeth with the P●ets; That in their first Onset they seem to exceed Men; but in the second are inferior to Women.  Onset (which in them, alone,  
Is vigorous) was lost, he straight doth call  
His Countrymen to fight: and first of all  
The Horsemen; who appear on every Side  
In Troops, and, without Reins, or Bridles ride.  
Now the Italians fly, and then renew  
The Fight. The Tyrians then for Fear withdrew,  
And now advance again. These their Right Wing  
In Moon-like Circles lead; The other bring  
Their Left alike in Form: Alternately  
In Close-formed Globes they fight, and, when they fly,  
With Art avoid the Slaughter of the Fo.  
So, when the Winds from several Quarters blow,  
Fierce Boreas one way drives the swelling Main,  
Which Eurus meeting tumbles back again,  
And with alternate Blasts, both furious, throw  
The Ocean (that obeys them) to and fro.  
At length in Tyrian Purple shining, wrought  
With Gold, comes Hannibal, and with Him brought  
Terror, and Fear, and Fury to the Field.  
And soon as He His bright Callaiek Shield  
Held up, and struck a piercing Light through all,  
Their Hopes, and Valour both together fall.  
Their trembling Souls cast off all Shame of Flight:  
None care to seek a noble Death in Fight.  
Resolved to fly, they rather wish to know  
Death by the gaping Earth, then by the Fo.  
So when a Tiger from's Cancasean Den  
Descends, the Fields forsaken are by Men,  
And Beasts. All, as distracted, fly for Fear,  
And Shelter seek; while, as a Conqe'rour,  
He wanders up, and down, the desert Plain,  
And now extends, then shuts his Jaws again,  
As if some present Carcase he did eat;  
And, gaping wide, doth Slaughter meditate.  
Him nor could Metabus, nor Vfens shun:  
Though Vfens, very tall, did swiftly run;  
And Metabus, full Speed, on Horseback fled:  
For Metabus was with his Lance struck dead;  
And Vfens, falling on his Knees, did bleed  
By's Sword: so lost his Life, and Praise of Speed.  
Then Sthenius, Laurus, and Collinus die.  
Collinus, born in a cold Climate, nigh  
The Crystal Caves of Fusinus, and o'er  
That Lake, by Swimming, passed from either Shore.  
The next Companion of their Fate, that fell  
Was Massicus; born on that Sacred Hill,  
That crowned with fruitful Vines doth bear his Name,  
Near Lyris nursed, that with a silent Stream  
Its Course dissembleth, and with glittering Waves,  
Unchanged by Rain, the quiet Margin Laves.  
But now the Heat of Slaughter grew so high,  
That they could scarce find Weapons to supply  
Their Active Rage; Shields clash on Shields, and Feet  
On Feet do press: and, as they, Furious, meet,  
Encountering close, the waving Crests, that crowned  
Their Helmets, mutually their Foreheads wound.  
Three famous Twins, all valiant Brothers, whom  
Sidonian Barcè, happy in her Womb,  
In time of War, unto Xantippus bare,  
Most fiercely fight, in the Van appear.  
Their Power, and Wealth in Greece, their 
(f) Xantippus, who was sent by the Lacedæmonians to be General for the Carthaginians against Regulus the Roman Consul: whom he vanquished; and lead Captive to Carthage. See Lib. 6.  Father's Fame  
(A valiant Captain) with Amycle's Name,  
And Regulus, in Spartan Fetters bound,  
With all that their Forefathers had renowned,  
Inflamed their Minds, in Arms to prove their high  
Descent, and by their Deeds to testify  
That they from Lacon sprang: to visit then  
The cold Taygeta, and Wars again  
Allayed, through their Eurotas sail, and see  
Those Rites, Lycurgus, were ordained by Thee.  
But Heaven, and three Ausonian Brothers, who  
In Age, and Courage, equalled the Foe,  
Sent by Aricia from those lofty Groves,  
Where Numa with the Nymph his secret Loves  
Enjoyed denied they should to Sparta go.  
Nor would th● too impartial Fates allow,  
That they 
(g) Diana Taurica, who had her Altars there: and after the barbarous Scythian Manner, had Sacrifices of Humane Blood.  Diana's Altars should behold,  
And Sacred Lakes. For now the fierce, and bold  
Clytias, Eumachus, and Xantippus, proud  
Of's Father's Name, engaged in the Crowd,  
And Heat of all the Fight. As when, within  
The Libyan Plains, the Lions do begin  
A War among themselves, their Roaring fills  
The Fields, and Cottages; o'er secret Hills,  
And pathless Rocks, th'affrighted Moor doth fly;  
His Wife endeavouring to suppress the Cry  
O'th' tender Infant, hanging at the Teat  
Of her large Breast; the raging Beasts repeat  
Their Murmurs, and between their bloody Jaws  
Crash broken Bones: while limbs beneath their Claws,  
And cruel Teeth, still fight; as if with Scorn  
To seem to yield, though from the Body torn:  
So the Egerian Youth, fierce Virbius, here,  
There Capys press to fight; Albanus there,  
Alike in Arms: Him Clytias by Chance,  
Stooping to shun a Blow, strikes with his Lance,  
Quite through the Belly. Straight his Bowels filled,  
Extruded by his Fall, his hollow Shield.  
Next by stout Eumachus was Capys slain:  
Who, as if fixed, endeavoured to retain  
His Target; till a Sword from his Left Side  
Lopped off his Arm, and by the Wound he died:  
While his unhappy Hand refused to yield  
Its Hold, and stuck unto the falling Shield.  
Two of the three thus miserably slain,  
The last great Conquest Virbius doth remain:  
Who, as he feigned to fly, Xantippus slew  
With his keen Sword, and eager to pursue  
Eumachus by his Javelin likewise falls.  
And thus the Fight by double Funerals  
Is equal made. Then the Survivers died  
By mutual Wounds, and laid their Rage aside.  
Oh happy you, whom noble Piety,  
Urging your Fate, did thus persuade to die!  
Such Brother's future Times shall wish to see,  
And your last valiant Acts your Memory  
Shall crown with Honour; if our Verses live,  
Or miserable Nephews, that survive,  
Shall read these Monuments your Virtues claim,  
And great Apollo envy not Our Fame.  
But now his Troops, dispersed through all the Plains,  
The Consul, with his Voice, from Flight restrains,  
While He could use His Voice. Whither d' ye bear  
Those Ensigns? How are you destroyed by Fear?  
If the first Place of Battle you affright,  
Or you want Courage in the Front to fight,  
Behind Me stand; but lay aside your Fear,  
And see Me fight. Their Father's Captives were,  
From whom you fly. What Hopes can we pretend,  
If once subdued? Shall we the Alps ascend?  
Oh! think, you see Tower-bearing Rome, whose Head  
Her Walls do crown, submissively, now, spread  
Her Hands; while her proud Foes her Sons enchain;  
Daughters are ravished, and their Parents slain.  
And in their Blood, me thinks, I see the Fire  
Of holy Vesta now (alas) expire.  
Oh! then prevent this Sin. Thus having said,  
His Jaws with Dust, and Clamour, weary made;  
His Left Hand snatching up the Reins; the Right  
His Sword; his Breast to those, that fled the Fight,  
He doth oppose: now threatens Them, and then  
Himself to Kill, unless they turn again.  
These Armies when, from high Olympus, jove  
Beheld, the noble Consul's Dangers move  
His Mind to Pity. Then, he calls his Son  
(The God of War) and to Him thus begun.  
My Son, I fear that gallant Man's not far  
From Ruin, if thou tak'st not up the War.  
Withdraw him, full of Fury, from the Fight;  
Forgetful of Himself, through the Delight  
Of Slaughter. Stop the Libyan General,  
Who will more glory in the Consul's Fall,  
Then all those Numbers, that He doth destroy.  
Thou seest, besides, how soon that 
(h) Young Scip●o.  Warlike Boy  
His tender Hands in Battle doth engage,  
And strives by Action to transcend his Age,  
Thinking it tedious to be young in War.  
Thou guiding 
(i) Scipio Africanus, who (but fourteen years old) in this Fight rescued his Father, and, at twenty five years, undertook the War of Spain; and never relinquished it, till he had subdued Hannibal.  Him, he shall hereafter dare  
T' attempt Great things, and his first Trophy shall  
Be to prevent his Noble Father's Fall.  
Thus jove; straight Mars from the Odrysian Field  
His Chariot summons, and assumes his Shield:  
Which, like a gloomy Thunderbolt, its Beams  
Scatters abroad: his Helmet too, that seems  
To other Deities a Weight too great:  
And's Breastplate, that with so much Toil, and Sweat  
The labouring Cyclops formed: then shakes his Spear,  
Stained with the Blood of Titans, through the Air,  
And with his Chariot fills the dusty Plain.  
The dire Eumenideses, and dreadful Train  
Of Furies him attend, and every where  
Innumerable Forms of Death appear:  
While fierce Bellona, who doth guide the Reins,  
Whips on his Steeds, and all Delay disdains.  
Then from the troubled Heaven a Tempest forth  
Doth break, and in dark Clouds involves the Earth.  
His Entrance even the Court of jove doth shake,  
And Rivers, by his Chariot's Noise, forsake  
Their Banks, and, struck with Horror, backward fly  
To their first Springs, and leave their Channels dry.  
The Garamantian Bands, now, every where  
Invest with Dars the Consul, and prepare  
New Presents for the Tyrian Prince: the Spoils  
Of his rich Arms, his Head, through many Toils  
Of that sad Day, bedewed with Sweat, and, Blood.  
While He, not to give way to Fortune, stood  
Resolved, and then, more fierce with Slaughter grown,  
Returns the numerous Darts against him thrown.  
Till over all his Limbs the Blood of Foes,  
Mixed with his own, in Streams diffused flows,  
And then, his Crest declining, in a Ring  
More closely girt, the Garamantians fling  
Their steeled Shafts, with nearer Aim, and all,  
Like Storms of Hail, at once, about him fall.  
But, when his Son perceived a Dart to be  
Fixed in his Father's Body (as if He  
Had felt the deadly Wound) his pious Tears  
Bedews his Cheeks, and Paleness straight appears,  
To run o'er all his Body, and with Groans,  
That pierce the Skies, his Danger he Bemoans.  
Twice he Attempted, to anticipate  
By piercing his own Breast, his Father's Fate:  
As oft the God of War converts his Rage  
Against the Foe; with whom he doth engage,  
And, Fearless, through the armed Squadrons flies,  
And, in his furious Speed, doth equalise  
The Deity, his Guid. The Troops, that round  
His Father fight, give Way, and on the Ground  
A Tract of Blood appears. Where ere he goes,  
(Protected by the Heavenly Shield) he mows  
Whole Squadrons down. On heaps of Arms he Slew,  
Such as opposed his Rage, with him that Threw  
The Dart, who died before his Father's Eyes;  
With many more, as pleasing Sacrifice.  
Then, snatching from the Bones the fixed Spear,  
Upon his Neck, from Danger, he doth bear  
His fainting Sire. The Troops at such a Sight  
Amazed stand: the Libyans cease to fight:  
Th'▪ Iberians all give way. A Piety  
So great, in tender Years, turns every Eye  
Upon him, to Admire what they beheld,  
And strikes deep Silence through the dusty Field.  
Then said the God of War: Thou Dido's Towers  
Hereafter shalt destroy; and Tyrian Powers,  
Compelled by Thee, a League shall entertain:  
Yet never shalt thou greater Honour gain,  
Then this. Go on (brave Youth) go on, and prove  
Thyself to be, indeed, the Son of jove.  
Go on: for greater Things reserved be;  
Though better never can be given to Thee.  
This said: the Sun now stooping to the Main,  
The Deity returns to Heaven again,  
Involved in Clouds. Darkness the Fight decides,  
And, in their Camps, the weary Armies hides.  
But, when in her declining Wain the Night  
Phoebe withdrew, and, by her Brother's Light,  
The rosy Flames from the Eöan Main  
Gilded the Margin of the Skies again;  
The Consul, fearing that the Plain might be  
A great Advantage to the Enemy,  
To Trebia, and the Mountains, takes his Way.  
And now the winged Hours advanced the Day,  
When with much Toil the Bridge was broken down,  
(O'er which the Roman Army passed) and thrown  
Into the Flood: when to the Rapid Stream  
Of swift Eridanus, the Libyan came;  
Seeking, by marching round, through various Ways,  
The Fords, and where its Course the River stays:  
Trees from the Neighbouring Groves at length he takes,  
And, to transport his Troops, a Navy makes.  
The valiant Consul (from the ancient Line  

(k) Sempronius Gracchus had then the Command of the Roman Navy to guard Sicily, and the Coast of Italy, from the Carthaginians; whose Fleet he had dispersed: and, leaving Sicily under the Care of King Hiero, on the Fame of Hannibal's entering Italy, came with his Forces to Trebïa, and joined with Cornelius Scipio. Of his Death, see Book 12.  O'th' Gracchis sprang, whose Ancestors did shine  
In Monuments, with noble Titles crowned,  
For Valour, both in Peace, and War Renowned)  
Thither, from high Pelorus, came by Sea,  
Encamping near the Banks of Trebia.  
The Carthaginians, likewise, in the Plain  
(The River overpassed) encamped remain,  
Encouraged by Success of their Affairs:  
While their insulting General prepares  
Their Minds, and to their Fury still doth give  
Fresh Fuel. What third Consul doth survive  
In Rome? (said He) What other Sicily  
Remaineth now in Arms against us? See!  
All the Italian Bands, and Daunian Line,  
Are met. Now let the Latin Princes join  
In League with Me; now let them Laws require.  
But thou, that in the Fight, unhappy Sire,  
Owest to thy Son thy Life, so may'st thou live!  
May'st thou to him again that Honour give!  
May'st thou not die in War so old! 'tis I,  
(When Fate shall call) that must in Battle die.  
This with high Rage expressed; he doth advance  
With his Massilian Troops, and with his Lance,  
Even at the Trenches, doth provoke the Fo.  
The Latin Soldiers, scorning thus to owe  
Their Safety to their Rampires, and to hear  
The Gates to Echo with an Hostile Spear,  
Break forth: and through the Breach, before the Rest,  
The valiant Consul flies. The plumed Crest  
Of his bright Helmet waving with the Wind;  
His Cassock stained with honoured Blood behind:  
He calls, with a loud Voice, the following Bands,  
And, where the Foe in strongest Bodies stands,  
He breaks his Way, and chargeth through the Plain.  
As when a furious Torrent, swelled with Rain,  
Falling from lofty Pindus' Top, doth fill  
The Valleys with a Noise; as if the Hill,  
By some rude Tempest, were in Pieces torn:  
The Herds, and savage Beasts, and Woods are born  
Away; the foaming Waves o'er all prevail,  
And pass with Roaring through the stony Dale.  
Can I like the Maeonian (
(l) H●mer.  Prophet sing,  
Or would Apollo, to assist me, bring  
An hundred Voices, I could not declare  
What Slaughter here the Consul made: what there  
The Libyan's Fury acted. Hannibal  
Murranus, and the Roman General  
Phalantus, old in Labours, and for Skill  
In War all famous, hand to hand, did kill.  
From Anxur's stormy Cliffs Murranus: from  
Sea-washed Tritonis did Phalantus come.  
But when, by his Illustrious Habit shown,  
The Consul was engaged, Cupentus, one  
Deprived of half his Sight, that with one Eye  
Pursued the War, assaults him suddenly;  
And fixeth in the Margin of his Shield  
His trembling Lance. The Consul him beheld  
With boiling Rage; Now (Villain) lay aside  
(Said he) what ever Mischief thou dost hid  
Beneath thy Ugly, and Deformed Brow.  
And, as he spoke, with Aim, directly through  
His glaring Eye he thrusts his fatal Spear.  
No less incensed doth Hannibal appear;  
By whom, in silver Arms, unfortunate  
Varrenus fell: Varrenus, whom of late  
Fertile Fulginia's wealthy Fields with Gain  
Enriched, and, wand'ring in the open Plain,  
His curled Bulls, as white as Alpine Snow,  
Returned from cold 
(k) Clitumnus, a River in Tuscany, wherein such Bulls, as were to be Sacrificed to jupiter, were washed, and became White. See the Continuation of the first Book.  Clitumnus Stream: but now  
The Gods were angry, and those Victimes prove  
Nourished in vain; which for Tarpeian jove,  
With so much Care, by him were fed before.  
Then light Iberians with the nimble Moor  
Advance. Here Piles, there Libyan Arrows fly;  
So thick, from either Side, they hid the Sky:  
And all the Space, between the River's Shore,  
And Champagn-Ground, with Darts is covered o'er.  
So thick they stand, the Wounded have no Room  
To Fall, and Dy. There Allius', that from  
Argyripa, through Daunian Fields, with rude  
Unpolished Shafts, his flying Game pursued,  
Was born, into the midst of all his Foes,  
Upon his japygian Steed, and throws  
(Not vainly) his Ap●lian Darts: his Breast  
The Skins of rough Samnitick Bears invest,  
Instead of Steel: his Head an Helmet wore,  
Fenced with the Tusks of an Aged Boar.  
But him, thus Active, as if he had been  
Then following the Chase of Beasts, within  
The Gargan Woods, when Mago here espied,  
There bold Maharbal; they on either Side  
Charge him. As Bears, more fierce by Hunger made,  
From several Rocks a trembling Bull invade;  
Their Fury not permitting them to share  
Their Prey with Leisure: so both here, and there,  
Against Allius' discharged Weapons flew.  
At length, through both his Sides, the Libyan Yew  
Doth, singing, pierce into his trembling Heart,  
And Death remained ambiguous, to which Dart  
It should give way; for both together there,  
As in their Centre, met. Now full of Fear  
The Roman Troops, with scattered Ensigns, fly;  
Whom to the Banks the Libyan furiously,  
(A Sight of Pity!) wand'ring up and down,  
Pursues, and in the River strives to drown.  
Then Trebia to their Ruin doth conspire,  
And raising, at Saturnia's Desire,  
His fatal Waves, gins a second War  
Against the weary Vanquished: who are  
By Earth, that shrank beneath them, where they stood,  
Devoured, and covered by the treacherous Flood.  
Nor could they from the thick, tenacious Mire,  
(If once engaged) their weary Limbs retire:  
But stand, as bound, and fixed within the Mud,  
Until, overwhelmed by the deceitful Flood,  
Or Ruins of the hollow Banks, some fall;  
While others through the Slippery places crawl,  
And seek through the inextricable Shore,  
Their several Ways to Safety. But, as o'er  
The rotten Bogs they fly, and Ruin think  
To shun, by their own Weight oppressed, they Sink.  
Here one swims swiftly, and now near the Land,  
Snatching the tops of Rushes in his Hand,  
To raise himself above the Flood again,  
Nailed by a Javelin to the Bank, is slain:  
Another, having lost his Weapon, fast  
Within his Arms his struggling Foe embraced,  
And in one Fate, both joined together, died.  
Death in a thousand Shapes, on every Side,  
Appears. There wounded Ligus backward fell  
Upon the Shore; and, as the Flood doth swell  
With Heaps of Bodies, and his Visage laves,  
He sucks in, with his Sighs, the bloody Waves.  
But scarce halfway did fair Hirpinus swim,  
And beckoned to the rest to follow him:  
When, carried by the Streams impetuous Force,  
And gauled with many wounds, his headstrong Horse  
Obeys the Torrent, till with Labour tired,  
Under prevailing Waves, they both expired.  
Yet still these Misery's increase: for, as  
The towered Elephants attempt to pass  
Into the Flood, with Violence they fell  
(As when a Rock, torn from its native Hill  
By Tempest, falls into the angry Main)  
And Trebia afraid to entertain  
Such Monstrous Bodies, flies before their Breast,  
Or shrinks beneath them with their Weight oppressed,  
But as Adversity man's Courage tries,  
And fearless Valour, doth to Honour rise  
Through Danger; stout Fibrenus doth disclaim  
A Death ignoble, or that wanted Fame:  
And cries, My Fate shall be observed, nor shall  
Fortune, beneath these Waters, hid my Fall.  
I'll try, if Earth doth any living bear,  
Which the Ausonian Sword, and Tyrrhen Spear  
Cannot subdue, and kill. With that, he pressed  
His Lance into the right Eye of the Beast,  
That, with blind Rage, the penetrating Blow  
Pursued, and tossing up his mangled Brow,  
Besmeared with reeking Blood, with horrid Cries  
Turns round, and from his fallen Master flies.  
Then with their Darts, and frequent Arrows all  
Invade him, and now dare to hope his Fall.  
His immense Shoulders, and his Sides, appear  
One Wound entire, his dusky Back doth bear  
Innumerable Shafts; that, like a Wood,  
Still waving, as he moved, upon him stood:  
Till in so long a Fight, their Weapons all  
Consumed, he fell, Death hasting through his Fall.  
But now (although a Wound, which by the way  
An Adverse Hand inflicted, did delay  
His Speed a while) implacable with Rage,  
Within the River, Scipio doth engage.  
And with unnumbered Slaughters doth infest  
The Enemy; while Trebia seems oppressed  
With Targets, Helmets, and with Bodies slain;  
And scarce doth any vacant Space remain  
To see the Water. There Mazêus by  
His Lance, there Gostar by his Sword doth die.  
Then against Telgon, who from Pelops sprung,  
And in Cyrene dwelled, a Pile he fling,  
Snatched from the stained Torrent, and within  
His gaping Mouth fixed the whole Steel. His Chin  
Now falls: against his Teeth the trembling Wood  
Rebounds with Noise, and sudden Streams of Blood,  
Together with his Life, flow from the Wound?  
Yet, after Death, no Rest his Body found;  
For Trebia it t' Eridanus conveys,  
Eridanus it tumbles to the Seas.  
With him, and others, Lapsus likewise died,  
To whom the Fates a Sepulchre denied.  
What then availed his rich Hesperides,  
Or Groves by Nymphs frequented? What his Trees,  
That, bearing Gold, extend their shining Boughs?  
But Trebia, swelling, from the Bottom throws  
His curling Waves, unlocketh all his Springs,  
And all his Forces with fresh Fury brings:  
The Billows roar aloud, and, as they fly,  
Still a new Torrent doth their Place supply.  
The General perceiving this, his Blood  
With greater Fury boils. Perfidious Flood  
(Said He) severely shalt thou punished be,  
For this thy Insolence. I'll scatter thee  
In lesser Streams, through all the gallic Coast,  
Until the Name of River thou hast lost.  
I'll choke thee in thy Birth: nor shalt thou flow,  
Through this thy Channel, to the Banks of Po.  
What sudden Rage is this, doth thee invade,  
And thee Sidonian of a Latin made?  
Him boasting thus, the Waters in a Heap  
Assail, and on his lofty Shoulders leap.  
Himself against their Rage He doth oppose,  
And with His Shield sustains their furious Throws.  
Behind, the Storm-raised Surges thicker come,  
And cover His Plumed Helmet with their Foam.  
That He should farther wade, the God denied;  
While from His Feet the slippery Earth doth slide.  
The angry Billows, now, begin a War  
Among themselves, and, striking Rocks, afar  
Diffuse the Noise through all the Neighbouring Coast,  
And in the Fight his Banks the River lost.  
Then, lifting up his streaming Locks, his Brow  
Impailed with Bulrushes, said He, Dost Thou  
So proudly threaten Thy Revenge on Me?  
And that the Name of Trebia shall be  
By Thee extinguished? Oh, Thou Enemy  
To this My Empire! see what Bodies I  
Do bear; that by thy fatal Hand were slain:  
Such Heaps of Shields, and Helmets here remain,  
That they my Waters from my Channel force,  
And I'm constrained to leave my former Course.  
Thou see'st how deep with Slaughter they are stained,  
And backward fly. Restrain thy kill Hand,  
And pitch Thy Camp within this Neighbouring Field.  
This Cytherea from an Hill beheld,  
And, near her, Vulcan; who themselves did shroud  
From Mortal Eyes, within an airy Cloud.  
But Scipio, sighing, lifteth to the Skies  
His Hands, and saith; Ye Gods, whose Auspicies  
Have hitherto preserved Dardanian Rome,  
Must I, at length, a Sacrifice become  
To such a Death, preserved by You of late  
In so great Fights? Is it above my Fate  
To fall by Fortune? Oh, deliver me  
Again (my Son) unto the Enemy;  
That I may die in Battle! and My End  
Unto My Brothers, and to Rome, commend.  
Grieved with this Language, Venus sighed, and all  
Her Husband's Fury on the Flood let's fall.  
O'er all the Banks, the active Flames appear  
Dispersed, and the Streams, that many a Year  
Had there been Nourished by the aged Flood,  
Most furiously devour. The Neighbouring Wood  
Doth likewise burn, and through the highest Groves  

(n) This Fiction alludes to that of Homer, Iliad. XXI. Where the violent Inundation of the River Scamander is restrained by Vulcan, at the Prayer of Achilles.  Vulcan, an uncontrolled Conqueror, moves.  
Now Fir-Trees lose their Arms; the lofty Pines,  
And Alders sink, the Poplar too declines;  
And from their standing Trunks those Branches fell,  
Where Quires of Chanting Birds were wont to dwell.  
Even from the Bottom of the troubled Flood,  
The Fire licks up the Waters, dries the Blood,  
Late shed upon the Banks. The parched Earth,  
(As when rash Phaethon, to prove his Birth,  
Did Fire the World) with Heat excessive cleaves,  
And Heaps of Ashes on the Water's leaves.  
Father Eridanus now thinks it strange,  
That his Eternal Course so soon doth change,  
The Nymphs their liquid Caves with mournful Cries  
Now fill, and, as the Flood endeavoured thrice  
To raise his scorched Head, the God of Fire,  
Throwing a Lamp, constrained him to retire  
Beneath his smoking Waves, and thrice his Head  
Of Reeds deprives: at length, as Vanquished,  
And Weak, submitting to his Conquering Foe,  
'Twas granted in his former Banks to flow.  
Scipio, and Gracchus, then; from Trebia, all  
Their Troops, unto a fenced Hill, recall.  
But Hannibal the River doth adore,  
And, with much Honour, sprinkles near the Shore  
His 
(o) Social Waters, in token, that He then received that Part of the Country into His Protection, and Amity.  Social Waters on the Holy Grass:  
Not knowing how much greater things (alas!)  
The Gods would act. What Woes for Italy  
Were (Thrasimenus) then prepared by Thee.  
Not long before, Flaminius did invade  
The Boii, and an easy Conquest made  
Over that Nation, Weak, and void of all  
Deceit. But to contend with Hannibal  
Required more Toil, more Vigilance, and Skill.  
Him, fatal to his Country, and with ill  
Presages born, Saturnia prepares  
As General, while Italie's Affairs  
Sadly declined: A man most worthy all  
The Mischief, that did on his Country fall.  
For, in the first Day, that he took in Hand  
The Helm of State, and th' Army did command:  
As Mariners, unskilful to convey  
A beaten Ship through a tempestuous Sea,  
Obey the Winds, and leave to every Blast,  
Or Wave, the wand'ring Vessel; which at last  
Is driven by the Pilot's art less Hands  
On Rocks, or else is swallowed up in Sands:  
So, with rash Arms, Flaminius doth invade  
The Lydians, and those Mansions Sacred made  
By ancient 
(p) Corythus, a Town in Tuscany, built by King Corythus, descended of Tyrrhenus, the Son of Atys, King of Maeonias, and Father to Lydus; from whom the Maeonians were called Lydians, whose Colonies were planted in this part of Italy by Tyrrhenus.  Corythus Arrival there;  
And the Maeonian Colonies, that were  
Joined to Italian, by their Grandfires Blood,  
And in the Catalogue of Kindred stood.  
Nor did the Gods neglect to advertise  
The Libyan Captain of an Enterprise,  
That to his Name such Honour might produce.  
For when that Sleep, o'er all the World, his ●uice  
Of Poppy had diffused, and with his Wings  
Had covered o'er the Tedious Care of things.  
juno the Figure of the Neighbouring Flood  
Assumes, and, as he slept, before him stood:  
The dangling Tresses, on her watery Brow,  
Encompassed with a wreathed Poplar-Bough.  
With sudden Cares, she dives into his Breast,  
And with this powerful Language breaks his Rest.  
Oh Hannibal, most happy in thy Fame,  
And unto Italy a fatal Name!  
Who, if th' Ausonian Land had given Thee Birth,  

(q) Deification being peculiar to the Romans.  Mightst with the Gods, when Thou forsakest the Earth  
Hereafter be Enthroned. While yet we may,  
And Fates permit us, banish all Delay:  
The great Success, which Fortune doth allow,  
Not long endures. Go on; the Blood, which Thou  
Didst to thy Father promise, when the War  
Against Rome, before the Altar, Thou didst swear,  
Shall from Ausonian Bodies flow to Thee,  
And Thou Thy Father's Ghost shalt satisfy  
With Slaughter, and to Me securely pay  
Deserved Honours. Therefore now Obey:  
For I that Thrasimenus am, that by  
The Bands, from Tmolus sent, encompassed lie  
Beneath high Hills, and reign in shady Streams.  
By this Advice excited from his Dreams,  
His Army, which the Deity doth fill  
With Courage, straight He leadeth to the Hill.  
High Apenninus, who his Forehead joins  
Unto the Stars, surcharged with lofty Pines,  
Was covered, then, with Ice. Among the steep,  
And slippery Rocks, all Trees, in Snow, as deep  
As is his Height, were hid, and to the Skies  
His hoary Head, with Frost congealed, did rise.  
Here He commands them on: for having crossed  
The Alps, all former Glory had been lost,  
And quite extinguished; had they made a Stand  
At other Mountains: therefore they ascend  
Those broken Cliffs, whose Tops the Clouds invest  
Perpetually with Showers. Nor did they rest,  
When once that Labour they had overcome;  
But straight descend into the Plains, that swum  
With thawing Ice, and where, in Moorish Ground,  
The cold, unfrozen Waters did abound:  
In these unwholesome Fens, the general's bare,  
Uncovered, 
(r) Hannibal, informed that the Roman Army, under the Conduct of Flaminius, was advanced to Arretium (now Arezo) quitted His Winter-Quarters, and passed the nearest Way to meet him through the Fens of Hetruria, lying by the River Aruns; where the excessive Moisture of the Place (besides the great Incommodities to his Army, who were constrained to lay their Baggage under them in the Water, and sleep on it) deprived Him of His left Eye. Liv. lib. 22.  Head, was shaken by the Air,  
And on his bloodless Cheeks his melting Eye  
In Tears descends. While, scorning Remedy,  
He thinks the Time of Battle is to be  
Purchased with any Danger. Therefore He  
Disdains the Beauty of his Face to spare,  
So He may have His Ends; nor doth He care,  
To part with other Limbs, if Victory  
May be the Price, and thinks his single Eye  
Enough; if so a Conqueror He may  
Behold the Capitol: or any way  
Subdue a Foe, that bears the Roman Name.  
Through all these Miseries at length He came  
Unto the (ˢ) Lake, where for His Loss of Sight  
He kills unnumbered Piacles in Fight.  
But now, behold, from Tyrian Carthage sent  
Ambassadors arrive. The first Intent,  
And Motive, of their Journey was of Weight:  
Yet could they nothing of Content relate.  
It was a Custom 'mong those People, where  
Exiled Elisa, first, her Walls did Rear,  
The Favour of the Angry Gods to seek  

(t) This inhuman Custom was common to the Carthaginians, with other more Barbarous People: so that when they were overthrown by Agathocles, the King of Sicily, they believed Saturn, (to whom they offered those horrible Victimes) to be angry with them, and thereupon Sacrificed to him two hundred Noble Children. Diod. lib. 20.  With Humane Slaughter, and (what even to speak  
Is Horror) on their flaming Altars burn  
Their tender Sons. Those Lots an annual Urn  
Revived; the bloody Rites to imitate  
Of Thoantêan Diana: to this Fate,  
And Lot of Heaven, as Custom was, inspired  
Of old, with Malice, Hanno then required  
The Son of Hannibal, although the Fear  
Of his Return, and Arms, did then appear  
As present, for Revenge, to other Eyes.  
Moved by this dire Demand, with mournful Cries,  
Tearing her Hair, and Cheeks, Imilce fills  
The Town. As when, on the Pangaean Hills,  
Edonian Froes their 
(u) The Feast of Bacchinals.  Treiterian Feast  
Perform, and Bacchus reigns in every Breast.  
Imilce so, among the Tyrian Dames,  
(As if she saw her Son amidst the Flames)  
Cries Io, Husband, in what Part soe'er  
O'th' World thou wagest War, Oh, hither bear  
Thine Ensigns; here, here is an Enemy  
More violent, more near. Thou, happily,  
Even at the Wal●s of Rome, receivest now  
Darts, flying, in Thy Target, or dost throw  
A burning Lamp, Tarpeian towers to fire.  
In the mean time, Thy Son, Thy only Heir,  
Even from the Bosom of Thy Country, to  
The Stygian Altar's dragged. Whilst Thou dost go  
To waste Ausonian Houses with Thy Sword,  
Tread in forbidden Paths, break that Accord,  
That League; which, once, by all the Gods was sworn:  
These dire Rewards doth Carthage, now, return  
For Thy Deserts; such Honours unto Thee,  
Ingrateful, She decrees. What Piety  
Is this, the Temples thus with Humane Blood  
To slain? Alas! had Mortals understood  
The Nature of the Gods, this horrid Crime  
Had ne'er been known. Go, and, at such a Time,  
With Holy Frankincense, just Things desire  
Of Heaven; and let those cruel Rites expire.  
The Gods to Men are mild: let it suffice  
(I pray) that we fat Oxen Sacrifice:  
Or, if the Gods resolve, that this Decree  
Shall stand, to Your Desires, accept of Me,  
Me that have born him; why should You deprive  
Libya of those great Hopes, that in him live?  
Why should Aegates more lamented be;  
Or, if the Punic Kingdoms we should see  
Now sinking; then the sad untimely Fall  
Of this brave Offspring of my Hannibal?  
This Speech, the Senate wavering 'twixt a Fear  
Of Gods, and Men, invited, to forbear  
Their Sentence, and to Her 'twas left to choose;  
Whether She would the kill Lot refuse;  
Or else the Honour of the Gods obey.  
At this Imilce trembled, every way  
With Fear distracted: there Her Husband's Ire  
She apprehends; and there the fatal Fire.  
This heard with greedy Ears: the General  
Replies, Dear Carthage, What can Hannibal,  
Though equal to the Gods, return to Thee,  
Worthy such Favours? What Rewards can be  
Invented? Day, and Night, I Arms will bear,  
And make, that to Thy Temples Rome repair,  
With generous victim, that their Blood derive  
From her Quirinus. But My Boy shall live,  
Heir to these Arms, and War, My only Hope;  
And, while Hesperia threats, the only Prop  
Of Tyrian Affairs by Sea, and Land.  
And (Boy) remember that Thou take in Hand,  
And wage a War with Rome, while Life doth last.  
Go on, behold the Alps which I have passed,  
Are open▪ Me succeed in Toils, and War,  
And you my country's Gods, whose Temples are  
By Slaughter Holy made, who'd pleased to be  
Adored with Fears of Mothers, turn to Me  
Your Minds, and pleased Aspect: for I prepare  
Your Sacrifice, and better Altars Rear.  
You Mago, to the Top of yonder Hill  
Conduct your Troops; and let Chaospe fill  
Those nearer to the Left; Sichaeus shall  
Into those Avenues, in Ambush fall.  
While, I will Thrasimenus quickly view,  
With lighter Troops, and for the Gods their Due,  
Of Warlike Sacrifice prepare. For now,  
They, with clear Promises, great things allow,  
Which having seen (dear Countrymen) you may  
Into your native City, home convey.  
The End of the Fourth Book.   



Obivitur telis Nimboque Ruente per Auras  
Contectus, Nulli, dextrâ jactare reliquit   

Flaminum cecidisse sua, nec pugna perempto  
Vlterior● Ductore fuit, finem que dedere.   
Illustriss more. Celsissimoque Principi, Willelmo Frederico, Principi Arausionensium, Comiti Nassoviae Cattimel: Viand: &c: Marchion: Vlissingiae, Bredae, &c: Faederati Belgij, Terra Marique Imperator●: Tabula humillime Dicata  SILIUS ITALICUS OF The Second Punic War. The Fifth Book.  
THE ARGUMENT.  
Flaminius' rash Valour at the Lake  
Of Thrasimenus. The Sidonians take  
The Hills, for Ambush: Prodigies foreshow,  
Before the Fight, the Roman's Overthrow.  
Both Armies (while an Earthquake overthrew  
Cities, and Rivers turned) the Fight pursue.  
But the Sicilian Troops, that basely fly  
The Field: and climb the Trees for Safety, die,  
Together, by Sichaeus, whose sad Fall  
(Soon after by Flaminius slain) by all  
The Libyans is bewailed. Scout Appius killed  
By Mago, whom he wounds; what Slaughters filled  
All Quarters: how Flaminius bravely died;  
Whose Corpse the Romans, slain about him, hid.  
NOW Hannibal, preparing for the Fight,  
With secret Ambush, in the dead of Night,  
The Mountains of Hetraria did invest,  
And all the Passes of the Woods possessed.  
On the Left Hand, there was a Lake, that swelled  
Like a vast Sea, and all the Neighbouring Field,  
O'erflowing, covered with tenacious Slime.  
Here Faun-got Aunus reigned, in Ancient time;  
But, now, 'tis known by Thrasimenus Name,  
Whose Sire 
(a) Tyrrhenus was the Son of Atys, King of Maeonia, who, fearing a Famine, resolved to disburden his own Country, by transplanting some of his People, under the Conduct of one of his two Sons, (Lydus, and Tyrrhenus) the Lot, which was to determine it, fell upon Tyrrhenus; who planted himself in that Part of Italy, which is now called Tuscany. He built twelve Cities, and was so prudent in Establishing his Affairs, that he was feigned to be gray-headed from his Youth. He is said to have invented the Trumpet; and his People improved so eminently in civil Government; that from them the Romans borrowed all their Triumphal, and Consular Ornaments, with their Rods, Axes, & other Ensigns of Authority, as likewise Music, Augury, and Rites of Sacrificing. See Strabo, lib. 5.  Tyrrhenus (Lydian Tmolus Fame)  
To the Italian Coasts, that since do bear  
His Name, Maeonian Colonies, from far,  
By Sea did bring; and is by all Renowned,  
For having taught those Nations, first, to sound  
The Trumpet, and their Silence broke in Fight.  
Yet, not content with this, he doth excite  
His Son to greater things; But, fired with Love  
Of the fair Boy (who with the Gods above,  
For Beauty, might compare) now, Chaste no more,  

(b) Agylle a small City in Tuscany.  Agylle snatched him, walking on the Shore,  
Into the Stream. This Nymph's Lascivious Mind  
Was still to Love of beauteous Boys inclined,  
And the Italian Darts soon warmed her Breast;  
But him the careful Naiades carest  
Within their mossy Caves: while He the Place  
Abhors, and seeks to shun their fond Embrace.  
From hence the Lake, a Dowry to his Fame,  
Still conscious of his Rape, retains his Name.  
And, now, the Chariot of the Dewy Night,  
Its Bounds approached; although the Morn her Light,  
Not yet from her bright Chambers did display,  
But, from the Threshold only, breathed a Ray;  
And Men could less affirm, that Night had run  
Her Course, then that the Day its Race begun:  
When, through byways, the Consul Marched before  
His Ensigns; after Him, the Horse, (no more  
In Order) haste: Next, in Confusion go  
The light-armed Bands; the Foot, disordered, too  
Forsake their Ranks: with them, though used in War,  
Unfit for Fight, the Sutler's mixed are;  
And Ominous Tumults through all Places spread,  
Advancing to the Fight, as if they fled.  
While from the Lake, a Vapour, black as Night,  
Arose, and, quite depriving them of Sight,  
In a dark Mantle of condensed Clouds  
Involves the Skies, and Day desired shrouds.  
But 
(c) Hannibal, understanding the Temper of Flaminius, as a Person rash, and violent, waited all the Country between Cortona, and the Lake Thrasimenus with all the Miseries of War, thereby to provoke his Enemies to fight. Flaminius, not enduring it, as dishonourable, raised his Camp before Aretium, and Marched towards him. But he no sooner came between the Hills, and the Lake, but he found himself encompassed by Hannibal's ●orces; and, unable to draw his Men into Order, they were totally defeated, and the Consul slain. Liv. Book 22,  Hannibal pursues His Fraud the while,  
And, in His Ambush closely sitting still,  
Would not permit them, in their Haste, to be  
Opposed, while all the Shore appeareth free  
From Danger, and neglected by the Foe,  
Who, to their Fall, permits them on to go.  
For they, advancing through a narrow Way,  
(Before designed, their Safety to betray)  
A double Ruin found. The Waters here  
Contract their Passage: there steep Rocks appear,  
And, on the Mountain's Top, within the Wood,  
T' engage them, there a Libyan Party stood,  
Ready to fall on any, that should ●ly  
To a Retreat. So, when a Fisher, by  
A Crystal Brook, an Osier we'll doth twine,  
The Entrance large he makes, but binds within  
The Tonnel Close, contracting by Degrees  
The yielding Tops into a Pyramid;  
Through which deceitful Hole the Fish, with Ease,  
Do enter, but return not to the Seas.  
In the mean time, the furious Consul lost  
His Reason, in this Storm of Fates: in Haste  
He calls his Ensigns on; until, from Sea,  
The Sun's bright Horses re-advanced the Day,  
And Rosy Titan, to revive the World,  
The Clouds, that o'er the Face of Heaven were hurled,  
Had quite dispersed, and sensibly to Hell,  
By his clear Rays resolved, the Darkness fell.  
And then a Bird (which as an old 
(d) Our Ancestors, saith Tully, (lib. De Divinat.) never enterprised a War, before they had first consulted their Augurs. This kind of Augury (for they were several) was frequently used among them: and, if the Birds, (which were commonly Chickens kept in a Coop) refused the Meat thrown before them, the Augur pronounced the Enterprise not pleasing to the Gods; but if greedily devoured it, they encouraged it.  Presage  
The Latins used, before they did engage  
In Fight) he took, t' explore the God's Intent,  
And what should be the following Fight's Event.  
The Bird, Divining future Miseries,  
Refused her Meat, and from it, crying, fly's.  
With that a Bull (a sad Presage!) before  
The Holy Altars, ceased not to roar,  
And, waving with his Neck, the fatal Stroke,  
O'th' falling Axe, the Sacred Place forsaken.  
Besides, as they endeavoured, where they stood,  
To pull their Ensigns up, the Earth black Blood  
Into their Faces spouts; as to foretell  
That Slaughter, which them, afterwards, befell.  
Then jove, the Sea, and Land, with Thunder shook,  
And, snatching Bolts from Aetna's Forges, struck  
The Thras●●enian Lake, that smoking seems  
To burn, and Flames to live within the Streams.  
Oh lost Admonishments, and Prodigies,  
That strive, in vain, to stop the Destinies!  
Even Gods, themselves, must with the Fates dispense.  
And here Corvin●●, famed for Eloquence,  
And of a Noble Name, (whose Helmet bore  
Thy Bird, Apollo, that did long before  
The Valour of his 
(e) Marcus Valerius (a Youth, and a Tribune) seeing a Gaul of extraordinary Stature advance from the rest of the Army, to challenge any Roman to a single Combat, obtained Leave of the Consul to encounter him, and, as he advanced to meet him, a Crow (which is the Bird Sacred to Apollo) took its stand upon his Helmet with its Head towards his Enemy, whose Face, as often as he assaulted Valerius, the Bird furiously invaded; till, terrified with the Omen, the Gaul lost both his Reason, and Courage, and was immediately slain by Valerius, who from thence was called Corvinus.  Grandfather declare,  
Full of the Gods, and, troubled at the Fear  
Of his Companion, intermingled than  
With Counsel Prayers, and with these Words began:  
By the Iliack Flames, the Fate of Rome,  
Our country's Walls, and by our Sons, that from  
This Fight's Event the Fates as yet suspend,  
Yield to the Gods, We pray thee, and attend  
A Time more fortunate for Battle: they  
A Field will give thee, and a better Day.  
Only disdain not Thou t' expect the more  
Propitious Gods, and that more happy Hour,  
Which shall for Libya's Destruction call;  
And when, not forced, as now, our Ensigns all  
Shall follow; when our Birds shall gladly feed,  
And pious Earth no more so strangely bleed.  
How much is left to Fortune in this Place,  
Skilful in War, Thou knowst. Before our Face  
The Foe appears: those woody Hills now threat  
An Ambush; on the left Hand no Retreat  
The Lake allows: the Pass is narrow too  
Between those Hills. It's Wisdom then in you  
With Stratagems to strive, and fight Delay,  
Until with fresh Supplies, Servilius may  
Arrive, that with you, in Command, doth share,  
And's Forces, in the Legions, equal are.  
The War with Policy we must pursue:  
To th' fight Man the least of Honour's due.  
Corvinus thus exhorts: the Captains were  
No less importunate, and all with Fear  
Divided. Sometimes for Flaminius pray  
Unto the Gods: then him entreat t' obey  
The Powers Divine, and not their Will oppose.  
With that his kindled Fury higher rose,  
And hearing (full of Rage) that new Supplies  
Would soon be there; Saw you not Me (he cries)  
When in the Boian War I charged, and when  
So great a Ruin, and such dreadful Men  
Came on: that, the Tarpeian Rock again  
Did tremble, than what Multitudes were slain  
By me? How, then, this vengeful Hand the Ground  
Bestrewed with Bodies, which the deepest Wound  
Can scarce destroy: yet were they forced to yield,  
And now their scattered Bones oppress the Field.  
Therefore Servilius Arms may come too late  
To this brave Action, if you think not that  
I cannot overcome, unless I share  
My Triumphs; and, contented am to bear  
A part of Honour; but the Gods do seem  
T' advise us otherwise. Oh do not Dream  
(You that now fear the Trumpets Sound) of Gods,  
So like yourselves. Our trusty Swords are odds,  
And Augury enough, against the Fo.  
The best Presage the Roman Soldiers know,  
Is, that, in Feats of Arms, they do excel;  
Must it be then resolved that I sit still  
Corvinus, basely thus within a Vale  
Besieged, while the Sidonians do prevail  
Against Arretia's Walls, and level to  
The Ground, the Tower of Corythus, and go  
Thence to Clusinum, and at length may come  
Untouched, unto the very Walls of Rome?  
Vain Superstition! a Deformity  
In men of Arms! Valour alone should be  
The Goddess that should o'er their Souls command.  
Troops of sad Ghosts, by Night about us stand,  
Whose Corpse are tumbled still in Trebia's Waves,  
And swift Eridanus, and want their Graves.  
Thus having said, without Delay, he quits  
Th' Assembly; and, Inexorable, fits  
His last unhappy Arms: a Sea-Bulls Hid  
His Helmet lines, and on the Top (its Pride)  
A triple Crest ascends, and largely spreads  
A Main, the Locks resembling of the Swedes:  
Above was Scylla, waving in her Hand,  
A broken Oar, and Dogs about her stand  
With gaping Jaws. This noble Trophy, He  
Gained near Garganus, and the Victory,  
So pleased him (having slain the Boian King)  
That, fitted to his Head, he used to bring  
This, as his Glory, into every Fight.  
Then takes his Coat of Mail, whose Scales were knit  
To Chains of Steel, and studded o'er with Gold.  
Next he assumes his Shield, where they behold  
The Stains of Celtic Blood, which He before  
In Battle shed: and, in it carved, he bore  
A she-Wolf's Figure, in her gloomy Den,  
Licking a Child's soft Limbs, as it had been  
Her Whelp, and nursed of the Assarick Line  
A Stem, that afterwards was made 
(f) Romulus' Deified.  Divine.  
At last, he girds his Sword, and to's Right Hand  
Makes fit his Lance. Hard by doth ready stand  
His Horse; which, covered with a Tiger's Hide,  
Champs on his frothy Bit with pleasing Pride.  
Then mounted, where the way between the Hills  
Was straight, thus with Encouragement he fills  
His Men. Your Work, and Honour, it will be  
(Dear Countrymen) to let your Parents see  
Fixed on a Spear, and born, with Joy, through all  
The Streets of Rome, the Head of Hannibal.  
That Head may satisfy for all the rest:  
Let each man therefore fancy in his Breast,  
What may excite his Rage, and thus deplore;  
My Brother, now, upon Ticinus Shore  
Unburied lies. Alas! my Son through all  
The Po now swims, and wants a Funeral.  
Thus to himself let every Man prepare  
Revenge; but as to you, who have no Share  
Of private Grief, let those great things, which fire  
A public Soul, inflame your greater Ire.  
Think they have broken through the Alpine Hills;  
And then remember those Nefandous Ills  
Sagunthus suffered, what a Sin it was  
In them, Iberus Sacred Bounds to pass,  
And now even Tiber touch. For while, in Vain,  
With Birds, and Entrails, Augurs you detain;  
It only wanteth, now, that he invade  
The Capitol. This when he ' d eager said,  
And seeing that his Horse, amidst the Crowd  
Of thousands, raised his cloudy Mane, aloud  
He cries; To fight, my Orphitus, must prove  
Thy Task. What other to Feretrian jove  
Opimous Offerings can in Triumph bare?  
For why should any Hand this Honour share  
With Me? Then moves, and hearing a known Voice  
In Fight, Far hence (said he) that Martial Noise  
Shows thee to be Murranus: and I Thee  
Already high in Tyrian Slaughter see.  
How great a Praise attends thee? but (I pray)  
Let thy Sword wider make that narrow Way.  
Then knowing (born upon Soracte's Hill)  
Aequanus, who in Beauty did excel,  
And Arms (the Customs of whose Country were,  
The Entrails thrice, through harmless Flames to bear;  
When as the Pious Archer did desire  
To offer Sacrifice in Holy Fire)  
Noble Aequanus, may'st thou ever so  
Unburnt, on Phoebus' flaming 
(g) 
That some Relics of this Superstition was remaining in Pliny's Time, he testifies lib. 7. cap. 2. in these Words. Not far from Rome, in the Territories of the Falisci, are some few Families, called the Hirpiae; who▪ in an Annual Sacrifice to Apollo, on the Hill Soracte, walk without Harm on burning Coals, and for that, by a Decree of the Senate, were discharged from all Duty of War.   Altars go,  
And conquering the Smoke, so every Year  
To the pleased God (said he) thy Offering bear.  
Worthy thy Deeds, and Wounds, conceive a Rage:  
Accompanied by Thee, I dare engage  
To penetrate through the Marmarick Bands,  
Or charge Cinyphian Troops. With that he stands  
No longer to advise, or to delay  
With Words that Fight, which by the Romans may  
Be 
(h) In this Battle were slain fifteen thousand men, and ten thousand scattered through all Hetr●ria, and many wounded. The Consul, Flaminius, slain upon the Place, and never found by Hannibal, who diligently sought his Body to give it Burial: all, that returned after this Fight to Rome, were received with such Joy, that two Mothers, at sight of their Sons, fell dead in the Ecstasy.  long deplored. The Signal ev'rywhere  
Is giv●n, and fatal Trumpets rend the Air.  
Oh Grief! Oh Tears, which, in so long Descent  
Of Ages, cannot, now, too late be spent!  
I Tremble, as if now those Mischiefs all  
Were acted; as if Libian Hannibal,  
And armed Asturians, from their Hills did bring,  
Or the fierce Balearick with his Sling.  
Now numerous Troops of Macians, Nomades,  
And Garamantians sally forth: with these  
The Warlike, stout Cantabrians; than whom,  
With Mercenary Hands, none sooner come  
To fight; or hired Arms more gladly bear:  
And Gascons too, that Helmets scorn to wear.  
On this Side, horrid Rocks; on that, the Lake:  
Here clashing Arms, with the loud Shouts they make,  
Amaze, and urge: beside the Signal from  
The Tyrian Camp, through all the Hills, doth come.  
The Gods, their Faces turning from the Field,  
Unwillingly to greater Fates do yield.  
Even Mars, thy Fortune (Hannibal) doth fear;  
Sad Venus weepeth, with dishevelled Hair;  
Apollo, to his Delos, doth retire,  
And strives to ease his Grief with mournful Lyre.  
juno, alone, on Appeninus stood  
Expecting Slaughter, hating Trojan Blood.  
But, as if forcing Heaven, and free from Fear,  
In their own Hands, th' incensed Soldiers bear  
Predestined Piacles, and kill again  
Fresh Sacrifice, in Fight, to those were slain.  
First, the Picenian Bands, when they beheld  
The Cohorts dissipated, and repelled,  
And Hannibal advancing furiously,  
Charge Him with Courage, and, before they die,  
Amaze the Conqueror (whom they invade)  
To see the Slaughters, that their Valour made.  
For, now, with one Consent, and Force, a Shower  
Of Piles upon the Libyan Troops they pour,  
And when repulsed, their fixed Targets all,  
Pressed with the Weight of crooked Shafts, let fall.  
This with their general's Presence doth excite  
The Libyans Rage; who mutually to fight  
Exhort each other, and so closely pressed  
Upon their Foes, they fought them Breast to Breast.  
Her Torch Bellona shaking through the Air,  
And springkling, with much Blood, her flaming Hair,  
Through both the Armies, up, and down, doth flee,  
And▪ from her horrid Breast, Tisiphone  
A deadly Murmur sends: while to engage,  
The fatal Trumpets all their Minds enrage.  
These by their adverse Fortune, and Despair  
Of future Safety, animated are:  
Them more propitious Gods, and Victory,  
Smiling upon them with a joyful Eye,  
Encourage, favoured by the God of War.  
But Lateranus, while enticed, too far  
With Love of Slaughter, furious on he goes,  
At length engaged stood among his Foes:  
When Lentulus, of equal Age, him spied,  
Too much with Fight, and Blood, on every Side  
Oppressed, and midst an Army to provoke  
The Fates, with a brisk Charge, to aid him, broke  
Through all the Ranks; and Baga, then about  
To wound him in the Back (though fierce, and stout)  
Prevented with his Spear, and doth attend  
The Fate, and hard Adventures of his Friend.  
With cheerful Courage, now, their Arms they join,  
Their Fronts, and Crests, with equal Glory shine.  
When Syrticus, by Chance (for who durst move  
Arms against them, unless by Stygian jove  
Condemned to die?) descending from the Hill,  
Armed with a broken Oak, upon them fell:  
And as the weighty Tree about he waves,  
With Thirst of both their Deaths, thus vainly raves.  
Not here (fond Youths) Aegates, nor a Coast  
Treacherous to Seamen, nor the Ocean, tossed  
By new-raised Tempests, shall on you bestow  
Fortune, without a War. You now shall know,  
That once were Conquerors at Sea, by Land  
What Libyan Warriors are, nor us withstand  
Within a better Empire. As he spoke,  
At Lateranus with the ponderous Oak  
He strikes, and fight rails: when Lentulus,  
Gnashing his Teeth for Anger, meets him thus.  
Sooner shall Thrasimenus raise his Flood  
To those high Hills, then in his Pious Blood  
That thy pernicious Tree thou shalt imbrue.  
And, as he stretched himself to strike, quite through  
His Body pierced him: through the gaping Wound  
The reeking Gore flows largely to the Ground.  
No less, in other Quarters of the Field,  
Imcensed to mutual Wounds, their Fury swelled.  
By tall Hiertes Nereus fell: and by  
Rullus brave Volunx, rich in Land, doth die.  
Nor Riches heaped, nor Palaces, that shined  
With's country's Ivory, to which were joined  
His Vassal Villages, could now withhold  
His Fate. What boots extorted Wealth▪ or Gold,  
Which Men, with Thirst insatiable, pursue?  
Whom Fortune richly did of late endue  
With her most wealthy Gifts, is, naked, now  
By Charon wafted, to the Shades below.  
There Warlike Appius, though but young in Years,  
Great in Attempts, the Field with Slaughter clears:  
And where of greatest Strength, and Valour, none  
Else durst aspire, there Honour He, alone,  
Achieves. Him Atlas meeting (Atlas, who,  
Sprang from Iberian Blood, did vainly blow  
Remotest Sands) thrusts at his Face a Lance:  
The Top whereof, as it doth lightly glance,  
And raze the Skin, tasteth his Noble Blood.  
Like Thunder now, or a Storm-raised Flood  
He threats. New Flames, within his furious Eyes,  
Are kindled: mad, like Lightning, than he flies  
Through all th' opposing Troops; his Wound, that sends  
Blood from beneath his Cask, the rest commends  
Of his stout Martial Limbs: then might you see  
The trembling Youth, contending, as they flee,  
To hid themselves. As, when th' affrighted Deer  
An Hircan Tiger follows; or with Fear  
Doves fly the towering Hawk; or as the Hare,  
When she beholds the Eagle, in the Air,  
Ready to stoop, to Covert runs with Speed:  
Here with his Sword, he lops off Atlas Head.  
And his Right Hand then, raging▪ on doth go,  
Charging, more furious by Success, his Fo.  
For armed with a bright Axe, and, in the Sight  
Of's Father Mago, to engage in Fight  
Ambitious: big with Hopes of Praise, there stood  
Cinyphian Isalces, vainly proud  
Of promised Nuptials, when the Roman War  
Should ended be. But Appius sets a Bar  
To these his Hopes, and with such Fury came  
Against him; that, as he his Axe, with Aim,  
Directed at his Face, so strong a Stroke  
Fierce Appius, rising higher, gave, he broke  
His Sword upon his Cask. Isalces too  
Upon his T●●get gives as vain a Blow.  
With that a Stone, which, had not Anger lent  
Him Strength, he could not lift, now almost Spent,  
At's Foe stout Appius throws: it's weighty Fall  
Him backward fells, and breaks his Bones withal.  
When Mago saw him fall (for near at hand  
He fought) he wept beneath his Helmet, and  
Groaning with Rage, came on. Th' Alliance late  
By them contracted, and the Nephews, that  
He thence expected, fire his Thoughts the more.  
But as, with nearer View, he doth explore  
Appius his Shield, large Members, and the Rays  
Of's Helmet▪ him a while that Sight delays.  
As when a Lion from a shady Hill  
In haste descends, his hungry Gorge to fill,  
He stands, and soon contracts his Speed, if he  
Within the Plain a Bull approaching see;  
Though with long Hunger pressed, he views his high,  
Thick, rising Neck; admires his threatening Eye  
Beneath a rugged Brow, while he prepares  
For Fight, and Earth, to give the Signal, tears.  
First Appius spoke, as he a Javelin threw;  
If thou hast any Piety, pursue  
Thy Contract, and accompany thy Son  
In Death. With that the flying Weapon run  
Quite through his brazen Arms, until it struck  
His Left Arm, and in it, deep wounding, stuck.  
The Libyan Return of Words forbore.  
But with his Spear (which Hannibal before  
Sagunthus Walls, a Conqueror had ta'en  
From Noble Durius, there in Battle slain,  
And to his Brother gave; which, with Delight,  
He, a brave Trophy, bore in every Fight)  
Charged him. Grief lending Force, the Weapon through  
His Cask, and Mouth inflicts a deadly Blow;  
And, as he strove to draw it from the Wound,  
His Hands, soon bloodless, fell. Upon the Ground,  
Appius, a Name through the Maronian Sea,  
Renowned, a great Part of Rome's Ruin, lay.  
And in his bloody Mouth, expiring, there  
Crushed, and, with murmuring, bites the fatal Spear.  
The Lake then trembled: from his Body dead,  
With Waves contracted, Thrasimenus fled.  
Next, with no better Fates, Mamercus dies,  
And wounded falls, by all his Enemies.  
For where the Lusitanian Cohorts fought,  
Gained with much Blood, and Valour, as he brought  
A Standard, whose stout Bearer he had slain,  
And called his flying Countrymen again,  
His Foes, in●ens'd at what they saw him do,  
What ever in their Hands was Missile threw,  
And likewise all, that Earth, then covered o'er  
With Darts, and Spears, afforded (like a Shower  
Of Hail) upon him falls, and greater Store  
Of Darts no single Roman felt before.  
Thus stout Mamercus fell, and at his Fall,  
Vexed at his Brother's Hurt, came Hannibal,  
And raging asked (when He the Wound espied)  
Now him, than his Companions, If his Side  
The Spear had pierced? or, if within the Wound  
'Twere fixed? But, when no fear of Death he found'st  
Nor Danger, from the Field he straight was sent,  
Covered with His own Coat, into His Tent,  
Within the Camp, and free from Trouble: there  
For Cure all medicinal Arts prepared were  
By Learned Synalus, who did infuse,  
Bathing the Wound throughout, the healing Juice  
Of choicest Herbs, and, with a secret Charm  
The Weapon straight extracted from his Arm,  
Him with a crooked Snake to Sleep compelled:  
All other Synalus in Skill excelled,  
And for it was through all the Neighbouring Land,  
And Cities, famed, o'th' 
(i) Paretonium, a Town in Libya Marmarica, lying upon a vast Tract of Sand, abounding with Serpents. Strab. lib. 17.  Paretonian Sand.  
To Synalus (his Grandfather) of old  
Those Secrets Garamantick Hammon told,  
And how the Bitings of wild Beasts to heal,  
And deepest Wounds of Weapons did reveal.  
He those Celestial Gifts, while yet he lived,  
Transmitted to his Son; who them derived  
To th' Honour of his Heir: whom Synalus,  
As great in Fame, succeeds, and, Studious  
His Garamantick Secrets to improve,  
(As a Companion once to Horned jove)  
With many Images, his Grand-sire's Line  
Deduced. Now, when he brought those Gifts Divine  
In Haste (as Custom was) his Garments round  
Tucked up, with Water first he purged the Wound  
From Blood. But Mago, thinking on the Spoils,  
And Death, of his slain Foe, his Brother's Toils,  
And Cares, with Words of Courage, thus alleys,  
And eased his own Mishaps, with Thoughts of Praise.  
Cease from Thy Fears (dear Brother) to my Wound  
No greater Remedy can now be found:  
Great Appius, by me compelled, is gone  
To th' Shades below, and we enough have done,  
Since He is dead, I, willingly, can go  
To Hell itself, after so brave a Fo.  
But, when the Consul from an Hill beheld,  
That this the Libyan Captain from the Field  
Had, troubled, turned; that in their Trenches they  
(As if the Clouds of War were vanished) lay;  
With sudden Fury, for his Horse he calls,  
And, from the Hill descending, fiercely falls  
Upon the trembling Files; which, now grown thin,  
He routs, and in the Valley doth begin  
The Fight again. As when the Clouds above,  
Surcharged with rattling Hail, dissolve, and jove,  
Mixing his Thunder with their Torrent, shakes  
The Alps, and high Ceraunian Rocks, and makes  
The World (thus moved) the Earth, the Sea, the Air,  
To tremble, and even Hell itself to fear:  
So, like a sudden Tempest, from the Hill,  
The Consul on the frighted Lybians fell.  
The Sight of Him i'll Horror strikes into  
Their Bones; while he through thickest Ranks doth go.  
And, with his Sword, cuts out a spacious Way.  
With that, confused Cries to Heaven convey  
The Fury of the Fight, and strike the Stars.  
As, when the angry Seas against the Bars  
Of Hercules do beat, and roaring Waves  
Throws into lofty Calpe's hollow Caves,  
The Mountain groans; and, as, with furious Shocks,  
The foaming Billows break against the Rocks,  
Tartessos, though far distant thence by Land,  
And Lixus, that by no small Sea doth stand  
Divided thence, at once the Echo share.  
By a swift Dart, that Silent through the Air  
Had passed, before the rest doth Bogus fall:  
Bogus, who at Ticinus, first of all,  
Against the Rutuli his Javelin fling,  
And vainly thought, that Clotho would prolong  
His Thread of Life, and that a numerous Line  
Of Nephews he should see, by the false Sign  
Of flying Birds deceived. But none have power  
By Augury to remove the fatal Hour.  
'Mid'st Storms of Darts he falls; and to the Skies  
Lifting, in vain, his dim, and bleeding Eyes,  
O'th' Gods, misunderstood, as he expires,  
The Promises of longer Life requires.  
Neither could Bagasus then boast, in Fight  
That he, unpunished, in the Consul's Sight,  
Had conquered Libo stripped; who vainly there  
The Laurel of his Ancestors did wear.  
But a Massilian Sword lops off his Head,  
And, on his Cheeks as Down began to spread,  
The barbarous Soldier, by untimely Death,  
Suppressed his rising Years. Yet his last Breath  
Did not in vain implore Flaminius' Aid:  
For straight, by him, his Foe was headless made:  
As pleased that, after his Example, by  
The same sad Death the Conqueror should die.  
What God, O Muses, aptly can rehearse  
So many Funerals? Or who, in Verse,  
Worthy such Noble Shades, lament their Fall?  
Or tell how there the Early Youth did all  
Contend in Death for Honour? Or what then,  
Even in the Porch of Death, more Aged men  
Performed? What Courage of unconquered Hearts  
They showed; when as their Breasts were filled with Darts?  
On either Side, as Furious they engage,  
They Frequent fell, nor would their Eager Rage  
Allow them Time to Spoil, or Thoughts of Prey,  
Which their Desire of Slaughter takes away.  
The Consul, while, within the Camp, the Foe  
The Wound of Mago kept, now Darts doth throw;  
Then used his Sword, and, mounted on his Horse,  
Through Myriad of Men, his Way doth force:  
Sometimes afoot before the Eagles goes;  
While Blood the fatal Valley overflows  
With numerous Streams, and th' hollow Rocks, and Hills,  
The Noise of Horse, and Arms, with Echo fills.  
Marmarick Othrys, in the Field, among  
The rest, advanced to fight. His Body strong  
Above all humane Strength: the very Sight  
Of his Gigantic Members turned to Flight  
The trembling Wings: his Shoulders, largely spread,  
Above both Armies raised his lofty Head.  
Rude, like an Horse's Mane, his Tresses hung  
Upon his lowering Brows: his Beard as long  
O'er shadowing his Mouth: his squalid Breast  
The horrid Bristles of a Boar expressed.  
Scarce any dare look on him, or come near  
To fight him. Like a Monster every where  
He rangeth through the Field, from Danger free:  
Till, turning his fierce Looks on those that flee,  
A Cretan Arrow, mounting to the Skies  
With silent Wings, in one of's glaring Eyes  
Doth falling fix, and turneth him aside  
From the Pursuit. Which, when the Consul spied  
He lanceth at his Back, as he retreats  
Towards the Camp, a Dart, that penetrates  
(Breaking his naked Ribs) his Body through,  
And in his bristled Breast the Head doth show.  
To draw it forth, with Hast, he labours, where  
The fatal shining Point did first appear;  
Till, the Blood largely flowing to the Ground,  
He fell, and crushed the Weapon in the Wound.  
His last Breath, waving through the Field, doth rear  
The Dust, and heaves a Cloud into the Air.  
In the mean time, a different War, the Hills,  
The Woods, and Cliffs, with various Slaughter fills;  
The Rocks, and Thorns, as died with Blood appear.  
The Cause of their Destruction, and their Fear,  
Sychaeus was: who, at a Distance, slew  
Murranus with a Lance; than whom none knew,  
In time of Peace, more sweetly with his Quill  
To touch Orphaean Nerves, or had more Skill.  
In a vast Wood he fell, and, even in Death,  
Looked for the Aequanian Hills (where first his Breath  
He drew) in Wine most fertile; and for fair  
Surentum, where the Zephyrs purge the Air.  
To his sad Fate conquering Sychaeus joined  
Another's Fall: and in that new sad Kind  
Of cruel Fight rejoiced. For, while into  
The Wood, Tauranus, rashly, did pursue  
The straggling Foe; too far engaged, as he  
Secured his Back, against an aged Tree,  
From Blows, and vainly his Companions calls  
With his last Breath, he by Sychaeus falls:  
And, piercing through his Body, in the Wood,  
Behind him fixed, the Tyrian Javelin stood.  
But what did You unto yourselves prepare?  
What Anger of the Gods? What sad Despair  
Your Minds possessed? Who, quitting Fight, did fly  
To Arms of Trees for your Security?  
Fear, in distressed Affairs, adviseth still  
The worst; and, whensoe'er th' Event is ill,  
It argues want of Courage. In the Wood,  
It's Branches to the Skies extending, stood  
An aged Tree: which, high above the rest,  
Into the highest Clouds, aspiring, pressed  
Its shady Head, and (had it stood within  
An open Field) as it a Grove had been,  
To a most large extent, the darkened Ground  
Had covered with its Shade. Near that they found  
An Oak, which, there through many Ages grown,  
Endeavoured to the Stars its mossy Crown  
To raise, and from its spreading Trunk did fill  
The Arms with Leaves, and shadowed all the Hill.  
Hither the Cohorts, sent from Sicily,  
Not daring to prevent their Infamy  
By Death, and yielding up their Minds to Fear,  
Contend with Speed to fly; and climbing there,  
The Wavering Boughs, with their uncertain Weight  
Oppressed, and all contending to be at  
The safest Place, some shaken from their Stand,  
Fall to the Ground, by rotten Branches, and  
The aged Tree deceived; some Trembling hung  
Still on the Top, among the Darts were fling  
Against them by the Fo: until resolved,  
That in one Ruin all should be involved  
At once, Sychaeus laid his Shield aside,  
His Weapons changed, and straight an Axe employed,  
Late sharpened for the Fight. With him the rest  
Hasten the Work, and all the Tree invest;  
Which now, through frequent Blows declining, cracks  
Aloud: and, as the weakened Body shakes,  
Th' unhappy Troop upon it, to, and fro  
Are tottering tossed. So, when the Zephyrs blow  
Upon an ancient Grove, the Birds, that there,  
On the weak Tops of Trees, their Nests prepare,  
Are tossed, and made the Sport of every Blast.  
O'ercome with many Blows, the Oak, at last,  
(Their most unhappy Sanctuary) doth fall,  
And, in its spacious Ruin, crushed them all.  
Then doth another Face of Death appear;  
That Tree, that to their Slaughter was so near,  
Shines, and is seized by active Flames: among  
The Leaves, and Branches dry, and growing strong  
Vulcan his Globes of furious Fire doth turn  
To every Side, and highest Boughs doth burn.  
Nor do the Libyans cease their Darts to cast;  
While Bodies, half-consumed by Fire, embraced  
The burning Arms, and with them, groaning, fell.  
But amidst this Destruction (sad to tell)  
The incensed Consul came, and busied all  
His Thoughts on Rage, and fierce Sychaeus fall.  
The Danger of so great an Enemy  
Prompts the brave Youth, his Fate again to try  
With's Lance; which lightly on the brazen brim  
Of's Shield he placed, thereby to hinder him  
To pass through that Defence: the Consul, loath  
To trust the Fortune of Sychaeus Death  
To missile Weapons, with his Sword advanced,  
And, maugre his thick Shield, so deeply lanced  
His Side, he fell, expiring, to the Ground  
Upon his Face. Death, entering at the Wound,  
With Stygian Cold, through every Part doth creep,  
His Eyes composing to Eternal Sleep.  
While thus the God of War himself applies,  
To Interchanges of sad Tragedies,  
Mago, and Hannibal the Camp forsake,  
And, in their speedy March, their Ensigns take  
Along; most eager to repair the Time,  
That they were absent, by a greater Crime  
Of Blood, and Slaughter: with their furious Pace,  
The Troops, advancing, raise in every Place  
Thick Clouds of Dust (like Whirlwinds) to the Skies;  
And with the Sand the Field doth seem to rise:  
And wheresoever the Gen'ral bends his Course,  
Like a strong Tempest, with impetuous Force,  
Through the vast Air it swells, and highest Hills  
Covers with horrid Darkness. Here he kills  
Valiant Fontanus, wounded in the Thigh:  
There, pierced quite though the Throat, stout Bucca by  
His Spear was slain; the Point through th' Wound appears  
In's Neck behind: 
(k) A City, where he was born.  Fregella him with Tears  
Bewailed, renowned for's ancient Descent:  
Th' other his fair 
(l) A City in Campania.  Anagnia did lament.  
Like Fate (Levinus) thee befell, although  
Thou didst not choose the Tyrian King thy Foe;  
But with Hiremon, who then led the light  
Autololes, contend'st in single Fight:  
Whom, wounded in the Knee, and Prostrate, while  
Thou dost keep down, and vainly seek to spoil,  
With cruel Force, an heavy Javelin broke  
Thy Ribs; thy Body by the fatal Stroke,  
With sudden Ruin, on thy prostrate Foe  
Doth fall, and Both in Death together go.  
Nor were the Sidicinian Cohorts then  
Wanting in Valour: these (a thousand Men)  
Stout Viridasius armed, whose Skill did yield  
To none, to guide a Ship, or pitch a Field;  
None sooner could with battering Rams prevail  
Against Walls, or sooner highest towers could scale.  
Him, when the Libyan General beheld,  
With the Successes of his Valour swelled,  
(For he Avaricus, not trusting to  
His Arms, and by him Hurt, did then pursue)  
His Anger rising higher, at that Sight,  
He thought him worthy with Himself to fight:  
And, from Avaricus as he withdrew,  
His wounding Spear upon him fiercely flew,  
And, piercing deep into his Breast, said He;  
Praised be thy Valour, whosoever thou be;  
'Tis pity Thou by other Hands shouldst fall.  
The Honour, thus to die by Hannibal,  
Bear to the Shades below; and, were not Thou  
Born of Italian Blood, thy Life should now  
Be spared: next him, he Fabius slew, and bold  
Labicus, who in feats of Arms was old,  
And long before, in 
(m) Sicily, from the River of that Name.  Arethusa's Land,  
Had with Amilcar fought, and Honour gained:  
And, now, unmindful of his broken years,  
With Courage fresh, again in Arms appears:  
But that He now grew cold in War, his Blows  
More vain betray (the Fire, so, weakly glows  
In dying Embers, that no Strength at all,  
The Flame retains) him, when fierce Hannibal  
(Showed by His Father's Armourbearer) spied,  
Thy former Fight's due Punishment (He cried)  
Receive, by this my Hand: Amilcar now  
Revenging, drags thee to the Shades below.  
This said, from's Ear, with Aim, a Dart he throws,  
Which, as upon the Wound he turned, goes  
Quite through his Head, the fatal Shaft again  
Pulled out, his hoary Locks, a Crimson Stain,  
Of Blood, receive, and his long Labours all,  
In Death are ended. Next to him doth fall  
Herminius (a Youth) who first, there took  
Up Arms, before accustomed with his Hook,  
(Famed Thrasimenus) in thy Lake to prey,  
And to his aged Father oft convey  
Delicious Food, and with his Angle, from  
The Neighbouring Waters drew the Fishes Home.  
But, now the Carthaginians, sad, convey  
Upon their Arms, Sichaeus Corpse away,  
Unto the Camp, whom with a mournful Cry  
Pressing along, as Hannibal doth spy.  
With a Presaging Grief He strikes his Breast,  
What is this Sadness that's by you expressed  
My Friends? (said He) of what hath us the Ire  
Of Heaven deprived? Thee burning with Desire  
Of Praise, Sichaeus, and too great a Love  
Of thy first War, doth this Black day remove  
From Life, and Us, by an untimely Fall?  
With that he groaned, to which the Tears of all,  
That bore him, do Consent, who likewise tell,  
Weeping, by whose revengeful Hand he fell.  
I see it in his Breast (said He) see where  
The Wound was made by the Ilîack 
(n) Roman.  Spear:  
Oh worthy our dear Carthage shalt thou go,  
And worthy Hasdrubal, to Ghosts below.  
Nor shall thy Noble Mother thee lament,  
Degenerate, from thy so high Descent.  
Nor, as unlike thy Ancestors, from Thee  
In Stygian Shades, shall our Amilcar flee.  
But these our Tears Flaminius, this Day,  
(The Cause of all) by's Death shall wipe away:  
This Pomp, thy Funeral shall sure attend,  
And impious Rome herself shall, in the End,  
That my Sichaeus Body with her Sword  
She ne'er had wounded, any Rate afford.  
Thus he his Fury vents, and, as he speaks,  
From's foaming Mouth, like Smoke, a Vapour breaks  
His Rage in broken Murmurs from his Breast  
Extrudes that Breath, that should have Words express▪  
(So from a boiling Pot in scalding Heaps,  
Like Waves, through too much Heat, the Liquor leaps)  
Then with blind Rage, into the midst of all,  
He Runs, and Rends the Air, as He doth call  
Upon Flaminius; who no sooner hears  
His Voice, but to the Combat he appears,  
And Mars more near approached; while Hand, to Hand,  
To fight within the Lists, both Champions stand.  
Then straight, through all the Rocks a sudden Crack  
Doth run: the Mountains all with Horror shake;  
Their Tops do tremble, and the Grove of Pines  
That crowned them, from its pleasant Height declines:  
And broken Quarries on the Armies fall;  
Groaning, as pulled from her Foundations, all  
The 
(o) The Poet in this, agrees with Livy, who affirms, the Fury of the Soldiers to be such, that neither Side were sensible of that Earthquake, which subverted a great part of many Cities in Italy, turned the Course of Torrents, transported the Sea into Rivers, and with a terrible Noise, tore Mountains asunder. lib. 22.  Earth doth quake, and breaking strangely wide  
Through the vast Gulf, where Stygian Shades descried,  
And feared the Day again. The troubled Lake  
Raised to the highest Hills, forced to forsake  
Its ancient Seat, and Channel, with a Flood  
Before unknown, now laves the Tyrrhen Wood:  
This Storm the People, and the Towns of Kings,  
Like a dire Plague to sad Destruction brings.  
Besides all this, the Rivers backward run,  
And fight with Mountains, and the Sea begun  
To change its Tides, the Fauns now quit the Hill  
Of Apennine, and fly to Floods, yet still  
The Soldier (O the Rage of War!) although  
The reeling Earth doth toss him too, and fro,  
Fights on, and as he falls, deceived by  
Th' unconstant Ground, throws at his Enemy  
His trembling Darts, till wand'ring here, and there,  
The Daunian Youth distracted through their Fear,  
Fly to the Shore, and leap into the Stream.  
The Consul, who by Chance was mixed with them,  
That by the Earthquake fell, their Fight, in vain,  
Upbraids. What then; I pray you, doth remain  
To such as fly? To Hannibal thus you  
His Way unto the Walls of Rome doth show:  
You put both Fire, and Sword into His Hand,  
Against Jove's Tarpeian Tower: Oh Soldiers stand,  
And Learn by me to fight; If ye deny  
To fight at all, then Learn of me to die;  
Flaminius' to Posterity shall give  
No vile Example; and while I do live,  
No Libyan, or Cantabrian, shall see  
A Consul's Back, although alone I be.  
But, if so great a Thirst, and Rage of Flight  
Your Minds invades, their Weapons all shall light  
Upon this Breast; and, after this my Fall,  
My Ghost into the Fight shall you recall.  
While thus he vents his Grief, and doth advance▪  
To meet his numerous Foes, with Countenance,  
And Mind as Cruel, forth Ducarius came,  
Who from his Ancestors derived his Name;  
And, since the Boian Army's Overthrow,  
Those Wounds, which he received so long ago,  
As Marks of barbarous Courage, did retain,  
And, knowing the proud Conqu'rour's Face again,  
Art Thou the Boians greatest Terror? I  
(Said he) by this my wounding Dart will try,  
If th' Blood of such a Body may be shed:  
Nor be You slack, more vulgar Hands, that Head  
To Sacrifice to valiant Ghosts; 'twas he,  
Who in his Chariot, proud of Victory,  
Our captived Fathers to the Capitol  
Drove: and they, now, on You for Vengeance call.  
With that a Shower of Darts, that every where  
Fly, like a Tempest, through the darkened Air,  
overwhelm, and hid his Body; so that none  
Can after boast, that by his Hand, alone,  
Flaminius' died. Thus with the General  
The Fight soon ended: for the Chief of all  
The Youth, as angry with themselves, and Heaven,  
That to their Arms so ill Success had given,  
And choosing rather once to die, then see  
The African enjoy the Victory,  
With Hands all bloody, in the fatal Fight,  
Seize on their general's Body, in their Sight  
So lately, slain, with all his Weapons; and,  
United in a Ring, about him stand,  
Till all, in one great Heap of Slaughter, died,  
And falling, like an Hill, his Body 
(p) It appears by this, that Flaminius had laid aside all Ornaments of Consul, or General: for that his Body could not be distinguished from any of those, that fell about him.  hid.  
Now, having spread Destruction through the Wood,  
And Lake, and left the Valleys deep in Blood,  
To th' Heap of Bodies Hannibal withdrew,  
And with him Mago: and, as them they view,  
What Wounds? What Deaths are here? (said he) behold,  
How every Hand still grasps a Sword, though cold  
In Death! The armed Soldiers, as they lie,  
Seem to maintain the Fight! How these did die  
Now let our Troops observe: the Threats appear  
Yet in their Foreheads, and their Faces bear  
Their living Anger, and, I fear, that Land,  
Which fruitful is in Men so valiant, and  
Of so great Courage, Fates to her decree  
The Empire of the World, and She shall be  
Victorious in Distress. This said, He yields  
To Night: and Darkness, over all the Fields  
Diffused, (while Sol into the Sea descends)  
Restrains their Fury, and the Slaughter ends.  
The End of the Fifth Book.   



S●rranus, clarum Nomen▪ Tua Regule Proles  
Limina pulsabat ●ari▪ Vetus isse Parentis  
Vile●, et haud Surda tractarat proelia ●ama.   

— Serpens centum porrectus in Vln●s  
Extendit ●olem atque Assultans Sydera ●ambit.   
Honoratisᵒo. Domino. D●. Edoardo Baroni de Hyndon Suman Totius Cancellario et ê Sanctioribꝰ Regis Comiti Clarendon, Vic●●om▪ Cornbury Anglioe nec non Accademiae Oxon: Consilijs. Tabula Suma a● observantia D.D.D.  SILIUS ITALICUS OF The Second Punic War. The Sixth Book.  
THE ARGUMENT.  
Brutius great Valour, who, before he died,  
His Eagle from his Foes i'th' Earth doth hid.  
Sorranus, wounded, to Perusa's Plains  
By Night, retires: him Marus entertains,  
And, having dressed his Wounds, to him declares  
Great Regulus (his Father's) Death, and Wars,  
His Noble Courage in his Punishment.  
Fabius' elected General: his Descent.  
The Romans Sadness, and the People's Cries,  
Affrighted at the Libyans Victories.  
The Conqueror's to Linternum go, and there  
The Monuments, that did at large declare  
The Victories by Sea, and Land, which Rome  
From Carthage once had gained, with Fire consume.  
BUT, when his Steeds in the Tartessiack Main,  
Loosed to give way to Night, Sol joined again,  
On the Eoan Shores, and Serians, who  
The first of all the World his Beams review,  
For silken Fleeces to their Groves repair,  
The Place of sad Destruction every where  
Appears, and Monuments of furious War.  
Here Men, and Arms, and Horses, mingled are,  
There Hands lop'd off, still to their Lances stick,  
In Wounds of Bodies slain: there Targets thick,  
Trumpets, and headless Trunks, lie scattered round  
Through all the Plain: with Swords, that as they wound  
Against Bones were broke. Some with be-nighted Eyes,  
Half dead, in vain, there sought th' enlightened Skies.  
The Lake all foams of Gore, and on the Waves  
Float Bodies, that for ever want their Graves.  
Yet midst these Miseries, and loss of Blood,  
Firm, as her Fate, the Roman Valour stood.  
Brutius, whose many Wounds declared that He  
Against his Foes had fought unequally,  
Scarce from the Heaps of th' miserable Dead,  
('Mong whom he lay) had raised his wounded Head,  
Striving with mangled Limbs to creep away,  
His Nerves now shrinking, when the fatal Day  
Was done. Him Fortune had not placed among  
The Rich, nor was he honoured for his Tongue,  
Or his Descent: but Valiant with his Sword.  
Nor did the Volscian Nation afford  
Any, that had of Time recovered more:  
Nor sought he, when but yet a Boy, before  
The Down had clothed his Cheeks, himself to hid  
For Safety in the Camp. Flaminius tried  
His Courage, when in Fight he overthrew,  
With better Gods, the Celtic Arms, hence grew  
His present Honour, in all Wars, that he  
The Keeper of the Sacred Bird should be.  
Hence Glory made him to preserve with Care  
The Cause of's Death. For when he did despair  
Of Life, perceiving nothing could withstand  

(a) This Honour, which Brutius enjoyed, as the Reward of his Valour; was always conferred on the first Centurion of the Triarii (who were the Reserve of the Army) he was obliged to lose his Life with this Ensign of his Charge, which was honoured by the whole Army, and therefore styled Sacred by the Poet. The Romans adoring their Eagles (which were sometimes of Silver, seldom of Wood, but often woven, or painted on the Banner) as if they were Divine. Herodian. lib. 4.  To keep his Eagle from the Libyans Hand;  
Since Fate gave Way, and that the Roman Side  
Was ruined in the Fight, he sought to hid,  
And buried in the Earth; but overthrown  
With sudden Darts again, and falling down,  
Extends himself upon it, and beneath  
His Body hides it, choosing such a Death.  
But, when from Stygian Night, and Sleep, the Light  
Returned, he from the Neighbouring Heaps, upright,  
Arose upon his Spear, and Strong alone  
In his Attempt, the Earth now overflown  
With Blood, and softened by the standing Gore,  
With's Sword he digs, and, as he doth adore  
Th' unhappy Eagles' Image, with his Hand,  
Now fainting, smooths again th' unequal Sand:  
Then into thinner Air his Breath doth go,  
And his great Soul unto the Shades below.  
Near him was to be seen the Sacred Rage  
Of Valour, whose Deservings do engage  
Our Muse to sing its Fame. Levinus, born  
On high Privernum, that rich Vines adorn,  
Dead, on dead Nasamonian Tires lay;  
And, when unequal Fortune had, that Day,  
Deprived him of his Arms, his Spear, and Sword,  
Then naked in the Fight, his Griefs afford  
New Weapons. With his bloody Mouth he flies  
Upon his Foe, and with his Teeth supplies  
His want of other Arms, and thus he tears  
His Nostrils off, bites out his Eyes, his Ears  
Pulls from his mangled Head, his Forehead too  
Strangely disfigures; while the Blood doth flow  
About his Jaws, yet this not satisfies,  
Till with his Mouth, all full, he feeding dies.  
While Valour sadly to the Victour's Eye  
These Wonders shows, the wounded Troops, that fly,  
To various Chances are exposed. Some through  
Byways of desert Woods, some wand'ring go  
By Night, through unfrequented Fields, and there  
Each little Noise, or Motion of the Air,  
Or flying Birds, affright them, and they find  
No Sleep, or quiet Thoughts, but still inclined  
To fear, believe that Mago, with his Spear,  
Or Hannibal pursues them in the Rear.  
Serranus (a Renowned Name, thy Son  
Great Regulus, whose lasting Fame shall run  
Along with Time, to tell all Ages, how  
With the perfidious Carthaginians, Thou  
Thy Faith didst keep) in the first glorious State  
Of's Youth, had entered, with his Father's Fate  
The Punic War, and now sore wounded from  
The Fight, to his sad Mother, and dear Home  
Alone returned; no Company to ease  
His smarting wounds, but thus through devious ways  
Supported by his broken Lance, while Night  
Gave him Protection, he a silent Flight  
Towards thy Plains (Perusa) takes, and there  
To a small Cottage, weary doth repair;  
(Resolved to try his Fate) and knocks at Door.  
Marus, who to his Father long before  
A Soldier, of no mean Esteem had been,  
Leaps quickly from his Bed to let him in,  
And borrowing Light from the few Coals that lay  
Upon the Hearth, lifts it up, to survey  
His Face, which straight he knows, and saw (sad Sight)  
Those cruel Wounds were given him in the Fight.  
His fainting Steps supported by his Spear:  
(The Rumour of this Loss, before, his Ear  
Had struck) What Wickdness is this (said he)  
(Oh! born to bear too much Calamity,)  
That I now see? Thee, greatest Captain, I  
Beheld; when, even in thy Captivity,  
Thy Looks affrighted Carthage, and thy Fall  
(Which We the Gild, and Crime of jove may call)  
Gave me so deep a Wound, that from my Heart  
Not Libya's Ruin can remove the Smart.  
But Oh! where are Ye now, Ye Gods, again?  
Himself great Regulus offers to be Slain,  
And perjured Carthage, now (Oh Grief to see!)  
This rising Branch of that great Family,  
Hath quite, Alas! destroyed. Thus having said,  
The fainting Youth upon his Bed he laid;  
Nor was he ignorant (for he in War  
That Skill had learned) fit Medicines to prepare:  
And first with Water purged his Wounds, than Juic●  
Of Herbs, of healing Virtue, doth infuse;  
Then binds them up, and with a tender Hand  
Swaths on the Bolsters, with a gentle Band.  
Thus having given him Ease, 'twas his next Care,  
T'allay his tedious Thirst, and to repair  
His Strength with frugal Diet: this in Haste  
Performed, kind Sleep its Benefits, at last,  
Applied, and gave his Body gentle Rest.  
But, ere the Day again did gild the East,  
Marus, as if he'd cast off Age, again  
Was ready to allay the burning Pain,  
That then returned, with Medicines tried before,  
And piously doth Natural Warmth restore.  
But here the Youth, lifting up to the Skies,  
With Sighs, and frequent Groans, his weeping Eyes,  
Said; Oh Immortal jove! if yet thy Hate  
To the Tarpeian Rock, Quirinus' State  
Hath not condemned, with a more kind Aspect  
On Italie's distressed Affairs reflect.  
Our Iliads of Woes behold: for we  
The Alps have lost, and our Adversity  
No Limits finds. Ticinus, and the Po,  
Swollen high, with Roman Slaughter, overflow:  
And Trebia's by Sidonian Trophies known;  
With that sad Land, that Annus did renown.  
But why do I complain of this? Alas,  
Our present Miseries the rest surpass.  
I saw thy Waters, Thrasimenus, swell  
With slaughtered Men. Flaminius, when he fell  
Amidst the Weapons, I beheld▪ and all  
The Shades below (my Gods) to witness call,  
That by a Death, worthy my Father, I,  
With Slaughter of my Foes, than sought to die;  
Had not hard Fates (as they my dearest Sire  
Refused) denied a Death to my Desire.  
Thus bitterly complaining, to divert  
The Rest, old Marus speaks. Most noble Heart!  
Whatever be our Lot, or whatsoever  
Our Fortune: it, like Romans, let us bear.  
Through various Chances, such, by the Decree  
Of Heaven, the Wheel of our Mortality  
In a steep Path doth swiftly run. Of this  
Thy Family a great Example is,  
And famed through all the World. That Divine He,  
Thy Noble Father (whom no Deity  
Excels) 'mong all Eternal Honour gained,  
For that he did Adversity withstand,  
Nor shrunk from any Virtue; till his Breath  
Was from his struggling Body forced by Death.  
I hardly was a Youth, when Down began  
On Regulus his Cheeks to sign him Man:  
Yet, then, I his Companion was, and We  
Our Years still passed with kind Society;  
Until the angry Gods decreed that Light  
Of the Italian Nation should quite  
Extinguished be: within whose Noble Breast  
Faith kept her Temple, and his Soul possessed.  
That Sword (an Ensign of great Honour) He,  
As a Reward of Magnanimity,  
On Me bestowed, and Reins, you see, with Dust,  
And Smoke now covered o'er (but yet no Rust  
Their Brightness stains) such Gifts as these prefer  
Marus to any Roman Cavalier.  
But, above all my Honours, I must prise  
That 
(b) By this Relic Marus signified the old Religion of the Latins, who had in great Veneration the Spears, or other Arms of ancient Heroes. For (as Arnobius lib. 6. Contra Gentes) affirms, the Romans formerly adored a Spear, instead of Mars.  Spear, to which I often Sacrifice  
Streams of Lyaeus' Blood, as here you see;  
'Tis worth your Time to know the History.  
Slow Bragada ploughs up the thirsty Sand,  
With troubled Waves: in all the Libyan Land,  
No Flood more largely doth itself extend,  
Or, Swelling, doth its Waters farther send  
O'er all the Fields. As thither We withdrew,  
In search of Springs, of which that Land but few  
Affords; upon the Banks We joyful sat,  
Hard by the Stygian Grove, that did dilate,  
T'exclude the Day, its Shadow every where;  
And a thick Vapour, breaking through the Air,  
Expired a noisome Smell: within was found  
A dire, and spacious Cave; that, under Ground,  
With many Labyrinths did winding run,  
And, ever Dark, had ne'er beheld the Sun.  
(The very Thoughts of it my Soul invades  
With Fear) That fatal Bank, and Stygian Shades,  
A most pernicious Monster, (by the Rage  
Of Earth produced) whose Equal in no Age  
Was seen, inhabited; a Snake of Strength  
Prodigious, and an hundred els in Length:  
His immense Paunch, surcharged with Poison (killed  
Upon the River's Banks) or Lions filled;  
Or Herds, that, scorched by the furious Heat  
Of the Sun's Rays, did thither make Retreat;  
Or Birds, that, by his pestilential Breath  
Attracted from the Skies, there found their Death:  
Bones, half-devoured, upon the Ground were spread.  
And thus, when he had plentifully fed  
On divers Prey, within his Noisome Den,  
He belching lay, and when the Fire, again,  
Of Thirst was kindled from his fervent Food,  
He came to quench it in the Neighbouring Flood,  
And foaming Waves; and, ere halfway within  
The Water his vast Bulk had drenched been,  
His Head upon the adverse Bank would lie.  
Not thinking of so great a Monster, I  
With Havens, and Aquinus, forward go,  
T' explore the Silence of the Place, and know  
The Wood: when Horror seized, as we drew near,  
Our Joints, and all our Limbs congealed were,  
With a most strange, unusual Cold, and yet  
We enter, and the Nymphs, and Gods entreat  
O'th' Flood, unknown, to favour what we do,  
And thus, though full of Fear, presume to go  
Into the secret Wood; when from the Mouth,  
And Entrance of the Den (as from the South,  
Raging with furious Storms) a Stygian Bla●t  
Broke forth, and o'er the Flood the Tempest cast,  
Mixed with an Hellish Noise. We, struck with Fear,  
Gaze on each other's Face, and think We hear  
The Earth to groan, and see it quake, the Den  
To sink, and Ghosts to sally forth. But then  
Big as those Snakes, wherewith the Giants armed  
Themselves, when they the Court of Heaven alarmed:  
Or that which in the Fens of L●rna Thee,  
(Alcides) tried; or kept the golden Tree,  
Such tearing up the Earth, and to the Skies  
Lifting his Head, a Serpent here doth rise,  
And 'mong the Clouds, disperseth, here, and there,  
His Foam, and as he gapes, infects the Air.  
We fled, and out of Breath, with Horror, strove,  
In vain, to raise a Cry (for all the Grove  
His Hiss had filled) when Vmbrian Havens, blind  
With Fear, and much too blame (but Fate inclined  
His Mind to what he did) himself betook  
Unto the Body of an aged Oak,  
Thinking, thereby, the Monster to deceive:  
But (I myself could hardly this believe,  
Had I not seen it) the Snake himself about  
The Oak straight twines, and tearsed up by the Root.  
Then trembling Havens, who to us for Aid  
With his last Voice doth call, he doth invade,  
And swallowing whole (this looking Back, I spied)  
In his envenomed Paunch doth quickly hid.  
Next poor Aquinus, who, in's speedy Flight,  
Himself unto the River did commit,  
Swimming amidst the Stream, with fooming Jaws  
He seizeth, and (a Death most cruel) draws  
Back to the Bank, and there devours, while I  
In the mean time, had Liberty to fly.  
As much as my sick Thoughts permit, I haste,  
And to the General tell all had passed.  
He sighed, and their sad Fate bewailed, and as  
Against an Enemy, in War he was  
Most eager, burning with Desire to be  
Active in high Attempts, commands, that we  
With Speed, take Arms, and that the Choice of all  
The Horse, into the Field should quickly fall:  
Himself advanced before, and gave Command,  
That instantly a Target-bearing Band  
Should follow, with the Engines used to be  
Employed against Walls, and Towrs, for Battery.  
And now, when, prancing on the Champaign Ground,  
The furious Steeds began to Thunder round  
His dismal Cave, the Serpent, hissing loud,  
Leaps forth. A Stygian Vapour, like a Cloud,  
Breaks from his smoking Mouth; from's glaring Eyes  
A Flame, as terrible as Lightning, fly's:  
His Crest, erected High, appears above  
The Tops of tallest Trees within the Grove.  
His Trident Tongue, which with a Motion quick  
He waveth in the Air, the Stars doth lick.  
But, when he heard the Trumpets sound, amazed,  
His immense Body straight aloft he raised:  
Then into num●rous Rings, beneath his Breast,  
Contracts his Tail, and on his Back doth rest.  
Thus fitted for the Fight, those twisted Rings  
Were soon resolved, and, as himself he flings  
At Length, he suddenly, as if at Hand,  
The Faces, even of those that farthest stand,  
Invades. The Horses now no more obey  
The Reins, or Curbs, but as they fly away  
Trembling, and panting, from his Sight, expire,  
From their extended Nostrils, frequent Fire.  
On his swollen Neck to every Side he moves  
His lofty Head; and, as his Rage improves,  
Flings some aloft, some with his Weight were crushed,  
And as from broken Bones the Marrow Gushed,  
He licks it up, and, while the Blood doth flow  
About his Jaws, invades another Foe,  
And half-devoured Bodies throws away:  
And now the Ensigns all, as if the Day  
Were lost, Retreat. Yet some, that farthest fly,  
By his contagious Breath infected, die.  
But your great Father, labouring to restrain  
The flying Troops, thus calls them back again.  
What? to a Serpent basely turn your Backs,  
Italian Youth? and yield to Libyan Snakes  
Ausonia's Honour? If his Breath subdue  
The Cowards; or their Courage, as they view  
Him gape, be lost: Alone, I'll undertake  
To fight the Monster. And, as this he spoke,  
From his strong Arm, a winged Javelin flies:  
The barbed Point whereof between his Eyes  
Not lightly wounds his Front; and, Thrown with Strength,  
Within the Head o'th' reeling Beast, at length,  
It sinks, and Trembling stands. Confused Cries,  
And Shouts of Joy, now strike the Marbled Skies.  
Till then the Earthborn Monster ne'er did feel  
(Though he had lived so long) the wounding Steel:  
A Stranger to all Pain; and, scorning so  
To yield to any, doth more Furious grow.  
Nor had his Rage been vain (which borrowed Force  
From what he felt) if, skilled to guide his Horse,  
(After the Wound) your Father had not waved  
His fierce Assault, and, turning nimbly, saved  
Himself: while, winding every way with Speed,  
He furiously pursued the wheeling Steed.  
But all this while your Marus did not stand,  
As a Spectator, with an idle Hand.  
The second Spear, that wounded him, I fling.  
Just as the weary Steed his forked Tongue  
Licked on the Back, with all my Strength I threw  
My Weapon: and, by that upon Me drew  
His Fury, and the War; till all the Bands,  
By our Example led, employed their Hands,  
And stormed him with their Darts, that him engage  
Alternately to exercise his Rage;  
Till from a Warlike Engine, by a Stroke,  
That would have battered down a Wall, we broke  
His Strength, and yet (although he could no more,  
His Back now broken, raise as heretofore  
His Head unto the Clouds) more furious on,  
He strove to come, till the Phalarick Stone  
Into his Belly sunk, and then the Sight  
Of both his Eyes, by winged Shafts, was quite  
Extinguished: by those many Wounds, his Death  
Approached. Then through his wider Jaws, his Breath  
Infectious Poison (his last Refuge) cast.  
Thus by our Darts, and ponderous Stones, at last,  
Stretched on the Ground, he prostrate lay, and yet  
His Jaws, extended Wide, appeared to threat,  
Till, from an Engine shot, a Beam, that through  
The yielding Air, with a loud Fragour flew,  
Struck off his Head, which as he gasping lay,  
A pale dark Cloud of Poison (that the Day  
Infected where it went) his Mouth exhaled.  
The mournful River straight his Death bewailed,  
With hideous Groans, and doleful Murmurs move  
Upon the Waves; the Den, and Native Grove,  
And Banks (upon whose Sands he used to Roll)  
With a loud Echo Roar, and sadly howl.  
But oh, how soon this dismal Fight we rue!  
With how great Loss! What Punishment we drew,  
What Plagues upon ourselves? The Prophet's strait  
Us of our Dangers, but (Alas!) too late,  
Admonish; that we had the Servant slain  
Of the blue Naiads, that did remain  
In Bragadas warm Streams. But then this Spear  
(As Honour, and Reward for what I there  
Had done) your Father gave Me, cause it stood  
First fixed, and drank the Sacred Serpent's Blood.  
The Noble Youth, who wept while he relates  
This Story, interrupts him. If the Fates  
Had suffered Him to live till now (said He)  
Trebia had ne'er o'erflown with Blood, nor we  
Had seen thy Billows (Thrasimonus) hid  
So many Noble Names. Marus replied;  
Yet he the Piacles of his sad Fate,  
And cruel Torments, did anticipate  
With Tyrian Blood. For afric, wanting Men,  
Her Wealth consumed, had begged our Mercy; when  
Therapne, moved by some malignant Star  
Sent forth 
(c) Xantippus (born in Therapne, a small Town of Laconia) who was sent by the Lacedæmonians, to be General, for the Carthaginians, in the first War against the Romans: who under the Conduct of Attilius Regulus, very much prevailed in afric. This Character given him by the Poet, agreeth with that of Polybius (lib. 1.) as of a Captain, who so far exceeded all of his Time, that, by his sole Conduct, the Forces of many, that were thought Invincible, were overthrown.  a Man to prosecute the War.  
Of Stature he was low; no comely Grace  
Of Mien, or Signs of Honour in his Face:  
But admirable Vigour in so small  
A Body; Active: one, that could the Tall,  
And Larger-limbed, o'ercome. This Man, designed  
To manage now the War against us, joined  
To Arms strong Policy. In Deserts he  
Can live, and greatest Hardship easily  
Survive. Not Hannibal, who now so well  
For Libya guides the War, doth him excel.  
Oh would to Heaven, Tayegeta! (most sad,  
And fatal unto us) by thee He had,  
Upon Eurota's Banks, ne'er hardened been:  
Then in victorious Flames I might have seen  
Phanissa's Walls to sink, nor then the Fall  
Had I lamented of my General.  
Nor should (for Death, nor Fire can ease my Woe)  
My Griefs bear with me to the Shades below.  
Both Armies take the Field, and through the Plains  
The God of War grows hot, and Fury Reigns  
In every Breast. Here Regulus, in great  
Attempts, let's lose his Sword, and hastes to meet  
With Dangers in the midst of all his Foes,  
And with his valiant Hand, gives deadly Blows.  
So, when the South Wind, on his Wings doth bear  
A pitchy Cloud, that hanging in the Air,  
Both to the Sea, and Land, a Tempest threats,  
The Husbandman, and Shepherd straight retreats  
For Shelter, to the Woods; and Fear prevails  
With the Stout Seaman, to contract his Sails.  
But the Laconian, having laid his 
(d) The Roman Army, marching towards Carthage (after the Rendition of almost two hundred Cities in Africa to the Consul Regulus) labouring not only under Hunger, Thirst, and Diseases; but with the Difficulties of the Places, through which they passed: Xantippus drew his Forces out of the City, and about Evening, put them into Order for a March, fell upon the weary Romans in the Night, destroyed their whole Army, and, among other Captives, took Attilius Regulus the General. See Appian de Libycis.  Snare,  
Secured the hollow Rocks; and, leaving there  
His Men, upon a Sudden, from the Fight,  
Wheeling, he turns his Horse, pretending Flight,  
With feigned Fear. So Shepherds to secure  
Their Flocks within their Folds, by Night allure  
Wolves into Pits, the which they over-lay  
With Boughs, and with a bleating Lamb betray.  
Honour, by which brave Minds inflamed are,  
And a fallacious Confidence in War.  
Invited; and, drew on your Noble Sire,  
Who Spurring on, as mad with a Desire  
To fight, ne'er looks, if his Companions were  
Behind him, or who followed in the Rear.  
When all alone, a thick, and sudden Cloud  
Of fierce Laconians, that themselves did shroud  
Among the hollow Rocks, him round invest,  
And the Force of his Ruin still increased.  
Of fatal Day to Italy! to be  
Marked in our Fast, as the Infamy  
Of thee, Oh Mars! those Hands that to thy Rome,  
And thee were born, by a most fatal Doom  
Are now condemned to Chains. My Grief will be  
Eternal! a Sidonian Dungeon Thee  
(Great Regulus) beheld! and by the odds  
Of such a Triumph, Carthage to the Gods  
Seemed equal. But what Plagues sufficient are  
For the Laconians Gild of such a War?  
But now the Carthaginian Fathers all  
Consult, to offer to our General  
New 
(e) The Carthaginians, having before lost many considerable Men, made Captive by the Romans, after this Victory, believed they might procure a Peace, on more easy Terms; at least, an exchange of Prisoners. To this Purpose they sent Ambassadors to Rome, and with them, Regulus; on Condition, that, if their Offer were not accepted, he should return to Carthage. But, the Romans having elsewhere obtained Advantages over them, Regulus persuaded the Senate to prosecute the War, and retain their Captives, by which he frustrated the Embassy of the Carthaginians, and returned with them to their City, where his Fidelity to his Country, was punished with a cruel Death.  Leagues, and send him Home to mediate  
A Peace; requiring that the Captivate  
In War, might be returned on either Side;  
And, now no more Delay: the Ship doth ride  
At Anchor in the Road, the Seamen are  
Employed, their Oars, and Benches to prepare:  
Some fit the twisted Cables, others haste  
To furl, and trim the Sails upon the Mast;  
Others the Anchors place upon the Prow:  
But above all, Cothon, ordained to go  
Chief Pilot of the Ship, in Sea-Affairs  
Renowned for Skill, the Helm, and Poop prepares.  
The triple-pointed Beak, its shining Rays  
(Most richly guilt) o'er all the Sea displays.  
Weapons, and all things else that needful were  
Against Dangers of the Sea, with them they bear,  
Amidst the Ship, upon the Decks he stands,  
That timeth with his Voice the Seamens Hands,  
And bids them strike at once, and as again  
They raise their Oars (that echo o'er the Main)  
Applauds them all. Thus when they had performed  
The Seamens Work, the Ship completely armed,  
And th' Hour arrived, to hoist up Sail, and weigh  
Their Anchors, and the Wind was fair for Sea;  
A multitude of Women, Children, Men,  
Together flocked, and envious Fortune then  
Dragged through the Throng our Noble General,  
And showed him, as a Spectacle to all.  
He, in their View, as smootha Forehead bore,  
As when he first, on the Sidonian Shore,  
Arrived with his Fleet. With his Consent,  
In the same Ship, I his Companion went;  
Resolving his Adversity to share,  
And thought it greater Fortitude to bear  
Their Nastiness, ill Diet, and their poor,  
Obdurate Beds, and to contend with more  
Important Miseries; then to subdue  
A Fo. Nor is't so honourable to  
Avoid Misfortunes, by our Vigilance;  
As to O'ercome, by Noble Sufferance,  
Whatever Fate can do. And yet (though I  
Knew his severe, and rigid Constancy)  
I hoped, if Heaven permitted us to come  
Within our city's Walls, and see our Home,  
His Heart might then relent, or by your Tears  
(At least) be mollified. Thus I my Fears  
Kept in my Breast, and thought that he inclined  
To weep, and had, in Misery, a Mind  
Like mine. But, when we came to Tybur, I  
Observed his Face, and most intentively  
Beheld his Looks, which inward Sense betray.  
But credit me (brave Youth) in what I say,  
His Countenance amidst a thousand Toils  
Abroad, and when at Home enriched with Spoils,  
And when to cruel Carthage he was sent,  
And in the Instant of his Punishment,  
Unalter'd I beheld, and still the Same.  
Then all Ausonia from her Cities came  
To meet the Captive; all the Neighbouring Hills,  
(The Plains already thronged) their Number fills,  
And Tybur to his Banks the Noise imparts:  
But the Sidonian Princes (cruel Hearts!)  
Strive to reduce him to their country's Dress,  
And so the Honour of the Gown suppress.  
The Senate weeping stood; the Matron's throng,  
And Youth, to show their Griefs; while He, among  
So many Sighs, unmoved stands. His Hand,  
The Consul on the Shore, as he on Land  
First stepped, extends to help him, and to meet  
With kind Respect, and his Arrival greet.  
He stepping back (still careful of our State)  
Requires the Consul not to violate  
His Supreme Dignity, but to retire.  
Then on he goes, (while Weeping we admire  
His Constancy) and compassed by the proud  
Sidonians, and with them a Captive Crowd,  
Raised Envy in the Gods. But now, his Flame,  
With her two hopeful Sons, sad Martia came;  
Unhappy in her Noble Lords Excess  
Of Virtue, that disdained in his Distress,  
To stoop to Fortune. Her dishevelled Hair,  
And Robes, neglected, as she sadly tore,  
Oh knowst thou not the Day, or can it be,  
It touched thee not in younger Years (said she)  
And when in Tyrian Habit (like Disguise)  
Deformed she saw him, then with mournful Cries,  
She fainting fell, and straight grew Cold, and Pale  
In all her Limbs (Oh let our Prayers prevail!  
And if the Gods be just, may Carthage see  
Such the Sidonian Mothers!) then to me  
He whispers, and commands that I remove  
You, and your Mother, while he still doth prove  
Impenetrable against the strongest Blow  
Of Grief, and Scorns that Yoke to undergo.  
Here with deep Sighs, and Tears complaining, thus  
The Youth begun: Dear Father, whom with us  
No Deity excels, that doth remain  
In the Tarpeian towers; if to Complain  
May be allowed to Piety: Oh! why  
This Comfort unto Us didst Thou deny?  
Or why, Oh! why (Thou too severe) that Grace  
Didst thou refuse to touch thy Sacred Face,  
Or Kiss Thee? To join Hands, was it a Sin  
So great? How much these Wounds had lighter been  
If, fixed in my Mind, when I repair  
To Shades below, I Thy Embrace might bear?  
But I in vain these things Record; for we  
Were then (my Marus) in our Infancy.  
Yet, I remember well, his Form was more  
Than Humane; that his Locks descended o'er  
His Manly Neck, white as the Alpine Snow;  
Stern Majesty was seated on his Brow:  
The Venerable Index of his Mind;  
Such as, since then, mine Eyes could never find.  
Then Marus, him advising to refrain,  
By such Complaints, to vex his Wounds again,  
Resumes the Word. What? when he careless past  
By his own Household Gods, and went in haste  
To the Sidonians cursed 
(f) Such Ambassadors, as came from their Enemies to the Romans, never admitted into their City; but but treated with them in the Temples of Mars, or Apollo, that stood without the Walls. And, though Regulus was admitted to the Senate; yet, according to his Promise, he returned to lodge with them, whose Quarter was on the other Side of Tiber. See Polybius, Eclog. 14.  Abode? his Eyes  
The Monuments of his great Victories  
Then saw hung up; as Shields, and Chariots, and  
Known Darts: while at the Door his Wife doth stand  
And cries; Oh! whither goes my Regulus?  
This is no Punic Dungeon, that Thou thus  
Shouldst fly both it, and Me. The Footsteps here  
Of our chaste Marriagebed are yet as clear,  
As at the first. Our House still entertains  
Its Gods without a Crime: Then say: what Stains  
In us thou findest? The Senate gave thee Joy,  
When I to thee This, and that other, Boy  
Had born: Oh turn, and see! This House is Thine,  
Where Thou, a Noble Consul, once didst shine  
In Purple Robes; and, marching from this Door,  
Didst see the Roman Fasces go before.  
Hence didst Thou go to War, and here, with Me,  
Wert wont the Trophies of Thy Victory  
To fix, against these Posts. I ask not now  
The Rites of Hymen, or Our Nuptial Vow:  
Only desist Our Household-gods to slight,  
And to Thy Sons, at least, allow This Night  
Amidst these Tears, He with the Tyrians goes  
To lodge, and left Her venting thus Her Woes.  
Scarce had the rising Day on Orta seen  
The Place, where great Alcides' Pile had been;  
When for the Libyan Lords the Consul sent.  
I, at the Gate beheld 
(*) Regulus.  Him, as He went  
Into the Temple: what the Senate there  
Debated, what His last Addresses were  
To the sad, weeping Court, Himself to Me  
Did Cheerfully relate. So soon as He  
Was entered; with their Hands, and Voices, all  
Him to his wont Seat, contending, call.  
But He, the ancient Honour of His Place  
Rejects; while they, about Him thronged, embrace,  
And take Him by the Hand, and thus entreat;  
He would restore a Captain of so great  
A Name unto his Country; He might be  
Exchanged for Numbers in Captivity.  
And then more justly might the Tyrian Land,  
And Towers, be wasted by that valiant Hand;  
Which they had bound in Chains. But He, His Eyes,  
And Hands together, lifting to the Skies,  
Thou God of Justice (said) that governest all!  
And Faith, whom I no less Divine may call!  
And Sarran juno! all invoked by Me,  
My Promise of Return to testify!  
Let Me speak Worthy of myself, and by  
My Words prevent my country's Ruin: I  
More cheerful shall to Carthage go (said He)  
If that my Promise of Return may be  
Preserved, though it be to Punishment. Oh then!  
Desist to tender unto Me again  
That Honour, with Destruction to the State.  
My many Years, and Wars, accelerate  
My Death: and now, by long Imprisonment,  
And Bonds, in this my Age, my Strength is spent.  
Your Regulus Was once, and did pursue  
The hardest Duties of the War, when you  
Did know Him such: but now within a Cold,  
And bloodless Body, you a Name behold.  
Oh! let not Carthage then (that House of Fraud,  
That doth herself in Treachery applaud)  
Not knowing how great things to Us remain,  
Think, for this aged Body, to regain  
Her Captived Youth, Men fit for War. But go  
Armed against Her Deceits, and let her know  
What Rome can do; though I am Captivate:  
Nor let a Peace accepted be, but what  
Our 
(g) Which Conditions were; That the Carthaginians should not invade Sicily; nor any the Allies of King Hieron; That they should quit all the Islands between Sicily, and Italy; That all Captives should be released without Ransom, and that they should pay Tribute to the Romans for twenty years. See Polybius, lib. 1.  Fathers entertained. They now require  
(And gave it Me in Charge, as their Desire)  
That in an equal League, the War be weighed,  
And equal Laws on either Side be made.  
But may I Sink to Styx, before I see  
The Romans too so base a Peace agree.  
This said; the Court resolving to pursue  
His Faithful, Grave Advice: he straight withdrew,  
Himself to render to the Libyans Ire.  
Who, with a sad Repulse of their Desire  
Dismissed, returned, through the Herculean Main,  
Threatening their cheerful Captive, Home again.  
After the Senate, now, a mournful Crowd  
Of People throng, and all the Fields with loud  
Complaints are filled: sometimes resolved again  
To call him back, or else by Force retain,  
With their just Griefs. But Trembling, 'bove them all,  
His Wife, as at his sudden Funeral,  
When to the Ship he went, with doleful Cries,  
And Shrieks, to the Sea, as Frantic, flies.  
Take Me along, O Libian, let Me  
Share both his Death, and Punishment (said She)  
My Dear (I beg this One thing only, by  
Those Pledges of our Loves) permit, that I  
May Share with Thee whatever Dangers be  
Destined by Land, or Sea, or Heaven to Thee:  
I did not send Xantippus to the War,  
Nor did I give those heavy Chains, that are  
About thy Neck: why then dost fly Me so  
To Punishment? Oh! give me leave to go;  
Me, and my Children, and perhaps, our Tears  
May Carthage move to Pity. If her Ears  
The cruel City stop, we then may all,  
Thou, and thy Family together fall:  
Or, if resolved to die, here die with Me;  
For I a Sharer in thy Fate will be.  
As thus she spoke, the Vessel by Degrees,  
Loosed from the Shore, to put to Sea, She sees:  
Then most Unhappy, mad with Grief, She cries,  
(Lifting her weary Hands unto the Skies)  
See Him that boasts, with treacherous Libian, thus,  
And Foes, to keep his Faith, but what to Us  
Was promised Violates! Oh! where is now  
(Perfidious man) thy Faith, and Nuptial Vow?  
These Words He, unrelenting, heard. The rest  
The Noise, and Dashing of the Oars, suppressed.  
Then down the River, with the Stream, We run  
Unto the Borders, where the Sea begun.  
O'er which We sail, and with Our hollow Pine  
Cleave the vast Billows, foaming with their Brine.  
I, dreading, more than Death, proud Libya's Scorn,  
Wished that the Ship, by some rude Tempest born  
Against some Rock, might split; or else that We  
Might, by the raging Seas, overwhelmed be.  
But gently-breathing Winds, the Vessel bore  
Away, and Us to Libyan Rage restore:  
Which I, unhappy, saw; and Home was sent,  
A sad Relatour of his Punishment.  
▪ 'twas an hard Task: nor would I now relate  
To Thee, how Carthage then did imitate  
The Fury of wild Beasts, to vent their Spleen:  
If any Age, in all the World, had seen  
Any thing Greater, than that high, and brave  
Example, which the reverent Virtue gave  
Of your great Father. 'Twere a Shame for Me  
To add Complaints to those dire Torments, He,  
So unconcerned, endured: and truly You,  
Worthy of so great Blood, Yourself should show,  
By wiping Tears away. A 
(h) This Engine, built in Form of a Cage, and proportioned to his Body, is best, (though briefly) described by our Author: who, notwithstanding, omits one exact part of his Punishment, mentioned by Valerius Maximus, (lib. 9 cap. 2). viz. That they cut off his Eyelids; so that continual Light, as well, as those Pikes of Iron, that tormented him, might keep him perpetually waking, till the long Variety of Pain killed Him.  Cage they build  
Of Wood, whose Grates, on every Side, were filled  
With equal Pikes of Steel; which sharp, and thick,  
By Art, in Order, placed, erected stick.  
All Sleep by this Invention was denied,  
And when, through length of Time, to either Side  
Dull Slumbers Him inclined, a Row of Pikes  
Into his Bowels, through his Body strikes.  
Oh! cease to grieve (brave Youth) suppress thy Tears.  
He Overcomes, that this with Patience bears.  
His Glory long shall flourish: while in Heaven,  
Or Earth, to constant Faith, a Place is given;  
Or Virtue's Sacred Name alive shall be.  
A Day shall come, wherein Posterity  
(Great Regulus) shall tremble, when they hear  
Thy Fate, which Thou with so much Scorn didst bear.  
Thus Marus spoke, and with sad Care, again,  
His Wounds fomented, to allay the Pain.  
Fame, in the mean time, having sprinkled o'er  
Her rapid Wings with Blood (as if before  
Dipped in the Streams of Thrasimenus) Lies  
With Truth commixing, through the City flies,  
And to the People's Minds again recalls  
The Loss of Allia, and Tarpeian Walls,  
Stormed by the Senones. Sad Terror shakes  
Her Reins, and Fear the Tempest greater makes.  
Now to the Walls, with winged Speed, She fly's,  
An horrid Voice is heard, OUR ENEMIES  
APPROACH: and then with Piles, and Darts, the Air,  
In vain, they beat. Th' affrighted Matrons bore  
Their hoary Locks, and with them, as they Weep,  
The Walls, and Pavements of the Temples sweep,  
And to the Gods, for Friends deceased, pray;  
Too late Alas! and rest not Night, or Day.  
Howling with Grief, the scattered People lie  
Before the Gates, and with a careful Eye  
All that return observe. About them throng,  
And, as they speak, hang listening at their Tongue;  
But cannot Credit give, if News of Joy  
They chance to tell, and yet again their Stay  
Entreat, and sometimes with sad Looks, alone,  
Not Words, with such, as hasted to be gone,  
Prevail for Tdings, and yet Trembling stand  
To hear, what they so Earnestly demand.  
Bad News doth Force their Tears, and, if denied  
To know, or if the Messenger replied  
With doubtful Words, from thence new Fears arise.  
And now when Troops returning, to their Eyes,  
More near appeared, out at the Gates they run  
(Fearing they had been lost) and then begun  
To Kiss their Wounds, and tyre the Gods with Prayer.  
Among these, honoured for his pious Care,  
Old Marus, with him, young Serranus led.  
And Martia, who since Regulus was dead,  
Still kept at Home, all Company forsook,  
And only for her children's Sake did brook  
The Light, now runs into a Grief as great,  
As was her former. Though distracted, straight  
She Marus knew, and thus accosts him: Thou,  
(Great Faiths renowned Companion) surely now  
Thou giv'st me lighter Wounds: or say, hath Fate  
Caused the revengeful Sword to penetrate  
Into my Bowels, deep? What e'er it be,  
So Carthage Him in Chains may never see,  
Nor Sacrifice Him to His Father's Pain,  
I'm pleased. Ye Gods! How oft have I, in vain  
(Oh my dear Son) entreated Thee, forbear  
Thy Father's Courage, and His Heat in War?  
That his sad Glory might not Thee engage  
In Arms. I have, of too vivacious Age  
The hard Afflictions undergone. But now  
Spare Us, I pray, ye Gods! If any of you  
For Us have fought: suppress the Enemy!  
But when this sullen Cloud of Misery  
Was passed; the Senate with all Speed prepares  
To give Support to their distressed Affairs.  
All strive, with Emulation, the War  
To undertake; and present Dangers bar  
The Progress of their Griefs▪ The chief of all  
Their Cares was, no appoint a General,  
Upon whose Conduct shaken Italy,  
And the whole Frame of her Affairs, might be  
Imposed; when now their Country did appear  
To sink. For jove resolved to defer,  
Awhile, the Time of Her Imperial Power:  
And, rising, looked from the Albanian Tower  
Upon the Tyrrhen People, and beheld  
The Carthaginian, with Successes swelled,  
Preparing his Victorious Arms t' invade  
Our Walls. But jove, his Head then shaking, said:  
I never will permit, that Thou shalt come,  
Proud Libyan Youth, within the Walls of Rome.  
Thou mayst the Tyrrhen Vales with Slaughter fill,  
And make with Latin Blood the Rivers swell,  
And overflow their Banks: but I defend,  
That the Tarpeian Rock thou shouldst ascend;  
Or to those Walls (so dear to Me) aspire.  
With that, four Times● he threw his forked Fire;  
Which shined through all the Tyrrhen Land, and cast  
A Cloud upon the Army, as it passed  
From the divided Heaven. But, yet, all this  
The Libyan to divert could not suffice.  
With that the God th' Aeneades possessed  
With Resolution, in a faithful Breast,  
The Nation to repose, and put the Reins  
Of Safety into Noble Fabius' Hands.  
Perceiving then the Power of War to be  
Entrusted to his Care; not Him (said He)  
Envy, nor Fame, with Libyan Vanity  
Guided; nor Spoil; nor cunning Treachery;  
Nor other base Desires shall overthrow:  
Skilful, and old in War, He well doth know  
Success, and Loss with equal Thoughts to bear;  
His Mind well tempered both for Peace, and War.  
Thus jove: and then remounted to the Skies.  
This Fabius, whom his Foes could ne'er surprise  
In Arms, and thus by jove commended, thought  
Himself most Happy, when entire He brought  
Those Numbers Home again, which He before  
Conducted to the Field; and no Man more  
Desired Himself, or dearest Son to spare,  
Then He did them; none with so sad a Care  
Beheld their Wounds in Fight: and when again  
He came, a Conqueror, with the Noble Stain  
Of hostile Blood besmeared, his Legions all  
Appeared complete, before the city's Wall.  
His famed Original with Heaven did claim  
Alliance: for when great Alcides came  
From Spain, Gerion's Spoils (his Monstrous Kine  
He, that Way, where the Walls of Rome do shine,  
In Triumph drove. Then did Arcadius found  
(As Fame reports) in Rude, and Desert Ground  
His Palace, and a needy People swayed:  
When, by his Sacred Guest, the Royal Maid,  
Arcas (his Daughter) overcome, with Joy,  
From that her Crime of Love, conceived a Boy,  
Was Fabius named; from Him, a Mother she  
Became, to a Tyrinthian Progeny.  
And hence three hundred Fabii once did go,  
All from one House, in Arms, against the Foe;  
Whose most Renowned Actions, by his Wife  
Delays (which then Alone could equalise  
The Libyan Conduct) this Our Fabius all  
Excelled. So great, then, wert Thou Hannibal!  
But, while the Latins busily prepare  
To raise Recruits, and reinforce the War,  
The Carthaginian Captain, terrified  
By jove; and having laid his Hopes aside  
Of battering Rome's high Walls, his Army leads  
Up to the Vmbrian Hills, where Tuder spreads,  
Upon an high Descent, its hanging Walls,  
And where Mevania o'er large Fields exhales  
Thick, gloomy Clouds; and, Consecrate to jove  
Fat Bulls, through Rich, and Wealthy Pastures move.  
From thence, desirous of Picenian Prey,  
Through the Palladian Fields he makes his Way,  
And wheresoever the Spoil invites Him, there  
His wand'ring Troops, their plundering Ensigns bear:  
Till fair Campania stopped his furious Course  
And, undefended, entertained the Force  
O'th' War, within her Bosom. As He there  
Beheld the Temple, and the Buildings near  

(i) A River of Campania, upon the Banks of which stood Linternum, small Town, made famous by the Renowned Africanus; who, after his Disgrace at Rome, thought that more worthy to retain his Ashes, than his ingrateful Country.  Linternus swelling Stream, he fixed his Eyes  
Upon the various Pictures, where he spies,  
The Monuments o'th' former War, maintained,  
By th' Roman Senate. For they there remained  
Carved on the Porches, and all things expressed  
In Order, and at large. Before the rest  
Great Regulus appears to instigate  
The War: a War, which (had he known his Fate)  
He would have shunned. There Noble 
(k) Appius Claudius Pulcher, Consul with C. Norbanus Flaccus; for his Victory over Hi●ron King of Syracuse, and the Carthaginians, that came to his Assistance, had the Honour of Triumph.  Appius stood  
In a pitched Field, and high in Libyan Blood,  
From their great Slaughter, a just Triumph, Crowned  
With Laurel gained. Near these, at Sea renowned,  

(l) Cnei●s Duillius was the first, th●t triumphed for a Naval ●ictory, gained by him over the Carthaginians: and assumed to himself, without the allowance, either of Senate, or People; as a perpetual Honour, when he returned from any Feast, to have Torches, and a Trumpeter, to march before him.  Duillius, on a Snow-white Column Rose,  
Bearing his Naval Trophies; Stems, and Prows  
Of Ships, the first that Italy had known  
Those Spoils (the Tyrian Navy overthrown)  
To Dedicate to Neptune. Near Him stand,  
His Nightly Glories, shining Torches, and  
His Sacred Trumpeter, that from a Feast  
Was wont with cheerful Sounds (that Joy expressed)  
T' attend him to his honoured Home: and then  

(m) After his Death, his Statue was placed in the Forum, and continued till the Time of Pliny, as he affirms, lib. 23. cap. 5.  The Honours of that Noble Citizen,  
Deceased, He sees. Near these doth Scipio stand,  
And celebrates, in the 
(n) L. Cornelius Scipio, Consul, overthrew, in Sardinia, Hanno the Carthaginian General; slew Him, and gave Him Burial. Liv. lib. 17.  Sardôan Land,  
The Tyrian Captains Funerals, subdued  
By Him. Then, on the Libyan Shores, He viewed  
The routed Bands, in scattered Parties, fly  
About the Field, and Regulus hard by,  
Pursuing at their Backs: the Nomads,  
The Garamantians, the Autololes,  
The Moors, and Hammon lay down Arms, and yield  
Their Cities up. Within a Sandy Field  
Slow Bragada with Poison foams, and there  
A Serpent against an Army makes a War.  
Then from his Ship 
(o) Our Author follows the vulgar Opinion, That, after the Defeat of Regulus, the Carthaginians seemed highly to value Xantippus his Service, and dismissed him with great Honour, and Rewards. But fearing a future Reproach of the great Benefits they had received by his Conduct; they gave him a rotten Ship newly trimmed: which, some say, sunk with him by the Way; others, that the Seamen were instructed to drown him: but Polybius, not ignorant of these Opinions, affirms; that, fearing their Treachery, he prudently withdrew himself. Polyb. lib. 1.  Xantippus thrown, in vain  
Calling upon the Gods, was in the Main  
By a perfidious Band, most sadly drowned.  
And there too late (great Regulus) He found  
The Punishment of Thy unhappy Death.  
The two Aegates likewise, from beneath  
The Waves, they make to rise: about them lay  
Torn Ships, and Libian, floating on the Sea.  
Lord of the Ocean, than 
(p) Q. Luctatius, Consul, his Victory near the Island Aegates. See before in the First Book.  Luctatius bore  
Away, with a propitious Gale, to Shore  
The Captived Ships. With these (in Order all)  
Amilcar (Father to the General)  
Stood 
(q) It was a Custom among the Romans, to describe, in Picture, the Nations, that had been conquered by them, and to bear in Triumph the Images of such Generals, as were overthrown, and escaped their Hands. As this Amilcar, who never was their Captive: and Hannibal, described in Scipio's Triumph. See lib. 17. infra.  bound, and, from all other Objects, drew  
Upon himself the People's Eyes, to view  
His stern Aspect: and then was to be seen  
The Face of Peace, the Altars, that had been  
Polluted with the League, and jove deceived,  
The Roman giving Laws; and, as they heaved  
Their Axes up, the Libyan trembling stands,  
And, begging Pardon with submissive Hands,  
Swears, but in vain, the League. This, from the Sky,  
Fair Cytherea, with a joyful Eye,  
Beheld. But, when the Libyan General  
Had, with a troubled Brow, surveyed it all;  
His slow contracted Rage, that all the while  
Boiled in His Breast, thus, with a scornful Smile  
He vents. We, likewise, things as great, by Me  
Performed, shall carved on Our Houses see.  
Let Me (O Carthage) see Sagunthus, all  
At once, by Fire, and Sword, together fall.  
Sons by their Fathers killed, and let there be  
Space, large enough, the Conquered Alps to see,  
Whereon Victorious Nomades may ride,  
And Garamantians. Let Me see, beside,  
Ticinus overflow his Banks with Blood,  
And Trebia's, and Thrasimenus Flood  
Choked up with Tuscan Corpse. Flaminius, great  
In Body, and in Arms, there find his Fate.  
Let Consul Scipio bleeding fly, and, on  
The weary Shoulders of his Pious Son,  
To's Friends, be born. Let this divulged be;  
Carthage shall greater things hereafter see.  
Rome burnt in Libyan Flames shall there be shown,  
And jove from his Tarpeian Temple thrown.  
In the mean time (as it becomes Ye) you,  
Brave Youth, by whose Assistance I can do,  
And have done things so Great, go quickly; burn  
Those Monuments, and them to Ashes turn.  
The End of the Sixth Book   



Vt possessa vident infestis litt●●a proris  
Att●ntae properè refluunt ad littera Nymphae   

Qua procul abrupto Protheus imanis in Antro  
Cautibus objectis rejectat Caerula vates.   
Honoratiss: Domino, Domino Georgio Duci Albemarliae, Comiti de Torrington, Baroni Monck de Potheridge. Beauchamp, et Teyes: Caro: 2 d●. Regi Angliae &c: ab Intimis Cubiculis, & Sanctioribus Consilijs; Capitanto Ge●rali omnium Exercituum Sumon Duc● Magno Stabuli Magistro, et Incliti Ordinis Periscelidis Equiti &c: Tabula Summa Cum Observatia D: D.D.  SILIUS ITALICUS OF The Second Punic War. The Seventh Book.  
THE ARGUMENT.  
Fabius is for the War dictator made:  
The Libyan, by His Policy delayed,  
Wastes the Falernian Country, and, to gain  
A Battle, several Ways removes, in Vain,  
Until at length, by the Ausonian Bands  
Encompassed, in a Vale, besieged, be stands:  
His Stratagem, by which His Troops again  
Are from this Danger freed: the Roman then,  
With Mutiny demanding Battle, are  
By Fabius appeared. At length the War  
Is to Minutius left, who soon doth yield  
To their Designs, and rashly takes the Field  
To fight: at first the Libyan prevails,  
Till Fabius, while all other Succour fails,  
Came to the Romans And, who get the Day,  
And Sacrifices to his Honour pay.  
BUT Fabius, the only Hope, and Stay  
Of Rome's distressed Affairs, Ausonia  
(Now sinking through her Wounds) and her Allies  
Soon arms: and vig'rously himself applies  
(Though old) the hardest Toils to undergo,  
And with his Army marched against the Fo.  
His Understanding more, than Man's, no Force  
Of Darts, no Weapons, nor the Strength of Horse  
Regarded; but he went, alone, against all  
The Libyan Forces, and their General,  
As yet Unconquered; keeping in his Breast,  
Alone, the Strength, and Safety of the Rest:  
And, if He had not then resolved to stay  
The Course of Adverse Fortune, by Delay,  
That, the last Age of the Dardanian Name  
Had surely been, and Rome had lost her Fame.  
The Favour of the Gods, that did attend  
The Punic Arms, He tempered, and an End  
To Libya's Conquests put. The Enemy,  
Insulting in the Woes of Italy,  
By his wise Conduct He debelled, and all  
The Fraud deluded of proud Hannibal.  
Most Noble General! Who Troy again,  
Lapsing to Ruin, dost alone sustain,  
And sinking Italy! Who dost uphold  
Evander's Empire, and whate'er of old  
The Labours of our Fathers gained in Wars,  
Go on, and raise thy Name unto the Stars.  
But, when new Titles had proclaimed the Choice  
Of the dictator, by the public Voice,  
The Libyan Prince, revolving in his Mind,  
That something of Importance had inclined  
The Romans to that Change of their Command,  
So suddenly, desired to understand  
What was the Fortune of the Man, what were  
His Honours, or why Fabius should appear  
Their last, safe Author, in Distress? Why He,  
After so many Storms, by Rome should be  
Thought equal unto Hannibal? and yet  
It vexed him, that his Years did want that Heat,  
That might expose him, through Temerity,  
To his Deceits, and therefore instantly  
He for a Captive calls, t'enquire of all  
His Customs, Actions, and Original.  
Cilnius, a Youth, and of a Noble Name,  
From fair Aretium to Ticinus came,  
In an unhappy Hour, and by a Wound,  
That overthrew his Horse, fallen to the Ground:  
His Neck to Libyan Chains then yielded. He,  
Desirous by his Death himself to free,  
The Libyan thus informs. Thou hast not, now,  
With fierce Flaminius (said He) to do,  
Or Gracchus rash Resolves: his Family  
From the Tyrinthian Gods derived; had he  
Within thy Country (Hannibal) been born,  
Carthage the World's Imperial Crown had Worn.  
With a long Series I'll not strive to show  
Particulars: let this suffice, to know  
The Fabii, by one Combat having broke  
The Peace, and shaken off the Roman Yoke,  
The bold Veientes brought the War's Alarms  
Even to our Gates; the Consul citys to Arms  
Th' old listed Bands; Alcides Progeny  
Fills up a private Camp; one Family  
Sends a 
(a) The Fabii were of the Patricii, (of whom see the Comment on the second Book) but their whole Army was not so. For the Fabii were but three hundred: and the Clients, that followed them, were five thousand. See Festus, De verborum significatione, in the Word Religio.  Patrician Army to the Fight,  
Three hundred Captains (each whereof you might  
Trust safely with the Conduct of a War)  
Appear. But, going forth, they threatened are  
With dire Presages. Conscious of their Fate,  
The trembling Threshold of the 
(b) That Gate, through which they marched out to the Fight, formerly called Porta Carmentalis, was, in Memory of their Misfortune, ever after termed Sc●lerata.  Guilty Gate  
Sends forth a fatal Sound: that Altar roared  
Where chief the Tyrinthian God's adored.  
Yet they invade the Foe, and with so fierce  
A Valour charge, that their small Number scarce  
Can be distinguished, and their Slaughters are  
More than the Soldiers: oftentimes the War,  
In Globes compacted close, they entertain.  
As oft dispersed, in Parties, through the Plain,  
They Dangers meet. Equal in Labours all,  
And Valour, merit to the Capitol  
To lead three hundred Triumphs: but, Alas,  
How vain those Hopes! each Man forgetful was  
How soon all things, that humane are, decline!  
These men, disdaining, while the Fabian Line  
Was safe, that Public Wars should waged be;  
Encompassed by a sudden Enemy,  
Fell, by the Envy of the Gods! but yet  
Thou hast no Cause of Joy, in their Defeat,  
For the Survivor is enough for Thee,  
And Libya: as with all their Hands will He  
Alone contend; his Limbs so Active are,  
So Circumspect his Industry, and Care,  
Secured with cautious Ease. Not you, whose Veins,  
Swelled high with youthful Blood, can with the Re  
Sooner restrain, nor prick the Warlike Steed  
Into the Battle, with more furious Speed.  
But Hannibal perceiving, as He spoke,  
He coveted to die: Thou dost provoke  
In vain (thou Fool) our Rage, and seekest to free  
Thyself from Bondage by Thy Death (said He)  
No, Thou shalt live, and straighter Chains shall press  
Thy captive Neck. Thus, swelling with Success,  
And the propitious Gods, he vents his Scorn.  
But, by Religion, to the Altars born,  
The Fathers, and the Latin Dames, their Eyes  
With Sorrow filled: in ordered Companies,  
A Robe, and Vows, to juno offer, Hear  
Oh Queen of Gods! lend us a willing Ear,  
We, a chaste People, pray Thee. We, who be  
The chief of the Ausonians, to Thee  
This fair, and venerable Garment, wrought  
By our own Hands, with Threads of Gold, have brought,  
And till the Fears of Mothers do decrease,  
This shall Thy Vesture be. And, if Thou please,  
That this Marmarick Cloud we may behold  
Far scattered from Our Land, a Crown of Gold,  
Enlaied with various Gems, to Thee shall shine.  
This Goddess thus adored: to Pallas Shrine,  
They proper Offerings bring, then worship Thee  
Venus, and Phoebus, and the Deity  
Of War: from the approach of Miseries,  
So great a reverence of the Gods doth rise.  
The Happy seldom to their Altars come.  
While ancient Honours in Her Temples Rome  
Thus celebrates: great Fabius takes the Field,  
With his well-ordered Troops; and, as most skilled  
In Warlike Arts, like one Secure, though Slow,  
All Avenues against Fortune, and the Foe  
Blocks up, and from their Ensigns suffers none  
To stray; and that, which, chief, Thee doth Crown  
(Brave Roman) and thy Empire's Head so high  
Hath lifted, taught thy Soldiers to obey.  
But, when, from far, their Ensigns, all in View,  
Upon the Hills, and all the Troops in new  
Bright Arms appeared: the Libyan Hopes swell high,  
And Hannibal, with His Prosperity  
Inflamed, believed His Victorie's Delay  
Was only, that the Armies in Array  
Were not drawn forth to fight. Go on (said He)  
Quickly assault their Ports; let their Works be  
Even by your Breasts o'erthrown: I'm sure the Foe  
No longer hath to Live, than We can go  
Over the Plain between Us: for, to War  
Their Sedentary old Men cited are,  
With whom to fight, I am, almost, ashamed.  
What you now see, are their Remains, disclaimed  
As wholly useless, in the former War.  
Where is their Gracchus now? Or now where are  
Those Thunderbolts, the Scipios? expelled  
From Italy, they ne'er their Flight with held;  
Till, frighted, to the farthest Part they came  
O'th' Earth, and Sea. Now, trembling at Our Name,  
Both wander, and Iberus Banks defend,  
And where We are not, there a War pretend.  
I, likewise, from Flaminius' Death may claim  
Increase of Honour, and his Active Name  
In War, among my other Titles lay.  
How many years this Sword shall take away  
From Fabius? Yet he dares, but let him dare;  
I'll make, Me shall no more in Arms appear.  
This spoke aloud, His Troops with furious Speed,  
He leadeth on, and mounted on His Steed,  
Sometimes with His Right Hand provokes His Foes;  
Sometimes upbraids them; then, at Distance, throws  
A Dart, insulting in His Army's Sight,  
Showing the Image of a future Fight.  
So Thetis 
(*) Achilles.  Son, in the Dardanian Field,  
Bore his Vulcanian Arms, and in his Shield,  
Expressed the Earth, and Heaven, and 's Mother curled  
With Waves; and, in that Figure, all the World.  
But Fabius, careful to delay, sits still,  
And his vain Fury, on a lofty Hill,  
Beholding, checks his proud insulting Mind,  
And tires his furious Threats, while he declined  
The Fight. So when by Night a Shepherd keeps  
His Flocks in fenced Folds, and safely sleeps,  
The hungry Wolves fierce Howl round about,  
Straight raise, and gnaw the Fence that keeps them out.  
The Libyans Design, thus rendered vain,  
Thence with his Army, through th' Appulian Plain,  
He slowly marched; and, sometimes, closely sat,  
Concealed in Valleys, to precipitate,  
His following Foe, or try, if He might be  
Surprised, unwarily, by Policy.  
Sometimes by secret Ways, He steals by Night,  
And then Retreats in a pretended Fright.  
Then from his Camp, full of rich Plunder goes,  
And prodigally thus invites his Foes.  
So, with innumerable turn through  
Maeonian Plains, doth famed Maeander flow.  
Nothing that Fraud can do, is left untried.  
He trurns o'er all, and all his Thoughts applied,  
To various Attempts. As when the Sun  
Shining on Water, by Reflection,  
Leaps on the Houses tops, and glistering sheds  
In constant Rays, and dancing Shadows spreads  
Upon the Roofs. Now mad with Grief, alone,  
Thus to His Sacred Rage He makes his Moan.  
If He, at first, Our Enemy had been,  
The Names of Trebia, and of Thrasimen  
Had ne'er been known. Nor had they given to Us  
New Titles, nor had stained Erydanus,  
Troubled with bloody Waves, the frighted Sea.  
But he, while we are tired with his Delay,  
And he contains himself, hath found a new  
Strange Way to Victory. How oft, in Show  
Of meeting Us, hath he Our Plots o'erthrown,  
With Judgement, and Our Stratagems undone?  
Thus to Himself; when the Shrill Trumpets Sound,  
Midnight Proclaimed: but when the third watch, round  
The Camp, new Sentinels had called to stand,  
He turns his Course, and leaving Daunus Land  
Behind, to the Campanian Coasts his Way  
He takes, well known, as greedy after Prey.  
Here, when he entered the Falernian Fields,  
(That Land is Rich, and constant Profit yields  
To the laborious Swains) he straightway throws  
His Hostile Flames, among the fruitful Boughs.  
But here, Lya●us, though great Actions be  
Our Theme, the Mention of Thine Honour We  
Must not pass by in Silence: but Record  
Thy Praise, who dost that Sacred Juice afford;  
Whose Vines, with Nectar swelled, a Nobler Name,  
Then the Falernian Press, can never claim.  
Falernus old, in better Times, did Blow  
The Massick Hills (they then no Swords did know)  
The Vine-leaus then, within the naked Field,  
Did not, with swelling Grapes, green Shadows yield:  
Nor knew they how to mix Lyaeus' Blood  
Among their Cups; but in some Crystal Flood,  
Or Spring, their Thirst allayed. An happy Hour  
Thither Lyaeus, going to the Shore  
Of Calpe, and the Bounds of Day, a Guest  
Did bring. Nor did the Deity detest  
A low, poor Cottage; but he enters, and  
The smoky Room, and Table, that did stand  
Before the Chimney (as the Custom was  
Of that poor Age, receive him. But, Alas,  
The Host, whose cheerful Looks his Joy expressed  
Did not perceive a God was then his Guest;  
And yet, as his Forefathers used to do,  
Spared not his Age, from running to, and fro;  
Most kindly busy: till his choicest Cheer  
He brought: there Cornels in neat Baskets; here  
Fresh, from his watery Hortyards, Juicy Fruits  
Served in: then Hony-Combs, and Milk he puts,  
As Dainties, 'mong the rest; and, all the while,  
Nothing of Blood the Table doth defile:  
But, Ceres' Gifts brought in, he doth compose  
The Fire, into the midst whereof he throws,  
His Sacrifice. Pleased with the Old Man's Care,  
The God resolved, his Liquor should be there;  
When suddenly (it is very strange to tell)  
The Cups of Beech with Wine begin to swell,  
As the Reward of his poor Entertain.  
The Milk-Pail too with Blushing Wine began  
To overflow: and from an hollow Oak,  
Into a Goblet, the sweet Liquor broke  
From the well-sented Grapes: Here, take, and store  
Thyself (Lyaeus said) with what before  
Thou didst not know: but which Falernus Name,  
For Nobler Vines, hereafter shall proclaim.  
With that the God himself revealed, and round,  
With Purple Rays, an Ivy Garland Crowned  
His shining Front, about his Neck he fling;  
His Locks, in his Right Hand a Tankard hung,  
And, fallen from his Thyrsus, Vines about  
The Table, with Nisaean Branches, sprout.  
Nor could Falernus with the pleasant Taste  
Contend, when some few Cups about had past.  
Now with his Foot, or stammering Tongue, he makes  
The God to laugh, while the strong Liquor shakes  
His Brains, and he endeavours to make good  
Return of Thanks, in Words scarce understood,  
Till Sleep (which Bacchus still accompanies,  
wherever he goes) composed his struggling Eyes.  
But, when the rising Sun dispersed the Dew,  
The Massick Swains, with Admiration, view  
Their fields with vines, like groves, most richly crowned,  
And, with the Sun, the Branches shining, round  
The Hill, their Glory spread, and since that hour  
Rich Tmolus, and Arvisian Cups, that pour  
Ambrosian Liquor forth, and thy famed Field,  
Fertile Methymna, to Falernus yield.  
Through this, the Libyan (like a Fury) past  
And all the Country round about, laid waist:  
Incited by His Men, whose Swords pursued  
Their thirst of Blood. While Fabius doth delude  
Their General: And now a mad Desire  
Of fight, the Ausonian Camp doth fire;  
All covet, in that Madness to descend  
Into the Plain. My Muse, let us commend  
The Man, whom Fate permitted to subdue  
Both Armies, and their Fury overthrew.  
If Me the Senate had believed to be  
Of such hot Temper, and so Rash (said he)  
Or that such Clamours, easily, my Mind  
Can shake, they had not, when the State declined,  
Given me the Conduct of this desperate War.  
My Resolutions of a Battle are  
Already fixed, it shall my Conquest be  
To keep you safe (that urge so eagerly  
Your Fate) against your Will: none of you all  
By Fabius shall have Liberty to fall.  
If weary of the Light, you now desire,  
That the Ausonian Name with you Expire:  
Or if it grieves you, that, at such a time,  
No Place is rendered Famous, by the Crime  
Of some new Mischief, or notorious Blow:  
Recall Flaminius from the Shades below,  
A Signal, by his late Temerity,  
And Auspicies you have. Do ye not see  
A Precipice, and your approaching Fate?  
Consider; to the Ruin of the State,  
One Victorie's enough for Hannibal.  
Stay then, and understand your General;  
When the wished Time shall come, that may require  
Your Hands, then let those furious Words conspire  
With Deeds; believe Me, 'tis an easy thing  
To go to fight: should we now open fling  
Our Ports, one Hour, you all into the Field  
May pour: but they, to whom the Gods shall yield  
A kind, and mild Aspect, as forth they go,  
Shall have that Bliss alone to scape the Foe,  
And safe return. The Libyan relies  
Upon His Fortune, and His Vessel flies  
With a propitious Wind, and, till that Gale  
Shall slack, and cease to fill his swelling Sail,  
It must of Business be, and constant Care  
To seek Delays. Fortune's Embraces are  
Perpetual to none; see! how much less  
The Tyrian Forces are: how they decrease  
In Fame, since We declined the Fight. And We,  
'Mong other things, for this may praised be  
That they, who— But it is better far, that I  
Forbear more Words: You now the Enemy.  
A Battle, and Pitcht-field require. Oh! may  
This Confidence be such another Day,  
Ye Gods! In the mean time, excluding all  
Chances of greater Dangers, that may fall  
Upon you, and My Country, pray let Me,  
To the whole War, alone opposed be;  
These Words their furious Arms, and Rage appease▪  
As when his calmer Brow the God of Seas  
Lifts 'bove the troubled Waves, and views the Main,  
As Lord, and is by it beheld again:  
The raging Winds their cruel Murmurs cease,  
Nor move the Wings upon their Foreheads: Peace  
Is soon diffused o'er all the calmed Brine,  
And, on the silent Shore, smooth Waters shine.  
This by the Libyan's subtle Care descried,  
Straight by the Poison of his Plots, he tried  
Their Minds. For Fabius, as his Father's Heir,  
Ploughed a few Acres, which the Name did bear  
Of Massicus, Renowned for Generous Vines:  
These, to advance his mischievous Designs  
(Which, through the Camp, ambiguous Rumours spread)  
From Fire, and Sword his spared: this Plot soon bred  
Suspicion of the Quiet of that Place,  
As if that He did privately embrace  
A League to lengthen out the War. But all  
The cunning Stratagems of Hannibal  
The wise dictator saw, and understood.  
But among Swords, and Trumpets, thought it good  
To scorn their Envy: nor, the Wounds to shun  
Of Fame, the Hazard of a Fight to run.  
Till wand'ring up, and down, and oft in vain,  
Moving his Camp, now here, now there, to gain  
Occasion to fight, the Libyan He  
Enclosed, where Woods, and rocky Hills we see,  
With his divided Troops. Here Him behind  
The lofty 
(c) The City Formiae in C●mpania, once inhabited by the L●str●gonians, who were of the Anthropaephag●. Cajeta a Seaport on the same Coast.  Laestrigonian Rocks confined:  
There, with its Moorish Grounds, Linternum was.  
No use of Soldiers, or of Swords the place  
Affords; but there, severest Famine all  
The Plagues, that lost Sagunthus did befall,  
Exacting, them oppressed, and Fate an End  
Seemed to the Arms of Carthage to intent.  
Now Sleep, all Things by Sea, and Land, did hid  
With's gloomy Wings, and having laid aside  
The Labours of the Day, the pleasing Rest,  
Granted to men by Night, the World possessed.  
But the 
(f) Hannibal.  Sidonian General the Cares,  
That then inflamed His Heart, and watchful Fears,  
Robbed of the Benefits of Night; while He  
Left His unquiet Bed, and suddenly  
Covering his Shoulder with a Lion's Skin,  
That lately spread upon the Grass had been,  
His palate, in the Field, to is 
(*) Mago.  Brother's Tent,  
(From's Own not distant far) directly went.  
He, not degenerate in Martial Rites,  
On a Bull's Hid then slept, and, by the Night's  
Great Blessing, eased His pensive Thoughts, and near  
Fixed in the Earth, upright, his Fatal Spear,  
On which His Helmet hung: upon the Ground  
His Breastplate, Sword, and Shield, about it round,  
His Bow, and Balearick Sling. Not far  
From these a Youthful Troop, all tried in War,  
Lay sleeping on the Earth, and near at Hand  
His Horse, caparisoned, doth grazing stand.  
His Entrance Mago wakes. Brother, (said He)  
(With that takes up his Arms) What is't, that Thee  
Thus stupifies? Then Mago risen, and all  
His Troop, then lying on the Ground, doth call  
With Speed to Arms. Then Hannibal began;  
Us Fabius, that so vigilant Old Man,  
The sole Delay to Our Propitious Fates,  
Thus indisposed by Night, exasperates  
To Cares. You see how We encompassed are  
With armed Bands, and how the Soldier,  
Collected in a Ring, doth Us invest,  
But now (since Our Affairs are thus distressed)  
Consider My Design. We have within  
The Camp an Herd of Oxen, that have been  
Plundered from all the Country round, and now  
(As Custom is) march with the Army: to  
The Horns, and Fronts of some of these, will I  
Give a Command dry Twigs, and Sticks to tie;  
Which fired, when once the Heat shall scattered be,  
The Oxen, sensible of Pain, will flee,  
And on their Necks the wand'ring Flames will bear  
O'er all the Hill: then, seized with sudden Fear,  
Their Sentinels will from their Stations runs  
And fear, that something more by Night is done.  
If this you like, (Extreme Resolves delay  
Refuse) Let's do't said; Herald With that away  
They go to other Tents, where in the Field,  
Upon the Ground, his Head upon his Shield,  
'Mong Horses, M●n, and Spoils, that by his Hand  
In Fight were taken▪ and with Slaughter stained,  
Mighty Maraxes lay, and in his Sleep,  
A dreadful Cry, as if engaged deep  
In Fight, by Chance then gave, and felt about  
With's trembling Hand to find his Weapons out,  
And his tried Sword. Thus warring, Mago shakes  
The Man; and, with his Spear inverted, wakes:  
Captain, since now 'tis dark, thy Fury lay  
Aside, reserve thy Valour for the Day;  
With Policy we now must use the Night  
For safe Retreat, and to conceal our Flight:  
Into the Woods my Brother doth intent  
With kindled Boughs tied to the Horns, to send  
The Oxen, where the Passes guarded be  
By Hostile Bands, and so our Army free.  
Let us be gone, and this Design shall be  
A Document to Fabius, that we  
With Policy contend. He makes no Stay,  
But, joyed at what He spoke, they haste away  
To stout Acherras Tent; who, satisfied  
With little Rest, or Ease, had never tried  
His Sleep to lengthen with the Night; but still  
On Horseback, as perpetual Centinel,  
Served, and was wont to ease his weary Steed,  
By dressing him, and always Bridled feed.  
Now all their Weapons whet, and the dried Gore  
Wipe from the Steel, and to their Swords restore  
Their Sharpness: what the Fortune of the Place,  
And Time required, and what their Duty was  
Declared; advising, that whoever did go  
As Chief in the Design, might not be Slow.  
Then through the Camp the Word, and Orders, run,  
All mutually instruct what's to be done;  
And importune, they may no longer stay:  
Their Fears inciting all to haste away,  
While yet the dark, and silent Night might hid  
Their Flight. Then, to the Boughs the Fire applied,  
From their large Horns the Flames aspiring rose.  
The Mischief, in an Instant, greater grows,  
And th' Oxen, shaking their tormented Heads,  
Fan out a Pyramid of Fire that spreads  
Its Basis largely, and o'ercomes the Smoke.  
The Beasts, affrighted, through the Forest broke;  
Then o'er the Hills, and, Rocky Mountains fly,  
As they were mad, and as their Nostrils by  
The Flames besieged are, they labour oft  
In vain to bellow, while o'er Cliffs, aloft,  
Through Valleys Vulcan wanders, and ne'er stands  
At all; but, shining on the Neighbouring Sands,  
As manifold appears, as when at Sea  
In a clear Night the Mariners survey  
Innumerable Stars: Or when upon  
Garganus Top, a Shepherd, sitting down,  
Beneath him sees Portuguese Forests burn,  
Which Husbandmen to fertile Pastures turn;  
O'er all the Hills the Flames with such a Face  
Appear to fly; and they, whose Chance it was  
To be the Guard, believed they Wand'ring fled,  
None scattering them, and that they, Furious, fed  
Within the Hills: some thought, that jove had thrown,  
From his incensed Hand, his Thunder down:  
Others, that kindled Sulphur gave them Birth,  
And, from her secret Caves, th' unhappy Earth,  
Condemned to greater Ruins, threw the Fire.  
The Rutuli, affrighted, straight retire,  
And from their Station fly. Then Hannibal,  
With speedy Arms, possessed Himself of all  
The Passes; and, advantaged by their Fears,  
Insulting in the open Field, appears.  
Yet vigilant, in Conduct of the War,  
The wise dictator had advanced as far,  
As Trebia, and behind him left the Sea  
Of Tuscany; that it enough might be  
For Hannibal, the Roman Arms to shun,  
And Fabius: who after him had gone,  
And with his Army close pursued his Flight,  
But that some Sacred Rites did him invite  
To his Paternal 
(e) It was (as Dausquejus observes) an admirable Superstition in the Romans, to prefer their private Sacrifices to the Public Dangers. But their Religion not only obliged them to the Observation of them for the Public; but it was Impiety to omit them in Private Families, which solemnised them in peculiar Places. So, that, when the Gauls strictly besieged the Capitol, a Youth of the Fabian Line, issuing out, marched through them; to the Admiration, both of his Enemies, and Friends, and performed this Solemnity on its appointed Day, on the Quirinal-Hill, chosen for that Purpose by his Ancestors. See Liv. ●ib. 5.  Gods. Then as to Rome  
He took his Way, a valiant Youth, to whom  
The chief Command, and Conduct of the War  
Was given, He thus with Counsel doth prepare.  
If by the Fortune of my Actions, Thou  
(Minutius) hast not yet Learned to allow  
Things warily performed, nor Words can Thee  
Led to true Honour, or invite to flee  
Unworthy things: Thou hast seen Hannibal  
Besieged. 'Twas not the Soldier, nor all  
Our Wings, nor our thronged Legions, (I Thee  
Attest) performed it; but 'twas done by Me.  
I, from the Camp, will not be long away,  
Only permit, that to the Gods I pay  
A solemn Sacrifice, and Him again  
Shut up by Floods, or Hills (if you refrain  
From fight,) will I give into your Hands.  
In the mean time believe Me (for it stands  
With my Experience) in distressed Affairs  
'Tis Safety to sit still, though it appears  
Honour to many (and may please them too,  
As the most glorious Conquest, to subdue  
An Enemy by fight,) yet to Me  
To keep You safe, it shall a Triumph be.  
I a full Camp leave in thy Hands, and Men  
Free from all Wounds: to give them such again  
To Me, thy Glory, and Renown shall be.  
The Libyan 
(f) Hannibal.  Lion Thou, perhaps, shalt see  
These Works assaulting. Sometimes offering Prey  
T' entice Thee ou●: sometimes to flee away,  
As if He feared thine Arms; but all the while  
He thinks on Fraud, and doth with Fury boil.  
'Tis His Desire to fight; but let Thy Stay  
Within the Camp take all those Hopes away.  
Let this Advice suffice: but if Thy Mind,  
And Courage, my Entreaty cannot bind:  
I, as dictator, by a pious Right,  
And strict Command, conjure Thee not to fight.  
The Camp, by his Advice, thus fortified  
He, Pious, left; and to the City hied.  
But, now, behold! with prosperous Winds before  
The Laestrigonian, and Cajetan Shore  
A Libyan Navy ploughs the Sea, and comes  
Into the Port, and all the Ocean foams  
With numerous Oars: when, from their crystal Caves,  
Affrighted with the Noise, above the Waves,  
The Sea- Nymphs rise, and see the Shore possessed  
By Hostile Ships, that then disturbed their Rest:  
Then, full of Fear, with Speed, they all repair,  
To those known Coasts, by them frequented, where  

(g) Teleboae, a Colony of Aetolians, infamous for their Robberies, who planted themselves in the Island Capr●ae, on the Coast of Campania.  Teleboae's Kingdoms 'midst the Ocean rise,  
And hollow Thrones, where mighty Proteus lies  
Within a broken Cave, and largely laves  
The adverse Rocks (a Prophet) with his Waves.  
He (for he all things knew, and what they feared)  
When changed in various Shapes he had appeared,  
And scared them, hissing like a dreadful Snake,  
Then roaring like a Lion fierce, thus spoke.  
What is it, Nymphs, that brings you hither? tell;  
Why doth that Paleness in your Faces dwell?  
Why seek ye, what hereafter shall befall  
To know? To this the Eldest, then, of all  
The Italian Nymphs, Cymodoce, replies.  
Thou knowst, already, whence our Fears arise.  
What doth this Carthaginian Fleet, that thus  
Deprives us of our Coast, portend to us?  
Must the Rhaetean Empire cross the Seas  
To other Gods? Or, Tyrian Seamen these  
Our Ports possess? Or, from our Native Seat  
Exiled, must we to Atlas now retreat;  
And dwell in Calpe's farthest Caves? Then he,  
Rehearsing things long passed, ambiguously,  
Thus undertakes to show ensuing Fate.  
On Ida, when the Phrygian Herdsman sat,  
And, calling back his straggling Bulls to feed  
In fertile Meadows, with his Pipe of Reed,  
The famed Dispute of Sacred Beauty heard:  
Then Cupid, who solicitous appeared  
T' observe the Time, the Snow-white Cygnets, joined,  
To is Mother's Chariot, drove: a Quiver shined  
Upon his Shoulder, and a golden Bow,  
And, with a nod to let his Mother know  
There was no cause to fear, showed he had brought  
That Quiver to her Aid, with Arrows fraught.  
Some of his Brother's comb her Golden Hair  
Upon her ●v'ry Forehead; others are  
Employed. Her flowing Garments to compose  
When sighing from her Lips, that like a Rose  
Blushed, to her Sons this Language fell. You see  
The Day, that must a faithful Witness be  
Of your great Piety to Me. Oh! who  
Would e'er have this believed, so long as you  
Are safe, that Venus' Beauty, and her Face  
Should questioned be? (For now what other Grace  
Remains to us?) if my Artillery,  
Infected with most pleasing Poison, I  
To You committed have, by which you awe  
Your Grandsire at your Pleasure (who gives Law  
To Heaven, and Earth) then by my Victory  
O'er juno, and Minerva, let me see  
Cyprus with Idumaean Palms abound,  
And Paphos with an hundred Altars Crowned.  
While to her winged Boys thus Venus talks,  
A gentle Echo, as the Goddess walks,  
Runs through the Grove: and then the 
(h) Palla●.  warlike Maid  
Her Aegis laid aside, her Hair displayed  
(That lately by her Helmet had been pressed)  
In Curls with Art, and neatly Combed, and dressed  
And, Peace enthroned in her Serener Eyes,  
With Speed unto the Place appointed hies.  

() juno.  Saturnia enters on the other side,  
After her Brother's Bed, resolving Ide  
The Trojan's Judgement, and Disdain to bear.  
Last, 
(k) Venus.  Cytherea, smiling, doth appear,  
And through the Grove, and Caves, within the 〈◊〉  
Sheds fragrant Odours from her Sacred Locks.  
Nor could the Judge endure to keep his Place:  
But, dazzled by the Beauty of her Face,  
Feared only, lest he should appear to her  
To doubt. The vanquished Goddesses transfer  
Fierce Wars beyond the Seas, and Troy was soon,  
With her unhappy Judge, quite overthrown.  
Pious Aeneas then by Sea, and Land  
Tossed up, and down, in Latium takes his Stand,  
With his Dardanian Gods: while Whales within  
The Ocean shall swim, and Stars shall shine  
In Heaven, and Phoebus from the Indian Main  
Shall rise, so long his Progeny shall reign.  
No Bounds of Time their Rule shall terminate:  
But you, my Daughters, while the Thread of Fate  
Doth run, the Dangerous Sands of 
(l) An Island near to Brundisium.  Sasson flee.  
We Aufidus, swelled high with Blood, shall see  
Driving his purple Waves into the Main:  
And you, Aetolian Shades, shall, once again,  
Fight with the Teucri, in that Field, so long  
Ago condemned by an 
(m) The Sibylline; which had foretold, that the Romans should receive a great Loss upon the Banks of Aufidus.  Immortal Song.  
Then Punic Darts the Roman Walls shall shake,  
And Hasdrubal 
(*) See the fifteenth Book.  Metaurus Flood shall make  
To shine with Slaughter. And then He, that was  
So secretly begot, by Jove's 
(n) Scipio Africanus. See the thirteenth Book.  Embrace,  
With a severe Revenge shall expiate,  
At once his Uncle's, and His Father's Fate,  
Then shall he fill with Flames Eliza's Shore,  
And force the Libyan, tormenting sore  
The Bowels of Italy, to hasten Home,  
And Him in His own Country overcome.  
Carthage in Arms shall yield to Him, and He  
Shall from the Name of afric Famous be.  
From Him 
(o) Scipio Emilianns.  another shall arise, by whom  
The third fierce War shall be subdued, and Rome  
See him Triumphant, after Byrsa's Fall,  
Bring Libya's Ashes to the Capitol.  
While He the Secrets of the Gods detects;  
Thus in his Cave, Min●tius rejects  
Both Fabius, and his Counsel, and, with Rage  
Possessed, the Foe endeavours to engage:  
Nor was the Libyan wanting to foment,  
And feed his Fury. But, with an Intent  
T' entice him, to embrace a greater Fight,  
With little Loss, sometimes dissembles Flight.  
As when the Fish, allured by scattered Baits  
In some clear Brook, forsake their deep Retreats,  
And swimming near the Water's Surface shine,  
The cunning Angler, with his twisted Line,  
Soon drags them to the Shore. Now Fame, which lies  
Among the Romans, like a Fury, flies.  
Telling the Foe was turned, and Hannibal  
In Flight his Safety found: an End of all  
Their Miseries, did then at Hand appear,  
If they to Overcome permitted were.  
But, that their Valour had no other Guide,  
The one, that did sad Punishments provide  
For such, as were victorious against his Will.  
That He within the Camp would shut them still,  
And give Command to sheathe their Swords again,  
That so he might a just Account maintain  
In Arms, and Soldiers give a Reason, why  
They dare to overcome the Enemy.  
The Vulgar murmur thus: and juno fires  
The Senate's Minds with Envy, and Desires  
Of Popular Air. Then, madly, they decree  
Things not to be believed, and such as be  
The Wish of Hannibal: such, as they soon,  
With too great Danger, wish they ne'er had done.  
For now the Army is divided, and  

(p) Minutius, conspiring with some other Hot Spirits of the Army, accusing Fabius to the People of Cowardice, and Sloth, obtained by their Suffrage, to be made equal with him in Commission, and to have Alternate Command, whence this Loss ensued. Liv. lib. 22.  Minutius shares with Fabius in Command.  
The old dictator, free from Passion, saw,  
And feared the Ills, that rash Resolve might draw  
Upon his Country: therefore, full of Care,  
And Pensive, to the Camp returned, and there  
Sharing his Social Forces, all the Hills,  
Adjoining, with his Neighbouring Eagles fills;  
And there, at once, observes the Libyan's Power,  
And Roman Army, from a lofty Tower.  
While Mad to perish, or destroy his Foes  
With sudden Fury rash Minutius throws  
The Ramparts down: and when, on either Side,  
Here the dictator, there the Libyan spied  
Him marching forth; their Minds with different Care,  
This to destroy, that to preserve him, are  
Inflamed. But He to Arm with Speed commands;  
And leads, from all Defence, his hasty Bands.  
The Libyan Captain pours into the Fight  
His Forces all, and thus doth them incite:  
While the dictator (Soldiers) is away,  
Go on, and bravely use this fight Day.  
Behold! the Gods now to your Wishes yield,  
Offering a Battle in an open Field.  
And, since this Opportunity is gained,  
Your Weapons cleanse, that have so long been stain  
With Rust, and satisfy your Swords with Blood.  
This Fabius observing, as he stood  
Viewing the Champagn Ground, (And Thou, Alas!  
Oh Rome! didst sadly Learn what Fabius was  
In so great Danger) this rash Boy (said he)  
Now my Colleague in Arms, shall punished be,  
As he deserves, that through so blind, and mad  
A Vote, with so much Danger, durst invade  
Our Fasces. Peevish Tribes! how slipp'ry are  
Your Pulpits, see? with what vain men the Bar,  
And Forum 's thronged! Now let the Offices  
Of War by them be equalled, and Decrees  
Ordain the Sun to yield unto the Night.  
Their Weakness, the rash Error of this Fight  
Shall quickly rue, and all the Wrongs, which they,  
Upon our common Parent, bring this Day.  
With that he shook his Spear, and, as a Flood  
Of Tears gushed from his Eyes, with Tyrian Blood  
(Said he) my Son, these sad Complaints must be  
Suppressed by Thee. Shall I endure to see  
A Citizen destroyed before my Face,  
And these our Troops? Or, while I am in place,  
Permit the Libyan conquer? If my Heart  
Were such, they'd seem less Guilty, that did part,  
And equal us: but this, my Son, believe,  
And from thy aged Sire, as Truth, receive;  
To be incensed, against our Country, is  
A Sin so great, that none, to the Abyss  
Of Hell, can with a fouler Crime descend.  
This our Forefathers did to us commend;  
And thus how good, how great, exiled from home,  
And banished long, didst thou (Camillus) come  
Into the Capitol! How many there  
By thy condemned Hand then slaughtered were!  
Had not thy Thoughts been calm, or had thy Mind  
At all, to Anger, or Revenge, inclined  
Aeneas Throne had changed its Place, and thou  
Great Rome hadst not, upon thy Hills, as now  
Stood Head of all the World. Therefore, my Son,  
Let all Displeasure, for my Sake, be gone;  
Let's hast to aid them with our Social Arms.  
With that, the Trumpet's intermixed Alarms  
Sound through the Camp; and all with such a Force  
Rush on, they bruise each other in their Course.  
First, the dictator all Things, that withstand  
His Speed, the Gates, and Bars, with his own Hand  
O'returns, and to the Battle breaks his Way.  
With such a Fury Winds contend at Sea,  
When Boreas sally's from th' Odrysian Coast,  
And, with like Rage, by Africus is crossed:  
The Sea's distracted, and to several Shores  
Each drives the Billows; while the Tempest roars,  
And the whole Ocean, wheresoever it goes,  
Obeys now here, now there, with furious Throws.  
So much of Honour could not rise from all  
Phoenicia subdued, or Byrsa's Fall;  
As this great Injury, which first did spring  
From private Envy, did of Glory bring  
To the dictator. For, by's Conduct there,  
At once, He all those Difficulties, Fear,  
Envy, and Passion, with malicious Fame,  
And Hannibal, and Fortune, overcame.  
When Hannibal perceived them run amain,  
Down from the lofty Camp, into the Plain,  
His Courage trembled; and, with Sighs, soon all  
His former Hopes of their Destruction fall.  
For He the Romans had encompassed round,  
With numerous Bands; not doubting to confound  
Them, so enclosed, by Darts, that on them fall  
On every side. And, then, their General  
Already, grieved for that unhappy Fight,  
The Stygian Waters, and eternal Night,  
Had entered in his Thoughts, with sad Despair:  
Ashamed to hope, that Fabius would be there▪  
To his Assistance. But two valiant Wings,  
Circling the Battle, the dictator brings  
To His Relief, and then, encompassing  
The Libyan Army with a larger Ring,  
Their utmost Troops behind invests; and those,  
That late besieged the Romans, doth enclose.  
Alcides' made him Higher rise in Fight,  
And to appear much Greater to their Sight:  
His lofty Crest, (it was strange) ejecting Rays,  
In active Vigour soon itself displays  
Through all his Members; while He Jav'lins throws,  
And storms, with Clouds of wounding Darts, his Foes.  
(Such, before he was Old, in Prime of all  
His years, in War the 
(q) Nestor▪  Pylian General  
Appeared.) Then, rushing on, he Turis sent  
To Hell, and stout Malêo, confident  
To Cope with any; who was known to Fame,  
And by his Spear had gained himself a Name.  
Then Butes, Maris, Arses, Garadus,  
Long-haired Adherbes, and conspicuous  
For Height, 'bove both the Armies, Tylis dies;  
Who, on the highest Fortress, could surprise  
The Battlements. These, at a Distance, all,  
With Darts; but Saph'arus, and Monesus, fall  
By is Sword: with them, Morînus, as he sounds  
To Fight with his shrill Brass, he deadly wounds  
On the Right Cheek; and, by the dying Blast  
Expelled, the Blood quite through the Trumpet past,  
From's wounded Jaws, Idmon, the next to him;  
Who, used o'er Nafamonian Sands to swim,  
Died by his Lance: for slipping, where he stood,  
Upon a Place, o'erflown with reaking Blood,  
endeavouring to recover's Feet again,  
And shun that slippery Place, Fabius, amain,  
Upon him spurs his Horse, and to the Ground  
Nails him with's Spear; which, left within the Wound,  
Though trembling with his Motion, firmly held  
His Carcase down, and fixed it to the Field.  
Honour's Example likewise fires the Mind  
Of Sylla, Crassus, and Metellus, joined  
With Fannius, and Torquatus, strong in Fight  
Above the rest: all these, in Fabius' Sight,  
Engage amidst their Foes. But here, in haste  
Retiring to avoid a Stone was cast  
Against him, Bibulus, unhappy, on  
An Heap of slaughtered Friends fell backward down,  
And where his Brigandine was gaping wide,  
Unhasped by frequent Blows, quite through his Side  
A Weapon's point, that in a Body stuck  
By Chance, upright into his Bowels struck.  
Sad Fate! he'd 'scap'd Marmarick Troops, and all  
The Garamantian Darts, that he might fall  
By a neglected Lance, that was not thrown,  
With an intent to wound him. Breathless down  
He tumbled, horrid Paleness straight involved  
His youthful beauteous Face, and Life dissolved,  
Through all his Limbs; his Arms hang lose, and Sleep,  
With Stygian Darkness, through his Eyes doth creep.  
From Tyrian Sydon, sprang of Cadmus' Race,  
Excited by his Nephews, Cleadas  
Came to the War, and, proud of the Command,  
Among his Aids, a brave Eöan Band  
Of Archers led: rich Gems all over deck  
His golden Cask, and Chains about his Neck:  
Such, when late washed, and from the Ocean raised  
The 
(r) Lucifer.  Usher of the Morn, by Venus praised,  
Contends with other Stars. In Purple He,  
His Horse in Purple, all his Company  
In Tyrian Purple shined. He, as he wheeled  
His Steed to th' Right, and Left, about the Field,  
Deluding Brutus, eager of the Fight,  
That, by his Hand, a Name so famous might  
Extinguished be, an Arrow, Parthian-like,  
Backward let's fly, nor doth it vainly strike;  
But in his Armourbearer Casca's Chin  
It sticks, and, penetrating deeply in,  
The Point, obliquely wounding, upward struck  
To his moist Pallet, and within it stuck.  
But Brutus troubled at his Friend's sad Fate,  
Him, that so oft, did thus disseminate,  
In seeming Flight, his cruel Shafts, no more  
Sought with his nimble Courser, as before,  
To overtake: but, his whole Fury to  
His Lance committing, the swift Weapon threw  
From the lose Thong, and where the Chains divest,  
Loosened by running to, and fro, his Breast,  
Into the upper Part, a deadly Wound  
The fixed 
(s) A Spear made of that Wood  Cornel gave: down to the Ground  
He dying sinks, and in his Fall let's go,  
From his right Hand the Shaft, his Left the Bow.  
But, with a better Fate, Charmelus (who  
Soracte's Honour was) did then pursue  
The Fight; for he his Sword with Blood had stained  
Of Bragad ', who o'er 
(t) King of Mauritania.  Iuba's People reigned:  
Zeusis (who of Spartan Phalanthus Race;  
A Race implacable, derived was,  
And whom his Mother, a Phoenician, bare  
T' a famed Laconian) by him likewise there  
Was slain. But Nampsicus, not daring to  
Appear in Fight, before so fierce a Foe,  
Nor yet, as Fear persuaded, thence to fly,  
Creped through the Bushes to an Oak, that nigh  
Did stand, and climbing to the Top, among  
The shady Leavs concealed himself, and hung  
Upon the Boughs, that trembled with his Weight,  
Him begging, earnestly, to shun his Fate,  
And leaping, fearful, oft from Bough to Bough,  
Furious Carmelus with a Pike quite through  
The Body pierced (the Fowler so in Groves  
His Lime-Twigs laid, when as his Mark removes  
In silence strives, on tallest Trees with Aim  
To strike, with his increasing Shaft, his Game)  
His Life, and Blood gush out, and, as it flows,  
The pallid Corpse hangs on the bending Boughs.  
The Romans, now the Tyrians put to Flight,  
Closely pursue. When of stupendous Height  
Upon a sudden, a most dreadful Moor  
Breaks forth, his Limbs black as the Arms he wore.  
Their lofty Mains his sooty Horses rear,  
And all his Chariot, with new Arts, that Fear  
Might move, adorned, like to their Backs appears.  
Like Plumes upon his Crest, like Robes he wears:  
As when of old, to his Infernal Bed  
The dreadful King of Night eternal, fled,  
And, in his Stygian Chariot, bore away  
From Aetna's Fields, ravished Proserpina.  
But Cato, than a Youth, and the Renown  
Of the high Walls of that 
(u) Tusculum, built by Telegen.  Circéan Town  
Where famed Laertes Nephew did command:  
Although he saw the Latins make a stand,  
All troubled in the Front, undaunted, He  
Spurs on his starting Steed, that sought to flee  
His Way, affrighted at the Stygian Shade.  
With that, he quits his Back, and doth invade  
On foot, the Chariot, and the flying Moor,  
Behind: when straight his Sword, that trembled o'er  
His Neck, his Whip, and Reins, together fall,  
And, suddenly, an horrid Paleness all  
His Limbs, through loss of Blood, doth overspread;  
When Cato, with his Sword, lops off his Head,  
And bears it, as a Trophy, on his Lance.  
But, now, the fierce dictator doth advance,  
And, through a Globe with Slaughter breaking, where  
(A woeful Sight!) the 
(x) Minutius.  Gen'ral did appear,  
Sinking through many Wounds, and loss of Blood,  
And poorly begging Quarter; with a Flood  
Of Tears, lamenting to behold him so,  
Protects him, with his Target, from the Fo:  
And, calling to his Son; My valiant Boy  
(Said He) now let thy Valour wipe away  
This Stain: let us to Hannibal return,  
(For his great Kindness, that he did not burn,  
And waste our Fields) a due, and just Reward.  
The Youth, with these Encouragements he heard,  
And's Father's Arts rejoiced, the Troops, that round  
The Libyan stood, constrained to quit their Ground  
With's Conquering Sword, and cleared the Field again;  
While Hannibal was forced to quit the Plain.  
As when a greedy Wolf, with Hunger pressed,  
The Shepherd stepped aside, or taking Rest,  
Hath seized a Lamb, and holds it, Trembling, fast  
Between his Jaws: if then the Shepherd haste,  
Hearing it bleat, to meet him in the Way;  
The Wolf, now fearful for himself, his Prey,  
Panting between his Teeth, let's fall again,  
And hungry to the Woods retreats amain.  
At length the Stygian Darkness, that was spread  
O'er all the Earth, by a rude Tempest, fled.  
Their Hands were weary, and they all confess  
They did not merit Safety; with Excess  
Of sudden Joys their Minds distracted were:  
Like such, that by some sudden Ruins are  
Oppressed, when they are freed again, and Night  
Retires, then wink, and fear to see the Light.  
This done, his Army numbered in the Plain,  
To 's Camp upon the Hills, with Joy, again  
The old Dictato●r, makes a safe Retreat:  
And then, as rescued from the Hand of Fate,  
The Youth, loud Shouts raise to the Stars, and all  
T' express their Joy with Emulation, call  
Fabius their Safety, Fabius their Renown,  
Fabius their common Father, and the Crown  
Of all their Hopes. Then he, that lately shared  
His Troops, to thank them with this Speech repaired  
Most Pious Father, if it lawful be  
That we complain, to Life restored by Thee,  
Oh why didst Thou permit us to divide  
Our Camp, and Forces? Why didst thou abide  
So patiented, so calm, those Arms to yield  
To us, which thou alone art fit to wield?  
Sinking beneath that Charge with loss of Blood,  
We near the Shades Eternal lately stood.  
Hither your Eagles, hither quickly bear  
Your rescued Ensigns; Here's our Country, here  
In this one Breast the city's Walls abide!  
And thou, Oh Hannibal, now, lay aside  
Thy Frauds, and known Deceits, the War with 〈◊〉  
By Fabius alone must managed be.  
This said, when straight (a Reverend Sight it was)  
A thousand Altars rise, of Turfs of Grass  
Composed, and none or Meat, or Wine essayed  
To touch, before Devoutly they had prayed,  
And on the Sacred Table, to the wise  
Dictatour's Honour, paid a Sacrifice.  
The End of the Seventh Book.   

SILIUS ITALICUS OF The Second Punic War. The Eighth Book.  
THE ARGUMENT.  
By Juno sent, to ease His present Cares,  
The Goddess Anne, to Hannibal repairs:  
By whose Advice, to Cannae He removes.  
Elected by the People, Varro proves  
A Fatal Consul, the Delays upbraids  
Of Fabius: A List of all the Aids,  
That with the Romans join. The Army goes  
To Cannae: Fabius Counsels to oppose  
Rash Varro. What sad Prodigies foreshow  
In Heaven, and Earth, the Romans Overthrow.  
NOW Fabius, the first, that made them see  
The flying Backs of Cadmus' 
(a) The Carthaginians.  Progeny,  
Was by the Roman Camp, and Soldiers all,  
Their common Parent styled: by Hannibal,  
His only Fo. Impatient of Delay,  
The Libyan raves. For that, to have a Day  
Of Battle, the Dictatour's Death must be  
Expected, and the Aid of Destiny  
Was to be Wished: for while in Arms he stood,  
While Fabius lived, to hope for Trojan Blood,  
Was vain. For now the Soldiers brought again  
Their Eagles, and, united, all remain  
Under his sole Command. With him alone  
He must again contend: and what upon  
His Thoughts lay heaviest, was, that, by Delay,  
He took the Fury of the War away;  
And, by his Art of sitting still, had made  
The Plenty of the Tyrian Army fade.  
And, though an End, by Fight, could not be  
Obtained, or Battle, he his Enemy  
Had by his Conduct lately overcome.  
Besides, the boasting Celtaes towards Home  
Began to look: a People of a light,  
Unconstant Mind: Fierce, at the first, in Fight;  
But, if withstood, soon quelled. They grieved to see  
A War should be maintained, from Slaughter free:  
(A thing to them unknown) and while they stood  
In Arms, their Hands were stiff, and dry from Blood.  
To add to this, an inward Grief, and Wound  
Of civil Envy, did his Thoughts confound;  
For Hanno, thwarting all he did intent  
At Home, would not permit the Senate send,  

(b) Hannibal, not able to obtain his Desire of Battle, (the Hopes of which had till then kept his Army together) had Thoughts of returning into France (saith Livy, lib. 22.) if the Consuls, that succeeded Fabius, had used the same Arts with him to avoid fight. For Hannibal, strongly opposed at Home by Hanno's Faction, had no Supplies thence: and, in Italy most of the Cities opposing him, he could not find Provisions to sustain his Men; till the following Victory, at Cannae, gave Him all, that He wanted.  To his Assistance, any Aids at all.  
Torn with these Cares, and fearing now the Fall  
Of his Affairs; juno, who knew the Fate  
Of Cannae, and with future things elate,  
Him with fresh Hopes of Arms, and War inspires,  
And fills his Thoughts, again, with mad Desires.  
For 
(c) The Sister of Dido.  Anna, called from the Laurentine Lakes,  
In this mild Language her Instructions takes.  
There is a Youth, in Blood allied to Thee,  
Called Hannibal, and from our Belus he  
His Noble Name derives: make Haste away,  
And the rude Surges of his Cares allay;  
Shake Fabius from his Thoughts, who is alone  
The Stop, that Italie's not overthrown.  
Fabius is now dismissed, with Varro he  
Hereafter must contend; the War must be  
With Varro waged. Let him not wanting prove  
To Fate, but quickly all his Ensigns move:  
I will be present; let him haste away  
To th' japygian Plains: there Trebia,  
And Thrasimonus Fates shall meet again.  
Anna a Neighbour to the Gods, that reign  
In those chaste Woods, thus answers. It would be  
Unjust in Me, should I delay (said She)  
Your great Commands; but yet permit, I pray,  
The Favours, to my ancient Country, may  
With Caution be retained; and that the Will,  
And Charge, of my dear Sister I fulfil.  
Though Anna be esteemed Divine, among  
The Latin Deities, yet Time with long  
Ambages, turning, in Obscurity  
Hath drowned the Reason of Antiquity;  
Why Temples the Ausonians should ordain  
To Tyrian Powers: Or why, where Trojans reign,  
Eliza's Sister should be there adored.  
But, keeping close to Time, I will record  
What ancient Fame reports; and, briefly, all  
The Story tell, from its Original.  
When Tyrian Dido, by her Trojan Guest,  
Forsaken was, and all her Hopes suppressed:  
Within a secret Place, in Haste, with Cares,  
And Love, distract, a Funeral Pyle she rears;  
Then takes the Sword (that fatal Gift) that by  

(d) Aeneas.  Her Husband fled was given, resolved to die:  
When straight Hyarbas, whom before She had  
Rejected, as a Lover, doth invade  
Her Kingdom, and his Arms, Victorious (while  
Her Ashes yet were warm) fixed to the Pyle.  
Who durst, while thus the Nomads fierce King  
Prevailed, to their Distress, Assistance bring?  
Battus, by Chance, the Reins of Chief Command  
Over 
(e) Cyrene, a City situate between the great Syrt, and Marcotis, from which all that part of Libya is called Cyrenaica.  Cyrene, with a gentle Hand  
Then held: this Battus was by Nature Kind,  
And Humane Chances easily inclined  
With Tears, to pity, and, at first, when Anne  
A Suppliant before Him came, began  
The fickle State of Kings to apprehend,  
And to relieve her, did his Hand extend.  
Here She two Harvests passed, but could no more  
Enjoy the Aid of Battus, and that Store  
His Bounty did afford: for then a Fame  
Was spread, Pygmalion to her Ruin came  
By Sea. She therefore from that Kingdom flies,  
And (as if hated by the Deities,  
And no less hateful to herself, that She  
Her Sister's Death, did not accompany)  
By fatal Tempests, on the Sea, was tossed,  
Till, with torn Sails, to the Laurentine Coast,  
She driven was, and, sadly Shipwrecked, there  
A Stranger to the People, Soil, and Air,  
A fearful Tyrian stood, on Latin ground.  
When now behold Aeneas, having crowned  
His Labours with a Kingdom, to the Place  
By Chance, with young Iülus came: His Face  
She quickly knew, and when he spied her there,  
Her Eyes fixed on the Earth, and full of Fear,  
Fallen prostrate at Iülus Feet, whose Eyes  
O'erflowed with Pity, helping her to rise,  
To's House, he with a gentle Hand conveyed,  
And when, with kind Reception, he'd allayed  
Her Fears of Danger, with a pensive Care,  
Desired unhappy Dido's Fate to hear.  
Then she, with Language fitted for the Time,  
And Tears her Words protracting, thus to him  
The Story told. Thou Goddess-born, alone,  
Wert the true Cause, my Sister, both her Throne  
And Life enjoyed: her Death, and Funeral Fire  
(Alas that I, in it, did not expire)  
Can witness this: for when She could no more  
Behold thy Face, sometimes upon the Shore  
She sat, sometimes she stood, and, as her Eyes  
Pursued the Winds, with loud, and mournful Cries  
Aeneas called, and only begged, that she  
Might in the Vessel bear thee Company.  
Soon after, troubled in her Thoughts, again  
She to her Marriage-Chamber runs amain,  
Where, as she enters, she is seized with such  
A sudden Trembling, that she dares not touch  
Her Nuptial Bed: then, mad with her Embrace,  
The starry Image of I●lus Face  
She hugs, than Thine; on which, at length, she dwells  
With fixed Eyes, and her sad Story tells  
To Thee, and hopes an Answer to obtain.  
But, when Love laid all Hopes aside, again  
The House she quits, and flies unto the Shore,  
Hoping the shifting Winds might Thee restore.  
At length, fallacious Levity invites  
Her, even to Magic Arts, and the dire Rites  
Of the Massilian Nation to descend.  
But Oh! What wicked Errors do attend  
Such Prophets! while they Stygian Powers allure  
From Hell, and promise to her Wounds a Cure.  
What a sad Act did I, deceived the while,  
Behold! She throws upon the horrid Pyle  
All Monuments, and fatal Gifts by Thee  
On her bestowed. With that thus lovingly  
He interrupts her; By this Land I swear  
(Which in my Wishes you did often hear)  
By mild I●lus Head (to Her, and Thee  
Once held so dear) I most unwillingly,  
Oft looking back, and troubled in my Mind,  
Your Kingdom left. Nor had I then declined  
My Marriagebed, had I not threatened been  
By Mercury, who with his Hand Me in  
The Cabin placed, and drove into the Sea,  
With furious Winds, the flying Ship away.  
But why (though all Advice is now too late)  
Did you permit, at such a Time as that,  
That She, without a Guard, in Love should be  
So Furious? In broken Murmurs she  
(Among her many Sighs) to this replies,  
With trembling Lips. I then a Sacrifice  
To Stygian jove, and his Infernal Queen,  
To try, if my poor Sister might have been  
Eased in her Lovesick Mind, prepared, and to  
The Altars, with all Diligence, I drew  
The coalblack Lambs, with mine own Hand: for I,  
The Night before, was filled with Horror, by  
A Dream: for thrice my Sister called on you  
With a loud Voice, thrice on Sychaeus; who,  
Leaping for Joy, with a most cheerful Face  
(I thought) appeared. But, while I strove to chase  
These Fancies from my Mind, and, as the Day  
Began, that what I saw, might prosper, pray  
The Gods; She, Frantic, runs unto the Shore,  
And on the silent Sands, where you before  
Had stood, her frequent Kisses fixed, and pressed  
Your Footsteps with a kind embracing Breast:  
As Mothers, late deprived of their Sons,  
Their Ashes hug. From thence away she runs,  
Like a rude Bacchinal) her Hair displayed,  
To that high Pile, which she before had made,  
Of a vast Bulk, from whence she might explore  
All Carthage-City, with the Seas, and Shore.  
Then putting on the Phrygian Robe, and Chain,  
Enriched with Gems, when she to Mind, again,  
Had called the Day, wherein she first had seen  
These Presents, and the Banquets, that had been  
At your Arrival made, and how the long  
Labours of Troy you told, while on your Tongue,  
With Pity, her still-listning Ear depends;  
Then to the Port her weeping Eyes she bends;  
And, Offering to the Gods, in Death, her Hair,  
Thus speaks. Ye Gods of lasting Night! who are  
By our approaching Death much Greater made,  
Be Present, I beseech you! and my Shade,  
O'ercome with Love, and weary, now of Life,  
Receive, with kind Aspect, Aeneas Wife,  
And Venus Daughter; who t' avenge the Gild  
Of my Sychaeus Death, these towers have built  
Of lofty Carthage: now the Shade to you  
Of that great Body come. My Husband (who  
Was famed for his kind Love) perhaps Me there  
Expects, and would renew his former Care.  
This said, the Sword (that fatal Sword!) which she  
Thought a sure Pledge of Dardan Love to be,  
Into her Breast she thrusts; her Servants, who  
Beheld her, with sad Cries, and Shrieking, through  
The Palace run. The Noise, unhappy, I  
Receive, and, frighted to the Palace, fly.  
Like one distracted, with my Hands, my Face  
I tear, and strive to climb up to the Place.  
Thrice, with that Sword, I thought myself to kill,  
As oft I, sounding, on my Sister fell.  
But, when the Rumour of her Fate was spread  
Through all the Neighbouring Cities, thence I fled  
To famed Cyrene, and, by Fate still crossed,  
From thence upon your Coast, by Tempests tossed,  
I now am cast. The Trojan Prince, inclined  
To Tears at this, resolved to be more kind  
To Her: and now all Sadness, Grief, and Care,  
Was laid aside, and Anne no longer there  
A Stranger seemed to be. But, when the Night  
All things by Sea, and Land, had covered quite,  
Her Sister Dido seemed with sad Aspect,  
These Words to Her, then sleeping, to direct.  
Canst Thou (Oh Sister!) canst Thou long endure  
Within this Family (Oh too secure!)  
T' indulge Thyself to Rest? And dost not see  
What dangers Thee surround? what Plots against Thee  
Are laid? Or dost Thou not, yet, understand  
How fatal to Thy Kindred, and Thy Land  
The Trojans are? So long as Spheres above,  
With Rapid Turning-round, the Stars shall move,  
And with her Brother's Light the Moon shall shine,  
Upon the Earth between the Trojan Line,  
And Tyrians, there shall be no Peace: Arise,  
Be gone from hence, 
* Lavinia was the Daughter of King Latinus, whom Aeneas married.  Lavinia's Jealousies  
Now secret Plots contrive, and in her Mind  
Something of Mischief against Thee is designed.  
Beside (nor think that this is but a Dream)  
Hard by, Numîcus, with a gentle Stream,  
From a small Fountain, through a Valley flows:  
Hast quickly thither, and Thyself dispose  
To Safety; there the Nymphs, with Joy, shall Thee  
Receive into the Flood, and Thou shalt be,  
In Italy, Eternally Adored  
A Goddess. And, as Dido spoke that Word,  
She vanished into Air. Anne, frighted by  
These Prodigies, awakes; and instantly,  
Through Fear, cold Sweat o'er all her Limbs is spread.  
Then, clad with a thin Garment, from her Bed  
She leaps, and through a Window, that was low,  
Into the open Fields doth, speedy, go:  
Until Numîcus in his sandy Waves  
Received, and hide her in his Crystal Caves.  
Now, when through all the World its Beams the Day  
Had spread, and in the Trojan Chambers they  
The Tyrian Lady missed, with Cries through all  
The Latian Fields they run, and Anna call.  
At length Her Footsteps to th' Neighbouring Flood  
They follow, and, as there they Wondering stood,  
The River from his Channel straight expelled  
The Stream, and in the Bottom they beheld  
'Mong the Coerulean Sisters, Anne, who broke  
Silence, and to the Trojans kindly spoke.  
Since that, when first the Year gins, is She  
Divinely worshipped through all Italy.  
When to this Fight that did so fatal prove  
To Italy, the spiteful Wife of jove  
Had Her instructed, in her Chariot, light,  
Up to the Stars again she takes her Flight,  
Hoping full Draughts of Trojan Blood she may  
At length receive. The Lesser to obey  
The greater Goddess hasts, and straight to all,  
Besides, unseen, repairs to Hannibal.  
Sequestered from all Company, alone  
She finds Him, sadly ruminating on  
The dubious Event of His Affairs,  
And War, with anxious Sighs; to ease His Cares  
With this kind Language She salutes Him. Why  
(Most Mighty King of Cadmus' Progeny)  
Dost Thou persist to vex Thyself with Care?  
Know, that the angry Gods appeased are  
To Thee: and now an Eye of Favour cast  
On th' Agenorides. Away, make haste;  
Draw Thy Marmarick Forces out to fight.  
The Fasces now are changed, and Fabius quite,  
By a Decree of Senate, now hath laid  
The War, and Arms, aside: it may be said,  
With a Flaminius Thou hast now to do.  
Me the great Wife of jove (nor doubt it True)  
To Thee hath sent, I, in th' Oenotrian Land  
Religiously adored, a Goddess stand,  
Sprang from Your Belus Blood. Then quickly go,  
And all the Thunder of War's Fury throw,  
Where high Garganus doth itself display  
Through Iapygian Fields unto the Sea;  
The Place is not far distant, thither all  
Thy Ensigns bear; that Rome, at length, may fall.  
This Victory shall Libya suffice.  
This said, into the Clouds again She flies.  
By these Assurances, of promised Praise,  
Doth Hannibal His Thoughts dejected raise:  
Great Nymph (said He) the Glory of Our Line;  
Then whom by Us no Goddess more Divine  
Is held! most happy with such Tidings fraught!  
Thee (after I victoriously have fought)  
At Carthage, in a Marble Temple, I  
Will place, and, in her Statue, Dido, nigh  
To Thee, shall be adored. This said, He then,  
Full of glad Thoughts, thus animates his Men.  
Now all your tedious Cares, your Sense of ill,  
And slow-tormenting Pains of sitting-still  
(My Soldiers) lay aside. We have appeased  
The Wrath of Heaven, the Gods with Us are pleased.  
Hence is it, that I Fabius can declare  
Discharged of his Command: the Fasces are  
In other Hands. Now let Me see those great,  
And valiant Acts, which oft, with so much Heat,  
You promised, when excluded from the Fight.  
Behold! a Libyan Deity, this Night,  
Hath promised greater things, than We have done.  
Then pull Your Ensigns up, let Us march on  
After the Goddess, and that Land invade,  
That, by the Name of Diomedes, was made  
Most fatal to the Phrygians. While they,  
Encouraged thus, to Arpos marched away,  
Varro, by stolen Plebeian Voices made  
A Consul, who the 
(f) The Pulpit, wherein stood such, as spoke to the People in their Assemblies●  Rostra did invade  
With Tyranny, opens a spacious Gate  
To Ruin, and draws on the city's Fate.  
This Fellow, basely born, his Parent's Name  
Unknown, into the 
(g) The Pleading-Place.  Forum, Bawling, came  
With an immodest Tongue, and made by Bribes,  
And Rapine rich, humoured th' inconstant Tribes,  
By railing at the Senate, and so far  
Prevailed in Rome, then shaken by the War;  
That He (by whom, had he with Victory  
Returned, it had been Shame for Italy  
To be preserved) of all Affairs the Weight  
Assumed; sole Arbiter of her great Fate.  
Him 'mong the Fabii, and those Names renowned  
In War, the Scipios, and Marcellus crowned  
With Spoils to jove, blind Suffrages (a Stain)  
Placed in the 
(h) The Roman Calendars.  Fasti, while the Love of Gain,  
And 
(i) The Place where they Assembbled.  Mars' Field, a greater Mischief bred  
For Cannae, than the Arms of Diomed.  
He, as he was Seditious, busy still  
To foment Envy, and devoid of Skill  
To plead, so was he weak in Martial Arts,  
And neither famed for Courage, nor for Parts  
To manage such Affairs, hoped yet, among  
The Valiant, to be honoured for his Tongue,  
And from the Rostra urgeth for a Fight.  
When therefore to the People, full of Spite,  

(k) Varro was no sooner elected Consul, but he told the People, that the War had been brought into Italy by the Nobility, and would be kept in the Bowels of it, if the Fabii had the Command of their Armies. See Liv. Book 16.  He had upbraided Fabius for Delay,  
Against the Senate too this boasting Plea  
He undertakes: 
(l) A Compellation frequently used to the People by such as flattered them.  Quirites! You to whom  
Belongs the chief Command, to you I come,  
Your Consul, for Commission now to Fight.  
Shall I sit still, or, wand'ring o'er the Height  
Of Hills, beneath me Garamantians see,  
And parched Moors to share in Italy?  
Or shall I use that Sword, which now I wear,  
Given by your Suffrage. Good dictator, hear  
What 'tis the Martial People now command.  
It is their Will, that the Ausonian Land  
Be eased of Libya's War, and of the Fo.  
Do they to War precipitately go;  
Who, having suffered much, now the third Year,  
With saddest Miseries consumed appear?  
Hast then, take Arms, brave men; your sole Delay  
To Triumph, is a little March. That Day,  
Which first shows you the Foe, shall overthrow  
The Senate and the Libyan War. Then go  
With Speed; I, bound in Latian Fetters, through  
The City Hannibal, in Fabius' View,  
Will lead. This boasting said, out at the Gates,  
Rushing to Arms, he, straight, precipitates:  
Like one, that unacquainted with the Arts  
To guide a Chariot, from the Barrier's starts;  
Gives the full Reins with one, with tother Hand  
The Whip employs, while he doth tottering stand  
Unequal to the Steeds: the Axletree,  
Pressed by th' ill-turning Wheels, appears to be  
On fire, and smokes: the Chariot to, and fro,  
Is tossed; with it the Reins, entangled, flow.  
Paulus, (who then for Peace, and War, was joined  
His Colleague) well perceived the State inclined  
To Ruin, and, by his unhappy Sway,  
Its Strength, and Glory quickly would decay.  
But the unconstant Fury of the rude,  
And troubled People, and a 
(m) After Paulus Aemylius had subdued King P●rs●us, and spoiled seventeen Cities in Illyrium, at his Return to Rome, the People accused him of converting much of the Booty to his own use (as they did, afterwards, Scipio Africanus) since which time he never took any Public Employment, till made Colleague with Varre.  Wound renewed  
Fresh in his Memory, Complaints suppressed,  
And kept his swelling Griefs within his Breast.  
For when, in younger Years, he had subdued  
Illyrium, the envious Multitude  
Upon his Conquest foul Aspersions cast,  
And, with unjust Reports, his Laurel blast.  
Thence of the cruel People he did bear  
Still in his Mind a Rev'rential Fear.  
But, to the Gods allied, his Pedigree  
From Heaven, by famed progenitors, might be  
Derived. His Chief, Amulius, could prove  
Assaracus his Ancestor; he, jove.  
And none denied, who Him in Arms had seen,  
That that His great Original had been.  
To Him, as than he was about to take  
The Field, and quit the Town, thus Fabius spoke.  
If that thy greatest War thou dost believe  
To be with Hannibal, thou wilt deceive  
Thy Country, Paulus (I am loath my Mind  
To speak thus freely) but, I'm sure, thou'lt find,  
Within the Camp, worse Conflicts, and a Foe  
More fierce, or I, in vain, have sought to know  
Events of War so long. I lately heard  
Him promise (and, if I the Ruins feared,  
That we shall suffer, I could weary be  
Of Life, and my old Age) so soon as He  
Can see him, he would fight the prosperous Fo.  
Oh Paulus, should the eager Libyan know  
This Speech, how near would our Destruction be!  
I do believe, that now the Enemy  
Stands ready in the Plain, and hopes to find  
Another Consul, of Flaminius' Mind,  
To fall into his Hands. What men wil● Thou  
Provoke, mad Varro? Or, unskilful, how  
Canst thou, forthwith, their Camp, and Arms before  
Discover? and, by thy Delays, explore,  
How much the Customs of the Foe may Thee  
Avail? How great his Magazine may be?  
Or what the Place's Nature? Thou their kind  
Of Weapons soon will't know, and Fortune find  
Standing on all their Points. Paulus, thy just  
Resolves to all his devious Courses must  
Opposed be: if it be just in him  
T' afflict his Country, can it be a Crime  
In Thee to save it? Hannibal is now  
Straitened for Victuals: His Associates grow  
Now weary of his Friendship, since the Heat  
Of War's allayed: here He finds no Retreat  
To better Quarters: here no Cities are,  
To whose Fidelity he can repair.  
Nor can he here recruit his Youth again:  

(n) When Hannibal marched from Rhedanus, his Army consisted of eight and thirty thousand Foot, and about eight thousand Horse: but, through the Difficulties which he encountered in his Passage over the Alps, he scarce brought half of them into Italy. Polyb. lib. 3. Livy affirms, scarce a third part.  Scarce a third part of all those men remain,  
That with him from Iberus came: Oh then  
Continue firm, and to our Wounds, again  
The Medicine of a Cautious War apply.  
If in the mean time The art invited by  
Any propitious Air, and Heaven approve;  
Near to thy better Fortune quickly move.  
Paulus, with Sadness, briefly thus again  
Answers. This Piety shall still remain  
With me: thy Mind (unconquered General)  
Against the Libyan I'll still bear. Withal,  
I know there is such Reason to withhold  
From Fight, that Hannibal, now waxing old,  
Through thy Delays, perceius the War to be  
Almost suppressed, and at a Stand: but see  
The sad Displeasure! see the Wrath of Heaven!  
One Consul (I believe) to Rome is given  
To ' there to Carthage: He draws with Him all  
Affairs, and madly fears, that Rome should fall  
By any other Hand, then by His own:  
She, cruel, from the Tyrian Senate, none  
Can more destructive choose: no Warlike Steed;  
To carry Him against the Foe, hath Speed  
Enough. It grieus Him, that His March should be  
Retarded, by the Night's Obscurity.  
With Swords half drawn He marches, that no Stay,  
To draw a Sword, His fight may delay.  
But ye Tarpeian Rocks, and towers that be  
Sacred to jove, through him allied to Me!  
And my thrice happy country's Walls, which now  
I standing leave, the Witness of my Vow!  
Where e'er the common Safety calls me, I  
Will go, and greatest Dangers will defy;  
But, if still deaf, to what I shall advise,  
The Camp will fight, I shall no longer prise  
Th' Enjoyment of my Sons, and dearest Home,  
Nor, like to Varro, me shall wounded Rome  
Returning see. Thus high in Discontent  
The Generals, both, to the Army went.  
The Libyan within th' Aetolian Plains  
(As by His Dream advised) encamped remains.  
Neither had Italy e'er sent a Force  
Greater for Number, both of Foot, and Horse,  
Into the Field: for than they feared the Fall  
Both of the City, and the Nation; all  

(o) Varro having resolved to fight, wheresoever he met Hannibal, the People gave him an excessive Liberty to raise men: so that he had a greater Army, than ever the Romans levied before; to the number of eighty eight thousand men. See Plutarch in Fabio.  Their Hopes upon one Battle did depend.  
Therefore the Faun-got Rutuli did send,  
Joined with Sicanian Arms, their Sacred Bands  
Into the War. Those, that possess the Lands  
Of Daunus, and Laurentine Palaces,  
And famed Numicius Waters, joined with these.  
From Castrum likewise, to the War, they came;  
And Ardena, once fatal to the 
(p) Ardea, was a wealthy City of the Latins, (distant from Rome eighteen Miles) when Aeneas entered Italy, Turnus was King of it, who gave Battle to Aeneas, and was slain by him, Tarquimus Superbus besieged this City, when his Son left the Camp, and posted to Rome, to ravish Lucretia; which not only forced him to raise the Siege, but subverted his Dominion over the Romans. See Liv. lib. 1.  Name  
Of Phrygians; and, Lauînum, where of old  
(Built on a lofty Hill) they did behold  
Great Juno's Temple; and, Collatia where  
chaste Brutus took his Birth: with those, that are  
Want to frequent Diana's cruel 
(q) Diana's Grove near Aricia, a Town situate behind the Alban Hill, upon the Via Appia. In this Grove Numa pretended his Private Conference with the Nymph Egeria.  Grove;  
And that the Mouth o'th' 
(r) Tiber.  Tyrrhen River love.  
They likewise, that in Almo's warmer Stream  
Cherish 
(s) Almo, a small Brook, that flows into Tiber; wherein, once a year, the Image of Cybele was washed.  Cybele, to the Army came.  
Thy Tybur too, Catyllus, mustered; and  

(t) Praeneste, built by Praenestus, the Son of Latinus, and Nephew to Ulysses, and Circe: where there was a Temple Dedicated to Fortune, and famous for its Oracles.  Praeneste, that upon an Hill doth stand,  
Sacred to Fortune; and Antemna, famed:  
Before Crustumium, from the River named.  
With the Labîci, skilled to Blow, and those,  
That dwell where now Imperial Tiber flows;  
With Anyo's Neighbours, and the People, where  
The Fields with cold Simbrivium watered are;  
And the Aequicolae, for Tillage known.  
Their Captain, Scaurus was; whose Chin the Down  
Then newly covered: but his rising Worth  
Began to future Times to set him forth.  
These were not wont with Steel to point the Spear,  
Or Quivers full of winged Shafts to bear;  
Piles, and short Swords, they love: their Heads with Brass  
Defended are, their Crests all else surpass.  
But those, which Setia, that's reserved alone  
For Bacchus' Table, and 
(u) The Velitrini, upon the Confidence's of a Prophecy, that told them, a Citizen of their City should one day obtain the Dominion over all Italy, did very often contend with Rome: but were still worsted; until Augustus, who was born there, obtaining the Empire, fulfilled the Prophecy.  Velitrae, known  
By many Battles, from her Valley sent,  
With such as Cora listed, and that went  
From Signia, full of hurtful Wines; with those,  
Where the black Fen of Satura overflows  
The Pontine Level, with a noisome Flood;  
Which, running through the Fields, all stained with Mud,  
Vfens within his Channel straight collects:  
And with the Slime the Neighbouring Sea infects,  
Were under valiant Scaevola's Command;  
Who, Great in's Ancestors, nor of that Hand  
Unworthy held, whose honoured Figure He,  
Carved in his Target, wore: where they might see  
The flaming Altars, 'midst the Tyrrhen Bands,  
Now angry with himself, bold 
(x) Mutius Scaevola, who, when Rome was besieged by Tarqvinius Superbus, and Porsenna, issued out of the City by night, resolving to kill Porsenna, and passing, disguised, through the Guards, coming into his Tent, not knowing the King, slew one of his Nobles, and finding immediately his Error, in a Rage, burnt his Hand, for the Mistake. Liv. lib. 1.  Mutius stands,  
And Valour, in his Image, seemed to be  
Turned into Rage: Porsenna, instantly,  
Having escaped the Blow, to Arms returns,  
While He his erring Hand, for Anger, burns.  
Then, from the famed Circaean Hills, and from  
Anxur (high-standing on a Rock) they come:  
With those, that Blow the Hernick Stony Fields,  
And fair Anagnia, that such Plenty yields  
Of Wheat. But Sylla the Terentines, joined  
With Privernates, led. Then, those, that shined  
In their bright Arms, from Sora lately sent.  
Next these, the Fabraterian People went,  
And Scaptian Youth. Atina too was there,  
From her cold Hill; and Suessa, worn with War:  
And, from the Plough, Trusino, not to be  
Esteemed, as weak. But those, that Lyris see,  
Mixing his sulphurous Waters with the cold  
Fibrenus, and, with silent Streams, by old  
Arpinum glides; with the Venafrian Bands,  
And him, that with the Larinates Hands  
Brings his Auxiliaries, and the vast  
Aquinum of her Men doth quite exhausted,  
Tullius to War, in brazen Arms, did bring:  
A Noble Youth, that did from Tullus spring,  
And of so great a Wit, that Fate ordained,  
That He should give to the Ausonian Land  

(y) Marcus Tullius Cicero, The famous Orator.  One of his Race, that should be understood  
Beyond the Indies, and their famous Flood  
Of Ganges: whose great Voice the World should fill;  
Who, by the Thunder of his Tongue, should still  
The Noise of War; nor shall Posterity  
Ere hope the like, for Eloquence, to see.  
But from Theramnean Blood, of Clausus, sprung,  
Inimitable for ●rave Deeds, among  
The Chief, was 
(z) Vid. Lib. 15.  Nero: Him the Troops, that came  
From Amiternum, and, which takes her Name  
From Bactrians, Casperula, with all  
From Foruli, and, which we Sacred call  
To th' Mother of the 
(a) Cybele.  Gods, Reate, and  
Nursia, that as besieged by Frosts doth stand,  
And Troops from Tetricus cold Rock, to th' Field  
Attend, all armed with Lances, and their Shield  
Made, Globe-like, round: no Plumes their Helmets bear,  
And their left Legs with 
(b) This kind of Armour on the left Legs, was peculiar to the Sabines, among the Italians; and Aetolians, among the Greeks.  Boots defended are.  
These, as they Joyful marched, some Praises sung  
To Thee, great 
(c) Sanctus was the Father of Sabus.  Sanctus (for from Thee they sprung)  
Some, Sabus, honour Thee, who first of all  
Thy People, from Thy Name, didst Sabines call.  
But Curio, rough with is scaly Coat of Mail,  
And on his Helmet's Crest an Horse's Tail,  
Into the War so great Assistance brings;  
That not the Raging Sea more numerous flings  
Its foaming Billows up: nor Bands more light,  
And Active, when She imitates a Fight,  
Riding through numerous Troops, with Moon-like Shields,  

(d) Amazon.  The Warlike Maid leads through the Scythian Fields,  
And makes Thermodoon, and the Earth, resound  
The Noise. Here those, that in thy Stony Ground,  
Numana, dwell, and those, that near the Shore  
With flaming Altars, 
(e) juno, who had there a Temple.  Cupra, Thee adore,  
Were to be seen. They likewise thither send,  
Their Aids, who the Truentine towers defend  
By the adjoining River, and the Sun,  
From their bright Targets, by Reflection,  
At Distance, raised a bloody Light: and there  
Ancon as rich in Purple did appear,  
As are the Libyan, or Sidonian Looms.  
Then, watered by Vomanus, Adria comes.  
And, near to them, the Ensigns they behold  
Of churlish Asculum, which (famed of old)  
Vepîcus, sprung from Saturn, built: Him, by  
Her Charms, Phoebean Circe forced to fly,  
Deprived of his own 
(f) Turned into a Wood-pecker by Circe.  Figure through the Air,  
With yellow Plumes. Once the Pelasgi there  
Inhabited, and Aesis (as by Fame  
We learn) their Ruler was, and left his Name  
Unto the River, and his People all  
Began Asili, from himself, to call.  
Nor, coming from their hollow Hills, with worse  
Supplies, did Vmbrian Swains the Camp enforce.  
These Aesis, Sapis, and, with rapid Waves,  
Rolled over lofty Rocks, Metaurus Laves:  
Clitumnus too, that Bulls for Sacrifice  
Washeth in Sacred Streams; and Nar, that flies  
Foaming to Tiber; and, whose Waters run  
Ingloriously, Tinia, and Rubicon,  
With Clavis, and which, from the Senones,  
Was Senna called: but Tiber, 'midst of these,  
With Banks unshaken, near th' Imperial Walls,  
Swells high, and thence into the Ocean falls.  
Their Cities, Arna, and Mevania, rich  
In spacious Meads, Hispellum, Narnia, which  
Upon a steep, and rocky Hill doth lie;  
Inginum too, of old infected by  
Moist Clouds; and, lying in an open Plain,  
Fulginia, wanting Walls. Near these remain  
A warlike People, Amerini named:  
And Camers, near to them, for Arrows famed;  
With wealthy Sarfina, renowned for Store  
Of Milk; and the Tudertes, that adore  
The God of War. These, a stout Race of Men,  
Contemning Death, were led by Piso, than  
A Youth, and there in such an Habit shined;  
But equalling, by his sagacious Mind,  
The Ancient, and in Policy his Years  
Excelling, at the Army's Head appears  
In Parthian-painted Arms, and Golden Chain;  
Whose Gems a Lustre cast through all the Plain.  
But then a Legion of Hetrurian Bands,  
Complete, stout Galba (a great Name) commands:  
From Cretan Minos He his Pedigree  
Derived, and from Lustful- Pasiphae,  

(g) Silius, in this, agrees with Virgil, in his Bucolics, that the Bull fled from Pasiphae; till Daedalus made a Cow of Wood, where in the Qu. was enclosed, and the Bull deluded.  So hated by the Bull; and from that Line  
His Noble Ancestors in Order shine.  
Then Cere chosen Bands, Cortona then  
(Proud Tarcon's Family) send chosen Men;  
With old Graviscae, Alsium, by thy Streams  
Grecian Alesus, loved, and that, which seems  
Besieged by a rude Plain, Fregellae: nor  
Was Fesula (the Famed Interpreter  
Of Thunder) wanting, with her Sacred Bands.  
And, near to them, Clusinum Mustered stands,  
Once a great Terror to the Walls of Rome;  
When thou, Porsenna, Armed, didst thither come,  
And didst endeavour to restore, in vain,  
Th' expelled Tarquinii to the Throne again.  
Then Luna, from her Snow-white Quarries, pressed  
Her labouring Youth: Luna, before the rest,  
Famed for her spacious Port; which can contain  
Ships without Number, and shuts in the Main.  
Not far from these, the Vetulonian Band  
(The Glory once of the Maeonian Land)  
Which first ordained twelve Fasces to precede  
The Consuls; and, to strike a silent Dread,  
As many Axes added: it was She,  
That first adorned with polished Ivory  
Triumphal Chairs: Her Nobleses first arrayed  
In Tyrian Purple, and that Trumpets made  
Courage by them in Battle to inflame.  
Next these the Nepesinian Cohorts came,  
And Just Falisci; and, Flavinia, those,  
That keep thy Fires. Near whom Sabaca goes,  
In Fens abounding; and, that near thy Lake,  
Cimînus, dwell; with them, that Sutrium take  
For their Abode; and those, that to the Rites  
Of Phoebus' high Soracte oft invites:  
Caps of the Skins of Beasts their Heads defend;  
Two Darts they carry, and their Spears commend  
Before the Lycian Bows. These, all in War  
Most expert: but the Marsian People are  
Not only Valiant; but can likewise Charm  
To sleep the baneful Adder, and disarm  
The Viper of her Teeth, by Herbs, and Spells.  
Anguitia first (as Fame the Story tells)  
Oëtes Race, those hurtful Simples showed,  
And with her Touch, all Poison's Force subdued.  
She from her Sphere could shake the Moon, and Floods  
Stop with her Voice; and, calling down the Woods,  
The Mountains naked make. But, full of Dread,  

(h) Who being vanquished by Apollo, in his Contention of Music, had his Skin stripped over his Ears.  Marsyas, when he the Phrygian Creni fled  
By Sea, unto that People gave his Name;  
When, with a Lute, Apollo overcame  
His shrill Mygdonian Flute. The Chief of all  
Their City's they, from ancient Marus, call  
Marruvium; and, for Corn in moister Fields,  
More inward, Alba store of Apples yields.  
The rest were little Towns obscure in Fame;  
But in their Numbers greater, than their Name.  
'Mong which, Pelignus, and cold Sulmo sent  
Their Cohorts; nor, than these, less diligent  
Were those of Cales, born, near them in Blood,  
From Calaïs' (as by Fame 'tis understood)  
The Noble Founder of a City fair,  
Whom Orithyia (ravished through the Air)  
For Boreas nursed in Getick Caves. No less  
Active in War, than these, Vestini press  
Their Youth, inur'd to Hardship by the Chase  
Of savage Beasts. They likewise War embrace,  
That in thy towers, Fiscellus, dwell: and, now,  
They also arm, that fertile Pinna mow;  
And thy rich Meads, Avella, that so soon  
Sprout up: and then in Emulation  
Of the Frentani, the Marrucins drew  
Corfinium's People, and Theate too.  
All these, with Rustic Weapons armed for Fight,  
Can, with their Slings, a Bird, in highest Flight,  
Strike down: the Skins of Bears, about their Breast,  
In Hunting killed, they wear. And now the rest,  
That were for Wealth, or Ancestors renowned,  
In all the Tract of the Campanian Ground,  
Appear in Arms, or their Assistance send.  
The Osci in their Neighbouring Plains attend  
Th' Arrival of the Generals: and there  
Warm Sinuessa, and Vulturnum, were;  
Whose River like a Torrent falls into  
The Sea; and, whom her 
(i) Amyclae, a City of the Sabines, having had frequent false Alarms of their Enemies Approach, that they might be no more disturbed, made a Law, That none should any more dare to give the Alarm. The Enemy coming, no man daring to violate the Edict, the City was taken.  Silence overthrew,  
Amyclae. Fundi, and Cajeta, where  
Lamus was King. Thy People too were there,  

(k) The Bay of Cajeta.  Antiphates, that's by the Sea compressed.  
And, which the rotten Fens, and Pools invest,  
Linternum: and the Cumae, that of old,  
Conscious of Fate, all future things foretold.  
There was Nuceria, there was Gaurus, good  
For Shipping; there, derived from Grecian Blood,  
With many Soldiers was Parthenope,  
With Dicarchenian Bands: and Alliphe,  
And 
(l) Where Marcellus gave Hannibal a notable Repulse.  Nola; to the Libyan hard to pass.  
Slighted for Clanius, there Acerrae was:  
There the Serrastes: there were to be seen  
Mild Sarnus Riches, and the Troops had been  
Listed in Phlegra, fat with Sulphur; and  
Misenus, and the Ithacesian Band  
Of Baius, burning with the 
(m) Giants there vanquished, and buried by Hercules.  Giant's Breath.  
Not Prochyte, nor, which Typhaeus Death  
In sulphurous Flames, Inarime, beheld,  
Nor ancient Telo's Stony Isle, this Field  
Avoids. But thither doth Calatia, from  
Her little Walls, thither Surrentum come;  
And, poor in Corn, Avella. But, of all  
The Chief was Capua; that, too Prodigal  
(Alas!) not knowing in Prosperity  
To keep a Mean, was lost in Luxury.  
These for the future War by Scipio formed;  
He gave them Piles; and then with Iron armed  
Their Breasts: from Home, (as was their Father's Want)  
They lighter Weapons, Shafts of Cornel, blunt,  
Without an Head of Steel, but hardened by  
The Fire, with Hurlbats, which they can let fly,  
And, with a String, retire, as they invade  
The Foe, and Axes for the Country made.  
Nor was he wanting, 'midst them all, to show  
Great Signs of future Praise. Sometimes He threw  
An hardened Stake, or leaped a Trench to scale  
A Wall, or, armed, by Swimming would prevail  
Against impetuous Streams: these great, and bold  
Examples of His Valour all behold.  
Oft, in the open Plain, with wondrous Speed  
Would he outrun the spurred, and fleetest Steed:  
Oft, cross the Camp, would He a Javelin throw,  
Or weighty Stone. He had a Martial Brow;  
His Hair was soft, and gentle, which behind  
Hung in long Tresses; His Aspect was kind,  
And gentle; and His Eyes a pleasing Dread  
With sparkling Rays, on the Beholders, shed.  

(n) The Samnites often rebelled against the Romans, and, after this Defeat, discovered their ancient Enmity, by revolting to Hannibal.  Samnis' was likewise there, not yet inclined  
To Hannibal, yet keeping in her Mind  
Her ancient Anger; Batulum, and those,  
That dwell where Mucra by Liguria flows.  
With them, that Bovianian Caves frequent,  
Or Caudine Straits, and which Esernia sent,  
Or Rufre; or, obscure Herdonia, from  
Thy Fields, soon after 
(o) Herdonia was burned by Hannibal, fearing it would revolt to the Romans, and the chief Citizens slain, for having had Conference with Fulvius. See Liv. lib. 27.  wasted, armed come.  
Alike in Courage, there, the Brutii stand,  
With them from Lucan Hills, a lusty Band;  
And Hirpine Youth, who, covered o'er with Hides  
Of Beasts, and Darts, like Bristles by their Sides,  
Are all by Hunting fed; and, ever, dwell  
In Caves, and in a River Thirst expel,  
And get their Sleep with Labour. Calaber,  
And the Salentine Cohorts, added are  
To them; near whom Brundisium doth stand,  
A famous Period to th' Italian Land.  
A Legion bold Cethegus there commands,  
Of Social Aids, and intermingled Bands.  
Now, from Leucosia's Rocks, the Soldiers show  
Themselves, and from Picentian Pesto too,  
And from Caryllae, that soon after fell  
By Hannibal's dire Rage: with those, that dwell  
Near Silarus, where Fame reports, the Flood  
To turn to hardest Stone the drowned Wood:  
He both the stout Salernian Falchion, and  
Th' unpolished Club, that, fitted to his Hand,  
The strong Buxentian used, commends. While he  
(As was the Custom of his Family)  
His Arm barred to the Shoulder, joyed to ride  
A stubborn Horse, and in his hard Mouth tried  
His Strength of Youth, by Wheeling too▪ and fro.  
And you, ye wasted Nations of the Po,  
Your Vows then by the Gods neglected, all  
Rush into Arms, by Fate decreed to fall.  
Placentia, ruined by the War, contends  
With Mutina, and 
(p) Where Virgil was born.  Mantua, that sends  
Her Levies, sought Cremona to excel:  
Famed Mantua, where the Thespian Sisters dwell;  
Which, Emulous of Smyrna's 
(q) Homer  Muse, is praised  
For Audine Songs, and to the Stars is raised.  
The next, by Athesis encompassed, went  
Verona; and Faventia, diligent  
Still to preserve the Pines, that Crown her Fields:  
Vercellae; and Pellentia, that yields  
Store of black Wool; and Ocnus Family,  
Which against Turnus once assisted Thee,  
Aeneas; and Bononia, that lies  
Near little Rhine: with him, that labouring plies,  
With ponderous Oars, the muddy Streams, that by  
Ravenna flow, which 'mong the Fens doth lie.  
Then, sprang, of old, from the Euganean Land,  
(Antenor's Country) came a Trojan Band.  
There Aquileia, with Venetian Arms,  
Are eager for the Fight: there the Alarms  
O'th' Foe, the swift Ligurians attend;  
And, scattered on the Rocks, Vageni send  
Their hardy Nephews, there ordained to be  
The Honour of the Libyan's Victory.  
Brutus, in whom these People, all, repose  
Their greatest Confidence, their Leader goes  
Into the Field, and against the Enemy  
Excites their Rage. A pleasant Gravity  
Adorned his Forehead, and a serious Mind  
With Valour, not to Cruelty inclined.  
Th' unpleasant Praise of churlish Rigour He  
Did not affect, or harsh Austerity,  
Nor Glory by ●inister Courses sought.  
To these three thousand expert Archers, brought  
From flaming Aetna, the 
(r) King Hieron.  Sicilian King,  
Most faithful, adds: but Il●a did not bring  
So many men; and yet She did afford  
Her Cohorts, which, selected for the Sword,  
And armed with Native Mettle, thither came:  
They Varro's Zeal to fight would hardly blame,  
whoever so many Arms at once beheld.  
Such Numbers raged through the Rhaetéan Field;  
When Troy the great Mycenae did invade,  
And, when a thousand Ships their Anchors weighed,  
And sailed through Hellespont. So soon as they  
Arrived at Cannae, where the Ruins lay  
Of an old City, they encamped, and there  
Their most unhappy Ensigns fixed: nor were  
The Gods then wanting to foreshow to all  
Those Ruins, that soon after did befall.  
Th' affrighted Soldiers see their Piles to burn,  
The Turrets on the Rampires overturn,  
And fall. Garganus, from a lofty Crown,  
Trembling, the Woods, and Forests, tumbles down.  
From his deep Bottom Aufidus began  
Panting to roar: amidst the Ocean,  
Remote Ceraunian Rocks with Flames affright  
The trembling Mariners; and then, the Light  
With sudden Stygian Darkness covered o'er,  
Portuguese Sipus Gropes for Land, and Shore,  
The Owl with fatal Houting oft alarms  
The Camp, even at the Gates; and Bees, in Swarms,  
Like Clouds, involve the Eagles: in the Air  
Comets, the Fall of Kings, with flaming Hair,  
Shine fatally: and savage Beasts by Night  
Break through the Camp, and Works, and, in the sight  
O'th' frighted Soldiers, through the Neighbouring field  
Scatter the Limbs o'th' Centinel they killed:  
Deluded by the Image of their Fear,  
From their dark Graves, the Ghosts of Gauls appear  
To break: and then the high Tarpeian Rock,  
As torn from its Foundation, often shook:  
The Temples of the Gods with Streams of Blood  
Were wet: Quirinus' Statue, as it stood,  
Wept largely: Allia, greater than before,  
Swells higher than the Banks: the Alps no more  
Stand still, nor Apennine, which Night, and Day,  
Shaken with vast Ruptures, and where Libya  
Extended lies, even from the very Pole,  
Against Italy, the flaming Meteors roll.  
Such horrid Thunderclaps the heavens above  
Divide, that they detect the Face of jove.  
The Lemnian God his Lightning likewise threw  
From Aetna, and, as broken Quarries flew  
Up to the Clouds (as in the Giant's Wars)  
Knocked his Phlaegraean Head against the Stars.  
But, 'midst them all, as conscious of the Fight,  
He looks, and Sense-distracted with the Fright,  
With horrid Cries the Camp a Soldier fills,  
And, panting, thus expressed the future Ills.  
Spare us, ye cruel Gods! the Fields I see  
Too little for the Heaps of Slaughter be.  
Through thickest Ranks the Libyan Captain flies,  
And His swift Chariot over Companies  
Of Men, and Arms, drives on, and drags along  
Their Limbs, and Ensigns: while the wind, with strong  
Impetuous Blasts, a furious War doth make  
Against our Eyes, and Faces▪ From thy Lake  
(Sad Thrasimen!) unmindful of his Years,  
In vain, Servilius, now reserved appears.  
Whither! Oh whither, is't that Varro flies!  
Oh jove! among the Stones, see! Paulus lies,  
The last great Hope of Rome's declining State:  
These Ruins, Trebia, now, exceed thy Fate.  
Behold, a Bridge is made of Body's flain,  
And silent Aufidus into the Main  
Rolls mangled Corpse: o'er all the Plains I see  
The Elephants insult with Victory.  
Our Consul's Axes, and our Fasces, stained  
With Blood, a Tyrian Lictor in his Hand,  
After our Custom, bears. To Libya  
The Pomp of Roman Triumphs born away.  
Oh Grief! Yet this, ye Gods, that we behold,  
Is your Command: while by congested Gold,  
Torn from left Hands, victorious Carthage sees  

(s) Mago sent to Carthage with the Tidings of this Victory, carried with him a Bushel (saith Livy, others more) of Gold Rings, then worn only by Roman Gentlemen.  The Measure of the Roman Miseries.  
The End of the Eighth Book.   



In Vacuas vitam senior disperserat auras.  
At Solimus simul ense fodit praecordia et atrum  
Sustentans vulnus, mananti sanguine signat   

In cl●peo mandata Patris, fuge praelia Varro  
Ac summi tegmen suspendit Cuspide teh  
Defletumque super prostemit membra Pa●entē.   
Honoratissimo Domino Dno. Thomae Comiti Southampton; Baroni Wriothesley de Tichfeild, Sumo totius Angliae Thesaurario c Sanctioribus Regis Caroli 2 ●i. Consilijs▪ atque Inclyti Ordinis Periscelidis Equiti etc. Tabula suma cum observantia DDD.  SILIUS ITALICUS OF The Second Punic War. The Ninth Book.  
THE ARGUMENT.  
The Consul Paulus, as advised, declines  
The Fight, forbidden by unhappy Signs.  
Rash Varro urgeth for a Day. A Son,  
In that sad Night, before the Day begun,  
His Father, flying from the Libyan Side,  
Unhappy kills; who bids him, as he died,  
Forewarn the Romans to avoid the Fight:  
His Son this Warning on his Shield doth write,  
And kills himself for Grief. The fatal Field  
Is fought; the Romans miserably kill'd●  
The Libyans have the Day. While 'fore his Eyes  
His Men are slain, the Coward Varro flies.  
WHILE Italy, thus vexed with Prodigies,  
The Signs (in vain) of future Ruin sees,  
Discovered by the Gods, as if they might  
Prove happy Omens of the following Fight;  
The Consul, waking, spends the Night: and, now,  
Throws in the Dark his javelins; then, as slow,  
Upbraids his Colleague; and, while yet 'twas Night,  
Would have the Trumpets sound a Charge, and fight  
The Libyans, no less eager to engage.  
Urged by the adverse Fates, with sudden Rage,  
Out from the Camp they sally, and begin  
To Skirmish. For the Macae, that had been  
Dispersed, for Forage, through the Neighbouring Plain,  
A winged Shower of Shafts, like sudden Rain,  
Pour on the Romans: and, before the rest,  
Mancînus (who to be the first had pressed,  
To dip in Hostile Blood his Weapon) died:  
And with him many gallant Youth beside.  
Nor yet, though Paulus, sadly, did declare,  
How cross the Auspicies, and Entrails were,  
Would Varro from the Battle have abstained,  

(a) It had anciently been a Custom among the Romans, where both the Consuls were together, to command alternately, by Months; but Varro, and Paulus, had otherwise agreed to command the Army by Alternate Days. Paulus, on his Day, kept the Army from engaging; but soon as Varro took his turn, he, without consulting his Colleague, immediately gave Battle to the Libyans.  Unless the Lot, by which they did command  
The Camp, by Turns, had thwarted his Desire,  
And forced the hasty Fates a while retire.  
But yet, no longer, than a Day, could be  
Between a thousand Deaths, and their Decree  
Allowed. Into the Camp the Troops return  
Again: while Paulus ceaseth not to mourn,  
Seeing the Reins of the next Day's Command  
Were to be trusted in a frantic Hand;  
And, that those Souls were, then, preserved in Vain  
From Slaughter. For enraged, and mad again,  
For that he had the Battle then delayed,  
Dost Thou, thus now, Aemilius (Varro said)  
Thy Gratitude, and the Reward repay  
Of that thy guilty Head? Or else have they  
From Thee deserved such a base Return;  
Who snatched Thee from the Laws, and threatening Urn?  
Command them to surrender to the Foe  
Their Arms, and Swords; or, when to fight they go,  
Cut all their Right-Hands off. But you, whom I  
Have often Weeping seen, commanded by  
The Consul to retire, or shun the Foe,  
No more expect the Signal, when you go  
To fight, or slow Commands: let every Man  
Be his own Leader, and go boldly on  
In his own Ways. When first the Sun shall shed  
His Morning Rays upon Garganus Head,  
These Hands the Ports shall open for you all:  
Then charge them quickly, and this Day recall,  
Which you have lost. Thus he, with mad Desires,  
To Fight, the discontented Camp inspires.  
When Paulus, not the same in Mind, or Face:  
But, as if, after Fight, he'd seen the Place  
Strewed with his slaughtered Friends; and, as if there  
In View the Miseries ensuing were:  
As when all Hope of her Son's Life is past,  
In Vain, his yet-warm Body, in her last  
Embrace, a Mother hugs, and seems to be  
Senseless with Grief. By Rome's dear Walls (said He)  
So often shaken! by those Souls, which now  
Night with a Stygian Shade surrounds, and know  
No Gild, forbear I pray, to run upon  
Your Ruin, till the Wrath of Heaven be gone,  
And Fortune's Fury be consumed. 'Twill be  
Enough, if our New Men shall dare to see  
The Foe without a Fear; or if, at all,  
They will endure the Name of Hannibal.  
Saw'st thou not, when, within the Neighbouring Plain,  
His Voice was heard, how soon the Blood again  
From their Pale Faces fled? and how their Arms  
Fell down before the Trumpets shrill Alarms?  
Fabius, as you suppose, was dull, and slow,  
To Fight; yet all those Soldiers, that did go  
With those blamed Ensigns, now in Arms appear:  
So do not those, that with Flaminius were.  
But Heaven avert such things! and, if you are  
Resolved my Counsel to resist, and Prayer;  
Yet harken to the Gods: for know, of old,  
This the Grynaean 
(b) Sibylla, called Grynaea, from an Attribute of Apollo, who inspired her.  Prophetess foretold  
To all the World, in former Ages; Thee,  
And this thy Headlong Rage, presaging, She  
Divulged: and, as another Prophet, now,  
I plainly to thee here thy Fate avow;  
Unless to Morrow's Ensigns be by thee  
Restrained, Thou, with our Blood, wilt ratify  
The Sybil's Words: nor shall these Fields be famed  
(If thou persist) from Diomedes, but named  
FATAL, from thee. Thus Paulus, in whose Eyes,  
Inflamed with Grief, the Tears began to rise.  
And then a wicked Error stained the Night;  
For Satricus, made Captive in a Fight  
In Libya, to Xantippus was a Slave;  
Who him (for's Valour prized) soon after gave  
To th' Autololian King. At Sulmo he  
An House possessed, and left two Sons to be  
There Nurtured by their Mother: one they call  
Mancînus; t' other Solymas, to all  
Known for his Trojan Name: for his Descent  
Was Dardan, and his Ancestor, who went  
After Aeneas Fortune, built, and Walled  
A City fair, which Soliman he called,  
From his own Name, and, 'mong Italians famed,  
By them, corruptly now, is Sulmo named.  
This Satricus, the Autololian King,  
Among his Barbarous Troops, did thither bring,  
And, on Occasion, used him there to teach  
Getulians to know the Latin Speech.  
But, when he found a Possibility  
Pelignian Walls, and's Native Home to see,  
To second his Attempt, he takes the Night,  
And quits by Stealth the Camp. Yet in his Flight  
He took no Arms; being fearful to betray  
Himself by's Shield, and Naked went away.  
But, when the Spoils, and Dead within the Field,  
He spied; Mancînus stripped: his Arms, and Shield,  
He straight puts on, by which his former Fear  
Was lightened: but the Body, which he there  
Had Naked made, and he, whose Spoils he wore,  
Was his own Son, there slain not long before,  
By a fierce Macian Fo: Night growing on,  
'Bout the first Sleep, behold! his other Son  
(Young Solymus) appointed, by his Fate,  
Then to relieve the Watch, without the Gate,  
From the Ausonian Camp, advanced with Speed,  
To seek, among the Heaps o'th' scattered Dead,  
Mancînus Body, and by Stealth Inter  
His dearest Brother: but he had not far  
Advanced, when armed from the Sidonian Side,  
Coming up to him, he a Man espied;  
With which surprised, into thy Tomb he flies  
(Aetolian 
(c) A Companion of Diomed's, buried there.  Thoas) and there Skulking lies.  
But when he saw no Soldiers in the Rear,  
And that alone i'th' Dark he wandered there,  
Out from the Sepulchre he leaps, and throws  
At's Father's Naked Back, as on he goes,  
A Javelin, not in vain. His Father, who  
Thought that some Tyrian Troop did him pursue,  
And gave the Wound, about him looked, to know  
The Author of that unexpected Blow;  
But, when, with Speed, the Conqueror advanced,  
And from the Arms, well-known, a Lustre glanced,  
And, as the Moon did then Assistance yield,  
He plainly saw, it was his Brother's Shield.  
Inflamed with Rage, I'm not thy Son (said He)  
Oh Satricus of Sulmo! Nor should be  
Mancînus' Brother: nor deserve a Name  
Among those Nephews, that directly came  
From Dardan Solymus; should I now thee  
Permit (false Libyan) with Impunity  
To escape this Hand. Shall I endure thee wear  
My Brother's Spoils before my Face? or bear  
The Arms of a Pelignian House away,  
While I survive, or, guilty, see the Day?  
No (my dear Mother) these I'll bear to Thee,  
A grateful Present, and most fit to be  
A Comfort to thy Griefs, for thy lost Son;  
That thou may'st them for ever fix upon  
His Sepulchre: and, as he spoke that Word  
Aloud, he rushed upon him with his Sword.  
But, Satricus, who now could hardly stand,  
And faintly held his Weapon in his Hand,  
Hearing his Country named, his Wife, and Sons,  
And Arms, cold Horror through his Members runs,  
And stupifies his Sense: his dying Mouth,  
At length, this Language to the Furious Youth  
Breathes forth; O spare thy Hand, I pray thee, spare;  
Not that I beg for longer Life; it were  
A Sin in me to ask it: but the Slain  
Of this my Blood, I wish may not remain  
Upon thy Hand. I am that Satricus,  
Captive to Carthage, sprung from Solymus,  
Now to my Country, by the Tyrian brought.  
I know, my Son, 'twas not in thee a Fault,  
When first thou didst thy Spear against me throw:  
I was a Libyan then; but from the Foe  
I fled to you, and hasted now to see  
My dear Wife's Face, prevented thus by Thee.  
This Target, as I came, I took away  
From thy dead Brother; but be sure to lay  
This with his Arms, excused, upon his Tomb:  
But, first be careful, soon as Thou shalt come  
Into the Camp, my last Advice to bear  
To Gen'ral Paulus, that he have a Care  
Still to protract the War, and Fight decline  
With Hannibal; whose Auguries Divine  
Swell Him with Hopes, that He shall shortly see  
An Immense Slaughter. But, let Varro be,  
I pray, restrained: For he, as Fame doth tell,  
Is eager still your Eagles to impel.  
'Tis a great Comfort, as my Life now ends,  
That I have given this Warning to my Friends.  
But thy last Kisses, now, bestow upon  
Thy Father lost, and found at once, my Son.  
Thus as he spoke, his Helmet off he cast,  
And, with his trembling Arms, the Neck embraced  
Of's Son; amazed, and strove, with Words, his Shame  
To cure, and to excuse the Weapon's Blame,  
That gave the Wound. Who knows (said he) my Son,  
Or who can testify what we have done?  
Doth not the Night conceal the Error? Why  
Dost tremble so? Thy Breast more close apply  
To mine. Why dost thou at such Distance stand?  
Even I, thy Father, do absolve thy Hand,  
And pray, my Labours ending, it may close  
Mine Eyes. The Youth, oppressed with sudden Woes,  
Gave no return of Words to what he said:  
But, sighing deeply, laboured to have stayed  
His Blood, and (strangely weeping) to have bound,  
With his torn Shirt, the deep-inflicted Wound.  
At length, among his many Sighs, thus he  
Breaks into sad Complaints. Doth Fortune Thee  
(Dear Father) to thy Country, and to Us,  
Thus bring again? Or doth She, cruel, thus  
Me to my Father, Him restore to Me?  
Happy my Brother was, thrice happy He,  
Who thought our Father was destroyed by Fate:  
But I, by Tyrians untouched, too late  
Now know him by a Wound. It would have been  
At least some Comfort, Fortune, to my Sin,  
Had it been still left doubtful: but my Woes  
No longer shall be left to the Dispose  
Of the unequal Gods. While his Complaints,  
Distracted, thus he vents, his Father faints  
Through loss of Blood, and into empty Air  
His Life resolves: the Youth, with sad Despair,  
Then lifting to the Stars his Eyes; Thou Moon,  
Who art sole Witness of what I have done,  
By this polluted Hand; who by thy Light  
Didst guide my fatal Javelin, in its Flight,  
Into my Father's Body: these mine Eyes,  
And cursed Sight (said He) while in the Skies  
Thou reign'st, no more shall thee contaminate.  
With that his Sword his Breast doth penetrate;  
Yet he endeavoured to sustain the Wound,  
Till, the Blood largely-flowing, on the Ground,  
His Father's last Commands he thus did write  
Upon his Target, VARRO, EAT THE FIGHT,  
Then on his Jav'lin's Point his Shield he hung,  
And himself, dying, on his Father fling.  
The Gods these Omens, of the following Fight,  
To the Ausonians gave; and, as the Night,  
Conscious of all this Wickedness, gave way  
Her Shades retiring, to the rising Day,  
The Carthaginian Captain citeth all  
His Troops to Arms; the Roman General  
The like performs: and such a Day, as in  
No Age before, for Libya doth begin.  
You need no Words (said Hannibal) t'excite  
Your Courage, or provoke you to the Fight:  
But we have come from the Herculean Bounds,  
With Conquest to these jampygian Grounds.  
We stout Sagunthus have destroyed; to Us  
The Alps gave way; and proud Eridanus  
(The chief of Rivers in Italian Ground)  
Flows in a captive Channel; Trebia's drowned  
In Humane Blood: Flaminius, who was slain  
By Us, (a Burden to the Tyrrhen Plain)  
Lies buried there; and all the Fields are filled  
With Roman Bones, and since were never tilled.  
But, now, behold a Day, more bright, than all  
These Titles, and which to our Wishes shall  
Afford more Blood. This Fight's Renown to Me  
A true Reward, and Great enough shall be.  
All other things your Conquest shall become;  
And, without Chance of Lots, whatever Rome  
Hath hither, from the rich Iberian Coast,  
Brought, as her Spoil; or what She else can boast  
In her 
(d) Sicilian.  Aetnaean Triumphs, or what more  
She hath basely ravished from the Libyan Shore,  
Your Swords shall gain; and you shall carry Home,  
All, that to your Victorious Hands shall come.  
Nothing of their vast Wealth will I, as due  
To Me (your General) demand: for You  
Hath the Dardanian Spoiler plundered all  
The conquered World so long. whoever can call  
Himself a Native Tyrian, or can claim,  
From his Original, a Sarrane Name,  
If him the fair Laurentine Land, which now  
Sigaean Swains (your future Slaves) do Blow,  
Delight; or, rather, the Buxentian Fields,  
Where Corn, an hundred-Fold, the Goddess yield:  
I'll give him Choice of Lands, and add to them  
These Banks, which Tiber with his conquered Stream  
Doth largely water. But than whosoever  
(My dear Companions) doth now appear  
In Arms, and brings from Byrsa's farthest Land,  
As an Ally, his Aids: if He his Hand  
Stained with Ausonian Blood, shall show to Me,  
He shall a Citizen of Carthage be.  
Nor let Garganus, or this Daunian Land  
Deceive you; at the very Walls you stand  
Of Rome: though far that city's lofty Site  
Be distant from this Place, where we shall fight;  
Here shall She fall this Day, and henceforth I  
Shall need no more your Valour to employ  
In War (my Soldiers) but from hence You shall  
Directly march into the Capitol.  
This said: their Works, and Rampires down they throw,  
And over all Delays of Trenches go;  
While he, the Place well viewed, in ordered Ranks,  
Draws up his Troops, upon the winding Banks.  
The Barbarous Nasamonian Bands were placed  
In the left Wing, and the Marmarick, vast  
Of Body, the fierce Moors, and Macians,  
Massilian Troops, and Garamantians,  
With them the Adrimachides, that give  
Themselves to War, and love by it to live;  
Then all those People, that inhabit on  
The Banks of Nile, and from the scorching Sun  
Shelter their Tawny Bodies: These their Head,  
And chief Commander, stout Nealces led.  
But the right Wing did valiant Mago guide;  
Placed where swift Aufidus doth wand'ring glide,  
By winding Banks, with crooked Streams: and there  
The Active Troops of rough Pyrene were,  
And with confused Murmurs filled the Shore:  
There shined the Warlike Youths, that Targets bore.  
Before the rest, Cantabrians appear,  
And Gascons, that no Helmets use to wear,  
With Betick Troops, and him, that, fighting, flings  
His flying Lead from Balearick Slings.  
But the main Battle Hannibal Commands:  
Which, with His Father's old Victorious Bands  
He strengthens, and Bloodthirsty Celtae, who  
Their Troops oft muster on the Banks of Po.  
But, where his Course the River turned away,  
So that the Files unflanked, and Open lay,  
His Libyan Elephants in Order stood,  
Their dusky Backs all charged with towers of Wood;  
Which, when they forward marched, up to the Skies,  
Like Battlements, or moving Walls, did rise.  
But, the Numidian Horse were left to Scout  
On every Side, and scour the Field throughout:  
While he new Force to his incensed Men  
Inspireth, and, Insa●●able, again  
Exhorting, fires their Thoughts by boasting, He  
A present Witness to each Man would be,  
And every Person by his Actions know,  
And what Right-Hand a singing Dart did throw.  
Now, from their Works, the Legions Varro drew,  
From whence the Rise of their Destruction grew;  
While joyful Charon busily made Room,  
In his pale River, for the Souls to come.  
The Van, affrighted at the Signs of Blood  
Upon the hanging Shield, like Statues, stood:  
Fixed at the Omen. Near to that, a Face  
Of Dread, two Bodies dead in their Embrace.  
The fatal Wound within his Father's Breast,  
With his Right-Hand, the Son, to hid it, pressed.  
At this they wept, and then (Alas!) too late  
Lament Mancînus in his Brother's Fate.  
Then the sad Augury, and Looks alike,  
In the dead Bodies, a fresh Sorrow strike;  
At length, their error's Gild, and Fates to be  
Lamented, and the Arms, that bid them flee  
The Battle, to their General they show.  
His Thoughts now all a fire; To Paulus go  
With these (said He) for him (whose Fears now stand  
In his unmanly Breast) that guilty Hand  
May move, which, stained with cruel Slaughter, when  
The Furies Punishment demanded, then  
Perhaps, with's Father's Blood this Charm did write.  
This said, with Threats, his Orders for the Fight  
Through all the Army run, with Speed: and where  
Nealces led his Barbarous Nations, there  
Himself with Marsians, Samnites, and with those  
The japygians sent, He doth oppose.  

(e) The Poet agreeth with Livy, in the Nomination of the Commanders of the Roman Army. But Polybius adds Marcus Attilius to be joined with Servilius in the command of the Battalion; and affirms Hanno, instead of Maharbal, to lead the right Wing of Hannibal's Army.  But, in the Middle of the Field, where he  
Perceived the Libyan General to be  
Against him, he Servilius commands,  
To lead the Vmbrian, and Picenian Bands.  
Paulus the right Wing led, and beside these,  
T' attend the Plots of nimble Nomads,  
Scipio, a party took, with Charge, where e'er  
He spied their Troops within the Plains appear,  
He should Advance, and Fight. Both Armies now  
Drew near, and by the Running to, and fro,  
The confused Neighing of the fiery Steeds,  
And clashing Arms, a sudden Murmur spreads  
Itself through all the troubled Troops: as when  
Loud Conflicts 'twixt the Winds, and Seas, begin  
Their inward Rage; and Storms, that lave the Skies,  
The Billows straight let lose: and, as they rise,  
Their threatening Noise, through all the trembling Rocks,  
From their Foundations shaken by the Shocks,  
Expire; and Surges, from the Bottom thrown,  
With angry Foam, the labouring Ocean Crown.  
Nor was this cruel Storm of Fate alone  
The Labour of the Earth, Dissension  
Crept into Heaven, and Gods to War incites.  
Here Father Mars, and here Apollo fights,  
And Neptune there: vexed Cytherea here,  
And Vesta, and Alcides angry, there,  
For lost Sagunthus. Old Cybele too,  
And Gods of Mortals made▪ Quirinus, who  
First raised the Roman State; with Faunus: then  
Pollux, that lately, with his Brother-Twin,  
Had shifted his Alternate Life: but there,  
‛ Girt with a Sword, Saturnia doth appear;  
And Pallas, 'mong the Libyan Waters born:  
And Hammon too, whose Temples with an Horn  
Are Circumflexed, and many lesser Gods  
Beside; who coming, from their blessed Abodes,  
To see this Fight, with their Approaches shook  
The Earth; and all their several Stations took.  
Some on the Neighbouring Hills, while others shroud  
Themselves, from Mortal Eyes, within a Cloud.  
The heavens were empty left, while all to Wars  
Descend: and straight to the forsaken Stars  
As great a Clamour risen, as when, within  
Phlegraean Plains, the Giants did begin  
The Fight with Hercules; or jove, for all  
His Thunderbolts, did on the Cyclops call,  
When the bold Earthborn Army did invade  
His Throne, and Mountains upon Mountains laid.  
The Charge so fierce: no Dart, or Spear before  
The rest was thrown; but an impetuous Shower  
Of Shafts together fell, with equal Rage:  
And, as they, thirsting after Blood, engage,  
The Storm a Multitude of both destroyed.  
But, where the Sword more closely was employed,  
The greater Number died: on whom the rest  
Stood to maintain the Fight; and, as they pressed  
To strike a Foe, would spurn them as they groan.  
The Sea as soon, with raging Billows thrown  
Against Calpe, might remove it from its Seat;  
As all the Libyan Rage to a Retreat  
Can force the Romans: or the Romans make  
The Libyan Bands their Station to forsake.  
So close they fight, no Space was left at all  
For Blows to miss; or, when they died, to fall▪  
Helmets against Helmets clash, and every Struck  
Excussed the hidden Flames. Targets are broke  
Against Targets, Swords by Swords are hacked, and Feet  
On Feet do tread; so furiously they meet:  
Breasts against Breasts are bruised, and where they stood  
Earth could not be discerned, o'erflown with Blood:  
And the thick Clouds of Arrows, as they fly,  
Take from their Eyes the Day, and hid the Sky.  
Those of the second Rank, as if they fought  
I'th' Front, with their long Pikes, and Lances, sought  
To wound the Fo: and those, that farthest stood,  
With missile Weapons laboured to make good  
The Fight, with those were foremost: all the rest,  
With Clamour, their Desire to Fight expressed,  
And, with their horrid Shouts, the Enemy  
Provoke. And now all sorts of Weapons fly:  
Some hardened Stakes, Pines burning others fling,  
And weighty Piles. These Fatal Pellets sling;  
Those Darts: and, which would shake the strongest Wall,  
Huge Stones from the Phalarick Engines fall:  
And through the Clouds the singing Arrows fly.  
How can I hope (ye Goddesses whom I  
Religiously adore) this Day to show  
To future Times? Can you such Power allow  
(Ye Learned Virgins) to my Mortal Song?  
And trust the Cannae to a single Tongue?  
If you affect our Fame, nor shall decline  
To give Assistance to our high Design;  
Hither from your Parnassus, hither all  
Your Sacred Lays, and Father Phoebus call.  
But mayst thou (Noble Roman) still appear  
As Constant, and thy future Triumphs bear  
With as great Courage, as Adversity  
Thou then didst meet! Such mayst Thou ever be!  
Nor tempt the Gods to try, if those, that are  
Derived from Troy, can bear so great a War;  
And thou (O Rome) no more with Tears deplore  
Thy dubious Fate; but rather, now, adore  
Those Wounds, that shall Eternal Praise to Thee  
Produce: for ●hou shalt never Greater be;  
But sink in thy Success, and by the Name  
Of former Miseries defend Thy Fame.  
Now Fortune, shifting Sides, between them went,  
Deluding, with sad Doubts of the Event,  
The Rage of Both; and furious Mars, so long  
As Hope, between, in equal Balance hung,  
Raged in their Arms alike. So have I seen  
The standing Corn, while ye● the Stems were green,  
Moved by a gentle Wind, wave to, and fro,  
The Weighty Ears, which, as they Nodding go  
To this Side, then to that, alternately  
The several Motions of the Wind obey.  
At length Nealces, with confused Shouts,  
Brings on his Barbarous Troops; and, Charging, routs  
The adverse Wing: the Ranks disordered, through  
The Intervals, the fierce victorious Foe  
Breaks on the trembling Files; and straight a Flood,  
(That like a Torrent rushed) of reeking Blood  
Runs on the Plain. None, falling, are by Spears  
Thrust on their Faces: for the Roman fears  

(f) This hath been frequently observed of the Romans, when they have seen their Case desperate: particularly in Cataline's Army; where every man, that died, fell with his Face towards his Enemy. See Sallust.  Wounds on the Back, and on his Breast receives  
His cruel Death, and Life with Honour leavs.  
Among the first, affecting still to be  
I'th' hottest of the Fight, and equally  
To meet all Dangers, stood brave Scaevola;  
Who, scorning to survive so sad a Day,  
Sought worthy his great Ancestor to fall,  
And die beneath that Name: perceiving all  
Was lost, Our Life, how short soe'er it be,  
Now in despite of Fate, let Us (said he)  
Extend. For Valour is an empty Name;  
Unless, in Death's Approach, a lasting Fame  
By suffering bravely, or by Wounds, we gain  
Surviving Honour. Speaking thus, amain  
Into the Midst, where the fierce Libyan's Hand  
Cut out his Way, through those, that did withstand,  
He, like a Tempest, falls; and, there he slew  
Tall Calathis, and with his Sword quite through  
His Body pierced, as boasting, he put on  
The Arms of one there slain: straight down upon  
The Ground he tumbles, biting with his Teeth  
The Hostile Arms; the Tortures of his Death  
By that suppressing, as he grovelling lay.  
Neither could Gabar, or stout Sicha stay,  
With their joint Valour, his Impetuous Rage.  
For valiant Gabar, as he did engage,  
Lost his Right-Hand, but Sicha, mad with Grief,  
And coming rashly on to his Relief,  
Stumbling by Chance upon his Sword, doth wound  
His Naked Foot, by which upon the Ground  
He falls, and by the Hand of's dying Friend  
Lies prostrate. This his Fury, in the end,  
Nealces fatal Rage upon him brought,  
Who, by so great a Name incited, sought  
The Honour of his Fall, and straight a Stone,  
Torn from the Neighbouring Rock, and tumbled down  
By the swift Torrent, from the Mountain, took,  
And threw it at his Face: his Jaws were broke  
Asunder with the Weight; his Face no more  
Its Form retains: mixed with thick Clots of Gore,  
His Brains flow through his Nose, and both his Eyes  
Dashed from his mangled Front, he falls, and dies.  
Then Marius fell, endeavouring to relieve  
Casper his Friend, and fearful to survive  
His Death: Both Youths, in Age alike, both poor  
Alike, and both Sacred Praeneste bore:  
They joined their Labours, and both jointly tilled  
Their Neighbouring Fields, they both refused, and willed  
Still the same things; their Minds alike, through all  
Their Life. A Wealthy Concord in a Small  
Estate. They fell together, and expired  
In Fight together, as they both desired.  
Their Arms, the Trophy of Simethus were.  
But such a Benefit of Fortune there  
The Libyan could not long enjoy. For now  
The valiant Scipio with a threatening Brow  
Came on (sore grieved to see his Cohorts fly)  
And Varro (Cause of all their Misery)  
With Curio yellow-haired, and Brutus, from  
The first great Consul sprung, that rescued Rome;  
These by their Valour, had the Field regained,  
Had not the Libyan General restrained  
With a fierce Charge, his Troops, about to fly.  
Who when far off, He Varro did espy  
Engaged, and near him moving to, and fro,  
The Lictour, in his Scarlet Coat, I know  
That Pomp, I know the Ensigns of your State  
(Said He) such your Flaminius was of late;  
Thus speaking, by the Thunder of his Shield,  
His Fury he Proclaims, through all the Field.  
Oh wretched Varro! Thou mightst there have died  
With Paulus, had not angry Heaven denied  
That thou by Hannibal, shouldst there be slain.  
How often to the Gods mightst thou complain,  
That thou didst scape the Libyan Sword? For there  
Bringing thy Safety, when thou didst despair  
Of Life, upon Himself brave Scipio all  
The Danger turned: nor was fierce Hannibal  
Unwilling (though by that Diversion, He  
The Honour of Opimous Victory  
Had lost) Thee for a greater Foe to change,  
And by that offered Combat, to Revenge  
On Him, the Rescue of his Father, near  
Ticinus. Now the Champions both appear  
From several Quarters of the World, than whom  
Earth never yet beheld two Greater come  
Within the Lists; in Strength, and Courage held  
Both equal; but the Roman Prince excelled  
In Piety, and Faith. Then from the Cloud  
(Wherein from Mortal Eyes, the Gods did shroud  
Themselves) leaped forth (to view the Fight more near)  
For Scipio, Mars, and Pallas, full of Fear,  
For Hannibal. The Champions both abide  
Undaunted, but their Entrance terrified  
The Armies. Round about thick gloomy Fires,  
Where Pallas moves, her Gorgon's Mouth expires,  
And dreadful Serpents hiss upon her Shield:  
Her Eyes, like two great Comets, through the Field  
Disperse a Bloody Light, and to the Skies,  
From her large Crest, the waving Flames arise.  
But Mars, the Air disturbing with his Spear,  
And covering with his Shield the Plain, doth wear  
His Mail; which, by the Labouring Cyclops made,  
Aetnean Flames through all the Field displayed:  
And, with his radiant Cask, doth, rising, strike  
The Stars. The Champions, on the Fight, alike  
Intent, though traversing with watchful Eyes  
Their Ground, perceived the Armed Deities  
Approach; and, glad that they Spectators were,  
Increased the Fury of their Minds. And here  
A Javelin Pallas from the Libyan's Side  
Let's fly, with a strong Force: which, soon espied  
By Mars, instructed to afford his Aid,  
By that Example of the furious Maid;  
Straight his Aetnean Sword into the Hands  
O'th' Youth, he puts, and greater things Commands.  
At this the Maid incensed, her Visage burned  
In Flames of Rage, and She so strangely turned  
Her glaring Eyes, that in her Dreadful Look  
She Gorgon overcame: as then, She shook  
Her Aegis, all her Snakes their Bodies reared,  
And, at her first Assault, even Mars appeared  
A little to give Ground: the Goddess still  
Pursued, and Part of the adjoining Hill,  
Torn up, with all the Stones, that on it grew,  
Against Mars, with all her Force, and Fury, threw.  
The Horror of its Fall, diffused o'er  
The Plain, frights Saffon with a trembling Shore.  
But, when the King of Gods this Fight's Intent  
Perceived, involved in Clouds, He Iris sent,  
With Speed, their too great Fury to allay,  
And thus instructs her. Goddess, haste away  
To the Oenotrian Land, and there her Rage  
Command thy Sister Pallas to assuage;  
Bid her not hope to change the fixed Decree  
Of Fate: and likewise tell Her, that, if She  
Desist not (for the Poison, and the Fire  
Of Her fierce Mind I know) and check her Ire,  
Against the Roman, She shall understand,  
How much the dreadful Thunder of my Hand  
Excels her Aegis. When Tritonia knew  
This, a long time Uncertain what to do,  
And doubtful in her Thoughts, if She should yield  
TO Her Father's Arms: Well, We will quit the Field  
(Said She) but, when W▪ are thus expulsed, will jove  
Hinder us to behold from Heaven above  
Garganus Fields reeking with Blood. This said:  
Under an hollow Cloud, the furious Maid  
To other Places of the Battle took  
The Libyan General, and Earth forsook.  
But Mars, the Goddess gone, recalls again  
Their Courage, and, dispersed through all the Plain,  
(Encompassed with a Cloud, as black as Night)  
With his own Hand, straight recollects the Fight.  
The Romans now their Ensigns turn, and, Fear  
Quite laid aside, the Slaughter every where  
Renew. Then Aeolus, who o'er the Winds  
Is King, and them within a Prison binds,  
Who Boreas, Eurus, Corus, Notus, and  
The Rest, even Heav'n-disturbing, doth Command,  
At Juno's Suit, whose Promises were great,  
Furious 
(g) A strong South-East-Winde blowing frequently in that part of the Country (and so called by the Inhabitants) which, gained in this Fight by the Carthaginians, did exceedingly incommodate the Romans. See Livy, Book 22.  Vulturous (whose Imperial Seat  
Is in th' Aeolian Plains) into the Fight  
Let's lose: (for then the Goddess took Delight  
By him to vindicate her cruel Ire)  
He having dived in Aetna deep, and Fire  
Conceived, straight raising up his flaming Head  
Into the Air, with horrid Roaring fled  
From thence, and through the Daunian Kingdoms blows  
Clouds of congested Dust, and, where He goes,  
The darkened Air from all, (as if the Day  
Were spent) their Sight, Hands, Voices took away.  
Then against th' Italians Faces Globes of Sand  
(Sad to relate) he drives; and his Command  
To fight against them doth with Rage pursue;  
And, with that Weight of Ruin, overthrew  
The Soldiers, Arms, and Trumpets, and reverts  
Upon the Rutuli their flying Darts,  
And frustrates, with his adverse Blasts, their Blows:  
But all the Weapons, that the Libyan throws,  
He seconds; and their javelins, and their Spears,  
As with the Loop assisting, forward bear's.  
The Soldiers, now, choked with thick Dust, and Breath  
Stopped 'twixt their Jaws, that poor, ignoble Death  
Lament; while, hiding in the troubled Air  
His yellow Head, and, strewing all his Hair  
With Sand, Vulturnus, with his roaring Wings,  
Sometimes flies at their Backs, and sometimes flings  
Himself against their Faces, in a Storm,  
That whistling loud whole Cohorts doth disarm:  
Some, that pressed on, and ready, with a Blow,  
To fix i'th'Throat of the now-yielding Foe,  
Their Swords he, in the very Stroke, withstands,  
And, entering to a Wound, pulls back their Hands.  
Nor was it enough, that thus the Roman Arms,  
And Men, he spoiled; but with loud bellowing Storms,  
Against Mars himself, his Fury he expressed  
And twice with Whirlwind shook his lofty Crest.  
While thus Aeolian Fury did engage  
The Latin Troops, and Mars provoked to Rage:  
Pallas, near whom Saturnia stood, to jove  
Thus speaks. Behold! What Billows Mars doth move  
Against the Libian! With what Slaughters he  
Himself doth glut! Is't not your Will (said She)  
I pray, that Iris now to Earth descend?  
Though I, when I was there, did not intent  
The Teucri to destroy (for let your Rome  
Reign with my Pledge, and my Palladium  
There still remain) yet was I loath the Light  
Of my dear Libya, Hannibal, should quite  
Extinguished be, or that, in Prime of all  
His Years, so Great Beginnings now should full:  
Here juno took the Word, and, from a Sense  
Of her long Labours, Yes (said She) that hence  
The World may know, how great Jove's Empire is,  
How much his Power, how much his Wife by this  
All other Gods excels! Now let thy Fire  
The towers of Carthage, (nothing We desire)  
Destroy: the Tyrian Army sinking down,  
Through gaping Earth, in Stygian Waters drown;  
Or else overwhelm them in the Neighbouring Main.  
To whom jove mildly thus replies. In vain  
You strive with Fate, and feeble Hopes prolong,  
That Youth (Oh Daughter!) against whom so strong,  
So furious thou didst fight, shall overcome  
The Africans, and shall from that assume  
That Nation's Name, and shall transport withal  
The Libyan Laurel to the Capitol.  
And He, on whom such Courage (Wife) by thee  
Such Honour is bestowed (so Fates decree)  
Shall turn his Arms from the Laurentine Land,  
Nor do the Limits of his Mischief stand  
Far off; the Day, and Hour approach, with Haste,  
Wherein he'll wish, that he no Alps had passed.  
This said, He Iris sends away with Speed  
To charge the God of War, he should Recede,  
And quit the Fight. He not at all contends  
With those Commands, but, murmuring, ascends  
Into the Clouds, though Trumpets in the Fight,  
Wounds, Blood, and Arms, and Clamours him delight.  
The Gods no more contending, and the Plain,  
Now cleared from Mars, the Libyan again,  
From the Remotest Part, where he to shun  
Celestial Arms, retired, came furious on;  
And, with loud Shouts, along his Foot, and Horse,  
His Towered Elephants, and all the Force  
Of's battering Engines drew, and as he spied  
A Valiant Youth, that with his Sword destroyed  
His lighter Troops, his Anger, sparkling in  
His Bloody Cheeks, What God (said He) again,  
Or what dire Furies Thee, Minutius, thus  
Drive, on thy Foe? That thou, once more to Us,  
Darest trust thyself? Where now is Fabius, made  
Thy Father by Our Arms, to give thee Aid?  
Wretch! 'tis sufficient once to scape from Me;  
With this proud Language, He a Lance let's flee,  
That swift, as from an Engine thrown, his Breast  
Pierced through, and with the Stroke, his Speed suppressed.  
Nor is't enough the Sword doth Rage: they send  
Fierce Beasts, and the Italian Youth contend  
With Monsters. For, well mounted, Lucas Rid  
Up to the Moor, that with his Spear did guide  
The Elephants, commanding him t' excite,  
With greater Speed, the Herd into the Fight.  
The warlike Beasts, then driven on, and gored  
With frequent Wounds, made Haste, and strangely roared:  
With Flames, and Men, and Darts, the lofty towers  
On their pale backs were armed; whence furious showers  
Of Stones fell on the Troops, and where they move  
Thick Storms of Shafts (as from the Clouds above)  
The Libyans from their flying Castles throw;  
While a long Wall of Teeth (as white as Snow)  
Runs through the Ranks, and, with their Points declined,  
From the bowed Top, the Spears of Ivory shined.  
Here, among others, full of Fear, a Youth,  
Called Vfens, through his Armour, by the Tooth  
Of one of them was struck, and born through all  
The troubled Ranks; while he in Vain doth call  
For Help, the Point, where, quilted thick, was tied  
His Breastplate, lightly pierced by his Left-Side,  
And, his unwounded Body lifting high,  
Clashed against his Shield. His Magnanimity,  
The sudden Danger not at all dismays  
But, turning that Misfortune to his Praise,  
Now, near the Forehead of the furious Beast,  
Through both his Eyes his Sword he quickly pressed.  
When straight enraged by the fatal Wound,  
Rising upright, she tumbles to the Ground,  
The Tower drawn backward by its Weight: and then  
The Elephant deprived of Sight, the Men  
And Arms (a Spectacle of Terror) all  
Are crushed together in her sudden fall.  
The yet-prevailing Roman too withstand  
The Fury of these Monsters, gives Command,  
That burning Torches wheresoever they go,  
Should be opposed, and Sulphurous Flames to throw  
Into their towers. This, with all Speed, obeyed,  
The Elephants they suddenly invade:  
Whose smoking Backs, with Flames collected shined,  
That, driven on by the Tempestuous Wind,  
Through their high Bulwarks Fire, devouring, spread:  
As when on Rhodope, or Pindus' Head,  
A Shepherd scatters Fire; and through the Groves,  
And Woods, like an hot Plague, it raging moves:  
The levy Rocks are fired; and all the Hills,  
Leaping now here, now there, bright Vulcan fills.  
But, when the burning Sulphur once begun  
To parch their Skins, th' unruly Monsters run,  
Like mad, and drive the Cohorts from their Stand:  
Neither durst Any undertake, at Hand,  
To fight them; but their Darts, and javelins throw  
At Distance: burning, they impatient grow,  
And, through the Heat of their vast Bodies, here,  
And there, the scattered Flames increasing bear;  
Till by the smooth adjoining Stream, at last,  
Deceived, themselves into it, they Headlong cast,  
And with them all their Flames, that still appear  
'Bove the tall Banks, till both together, there,  
In the deep Channel of the Flood expire.  
But, where the Fight continued still, nor Fire  
Had vexed the Elephants, from fatal Hands  
Now Darts, now Stones, on the Rheteian Bands,  
And winged Lead, at Distance fall, like Hail.  
As when an Army doth a Fortress scale  
Through steep Ascents, or storms a fenced Tower.  
Worthy himself, and a more happy Hour,  
Here Mutius raised his Hand, and nearer goes,  
(In his Attempt unhappy) to oppose  
Their Fury with his Sword; but, with a Breath  
Expiring Heat, and Murmurs threatening Death,  
A furious Monster caught him from the Ground,  
And in her winding Trunk his Body bound;  
Which tossed, aloft, into the Air, and lashed  
Oft 'gainst the Earth, was all to Pieces dashed.  
Amidst these Slaughters, soon, as Paulus spied  
Varro in Arms, upbraiding him, he cried;  
Now let us meet with Hannibal, whom Thou  
Placed: 'fore thy Chariot, bound in Chains, didst vow  
To give the City. Oh unhappy Rome!  
And People, fatal in thy Favour! whom  
From the foul Gild of so great Ills not Time  
Can e'er absolve, or purge Thee from this Crime.  
Which shouldst thou, rather, wish had ne'er been born  
Varro, or Hannibal? Thus, with sad Scorn,  
While Paulus spoke, the Libyan furiously  
Advancing, at the Backs of them, that fly  
(Even in their general's View) all Shafts provokes.  
The Consul's Helmet, by their furious Strokes  
Bruised, and his Arms all shattered, Paulus throws  
Himself, more fierce at this, among his Foes.  
But Varro, having lost his Courage quite,  
(While Paulus to another Place the Fight  
Pursued) straight wheels about, and, with his Hand  
Turning his Horse, said; Thou dost justly stand  
Corrected, Rome, that didst to Varro give  
Command in War while Fabius is alive.  
But now, what civil Discord in my Mind,  
What sad Dissension of my Fate, I find?  
What secret Fraud of Destinies? I all  
These Torments will determine in my Fall.  
But, Oh! some God my Sword withholds, and Me  
Reserves (Alas!) for greater Misery!  
Shall I live then? and to the Tribes again  
The Fasces, stained with Blood of Countrymen,  
And broken thus return? And, as I go,  
My Face to other angry Cities show?  
Or, (than which Nought more Cruel could for Me  
By Hannibal be wished) fly hence, and Thee,  
Oh Rome! behold? More his distracted Fear  
Had uttered; but the Enemy drew Near,  
And Charging him more Close with Darts, his Steed  
Snatched the lose Reins, and fled the Field with Speed.  
The End of the Ninth Book.   



Hinc citus ad Tumulum donata●e Funera Paulo  
●bat, et Hostilis Lethi jactabat Honorem.   

Omnibus Exequijs Nudo jamque Annibal Unus  
Sat Decoris Laudator Erat. &c:   
Honoratissº: Domino Dno. jacobo Compton Baroni de Compton. Comiti Northampton: Tabula suma cum observantia. D.D.D.  SILIUS ITALICUS OF The Second Punic War. The Tenth Book.  
THE ARGUMENT.  
Paulus great Valour, and what Slaughters he  
At Cannae made. He is advised to flee;  
But Thoughts of Flight rejects. By Hannibal,  
Christa, with his six Sons, together fall.  
Servilius, by Viriathus slain,  
By Paulus Hand is soon revenged again;  
And, fighting 'midst his Foes, at length he dies:  
The Libyan Celebrates his Obsequies,  
Commends his Valour, and his Noble End.  
Their Counsels, who their Country did intent  
To quit, by Scipio are suppressed. To Rome,  
Without all Pomp, doth Consul Varro come.  
The Multitude, incensed against him, are  
By Fabius appeased. The Slaves for War  
Are Armed: the Senate passeth a Decree,  
That none, that Captived are, shall ransomed be.  
WHEN Paulus saw, the Adverse Fight increased;  
As, when, with Spears encompassed, a wild Beast  
Leaps on their Points, and by his Wounds doth know,  
Where to direct his Rage, and choose a Fo:  
Into the thickest of the Globes he goes,  
And to all Dangers doth himself expose,  
And seeks a Death from every valiant Hand:  
Upbraiding thus his flying Men; Oh! stand,  
Stand stoutly to it, and in your Breasts receive  
The Sword; nor, wounded in your Backs, thus leave  
The World: there nothing now remains, at all,  
For Us, but the sole Glory of our Fall.  
Me, to the Shades below, you all shall find  
Your Leader. Then swift, as the Northern Wind,  
Or winged Shafts (which, in dissembled Flight,  
The Parthian backward shoots into the Fight)  
And, where, unmindful of his tender Age,  
Paetus (like Mars, in Courage) did engage,  
He rushed into the midst of all his Foes,  
And the Youth, whom light Vascons did enclose;  
And fierce Cantabrians did with Darts surround,  
Freed from their cruel Arms: while they gave Ground,  
And Trembling fled. As when a Goat, in View,  
Through a large Plain, the Huntsmen close pursue;  
And, in the Chase, the weary Beast so nigh  
Approach, they think to catched: if suddenly,  
Gnashing his Teeth, a Lion, from his Den,  
Before their Eyes appears; their Colour, then,  
And Blood flies from their Cheeks, their Weapons all,  
Inferior to their Danger, they let fall,  
And, flying, think no more upon their Prey.  
Now, with his Sword, on such, as in his Way  
Oppose, he pressed: and such, whom base Fear  
Made fly, with Darts he follows in the Rear.  
Fury, and Rage delight him; and, to Crown  
His Deeds with Honour, by his Hand alone  
A multitude of Nameless People fall.  
And, if another Paulus, there, 'mong all  
The Dardan Tro●p● had been Cannae its Name  
Had surely lost, and Ha●nibal his Fame.  
At length, his Wing declined, and suddenly  
The Front gives Way, and all together fly.  
There Labi●nus fell● whom Cingulum  
Sent from her lofty Walls: there Ocris, whom,  
With Opiter, Vine-bearing Setia sent,  
From fertile Hills. Their Deaths were different,  
Though the Sidonian joined the Time: for there,  
Shot through the Hip, fell Labien●●; here  
One through the Shoulder, t' other through the Knee  
The Brothers, wounded, him accompany.  
And there Macaenas; who, of ancient Fame,  
Through the Maeonian Land, his Noble Name  
From Tyrrhen Kings derived, wounded quite through  
The Groin, a Tyrian Javelin, likewise Slew.  
But, through the thickest, Paulus, scorning all  
Desires of Life; and, ●eeking Hannibal,  
Charged furiously, and thought his Destiny  
Can only cruel be, if he should die,  
And Hannibal survive. Fearing this Rage  
(For that, if once in Fight they did engage,  
So great a Storm, and Tempest could not be  
Without great Mischief) juno instantly,  

(a) Vid. infra, pag.. 12.  Frighted Metellus Shape assuming, Why  
Consul (said She) sole Hope of Italy!  
Dost thou Renew thy Rage in Vain, while Fate  
Resists? if Paulus live, the Roman State  
May stand; if otherwise, thou drawest with Thee  
All Italy. Oh Paulus! Can it be  
That thou wilt, while the State thus totters, go  
To hazard against so insolent a Foe  
Thy Sacred Head? For, now, so flushed in War  
Is Hannibal, that with the Thunderer  
He dares contend: and Varro (I beheld,  
When first He wheeled about) hath left the Field,  
Himself reserving for a better Day.  
Allow the Fates their Time, and, while you may,  
From Death redeem your Soul, that's greater far  
Than Ours; You soon may have another War.  
To this, with Sighs, the General replied.  
And is't not Cause enough (if Nought beside  
Did move Me) that I now should wish to die  
In Arms, when to an Act, so Monstrous, I  
Metellus urging here? Thou, Fool! away.  
Fly; Oh! fly hence with Speed, nor (Heaven I pray  
Thee in the Back may Hostile Weapons wound!  
But with thy Varro mayst thou safe, and sound,  
Enter the Walls of Rome! Dost Thou think Me  
Worthy so base a Life, and not to be  
As worthy (Coward) of a Nobler End:  
Because the Libyan, who dares contend  
(Forsooth!) with jove, permits it? Oh, thou base  
degenerate Issue of a Valiant Race!  
When should I choose to fight? With whom should I  
Desire to Cope, but such an One, that by  
My Hand subdued, or I by his, might give  
To Me a Name, that after Death shall live?  
Thus chiding, 'mong his Foes himself he threw:  
And, as Acherras covertly withdrew  
From the thronged Maniples, and sought Retreat  
To the Main Body, with more nimble Feet,  
Him through the thickest Ranks, with Targets filled,  
And constipated Arms, pursued, and killed.  
So Belgic Hounds an hidden Boar pursue,  
And with Sagacious Noses, drowned in Dew,  
Through devious Ways, the doublings of the Beast  
Detect, and all his Footsteps closely pressed,  
Through thickest Groves, where Huntsmen cannot come  
To beat, still follow, nor desist they from  
The Chase, until they have him in the Wind,  
And, in some Thicket, close at Covert, find.  
When juno saw, that Paulus could not be  
By Words diverted, but went on, straight She  
Gelastes Shape puts on, and Hannibal,  
As Slow, exciting, thus to Fight doth call.  
This way thy Weapons turn; hither thine Aid,  
Eternal Fame of Carthage, bring (She said)  
To such, as it implore: the Consul near  
The River fights, and horrid Slaughter there  
Commits: nor canst thou greater Honour gain  
By any Foe, that shall by Thee be slain.  
Thus She to several Conflicts doth divide  
The furious Youth; while, near the River's Side,  
Old Christa, with's six Sons, their valiant Hands  
Employed, and sore oppressed the Libyan Bands.  
Tuder, where he was born, no wealthy Town  
Was held, yet (not Obscure) was of Renown,  
As Warlike, 'mong the Vmbrian People, where  
Her Youth in Feats of Arms, and Slaughters, were  
Trained up; whence this old, cheerful Captain led  
A Valiant Phalanx: who, when they had fed  
Their Swords with Humane Slaughter, overthrew,  
With frequent Wounds, an Elephant, and to  
Her Fall add Flames, that instantly devour  
(A joyful Sight to them) her armed Tower  
When, straight, an Helmet's Lightning struck their Eyes,  
And they perceived the trembling Plumes to rise  
On the large Crest. Old Christa, by that Light,  
Soon knew the Man, and drew into the Fight,  
His Troop of Sons, commands them all to throw  
Their Darts, and not to fear the Flames, that flow  
From his fierce Countenance, or burning Crest.  
As, when an Eagle, careful, in her Nest,  
To nourish such a Brood, as may be fit  
To bear Jove's Arms, against the Sun doth set  
Their Faces, and, by their undazled Eyes,  
Through those bright Rays, her doubtful Issue tries.  
And now, to teach the rest, what they should do,  
With a weak Force, a single Dart he threw;  
Which (though it Nimble past the middle Air)  
But lightly pierced his Golden Mail, and there  
Stuck loosely, and by that weak Stroke betrayed  
The old Man's Hand. To whom the Libyan said,  
What Rage thy Hand, with Age now bloodless grown,  
To vain Attempts provokes? Thy Cornel thrown  
So feeble is, that our Callaick Gold  
It scarce can raze: thy Weapons now, behold!  
I, thus, to Thee return. Better by Me  
In War the Memorable Youth shall be  
Instructed. Speaking thus, He forward pressed,  
And pierced, with his own Dart, old Christa's Breast.  
But, from the other Side, six Darts are thrown,  
From six Right Hands; and then six Spears come on,  
With equal Fury. As, in Libya, when  
A Lioness is chased into her Den,  
Her angry Whelps leap forth, and strive, in Vain,  
With tender Teeth, the Combat to maintain.  
But Hannibal, with Arms encompassed round,  
Consumed their Shafts, and weighty Spears (that sound  
At every Stroke with Horror, through the Field)  
Strongly sustains, and with his battered Shield  
Repels: nor can those many Wounds, that he  
Hath given, nor all those Slaughters satisfy  
His Rage; unless He with the Father join  
The Sons in Death, and quite cut off the Line.  
Then Abaris, who bore his Arms, and there  
Inflamed the Fight, and him did every where  
Attend, He calls: With Shafts supply Me still;  
For there 's a Troop, that must be sent to Hell,  
And frets with Darts my Mail: they, instantly,  
Shall find the Fruits of Foolish Piety.  
This said; the Eldest (Lucas) with a Dart  
He penetrates: the Point pressed through his Heart,  
Upon his Brother's Arms He backward sinks:  
Next Volso, who, in Haste advancing, thinks  
To draw the Fatal Weapon from the Wound,  
A Pile (that 'mong the Dead, by Chance, he found)  
He, through his Beaver, strikes into his Nose:  
Then Vesulus, who slipping, as he goes,  
Fallen in his Brother's Blood, he with his Sword  
Cuts off, and (barbarous Valour, and abhorred)  
His Helmet, filled with his dissevered Head,  
Fling, like a Missile Shaft, at those that fled.  
Next Telesinus, strucken with a Stone,  
Upon the Back, where to the twisted Bone  
The Joints are Knit, fell, and beheld withal  
His Brother Quercens, by a Sling, to fall,  
Dead to the Ground, while he expires the Light  
Of Life, and shuts his dubious Eyes in Night.  
But Perusinus, weary through his Fear,  
Running, and Grief, though still he angry were,  
With feeble Steps, retiring through the Plain,  
And, sometimes standing to resist, was slain  
By a Fire-hard'ned Stake, which he, that bore  
The Arms of Hannibal, snatched newly there,  
From a slain Elephant: the half-burnt Oak  
Fixed deep into his Groin; the furious Stroke  
Turned him upon his back. His cruel Rage  
The Youth, with Prayers, endeavoured to assuage:  
But, as he gaped, his Mouth with Stygian Fire  
Is filled, and in his Lungs the Flames expire.  
At length, with all the rest, Christa, a Name  
Through all the Vmbrian Land, of ancient Fame,  
Fell, like a lofty Oak, that long had stood  
Observed, and Holy in its Native Wood,  
When struck by jove, and sulphurous Flames devour  
The Old, and Sacred Branches, to the Power  
O'th' Fire, at length it yields, and covers all  
The Trees beneath it, in its spacious Fall.  
While Hannibal thus rageth near thy Flood,  
(Famed Aufidus) the 
(b) Paulus.  Consul, with much Blood,  
Having revenged his future Death, the War  
Pursued, as if He had been Conqueror.  
There lay huge Phorcus, 'mong a thousand Dead,  
Come from Herculean Calpe: Gorgon's Head  
Carved on his Shield, about that dreadful Face  
The Goddess' Original, and Race:  
Him, daring to oppose, and vaunting high  
The ancient Names o'th' monstrous Family  
Of Famed Medusa (whose dire Looks alone  
Converted the Beholders into Stone)  
As he, too forward, stooped, and at is left Thigh,  
Too eager, reached, the Valiant Consul, by  
The Helmet caught, and dragging Headlong down  
Upon his Knees, deep in his Back doth drown  
His Sword, where 'bout his Reins his Belt was bound:  
He, from his gaping Bowels, on the Ground  
Spews Streams of Blood, and the Aetolian Field,  
To the Atlantic Prince, a Grave doth yield.  
Amidst the Slaughters, furious in the Rear,  
With sudden Terror, other 
(c) These were Numidians, in number five hundred (saith Livy, Valerius Maximus four hundred) who, hiding short Swords under their Coats, their Targets hanging at their Backs, (as was the Custom of such as revolted in Fight) fled from their own Side to the Romans: who, taking from them their Shields, and Darts, commanded them to the Rear; but they, soon as they perceived all Men intent on the Fight, furnished themselves again with the Targets of such as fell, and suddenly assailing the Romans at their Backs, hewed them down at the Hamstrings with a great Slaughter, and were a great Occasion of the following Victory. Liv. lib. 22.  Troops appear,  
And charging fiercely, unexpected, fall  
Upon the Romans. These had Hannibal  
Instructed in all Fraud, and to that Art  
Of Fight trained: who (feigning to desert  
The Punic Camp, armed with Deceit, their Hands,  
And Arms had yielded) on the Roman Bands  
Then Busy, in the Slaughter, with a Rage  
United, fly, and all their Rear engage:  
Nor did they Weapons want, Slaughter affords  
A large Supply of Jav'lins, Darts, and Swords.  
But Valiant Galba (whose still pious Love  
To Virtue, no cross Fortune could remove)  
Seeing an Ensign taken by the Foe,  
Pursues with Speed, and with a fatal Blow  
The Conqueror fells: but, striving to regain  
The Eagle, which his dying Hands retain,  
(And would let go, but slowly, at the Last)  
Pierced by Amorgus Sword, who came in Haste  
To's Friend's Relief, he fell, and in those great  
Attempts, unhappy, sadly met his Fate.  
But now, as if Enyo's Rage were still  
Unsatisfied, Vulturnus, in one Hill  
Of Dust, rolls all the Field; and the white Sand  
Throws up: and such as Laboured to withstand  
His Fury, with strong Blasts, that strangely Roar,  
To th' farthest Part of all the Champagne bore,  
And against the Hollow Banks their Bodies thrown,  
And bruised, within the swelling Flood did drown:  
And, here, unhappy in his silent Fate,  
The River Curio's Life doth terminate.  
For, while, with inward Fury boiling, He  
Labours to stop the Roman Troops, that flee,  
And in their Way, himself opposing, stood,  
Driven Headlong by the Throng into the Flood;  
I'th' troubled Waves he sunk, and born away  
Dead, in the Adrîack Sands, Inglorious, lay.  
But the brave Consul, whose unshaken Mind  
The worst of Ills could bear, who ne'er inclined  
To stoop to Fortune, meets the Conquering Foe  
With equal Fury, and himself doth throw  
Amidst their thickest Arms; encouraged by  
A Martial Heat, and Confidence to die:  
When Viriathus, whom th' Iberian Land  
Obeyed, pursuing with a Fatal Hand,  
A Foe, now tired, and wearied in the Fight,  
Near unto Raging Paulus, and in is Sight,  
Cuts off. Oh Grief! Oh Tears! 
(d) Servilius Galba, had been Consul with Acilius, and that day commanded the main Body of the Romans, where He died, bravely fight, at the Head of his Men.  Servilius there,  
Next Paulus, the best Part of all the War,  
Fell by a barbarous Hand, and in his Fall  
Alone, with Envy, We may Cannae call  
Unfortunate. The Consul his sad Ire  
No more endures, and, though the Winds conspire  
To rob him of his Arms, and blind his Eyes  
With Dust, yet through a Cloud of Sand he flies,  
And him, then tuning, (as 'tis used among  
Th' Iberi) on his Shield a barbarous Song,  
Invades, and, through his left Pap driving, past  
His Weapon to his Vitals: this the last  
Of all his Slaughters was, no more could He  
In Fight his Hand employ: nor (Rome) for Thee,  
In future Wars, must Noble Paulus stand.  
For an huge Stone, thrown from a private Hand,  
Dashed on his Head, and deep into his Skull  
His battered Helmet beats, and fills it full,  
And all his Face with Blood: retreating then,  
Against the Neighbouring Rock as he doth lean,  
Now almost choked with Dust, before his Face,  
Besmeared with Gore, his Target he doth place,  
Like a fierce Lion (lighter Shafts repressed,  
And scorned) when, piercing deep into his Breast,  
At length he feels the Steel, amidst the Field  
He trembling stands, and patiently doth yield  
To every Weapon: while about his Nose,  
His Jaws, and Main, a bloody rivulet flows;  
And, sometimes, turning his weak Limbs about,  
From his wide Mouth, he foaming Gore doth spout.  
But, then, fierce Hannibal spurs on his Steed,  
Where e'er the Storm, or Conquering Sword doth lead;  
Where furious Troops, and where those Monsters are,  
That with their Ivory Teeth maintain the War.  
Here, overwhelmed with Darts when Piso spied,  
The Libyan Captain over Bodies ride,  
Raising himself Upright upon his Spear,  
Pierced through his Horse's Flank, attempting there  
(In Vain) to leap upon him being down.  
To whom the angry Libyan (who soon  
Himself recovered, though his Plunging Steed  
Pitched him upon his Shoulder) When they're Dead,  
Do thus the Roman Ghosts revive (said He)  
To fight? In Death nor will they Quiet be?  
This said, into his Body, as He strives  
To rise, up to the Hilts, his Sword he drives.  
But, his Foot wounded with a Cretan Shaft,  
As Lentulus, full Speed, on Horseback left  
The Field; the Stones besmearing with his Blood,  
And, with a stern Aspect, to th' Stygian Flood  
Sinking he Paulus spied: at that sad Sight,  
His Mind's distracted, He's ashamed of Flight.  
Then Rome appears to burn, and Hannibal  
Even at the Gates to stand: then, first of all,  
The Field, that Italy devoured, He saw.  
What then remained, but the next Day might draw  
The Tyrians to the Town? At length, he spoke  
To Paulus, thus; Dost Thou the Helm forsake  
In such Distress? The Gods my Witness are,  
Unless thou guide us through this cruel War,  
And live (though against thy Will) in such a Storm,  
Paulus, (Grief made his Language sharp) more Harm,  
Then Varro, Thou wilt do. Then take, I pray,  
(Of Rome's now sinking State Thou only Stay)  
This Horse: upon my Shoulders I will take  
Thee up, and set Thee safe upon his Back.  
As this he spoke, the Consul, spitting Blood,  
From his torn Mouth, replies: Go on, make good  
Thy Father's Virtues; why should we despair,  
So long, as such brave Souls remaining are  
In Romulus his Empire? Spur thy Steed,  
Which Way thy Wounds permit thee. Let with speed  
The City-Gates be shut; for suddenly  
This sad Destruction to the Walls will fly;  
And (pray) advise, that Fabius may Command  
In Chief: blind Rage my Counsel did withstand.  
And what of my spent Life remaineth now;  
But that to the rude Multitude I show,  
That Paulus dares, and knows well how to Die?  
For, thus consumed with Wounds, to them shall I  
Be born? What would the Libyan give, that Me,  
Turning my Back in Fight, He once might see?  
Paulus hath no such Thoughts: nor will I go  
So poor a Soul unto the Shades below.  
No, I am one: but why do I delay  
Thee thus, with mild Complaints? Haste thee away,  
Hence quickly with thy Steed, with Service spent.  
With this grave Charge, straight to the City went  
Sad Lentulus: nor yet did Paulus die  
Without Revenge; but, as when, mortally  
Wounded, a Tiger doth, at length, retreat,  
And falls to struggle with approaching Fate,  
He opens wide his weary Jaws to by't  
In vain, and in Attempts, beneath the Height  
Of his great Rage, licks, only, with his Tongue  
The Lances, and the Darts against him fling.  
And now Ilerthes, who insulting near  
Approached, and shook, secure of Wounds, his Spear,  
He rising, with his sudden Sword, doth wound;  
And, then, for the Sidonian Captain, round  
About him, looks, desiring in his Hands  
To quit his struggling Soul: but straight the Bands  
Of Nomades, of Garamantians, Moors,  
With Celtians, and Asturians, thick Showrs  
Of Darts upon him poured, on every Side,  
Oppress the Man. Thus Noble Paulus died;  
Thus that high, valiant Heart, whom (if the War  
He sole had ruled) perhaps we might compare  
With Fabius: his brave Death a Grace became  
To Rome, and placed among the 
(e) This is only an Hyperbole expressing the great Merit of Paulus, and the Fame of his Death: for the Romans Deified none, before julius Caesar, after that Imposture of Proculus, persuading them first to make Romulus a God.  Stars his Name.  
But, when the Romans Hopes were lost, and all  
Their Courage, ruined in the Consul's Fall;  
To cruel Arms the Headless 
(f) Paulus, who commanded the Right Wing, and Servilius, who led the Left, being both slain, and Varro flying at the first Decline of their Fortune, the Army was Destitute of Commanders.  Army yield  
Their Backs: Victorious afric through the Field  
Rageth in Blood: Picenian Cohorts here,  
And Warlike Vmbrians fall; Sicanian there,  
And Hernick Troops: those Ensigns scattered are  
Upon the Ground, which Samnites, fierce in War,  
Which the Sarrastes, and the Marsi brought▪  
There Targets pierced quite through, &, as they fought  
Broke each against others Shields, and Helmets lay  
With useless Swords, and Bridles torn away  
From the fierce Horse's Mouths: the Neighbouring flood  
Throws up his Billows, swelling high with Blood,  
Into the Fields, and all the Bodies slain  
Returns, with Fury, to the Banks again.  
See a 
(g) Egyptian.  Lagaean Ship, that, Island-like,  
Floats on the Sea, if it by Chance do strike  
Upon a Rock, while cloudy Eurus blows,  
And Shipwreck over all the Ocean throws,  
Straight Planks, with Oars, and Tackle, and tall Masts,  
Pendants, and Sails, torn with impetuous Blasts,  
And miserable Seamen, that again  
Spew up the Waves, are scattered on the Main.  
The Libyan, by His Slaughters in the Fight,  
Had measured out the Day: but, as the Night  
The Aid of Light to His great Rage denied,  
At length, he laid the cruel War aside,  
And from the Toil of Slaughter spared his Men:  
But yet, with Cares, his Mind still waked: nor then,  
Amidst such Favour of the Gods, could He  
Endure to rest; His Thoughts continually  
Prompt him to enter Rome: and the next day,  
Thence with drawn Swords, in Haste, to march away,  
Is his Design: while yet their Blood was warm,  
And Slaughter stained the Troops. Now with His Arm  
The Gates He seizeth, fires the Walls, and seems  
To mix with Cannae the Tarpeian Flames.  
Conscious of Jove's Displeasure, and the Fate  
Of Italy, Saturnia, troubled at  
What He designed, endeavouring to restrain  
The Youth's rash Heat, and in Desires so vain  
To curb his greedy Hopes, straight from His deep,  
And silent Empire, She the God of Sleep  
(By whose Assistance, She had often closed  
Jove's weary Eyes, and them to Rest composed)  
Summons, and, smiling, said; I call not Thee  
(Great God) to hard Designs: nor that to Me  
Thou give up jove, by thy soft Wings subdued,  
Do I require: nor, that thou shouldst delude  
And shut, in Stygi●● Night, his thousand Eyes,  
That Io kept, and did thy Power despise.  
But into Hannibal n●w Dreams inspire;  
Nor now ●o visit Rome let Him desire:  
Or Walls forbidden, where jove denies, that He  
Should enter. Her Commands he instantly  
Pursues, and Poppy, in a crooked Horn,  
Mixed with some other Juice, through Darkness born,  
He silently descends, and to the Tent  
Of the Barcêan Prince directly went.  
Then, hovering o'er his drooping Head, he spreads  
His drowsy Wings, and Slumber gently sheds,  
Like Dew, into His Eyes, and with his Hand  
Unto His Temples the Lethean Wand  
Applies; when suddenly prodigious Dreams  
Possess his furious Breast: and now he seems  
To compass Tiber, with his numerous Bands:  
But, as, insulting, at the Walls he stands  
Of Rome, he, frighted, sees Immortal jove  
Shining, on the Tarpeian Rock, above,  
And, in his threatening Hand, he Thunder shaken,  
While all the Neighbouring Fields with Sulphur smoke;  
Blew Anyo, in cold Waters, trembling lies,  
And oft (a dreadful Sight) before his Eyes,  
Flashes of Lightning fly, then through the Air  
A Voice was spread; Thy Progress, Youth, forbear;  
Thy Honour's great enough, that doth arise  
From Cannae, Thou as soon our Marble Skies  
May'st cleave, as through those Sacred Walls (when stormed  
By Thee) break way. Thus Juno's Will performed,  
Sleep left Him, terrified with what He then  
Had seen, and fearing greater Wars: nor, when  
The Night was done, did Day absolve his Mind  
From that dire Image, which it left behind.  
A midst these Troubles of His Sleep, and vain  
Disturbance, Mago tells Him, they had ta'en  
The Roman Camp, by Night, and brought away,  
With their remaining Troops, a wealthy Prey:  

(h) Livy attributes this Advise to Maharbal, whose Counsel (to march away immediately with his Horse, and to prevent the Fame of his Victory, by appearing at the Gates of Rome, before they apprehended His Coming) when Hannibal rejected, he replied, Thou knowest, Hannibal, how to conquer, but not how to use Thy Victory.  To Him then promising a joyful Feast,  
Within the Capitol, when, to divest  
The World of Day, the fifth Night should arise,  
The General, concealing the Advise  
Of Heaven, and His own Fears, their Wounds in Fight,  
And Strength exhausted pleads, and that they might  
Not be too Confident of their Success.  
The Youth dejected from his Hopes, no less,  
Then if he had commanded Him to flee,  
Even from the Walls, and draw from Victory  
His Ensigns, said, With all this Toil, not Rome  
(As She believed) but Varro's overcome:  
By what sad Fate, so great Success in Fight  
Dost Thou neglect, and thus Thy Country slight?  
Let the Horse march with Me, and (I will Pawn  
My Head) the Iliack Walls shall be Thine Own,  
The Gates shall opened be without a War.  
While these by furious Mago urged are,  
And by his wary Brother not believed,  
The Latin Soldiers, flying, were received▪  
Within 
(i) They were not above four thousand Foot, and two hundred Horse, that fled in a Body, and were received into Canusium. The rest came scattered several Ways, and had only Lodging given them by the Citizens. But all other Provisions were bestowed on them by a Noble Lady, called Paula Busa; who, the War ended, was publicly honoured by the Roman Senate, for her seasonable Bounty.  Canusium's Walls, and there apace  
Began to fortify. Inglorious Face  
Of sinking Fortune! there no Eagles stand,  
No Ensigns 'mong the Troops, no high Command  
Of Consuls, nor by Lictours' Axes born.  
But faint with Fear, and, as with Ruin torn,  
And maimed, their Bodies on weak Members strive  
To keep their Stand: oft sudden Clamours rive  
The Air, and oft deep Silence, with their Eyes  
Fixed on the Ground: here naked Companies  
With broken Targets stand; the Valiant there  
Want Swords: then all the Horsemen wounded are;  
From their high-crested Casks their glorious Pride  
Was torn, and Mars his Honour laid aside.  
Their Corslets pierced with many Spears, and in  
Their Nails Maurusian Shafts were sometimes seen  
To hang: sometimes they sadly call upon  
Their Friends, were lost: here Galba they bemoan,  
Piso, and Curio, worthy of a far  
More Noble Fate, and Scaevola, in War  
Most fierce; all these of Course: but Paulus Fate,  
As of a common Father, they regrate,  
How He ne'er ceased, with Truth, their present Woes  
To Prophesy, and Varro's Mind oppose:  
How oft, in Vain, that Day from Rome He sought  
To turn; and, then, how valiantly He fought.  
But such, who Care of future Things do take,  
Either are busied, 'bout the Walls to make  
Their Trenches, or to fortify the Gates,  
(As Need required) and where the Field dilates  
A plain, and easy Entrance to the Foes,  
Firm in the Earth they fix Fire-hardned Boughs,  
Like Horns of Stags, and secretly beside,  
To wound them in their March, they calthrop's hid.  
'Bove all these Miseries, and Wounds, that are  
Not to be cured, the Relics of the War,  
And such as 'scap'd the Foe, through impious Fear,  
And a more fierce Erynnis moved, prepare  
(The Climate changed) the Punic Arms, by Sea,  
Sidonian Swords, and Hannibal to flee.  
The Chief of this Design, for Exile, was  

(k) This was L. Caecilius Metellus, who, joining with L. Furius Philo, and some other of the young Nobility, resolved to fly to some foreign Prince, and for ever quit their Country; discouraging all Counsels of future Defence, till Scipio, attended by some other of best Resolution, breaking into Metellus Lodging, where he with his Associates, were in Counsel, with his Sword in his Hand, forced them all to take an Oath to prosecute the War against Hannibal, and so broke their Design. Liv. lib. 22.  Metellus, sprung from no ignoble Race.  
The wavering Winds of that degenerate Crew  
In War, to Counsels base, and strange, he drew:  
To look for Lands, where they themselves might hid,  
As in another World, and there abide,  
Where they might never hear the Libyan's Name,  
And whither their forsaken country's Fame,  
Might never come. But, when this News was brought  
To Scipio, with like Rage, as when he fought  
I'th' Field against Hannibal, his Sword he snatched,  
And to the House, where they this Mischief hatched  
Against Italy, he hasts, and breaking down  
The Doors; and, entering, with a dreadful Frown,  
Shaking his Sword, before their frighted Eyes,  
He thus begun: Thou Chief of Deities!  
Who dwellest on the Tarpeian Rock, a Seat,  
The next to Heaven! and Thou, juno, not yet  
Changed with the Woes of Troy, and thou fierce 
(*) Pallas.  Maid  
Upon whose dreadful Aegis are displayed  
The Gorgon Furies, and you Gods, that sprung  
From Mortals, and are willingly among  
Our Deities adored, and (which by Me,  
Is equal held to any Deity)  
By my great Father's Head, I swear, I ne'er  
Will the Lavinian Land forsake, nor e'er  
Permit, that it forsaken be, while I  
Survive. Now than Metellus instantly  
Attest the Gods, that, if in Libyan Fire  
These Walls shall burn, Thou never wilt retire  
Into another Land: unless thou swear  
To this; although armed Hannibal were here,  
Whom Thou dost dread, the Fear of whom doth break  
Thy Sleep, Thou sure shalt die, nor will I take  
A greater Pride, in any Libyan's Fall.  
These Threaten crushing that Design, they all  
A Sacramental Oath, as was enjoined,  
Swear to the Gods, and to their Country bind  
Their Souls, and from that Crime their Breasts absolve.  
While thus the Latins their Affairs revolve,  
With troubled Thoughts: Victorious Hannibal  
The Fields again survays, and numbers all  
His own dire Acts; searching with greedy Eyes  
Their Wounds, and to the cruel Companies  
Of Libian, that round about Him stood,  
Yields joyful Spectacles of Roman Blood.  
At the last Gasp, sore wounded through the Breast,  
With Darts, lay valiant Claelius 'mong the rest,  
Expiring his departing Soul to Air,  
And labouring, faintly, his pale Face to rear:  
Scarce, with his feeble Neck, from Earth his Head  
he'd lifted, when his Horse, that knew him, Neighed  
Aloud, with prick'd-up Ears, and, Bounding, threw  
Headlong upon the Ground Vagesus, who  
Upon his Captive Back was born, and then  
Flying with Speed o'er Heaps of slaughtered Men,  
And through the slippery Paths, with standing Gore  
Made fat, and Bodies changed with Wounds, before  
His dying Master stands, and there his Neck,  
And Shoulders bowing, offers him his Back,  
On bended Knees, as he was wont to do  
And, trembling, seems his inbred Love to show.  
None could more neatly mount a mettled Steed,  

(l) This Kind of recreation (formerly in use among the Romans) is now (saith Mounsieur Baudier, in his History of the Seraglio) common among the Turks, who teach their Horses to kneel, and receive them on their Backs, and in full Carrier, to leap from one Horse to another, to lie along upon them, or to stand upright on their naked Backs, while they run at full Speed: and this to be done frequently in the Hippodrome at Constantinople.  Then he; none surer, as he ran full Speed,  
Lay backward all along, or stood upon  
His naked Back, or, when he chanced to run  
A Race, more happily performed the Course.  
But, not a little, wondering at the Horse  
That equalled Humane Sense, the Libyan strait  
His Name, and Honours, who with adverse Fate  
So bravely did contend, desired to know,  
And, to dispatch him, gave the Mercy-Blow.  
Then Cynna (for He to the Tyrians Side  
Had turned his Arms) who near him then did ride,  
A Slave to Fortune, answers: Sir (said He)  
His Story worthy of your Ear may be.  
In former Times, that Rome, which now disdains  
With so much Scorn, to bear the Tyrian Reins,  
Was under Kings; but, hating Tarquin's Sway,  
Soon as She had his Sceptre thrown away,  
Straight mighty Armies, from Clusinum came,  
(If either Cocles, or Porsenna's Fame,  
Or Lidyan Camps, by Chance, thine Ear have found)  
He, with Maeonian Aids, encompassed round,  
And Tyrrhen People strove again to bring  
By War, into his Throne, the banished King;  
Much, they, in vain, attempted: at the Gate  
The Tyrant pressed; when, Peace concluded, straight  
All Hate's compressed, and by a League aside  
The War is laid, and Faith by Pledges tied.  
But, yet (good Gods!) the Roman Hearts, that know  
Not how to yield, prepared to undergo  
The worst of Ills for Honour! Claelia, who  
Not yet the Age of twice six Summers knew,  
One of the Latin Maids, that did remain  
A Pledge of Peace, among the Virgin-Train  
Transmitted to the King: She (not to speak  
Of what the Men performed) that King, the League,  
Her Years, the Flood contemning, fearless, o'er  
Admiring Tiber, from the Hostile Shore,  
Swum, and the Billows broke with tender Hands.  
Had Nature changed her Sex, the Tyrrhen Lands  
Porsenna happily should ne'er again  
Have seen; but (that I may no more detain  
You in her Story) from her Stock He came,  
And from the famous Virgin took his Name.  
As He this Story told, a sudden Cry,  
On the Lefthand, broke forth, appearing nigh,  
Where Paulus Body, 'mong the Arms of Men,  
And mangled Corpse, in Ruin mixed, they then  
Dug up, amidst the Slaughtered Heaps. Alas!  
How altered? how unlike to Him he was,  
That, lately, with his Shafts the Punic Bands  
Had routed? Or, when the Taulantian Lands,  
With Honour, he had vanquished, and did bring  
Into Subjection the Illyrick King?  
His hoary Locks all black with Dust; upon  
His Beard dry Clots of Gore; a Mural Stone  
His Teeth had broke: His Body all one Wound;  
Which when, o'erjoyed, the Libyan Captain found,  
Fly, Consul Varro, now, securely fly;  
And live (said He) since Paulus, here, did die:  
Fly; and to lazy Fabius, to the State,  
And People, Cannae's Story all relate.  
If Thou desir'st, so greedily, the Light  
Of Life, I'll grant Thee such another Flight.  
But He, whose valiant Heart (that justly claimed  
Me, for a Foe) so brave an Heat inflamed,  
With the last Rites of Funeral, by Me,  
And Decent Sepulture, shall Honoured be.  
How Great here Paulus dost Thou lie? Whose Fall,  
Alone, is greater Joy to Me, than all  
The Thousands We have slain; and so, when Fate  
Me, with the Safety (Carthage) of thy State▪  
Shall call, do I desire to die. This said,  
T' Inter his Friends, when the next Morn displayed  
Her Blushes from her Bed, and to prepare  
A Pyle of Arms (that to the God of War  
Were to be burnt) He gives Command: then all,  
Though weary, to the Work commanded fall,  
And straight in several Heaps the Groves are laid,  
And, on the shady Hills, tall Woods are made  
To Echo with their Axes: here to Ground  
They fell the Ash, and shady Pop'lar, crowned  
With hoary Leaves, and there the Holm, that took  
Root in their Grand-sire's Age, and firmest Oak;  
With Pines, that flourish by a River, and  
Sad Cypress, that near Sepulchers do stand,  
A mournful Ornament. These to the Field  
They bear, and there, with Emulation, build  
The Funeral Pyles (an Office to the Slain,  
Fruitless, and sad) till in the Eastern Main  
Sol drenched his panting Steeds, and, by his Flight  
From Heaven, with Stygian Darkness raised the Night.  
But, when again the Phaëthontian Reins  
Shed their first Beams on the Eonan Plains,  
And did to Earth its Colours all restore,  
They Flames apply, and Corpse, distilling Gore,  
Burn, in an Hostile Land: an horrid Dread  
Of various Chance, seizing their Thoughts, is spread  
With Silence through their Hearts, lest Fortune, by  
An adverse Fight, might cause them there to die.  
But Sacred (Mars) to Thee, up to the Skies,  
Like a vast Hill, a Pyle of Arms doth rise:  
The General himself lifts up a tall  
And flaming Pine, and thus on Thee doth call:  
Great Father Mars! who, now, hast heard my Prayer;  
These Sacrifices of a Prosperous War,  
And First-fruits of the Fight, within this Flame,  
I, Hannibal, o'er the Ausonian Name  
Victorious, burn, to Thee, and living Bands  
Offer these chosen Arms, with grateful Hands.  
Then, throwing in the Torch, the greedy Fire  
Devours the Pyle; and straight a flaming Spire  
Breaks through the Smoke, and to the Stars ascends,  
And a clear Light through all the Field extends.  
Thence, hasting to the Tomb, and Funeral  
To Paulus given, the Honour of his Fall,  
Insulting, boasts. A lofty Pyle, there, They  
Had raised, and softer Beds, composed of Hay:  
Gifts likewise added are, to th' Valiant held  
A Funeral Honour: His dire Sword, and Shield,  
(Of late a Terror, and a stately Sight)  
Then Fasces torn, and Axes ta'en in Fight.  
No Wife, no Sons, no Troops of Kindred near  
Allied, were there; nor on the lofty Bier  
(As Custom was) old Images precede,  
And grace the Exequys: But, now, instead  
Of other Pomp, was Hannibal, alone  
Sufficient, to Eternize His Renown:  
Shining with richest Purple (to the rest  
Upon the Pyle) He, sighing, threw his Vest,  
And, after that, His Gold-embroidered Cloak:  
Then to His Shade, with this last Honour, spoke.  
Ausonia's Glory! go Thou thither; where  
Souls, great in Deeds, and Virtue, seated are;  
Thou, by Thy Noble Death, hast Honour gained:  
Fortune, as yet, with her unconstant Hand,  
Our Labours guides, and doth command, that We  
Of future Chances ignorant should be.  
Thus He, and, straight from crackling Flames, into  
Aetherial Air, the joyful Soul doth go.  
Now Fame, her Voice increasing, to the Skies,  
The Sea, and Earth, and chiefest City fliest  

(m) So great (saith Livy, lib. 22.) was the Lamentation, & Confusion through the City, that Fabius, whose present Courage gave Counsel to the rest, was constrained to confine the Women to their Houses, and in that great Consternation, to omit the Anniversary Sacrifice to Ceres.  They now distrust their Walls, and, trembling, all  
Hope Safety only in the Capitol.  
For now, for their Defence, no Youthful Bands  
Survive; an empty Name Ausonia stands,  
Without a Body: that the Enemy  
Not yet broke through the Gates, they think to be  
Delay, through Scorn: their Houses now appear  
To burn, the Temples spoiled, and every where  
Their Sons, in cruel Slaughter, to expire  
Before their Eyes, and the seven towers on Fire.  
One Day lamented the approaching Falls  
Of twice an hundred 
(n) Senators.  Chairs, and sinking Walls  
Of now-exhausted Rome, deprived of twice  
Three hundred thousand Youth besides; and this  
After sad Trebia, and the Tuscan 
(o) Thrasimene.  Flood:  
And of Allies, as great a Loss of Blood.  
Amidst these Griefs, the Pious Senate all,  
By Lot, to their appointed Charges fall:  
Old Fabius, super-vising what was done  
With Diligence, th' Affrighted calls upon.  
Believe't, there 's now no Reason to delay;  
We must be speedy, that the Libyan may,  
T' approach our armed Walls, attempt in vain.  
By Sitting-still cross Fortune Strength doth gain  
Among the Fearful, and Adversity  
Through Fear grows greater. Go, go speedily,  

(p) Such Arms, as were taken from their Enemies, had long been preserved, as Trophies in their Temples: but, in this Exigency, they were constrained to make use of them to Arm their Slaves.  Snatch from the Temple Arms (Brave Youths) go make  
The Courts, and Porches, naked; quickly take  
The Targets from the Walls, were gained in War:  
Enough our Numbers for our Country are,  
If we lose nothing through our Fear to fight:  
In open Fields, that horrid Plague may fright  
Perchance; but the light-naked Moor shall ne'er  
Break through these Walls, or boast his Triumphs here.  
While Fabius thus excites their Minds, with Dread  
Dejected. 'Bout the Walls a Rumour 's spread,  
That Varro was at Hand, and every Breast  
With secret Trouble, and with Doubt, 's possessed.  
As, when, a Vessel wracked, safe from the Sea,  
Alone, the Pilot, swimming, makes his Way  
To th' open Shore; the People trembling stand,  
Uncertain whether they should lend an Hand  
To help Him, or refuse Him, and, the rest  
So lost, his sole Survival all detest.  
How great his Infamy, who durst come near  
The Ports, so sad an Omen to their Fear!  
These Discontents, and Troubles to assuage,  
And turn the wavering People from their Rage,  
Fabius declares; How Base it was to be  
Vexed at Misfortunes in Adversity,  
It did unmanly seem, in those to bend,  
Who their Original from Mars pretend,  
Who could not hid their Griefs, but were intent  
To remedy their Woes by Punishment:  
But, if they would permit him, to upbraid,  
To Him that Day more Dismal shined (he said)  
When He saw Varro marching to the Field,  
Then that, wherein Disarmed he Him beheld.  
This Language all their Threats allayed, and straight  
Their Hearts were turned. Now they condole his Fate,  
Now, sum up all the Comforts from them ta'en  
By the Sidonian, in two Consuls slain.  

(q) At Varro's Return, lest the People should grow insolently-cruel, at the Misfortunes of their Generals, the Senate gave him Thanks, that he had not despaired of the future good Fortune of the Commonwealth.  Then, to congratulate Him, out they run  
In Troops; protesting, that whate'er was done,  
They did believe, proceeded from a great  
And valiant Mind; That trusting to the Fate  
Of their Forefathers, and their mighty Power,  
He not despaired of the Tarpeian Tower.  
No less sad, for his Crime, and full of Shame,  
Towards the Walls, the Consul, weeping, came:  
Not daring his dejected Looks at all  
To raise, to see his Country, and recall  
Their Griefs. The Senate, and the People, that  
To meet Him went, seemed not to gratulate  
His Safety: but sad Parents to require  
Their Sons, and Brothers; or, inflamed with Ire,  
To tear the Consul's Face, appeared to come:  
And therefore, with a silent Lictour, Rome  
He, Private, enters, and through Grief contemned  
That Honour, which the Gods, so late, condemned.  
But Fabius, and the Senate doth provide  
Speedy Relief, all Sadness laid aside;  
And straight the 
(r) These Slaves were in number ten thousand (some say eight thousand) and bought from their Masters at the Public Charge, and made free, that they might not dishonour the Roman Militia.  Slaves are armed: nor doth that Shame,  
For common Safety, move them to dis-claim  
The Camp. But to reduce th' Aeneï●n State,  
By any Means, within the Laws of Fate,  
It is Decreed, and for the Sacred Tower,  
Honour of Freedom, and Imperial Power,  
Even Servile Hands to Arm. Now, they divest  
Boys of their Garments, and their Shoulders pressed  
With Arms, to them unknown: stiff Helmets close  
Their tender Cheeks, and in the Blood of Foes  
They are commanded to grow up to Men.  
But, when it was moved the Captive Troops again  
Should Ransomed be at easy Rates (for there  
Of such, that sought it, many thousands were)  

(s) That for the Future, their Soldiers might either die, or conquer, the Romans refused either to redeem the Captives at the public Charge, or permit their Redemption by their private Friends: by which means they were most of them cruelly destroyed by their Enemies, who forced many of the chief, and the nearest relating in Blood to fight as Gladiatours, and be a Pastime to them, while they killed each other. Appian. Hann.  They to the wondering Libyan left them all.  
So much the Possibility to fall,  
Armed, into Bondage, did all Crimes exceed,  
All other Gild surpass. Then, 'twas Decreed,  
That whosoever should Convicted be,  
T' have fled the Fight in farthest Sicily,  
Should serve, until the Foe th' Ausonian Land  
Should quite relinquish. Such than Rome did stand!  
Next whom, Thou, Carthage, had the Fates thought good  
To change her Manners, mightst, as Chief, have stood.  
The End of the Tenth Book.   



At Decius ●um Vincla ligant n●cte ocius inquit;  
(Nam sic Annibalem decet intravisse) caten●s:  
Nec plura effari concessum; obnubitur atra   

Veste caput, trahiturque ferox ante ora suorum:  
Nec Venerem interea sugit ex optabile tempos  
Spargere tela manu mandat fallentianatis.   
Honoratissᵒ. Domino Dnᵒ. Guli●lmo Wentworth, Com. Straffordi●●, Vicecom: Wentworth, B●roni Wentworth de Wentworth, Woodhouse New-march. Oversley, et Raby. atque Inclut● Ordinis Periscelidis Equiti etc. Tabula summa cum observantia. D D.D.  SILIUS ITALICUS OF The Second Punic War. The Eleventh Book.  
THE ARGUMENT.  
What People, after Cannae's Loss forsake  
The Roman Leagues, and part with Libya take.  
The Capuans proud Demands at Rome: which She  
Contemning, forced the Messengers to flee  
With a Repulse. Straight Capua entertains  
The Libyans, which Decius disdains:  
His Faith, and Noble Courage: He is sent,  
In Chains, to Carthage: whither, as he went,  
By Storms, upon Cyrene, he is cast;  
Where, rescued from the Libyans, at last  
He dies. With wanton, and luxurious Feasts  
Lose Capua entertains her Libyan Guests.  
Amidst their Mirth, the Death of Hannibal  
Pactulus Son conspires. Mago, with all  
The Spoils of Cannae, is to Carthage sent,  
The People's Acclamations, and Content,  
When he arrived. He new Supplies demands  
Of Men, and moneys: Hanno this withstands.  
In fine, Mago prevails, and all, that He  
Requires, the Senate grants by a Decree.  
BUT now what People to the Libyan Side,  
And the Sidonian Camp, themselves applied,  
Through Cannae's famous Loss, let me unfold.  
When Fortune fails, no Mortals long will hold  
Their Faith. Their Hands now, openly, they strive  
To the perfidious Libyan to give,  
Too ready in Misfortune to despairs!  
Before the rest, the cruel 
(a) The Samnites, a People inhabiting between Campania, Apulia, and Picenum, had often contended with the Romans, and sometimes had over them very memorable Victories (as at the Caudin● Straits, where they made two Consuls, with the whole Army, pass under the Yoke; that is, March Man, by Man, dis-armed, and without their Belts, under two Spears erected, and a third lying cross, like a Gallows, in token of Bondage) and, though more often overthrown by the Romans, never laid aside their emulous Hatred of them, till utterly subdued, and in a manner extirpated, by Sylla the dictator.  Samnites are  
Most eager, on Occasion, to renew  
Their Hate, and long-concealed Rage to show.  
Next, the unconstant 
(b) The Brutii were the first, that revolted to Hannibal, and continued with Him, till He left Italy, and some of them accompanied Him into afric. They were originally Shepherds to the Lucanians, and, rebelling against their Masters, planted themselves in the farthest part of Italy, and became a numerous People. But this Defection reduced them to their Pristine Condition of Servants; their best Employment, ever after, being to carry Letters.  Brutians, who, with Shame,  
(Too late) did afterwards the Fact disclaim.  
Perfidious Apulians, next to these,  
With their ambiguous Arms: then, hating Peace,  
The vain Hirpini, who unworthily  
Their Faith infringed. A gen'ral Treachery  
(Like the Contagion of some foul Disease)  
Through all the Nations spreads: and now with these  
Atella, now Calatia (common Fear  
Depressing Justice) with their Troops appear,  
In the Sidonian Camp. Then, with as bold  
Inconstancy, Tarentum (that of old  
Phalanthus built) the Roman Yoke denied:  
Her friendly Gates high Croton opened wide,  
And taught the Thespian Nephews, at the Beck  
Of Barbarous Africans, to yield their Neck.  
Like Rage possessed the Locri, and the Coast,  
Where Graecia Major 
(c) This part of Italy was called Graecia Major, for that it was subdued ●y the Greeks, who built there several ●●ties, as Croton, Arpi, Thurium, ●●rentum, etc. beginning at Locri, and ●●tending its Limits eighty two Miles.  Argive Walls doth boast,  
And Wind, washed by the Iönian Sea.  
These, following the Success of Libya,  
And Fortune, in that Error, fearful, swore  
To lend their Arms to the Sidonian War.  
And, now, the stubborn Bord'rers on the Po,  
(The Celtaes) strive t' increase the Romans Woe  
Again; and, mindful of their ancient Hate,  
With all their Strength, themselves associate.  
But, whither is't more just, this impious War  
To th' Celtaes, or the Boii to refer?  
Or rather Capua's Madness; so to please  
The Cruel Nation of the Senones?  
And who would think those Walls, that, first, did rise  
From Dardan Hands, and did, till then, despise  
The Friendship of a Barbarous Tyrant, now,  
At such a Time, so great a Change should show?  
But Luxury, and Ease, that long had been  
Nursed in their Brothels; and, through frequent Sin  
All Shame, all Modesty consumed, beside  
Infamous Honour, that, alone, relied  
On Wealth, with Idleness, the City, void  
Of Laws, and lazy People, quite destroyed.  
And then a cruel Pride provoked their Fall:  
Their Vices want no Aids; for none, of all  
Th' Ausonian People, had a larger Store  
Of Gold (so full a Sail their Fortune bore)  
Then they: their long-sleeved Robes Assyrian Die  
Enriched; they Feast, with high Regality,  
Even in the midst of Day; soon, as the Sun  
Diffused his Light, their Banquets they begun;  
Their wanton Lives all Stains of Vices bear:  
Beside, the Senate to the People were  
Severe: the People, through the Senate's Hate  
Incensed, Seditions raise; and, with Debate,  
Divide their Hearts: The Headstrong Youth, meanwhile,  
Their Crimes increase; and greater Sins defile  
The Aged. And then such, as were of Base  
Extraction, and whom an Ignoble Race  
Defamed, their Falling country's Reins desire  
To guide, and to the Chief Command aspire.  
With Slaughter, likewise, 'twas their Use, of old,  
T' exhilarate their Banquets, and behold  
Dire Spectacles of such, as with the Sword  
Contend, mixed with the Feast; while on the Board,  
Besmeared with Gore, the very Goblets swell  
Not more with Wine, than Blood of those, that fell.  
With Cunning, These (that to the Tyrians He  
Their Minds, depraved, might turn more eagerly)  
The Libyan Prince attempts. Because He knew  
Rome (notwithstanding all that Chance could do)  
Would never yield. 'Twas easy to procure  
What He desired: Pactulus (not obscure  
For Gild in this) He Counsels to require  
A Share in Government, and to desire,  
That, with a Sociate Consul, he might bear  
Alternate Fasces. If an equal Share  
To Him, in Power, and Honour, they denied,  
Nor to behold two Axes would abide,  
He, a Revenger, in their View, would stand  
Of that Repulse. Therefore a Chosen Band  
With Speed was sent, and Virius (who the rest  
In Eloquence excelled) himself addressed,  
Chief in the Embassy. His Birth, indeed,  
Was mean; But yet his Fury did exceed  
All else. Scarce what was impiously desired  
By th' frantic People had He told, and fired  
Their Ears with swelling Words, when a loud Cry,  
From the whole Counsel rising, did deny  
His Message with unanimous Disdain.  
Then every One upbraids him, and the Fane,  
Through the Contention of their Voices, shook:  
And here the brave Torquatus, with a Look,  
Grave as his Grand-sire's, said. Dost Thou presume  
(Oh Capua!) such Messengers should come  
Within the Walls of Rome? Against which to bear  
Their Arms, nor Hannibal, nor Carthage dare,  
After their Cannae? Hath it not touched your Ear,  
That, when in the Tarpeian Temple, here,  
The Latins proudly urged the like Demands:  
Not with a Vote, or Words, but furious Hands  
They were repulsed, and He, who hither brought,  
And with proud Language uttered what they sought,  
With so great Violence, was Headlong thrown,  
Out at the Temple-Gates, that, bruised upon  
The fatal Rock, he there did expiate▪  
In View of jove, his Language, by his Fate?  
And I, his Offspring, 
(d) This Torquatus (who is commended by the Poet for his Austerity) was descended of the Consul Manlius, whom the Roman Militia dreaded for his overmuch Severity in Command. He it was, who, when the Latins (as now the Capuans) demanded to have a Consul of their Nation in Rome, forced Annius their Ambassador out of the Capitol. and (as some affirm) broke his Neck down Stairs—.  who that Orator,  
Then, from this Palace of the Thunderer  
Expelled, and Consul, with his naked Hand,  
Defender of the Capitol did stand,  
This Madman, who appears, with threatening Eyes,  
To view these Trophies of Rome's Victories,  
And his Fore-Father's Faction to pursue.—  
Vexed Fabius seeing, that He fiercer grew,  
In this Dispute, thus interposing, said,  
Oh Impudence! Behold that Seat is made  
Vacant by Storms of War, and whom of all  
Your Crew (I pray) do you intent to call,  
And substitute in Noble Paulus Place?  
Doth thy Lot, Virius, with the Senate's Grace,  
Cite Thee, before all other? Or doth now  
The Purple to our Bruti thou allow  
As equal? Go thou Fool, go thither, where  
Perfidious Carthage may, for Thee, prepare  
Her Fasces. As with Heat he this Expressed,  
Impatient even with Sighs, within his Breast  
Longer to keep his Anger (that thus broke,  
Like Thunder, forth) aloud Marcellus spoke.  
How dull a Patience (Varro) doth thy Mind  
Possess? Confounded with this stormy Wind  
Of War, so much, that, now a Consul, Thou  
These mad, vain Dreams, art able to allow?  
Why dost thou not, from hence, these Headlong throw  
Out at the Gates? and make these Half-men know  
How great a Power the Consuls have, that be  
Created by Our Custom? And, let Me  
Advise (Thou, never-sober Youth! whose Fall  
Is nigh) fly quickly hence. Our General  
Shall, Armed, before your Walls an Answer make,  
Such, as is meet. With that, they all forsake  
Their Seats, and, with loud Clamours, press upon  
The Capuans, who hasted to be gone;  
While Virius, vexed at that Repulse, let's fall  
In murmured Threats, the Name of Hannibal.  
But Fulvius, the Presages of whose Mind  
His future Honour at that Time Divined,  
And falling Capua's Image 'fore his Eyes  
Appeared, Replies; Though, Crowned with Victories,  
Thou, Hannibal, His Neck in Chains, to Rome  
Shouldst bring; Yet ne'er, hereafter, shalt Thou come  
Within these Sacred Walls: then take Thy Flight  
(I pray Thee) whither Thy sick Thoughts invite.  
At length, this angry Answer of the vexed  
Senate they bore away, with Threatening mixed.  
Is it thy Will, Great jove, that Fates should lie  
Still Buried in so great Obscurity?  
An Age more happy shall hereafter come,  
When a Campanian Consul Pious Rome  
Shall gladly entertain, and shall afford  
Secure those Fasces, of Her own Accord,  
To valiant 
(e) The first of Foreiners, that had the Honour of being Consul, was Cornelius Balbus, born in the Territories of the Carthaginians. But, after him, many others were admitted▪ and among them L. Fulvius, a Tusculane, immediately after his Country had rebelled against Rome, and he was the Ancestor of that Fulvius, who reduced Capua to their Obedience. See infra, Book 13.  Nephews, that were long denied  
Through Arms, & War: but of their Grand-sire's Pride  
This shall a lasting Punishment remain.  
Rome shall as soon the Suffrage entertain  
Of Carthage, as of Capua. This Reply  
When Virius, intermixing cunningly  
Fiction with Truth, did, with the Fates, declare:  
The Fatal Signal of a Bloody War  
Was given, and the Campanian Youth, inspired  
With Fury, Arms, and Hannibal desired.  
The People, flocking from all Parts, invite  
The Libyans to their Houses, and recite  
What mighty Things the Libyan Prince hath done:  
How He, like Hercules, had overrun  
The Alps; and, in His Course, had passed those high  
Aspiring Rocks, that to the Gods are nigh.  
Who had, a Conqueror, choked up the Stream  
Of Po, with Slaughter: And, how He (the same  
Great Conqueror) troubled with Ausonian Blood  
The Lydian Lake: and Banks of Trebia's Flood  
Transmitted had, with an Eternal Name,  
To Fame: How He Flaminius overcame,  
And Paulus (Consuls) whom in Fight He slew.  
Beside, how He Sagunthus overthrew,  
In His first War. And then Pyrene's Heights,  
Iberus, and His Father's Stygian Rites  
They all extol, and th' War, which long before  
He, in His Childhood, at the Altar swore.  
And, then, so many Generals overthrown  
In Fight; so many slain, that He, alone,  
By all the Weapons of the Gods did stand  
Untouched, in Battle. While He did command,  
With such a Person therefore, they should join  
Their Hands, and with Him, in a League, combine:  
But, if that Bloodless People's high Disdain,  
Vain Contumacy, and that city's Reign,  
That equal Laws, and Fasces had denied,  
(As to their Servants) Capua would abide:  
Varro was then to be preferred, that He,  
Consul, in Purple, might more Glorious flee.  
Thus boasting, they, by Lot, choice Men prepare  
To send, that with the Tyrians might swear  
A League: but Decius, then, the sole Renown  
Of Capua, in his Breast reserved, alone,  
Unconquered Courage: and, received into  
The Midst of the Assembly (for He Knew  
He might not long delay) Why do ye make  
Such Haste, dear Countrymen (said He) to break  
Our Father's Laws? And, thus, to entertain  
Into your Families that guilty Man,  
For breaking of the League, condemned by  
The Altars? How is thus all Memory  
Of Justice lost? 'Tis Noble, still in great  
Affairs, with private Men, or with a State,  
To keep Faith in Distress. Time doth invite  
Us now, for the Rutulians to fight:  
Now should our Armies move, our Ensigns fly,  
While their State totters, and a Remedy  
Their Wounds require. That Kindness is, alone,  
That's offered, when Prosperity is done,  
And that gives Aid, where Fortune is declined.  
For 'tis no Honour to a gallant Mind,  
To hug the Fortunate. Then harken now  
To Me, their Souls like to the Gods I know,  
And Hearts still greater, than their greatest Ills.  
Believe Me, Them nor Thrasimenus fills,  
Cannae, nor Paulus Memorable Fate:  
Even These are they, that with their Arms did beat  

(f) The Samnites, extremely vexing the Capuans by their Incursions into their Borders, and at length fortifying the Hill Tifata, and defeating their Army, in the adjacent Plain, the Capuans with Tears desired Aid of the Romans, who sent two under the Conduct of their two Consuls, Valerius Corvinus, and Cornelius Cossus, who triumphed over the Samnites, and freed the Capuans. Liv. lib. 7.  The Foe, fixed on your Walls, and Capua  
From the proud Samnites rescued: These are they,  
Who gave you Laws, who all your Fears expelled,  
And which the Sidicinian Army quelled.  
Then what Allies, through Malice, do you fly?  
Or, rather, whom d'ye entertain? Shall I,  
A Trojan, who from Father Capys came,  
To whom he left his Sacred Rites, and Name  
From jove, of great julus' Kin, shall I  
Among these Half-men (Nasamonians) lie?  
Or 'mong the barbarous Garamantians (which,  
In Grinning, savage Beasts resemble) pitch  
My Tent; mixed with Marmarick Troopers? Or  
Shall I endure a General, that for  
The League, and Justice takes his Sword? and Praise  
From Blood alone unto Himself doth raise?  
No; Right, and Wrong, your Decius does not mix  
With such Indifference, that he should fix  
On such a Choice: you with no Good so great  
Hath cruel Nature Armed, as with the Gate  
Of Death; which, alwaies-open, gives you Power  
To leave a tedious Life, at any Hour.  
Thus, to their Ears averse, while Decius spent  
His Breath in Vain, a chosen Regiment  
Made League with Hannibal: and, straight, a Band  
Of light Autololes, with Noise, at Hand  
Appeared, sent by the General before,  
While He, with a great Body, Marcheth o'er  
The Plains with Speed; and Decius again  
Exclaims, Come; now's the Time (dear Countrymen)  
The Hour's arrived, while, following Me, you may  
Perform an Action, worthy Capua.  
Now let Us all those Barbarous Troops destroy;  
Let every one strive solely to enjoy  
That Honour; if the Foe approach, the Gate  
Obstruct with Carcases, and expiate  
This Error with your Swords. Such Blood alone  
Can purge your guilty Souls from what is done.  
While this (in Vain) to all unpleasant, He  
Expressed; informed of his Severity,  
With an Heartful of Rage, the Libyan stands  
Before the Walls, and, instantly, Commands  
The Deputies into the Camp to send  
For Decius, whom rough Valour did commend,  
And a Breast armed with Faith; a Soul inclined  
To Justice, and then Capua a Mind  
More great; who, with undaunted Courage, took  
Those menacing Commands: and, with a Look  
Most fierce, as bitter Words returns again.  
The Libyan Him, so full of brave Disdain,  
Amidst so many Arms, and Ensigns, thus  
Aloud upbraids: After Flaminius,  
And after Paulus, We are challenged! See!  
Alas! mad Decius would contend with Me,  
To give a Fame, and Honour to his Fall!  
But hence, my Soldiers, quickly march, with all  
Your Ensigns, and, in Spite of Him, to Me  
Let the Campanian City opened be.  
What new Wars He can raise I'd, gladly, try  
Against Us, to whom the Alps did openly,  
And Rocks, that strike at Heaven, o'er which a God  
Alone (before Impregnable) had trod.  
With that He, angry, blushed, and from His Eyes,  
Through Fury kindled, sudden Flames arise,  
And, foaming at his Mouth, deep Sighs he draws,  
That break, in dreadful Murmurs, from his Jaws.  
By the whole Senate thus attended, He  
The City enters; and, his Face to see  
The People flocking round, He venteth all  
The Storms of his dire Rage, and burning Gall;  
While the approaching Dangers more inflame  
Brave Decius' Mind, who saw the Instant came  
Of Time, wherein He was to vanquish all  
The Praise of an Unconquered General.  
Him neither Flight, nor Barricadoed Doors  
Conceal. But Free, as if no Libyan Powers,  
No Hannibal, were then, within the Town,  
He, with a Fearless Look, walks up, and down;  
When straight, with cruel Arms, a furious Band  
Seized Him, and forced Him at the Feet to stand  
Of Hannibal; who, on a lofty Throne,  
A Conqueror sat, and, with a Thundering Tone,  
This bitter Language vents. Dost Thou presume,  
Alone, to underprop declining Rome,  
And rescue Her from Ruin? Thou Fool, say;  
Which of the Gods from Me shall take away  
So great Enjoyments? Or, was I, to be  
Subdued, reserved (dull Decius) to Thee?  
Weak Decius! To whom no Woman, born  
In Agenorean Carthage, but would scorn  
To Yield. But Him (for why such high Disdains  
Should We endure?) Fast in deserved Chains  
(My Soldiers) bind. Scarce He an End had made  
Of Railing; when stout Decius they invade,  
And bind, with Chains, His Hands upon His Back.  
Then, as a Lion, on the lofty Neck  
Of a young Bull, amidst the Herd, doth leap,  
And murmuring with Rage, Victorious, deep  
Into his trembling Flesh his Claws hath pressed,  
There hanging, feeds upon the groaning Beast:  
So Decius raging, while His Chains they bind,  
Come speedily (for such We ought to find  
Thy Entrance Hannibal) these Chains, the Prize  
Of this unhappy League, close bind, (He cries)  
So Decius may a Worthy Victim fall:  
For 'tis not fit, that Thou, who placest all  
Delight in Humane Blood, shouldst Sacrifice  
Bulls to the Gods. Let Capua, in this,  
Behold thy Right-Hand; see thy League: as yet  
The Court Thou hast not entered, nor hast set  
Thy Foot with in the Temples; but We see  
The Prison's opened by the Cruelty  
Of Thy Commands. Go on, and give Increase  
To Thy Beginnings, by such Acts, as these:  
Fame shall to Me, when Dead, hereafter tell,  
That Hannibal in Capua's Ruins fell.  
But, here, they stopped His Speech, and o'er His Head,  
To blind His Eyes, a 
(g) When any Person was condemned, the Judge gave Sentence in these words; Go, Lictour, bind his Hands, muffle his Head (which was done by throwing a Cloth over it) bind him to the cursed Tree, etc. which was the Judgement given against Horatius, for kill King Tullus. Liv. 1.  Fatal Robe was spread,  
And straight He 's dragged away, in View of all  
His Friends: and then Triumphing Hannibal,  
With a more quiet Mind, and calmer Look,  
Goes on; and, viewing all about Him, took  
Survey of all the Buildings in the Town,  
And Temples, and, what's worthy to be known  
Inquires; Who built the Walls; What Numbers are  
In Arms; How Great their Treasure was for War:  
What was their Strength of Horse; How great withal  
Their Infantry? To Him their Arcenal  
They show, and 
(h) Of this Name there were two Fields. The one near Capena, in Etruria, whence a Tribe was taken into Rome, and called Stellatina. This other, lying near Capua, was so fertile, that it was a great Relief to the Commonwealth, capable to support twenty thousand Men; as Dausquejus, out of Suetonius, observes.  Stellate Fields with Store of Corn.  
The Day now Phoebus to his Bounds had born,  
With weary Steeds, and Hesp'rus, by Degrees,  
Obscured his Chariot, hasting to the Seas:  
When they (as Custom was) their Feasts prepare,  
And, through the City, crown with Royal Far  
Their stately Tables Of the Honour He,  
And Entertainment of a Deity,  
Thought worthy, sits aloft upon a Bed  
Of Purple; that far off its Rays doth spread.  
Nor was the Troop of Servants single; some  
Serve in the Meat; others burn rich Perfume;  
The several Dishes some, in Order, join;  
Some serve in Drink, and Antique Goblets shine,  
Of massive Gold, upon the Tables; Night,  
By numerous Tapers Flames, is put to Flight:  
With Noise of those, that Up, and Down, do go  
The high-roofed Palace rings. A Stranger to  
Such lautious Banquets, with a wondering Eye,  
The unknown Face of Stately Luxury  
The Tyrian Soldier views: with Silence 
(*) Hannibal.  He  
Feeds on, and blames such Prodigality  
In Banqueting; and, that such Troops of Guests  
Were entertained, at their delicious Feasts.  
But when, at Length, His Hunger was allayed,  
And His rough Mind, with Wine, more Frolic made;  
When Mirth upon His smother Brow did rest,  
And weightier Cares were banished from His Breast:  
Cymaean Teuthras his Euboick Lyre  
Tuned, and His Ears, dulled, with the Trumpet's Dire  
Alarms, in War, with pleasant Eyrs delights.  
Now jove he sings, and his stolen Loves recites:  
Electra's Bed (of Atlas' Race was She)  
From whence sprung Dardanus; a Progeny  
Worthy the Gods: how, to Immortal jove  
Thence Ericthonius did a Nephew prove:  
Whence Tros, whence Ilus came, and, in a long  
Descent, Assaracus: at Length, He sung  
Capys, who equal was in Deeds, and Fame,  
To All, and gave unto those Walls their▪ Name.  
The Carthaginians, and Campanians, all  
Applaud his Lays: and, first, the General,  
With all due Rites, a Goblet Crowned with Wine  
Pays to the Honour of the Powers Divine;  
The Rest Him follow, and, instructed by  
Their Custom, Bacchus' Juice flows liberally  
Upon the Board's, and fires their swelling Veins.  
And, now, the Tyrians having given the Reins  
To Mirth, a Valiant Soul, untouched with Wine,  
(For willingly, brave Youth, Thy high Design,  
Worthy all Memory, I'll not pass by  
In Silence; nor deserved Fame deny  
To Thy Attempts, which, though Imperfect, yet  
Were clearest Demonstrations of a Great,  
And Noble Courage) from all Venom free  
Of Drink, the Honour pondered, silently  
Within his Breast, of a Sidonian Fight,  
And Death; and, that this Sacred Motion might  
The rather be admired, 
(i) This young Man, called Perolla, was the Son of Pactulus (or Pacurvius) Calavins, who, though he had married the Daughter of Appius Claudius, and had likewise given his own Daughter in Marriage to Livius, was the Chief of the Faction, that caused the Capuans to revolt to Hannibal. Liv. lib. 23.  Pactulus Son  
Condemned those Arts His Father had begun.  
He, closely following behind His Sire,  
Who, with the Feast oppressed, did, Slow, retire  
From the thronged Palace, when He found a Time  
To open what He thought, and tell to Him  
His new Design; and when the Place was free  
Behind Them, from the Palace: Hear (said He)  
My Resolution, worthy Capua,  
And Us, (with that, turning His Gown away,  
He showed His Armed Side) I now intent,  
With this My Sword, this cruel War to end,  
And bear the Libyan's Head to jove: this Sword  
Shall ratify this Infamous Accord,  
Made such by His Deceits; but, if Your Age  
Cannot, in so great Spectacles, engage,  
Or, tired with greater Deeds, now fearful be,  
You may securely Home retire, and Me  
Leave so my Thoughts. Thou Hannibal dost prise  
As Chief, and to the Gods dost equalise:  
But how much Greater, than a Libyan Name,  
Will Thy Son be? With that a Dreadful Flame  
Seemed from His Mouth to issue, and the Man  
Already in his Mind the War began.  
But the Old Man, who, with a troubled Ear,  
The Weight of a Design, so great, did bear,  
Trembling, before Him fell, upon the Place.  
And, as He did, with Kisses, oft embrace  
His Feet, Dear Son, by what remains to Me  
Of Life, and by a Father's Rights (said He)  
And by thy Safety (dearer far, then mine  
To Me) desist (I pray) from this Design;  
Let me not see Our Hospitality  
With Murder stained, nor Friendly Cups to be  
Filled up with Blood, and Tables overthrown  
In Fury of the Fight. Canst Thou alone  
Him, whom nor Armies, Walls, nor Cities dare  
Withstand, when He comes near, and every where  
Ejecteth Rays, like Lightning? Him, who throws  
Something like Thunder from His Head, oppose?  
If, when thy Sword is spied, that Dreadful Voice  
He should cast forth, by which He oft destroys  
Whole Squadrons in the Field? You but deceive  
Yourself; if Him, thus Feasting, you believe  
Disarmed. Gained by so many Slaughters, by  
So many Wars, Eternal Majesty  
The Gen'ral Arms. If you approach Him, then,  
That Cannae, Trebia, and dire Thrasimen,  
And Paulus mighty Shade before Thee stands,  
Thou wilt admire; Will His Companions Hands.  
Or those about His Person, in so great  
A Danger Idle be? I Thee entreat  
Forbear, nor wish Superiority  
'Bove Him, o'er whom Thou canst not Victor be.  
Do not those Fatal Chains, that late did bind  
Decius, instruct Thee to compose Thy Mind?  
Thus talking, when He saw the Youth to be  
Inflamed with Love of Greater Fame, and free  
From Fear; I nothing more (said He) request:  
Come let's return, with Speed, unto the Feast.  
Thou canst not pierce the Breasts of all that Ring  
Of Tyrian Youth, that now defend the King.  
Try in this Throat Thy Hand; for first Thy Blade  
(If Thou intend'st the Libyan to invade)  
Must through My Bowels pierce. My tardy Age  
Contemn not Thou; My Body I'll engage  
Against Thee, and that Sword, which cannot be  
Extorted now, I, by My Death, from Thee  
Will force. With that He wept, and Hannibal,  
By heavens great Care, reserved was to fall  
By Scipio's Arms. Nor then did Conscious Fate  
Allow, a foreign Hand should perpetrate  
An Act so Great. But, of what Praise was He  
Deprived, whose Glorious Magnanimity,  
Worthy to Act in Deeds most famous, won  
So much Renown, for what He would have done?  
Then, both together, to the Feast they went  
Again, and cleared their Brows from Discontent,  
Till Sleep dissolved their Banquet, and their Mirth.  
But, as the next bright Morning to the Earth  
The fiery Steeds of Phaëthon did raise,  
His Chariot on the Surface of the Seas  
Reflecting; famed Amilcar's Active 
(*) Hannibal.  Son  
Already on His great Affairs begun  
To think. Fierce Magoes Ordered to repair  
To Carthage, to the Senate to Declare  
What Hannibal had done. With Him the Prey,  
And Captivated Men, are sent away,  
And Spoils, that to the Gods Devoted are,  
As Sacrifices of a prosperous War.  
The next Part of His Care was to convey  
Brave Decius (Alas!) to Libya,  
Reserved, at his Return, a Sacrifice  
To his slow Rage, had not the Deities,  
Pitying his undeserved Punishment,  
The Youth, by Storms, to 
(*) Cyrene.  Battus City sent.  
Here 
(k) The Ship, driven by Tempest into the Port of Cyrene, (then under Ptolemy, King of Egypt) Decius fled to the King's Statue for Sanctuary, which obliged his Keepers to carry him to Alexandria to Ptolemy, who, understanding the Injustice of his Captivity, released him. Liv. lib. 23.  Ptolemy's Pelléan Power the Man  
Rescued from their dire Menaces, that than  
His Keepers were, and freed his Neck from Chains:  
But the same Land, that saved his short Remains  
Of Life, from Slavery, soon after gave  
His Bones, inviolate, a quiet Grave.  
In the mean Time, the Paphian Goddess finds  
The wished-for Hour, t' involve the Libyans Minds  
In secret Ruin, through Prosperity,  
And their insulting Hearts, by Luxury,  
To tame; and, therefore, She her Sons commands,  
Enticing Darts to scatter from their Hands  
Abroad, and silent Flames to send into  
Their Breasts. Then, smiling on the wanton Crew,  
Now let proud juno Us despise (said She)  
(And 'tis no Wonder, for now What are We?)  
Let Her go on, driven with propitious Gales.  
She with her Hands, She with her Arms prevails:  
We small Shafts only, from a Childish Bow,  
Expel, and from Our Wounds no Blood doth flow.  
But, now, be doing; now's your Time: take Aim  
(My Sons) and, with your silent Darts, inflame  
The Tyrian Youths; that Army, which nor Fire,  
Nor Sword, nor Mars, with slackest Reins, can tyre,  
With store of Wine, Embraces, and by Sleep,  
Must be subdued. Into His Bowels deep  
Let Hannibal imbibed Pleasures drink.  
To lie on painted Beds, let Him not think  
It Shame, and with Assyrian Sweets his Hair  
Perfume; let Him, that, in Hybernal Air,  
Boasted, to lengthen out His Sleeps, delight  
In Houses, rather, to consume the Night:  
And let Him Learn to give the Idle Day  
To Bacchus; and, when cloyed with Feasts, He may  
Be charmed with Music, and Luxurious Nights  
Or sleeping spend, or waking in Our Rites▪  
This Venus; which the wanton Troops commend,  
And straight, from Heaven, with Snowy Wings descend:  
The Libyan Youths, soon, feel their fiery Darts,  
And the discharged Shafts inflame their Hearts.  
Now Bacchus Gifts, and Banquets they desire,  
And warbling Songs to the Piërian Lyre.  
Now through the Plains no sweeting Courser flies;  
No Lance, thrown through the Air, doth exercise  
Their naked Arms: in gentle Baths to rest,  
Their lazy Limbs they cherish, and, oppressed  
With miserable Wealth, rough Valour's gone:  
The General Himself, but breathed upon  
By flattering Desire, gins to Feast  
Anew; and, oft invited, 's made a Guest.  
And, by Degrees degenerate (His Mind,  
Corrupted by those secret Shafts) declined  
His country's Arts. With equal Honour, all  
Now Capua another Country call,  
Another Carthage. Their Affections, free  
Before, to greedy Vice, through Victory,  
Now yield. Nor do the Capuans Measure keep  
In Luxury; but, drowned in Riot, heap  
Lust upon Lust, and in their Feasts, between  
Each Course, add Sports, and often change the Scene.  
So 'bout the Lotos, on Laegaean Banks,  
The Phrygian Minstrels, with lascivious Pranks,  
Spartan Canopus' fill. And, first, their Ears  
With his sweet Eyrs. (while Hannibal appears  
Extremely pleased) famed Teuthras, for his Skill  
Most eminent, Delights with Voice, and Quill;  
And, when he saw the Libyan Prince admire  
The warbling Nerves, than the Aönian Lyre,  
With Praise, he celebrates; and, as he sung,  
His well-tun'd-Harp conspiring with his Tongue,  
The Music that of dying Swans exceeds,  
And those sweet Lays 'mong many (for the Deeds  
Of ancient Heroes best the Ear affect)  
Most pleasant for the Banquet doth select.  
Once by the Argive People (strange to tell!)  
A Lute was heard, that did the Rocks compel  
To follow, and the flying Stones to stand,  
Fixed into Walls. Touched by Amphion's Hand,  
This raised the Theban Walls; while to the Skies  
Flints, of themselves, in Heaps, congested, rise  
THE enchanted towers. Another by his Lays  
The Phocae tamed, becalmed the raging Seas,  
And Protheus drew through all his Shapes, and bore  
Arion, on a Dolphin's Back, to Shore.  
But that, whose Sound, in the Pelîack Cave,  
A Bridle to the Minds of Heroes gave,  
And great Achilles' Thoughts, the 
(l) The Centaur Chiron, Tutor to Achilles.  Centaur loved,  
And when, upon the Strings, his Finger moved,  
Hell's, or the Ocean's Fury 'twould allay.  
He Chaos, and the World, once wanting Day,  
Or Light, a starless Lump; and then how God  
Diffused the Waters of the Deep abroad,  
And bound the Globe of Earth amidst the Frame;  
How high Olympus to the Gods became,  
By his appointment, a Secure Abode,  
And chaster Age of Father Saturn showed.  
But those sweet Nerves, by Orpheus touched, to whom  
The Gods, and Shades below, did listening come,  
Their Quill emerited, now shine among  
The brightest Stars. His Mother his sweet Song  
Admired, and her Aönian Sisters too;  
His Music the Pangaean Hills pursue.  
Hemus, and farthest Thrace, Beasts, with their Woods,  
Him follow, and the Mountains with their Floods;  
Unmindful of their Nests, Flight laid aside,  
Birds, Captived, in th' unshaken Air abide.  
And, when the Pegasaean Ship (before  
The Sons of Earth were skilled beyond the Shore)  
Refused the Sea to enter, by His Song,  
Enticed up to the Poop, the Water's throng.  
He those pale Kingdoms, whither Ghosts retire,  
And Acheron, that with Eternal Fire,  
And Flames, still Echoes, by His Lays alone  
Subdued, and fixed the ever-rolling 
(m) The Stone, which Sisyphus rolls in Hell.  Stone.  
Thus Teuthras, with His Thespian Lays their Hearts,  
Hardened in War, to softer Ease diverts.  
But, in the mean time, with propitious Gales,  
Mago unto the Coast of Libya sails;  
And the desired Port, with Laurel bound,  
The Vessel enters, as in Triumph, Crowned  
With captive Arms: the lofty Prow displays  
A Lustre over all the Neighbouring Seas:  
The Seamen in the Road the Echoing Shores  
With Clamours fill, and, as they tug their Oars  
Against their Breasts, raised by their numerous Blows,  
The Foam o'er all the broken Ocean flows:  
To catch their Joys, the eager People press  
Into the Waves, and, proud of the Success,  
With great Applause, and Emulation, all  
Their Welcome celebrate. The General  
Is with the Gods compared: Him, every where,  
Matrons, and Nephews, (that instructed are  
To Honour Him) commend: by Young, and Old,  
The Senate, and the People, He's extolled;  
And likewise, by slain Heifers, thought to be  
Worthy the Honour of a Deity.  
Into His Country thus proud Mago came,  
And Gates, triumphing in His Brother's Fame,  
Entered: the Senate to their Place resort,  
And, with a full Convention, throng the Court:  
There (as an ancient Custom did enjoin)  
All Veneration to the Powers Divine,  
And the Assembly, paid; I bring (said He)  
News of that broken Force, which Italy  
Against Us used, and of that War, wherein  
Your Mago not mean Part of Toil hath been;  
And, when We fought, the Gods Our Wishes crowned.  
There is a Place, from Diomedes Renowned,  
Possessed of old by Daunus, the moist Grounds  
Their Aufidus with rapid Streams surrounds,  
And, through the Plains overflowing, cuts his Way  
With Speed into the Adriatic Sea,  
Where falling with great Noise, he beats again  
The yielding Billows back into the Main:  
Here Varro, and (a Name of Honour held  
Among the Latins) Paulus, took the Field,  
Before the Day had chased away the Night,  
And kindled with their shining Arms the Light  
Of the then rising Morn. Desire, t' engage  
Inflamed My Brother, and with equal Rage  
Our Ensigns hasten on: Earth trembles, struck  
With Horror; high Olympus, groaning, shook:  
And here the General (than whom the Earth  
Unto a Greater never yet gave Birth)  
In Slaughter hid the River, and the Field;  
And, as He furious charged (this I beheld)  
Even with the very Noise, that He came on,  
Scattered, through all the Plains, to Him alone  
All Italy gave Way: even I beheld,  
When Coward Varro basely fled the Field,  
And threw his Arms away: brave Paulus too  
I saw, when standing o'er his Friend, and through  
His Body pierced, with Darts, at length He fell.  
Aegates, and those Servile Leagues, that tell  
Our former Infamy, that Glorious Day  
With Streams of Roman Blood hath washed away.  
If such another Day We live to see;  
Then Carthage, surely, Thou the Head shalt be  
Of every Nation, and shalt be adored  
By all the World! These Trophies shall Record  
The Slaughter; which, a Badge of Honour, there,  
On their Left Hands the Noblest Persons wear.  
With that pours forth (they wondering to behold)  

(n) Rings, among the Romans, were peculiar to their Knights to wear, and on their Left Hands; in this Battle were slain five thousand six hundred, and thirty of that Order: and, by the Consent of many Authors, their Rings filled three Bushels.  A mighty Heap of shining Rings of Gold,  
And ratifies His Words: and then again  
Assumes His Speech; What then doth now remain,  
But, that (said He) from its Foundation turned,  
Rome, with the Ground, should levelled be, and burned?  
Let Us endeavour this, and now repair  
Our Troops, that by so many Dangers are  
Exhausted. Let the Treasures opened be,  
With greatest Freedom, to such Hands, as We  
Have gained in War. Our Elephants (a Sight  
Of Terror to the Romans) now are quite  
Decayed, and all Provisions grow low.  
As this He mentioned, with an angry Brow,  
He turned to Hanno, (whom the rising Fame  
O'th' General did long ago inflame  
With bitter Thoughts) Now we have given (said He)  
Proof of our Valour, and Designs to Thee.  
Is it now fit, that I a Latin Swain  
Should serve? Or must We Hannibal again  
Deliver up? Unhappy Wretch! forbear  
Thy Poisonous Envy, and Thy Thoughts, that are  
Swelled high with Stygian Gall. Behold! that Hand  
(At Length Crowned with so many Trophies, and  
So many Titles) even that Hand, which Thou  
Wouldst have given up to Roman Tortures, now,  
Their Shores, Lakes, Rivers, & their Fields with Blood  
Hath filled. Thus Mago, while the Senate stood  
Inclined to favour Him in what He spoke.  
But Hanno, whom both Envy did provoke,  
And Anger, thus replies: I not, at all,  
Admire the railing Language, now let fall  
By that rash, foolish Boy. His Innate Pride,  
And Brother's Spirit may be soon descried  
In Him, and the vain Venom of His Tongue:  
But, lest You should think Me so changed, among  
His Vanities, as to desist, I say;  
That now's the very Time, that We should pray  
Their Peace, and this destructive War forbear:  
And I beseech You to consider here  
What it is He brings; (there 's nothing else beside  
Left to Your Censure) 'tis, that We provide  
Arms, Ships, Men, Money, Elephants, with Store  
Of Corn. If Conquered, We could give no more,  
We have with Trojan Blood, already, cloyed  
Rutulian Plains, and Italie's destroyed:  
Now then (good Conqueror!) let's lay aside  
Our Cares, and in Our Country safe abide;  
Let not Our Families, that oft have been  
Made empty, be exhausted now again  
By the Expenses of a wasteful War.  
And, now, I'm sure, the fatal Day's not far  
Removed (I wish, that my Presage may be  
False, and my Mind with a vain Augury  
Deluded) but Their furious Hearts I know,  
And see the future Anger that will grow  
From what they suffer. And, for my Part, I  
Even Cannae dread. For lay Your Ensigns by,  
Try what is to be done: demand a Peace;  
'Twill not be given. Our Ruins will increase  
From what they feel: and they would sooner yield  
To League with Us; if they had won the Field,  
Then now, when overcome: But Thou, who dost,  
With such proud Language, so Great Actions boast,  
And, with such swelling Noise, invad'st the Ears  
O'th' Ignorant, Thy Brother, (who appears  
Equal to Mars in Arms, than whom the Earth  
Unto a Greater never yet gave Birth,  
For War) Why hath not He (I pray thee say)  
Unto the Walls of Rome yet Marched away?  
We Children, not yet fit the Weight to bear  
Of Arms, may, from their Mothers, force to War,  
And Rigg a thousand Ships at His Command,  
And seek for Elephants through all Our Land;  
That Hannibal, thus armed, His Empire may  
Prolong, and Reign unto His dying Day.  
But You, my dearest Countrymen (for Us  
No hidden Dangers compass) do not thus  
Spoil Your dear Families; but moderate  
The Arms, and Wealth of such, as in the State  
Have Power; let Peace, that is the Best of things  
To Mortals known; Peace, that more Honour brings,  
Then Myriad of Triumphs; Peace, that can  
Our common Safety keep, and make This Man  
Equal to That: into Our Country be  
At Length recalled, and let the Infamy,  
And Name of Treachery be banished from  
Thy Walls (Phoenissa) but, if You're become  
So greedy of a War, and still persist,  
Not to give up your Arms, at the Request  
Even of your Country, truly I advise,  
That hence your Fury may have no Supplies:  
And this let Mago to His Brother say;  
More He'd have said (for Speaking could not lay  
His Anger) but the Clamours of the Rest,  
Divided in their Votes, his Speech suppressed.  
At length, 'twas answered: If that the Renown  
Of Libya (Hannibal) excelled by none  
In Arms, be Cause of Anger unto Thee,  
Even at the very Bounds, must therefore We  
Be wanting to the Victor? Or our Aid  
Refuse, that one Man's Envy may be made  
A Bar unto that Empire, which We now  
Have gained? With that they readily allow  
whate'er for War is needful; proud, that so  
Their Favour, in His Absence, He might know.  
Then to Iberia they decree the same  
Should be conveyed; while Envy did defame  
The General's Immortal Deeds, and made  
His Honour to be lessened by this Aid.  
The End of the Eleventh Book.   



jupiter Aethiopum remeans tellure minantem  
Romuleo ut Poenum vidit succedere vallo.  
●ulminaque et tonitrus, et nimbos concitat atros,   

Quo unis oveco●s● maioraque bella capessis  
Nortali quam ferre datum? juno inquit, 〈…〉 dimovit nubem, Ver●que apparuit ore.   
Honoratissimo Dns'. Domino, Edoardo Comiti Manchestriae, Vicecomiti Manned 〈…〉 de kimbolton Dns'. Camerario Hospitij Dns. Regis, Cancellario Academiae 〈…〉 Sanctioribus Consilijs, et Inclyti Ordinis Pericelidis Equiti, Tabula suma cum Observantia D.D.D.  SILIUS ITALICUS OF The Second Punic War. The Twelfth Book.  
THE ARGUMENT.  
Through Luxury, and Ease, the Lybians, made  
Effeminate▪ Parthenopè invade,  
And are repulsed. From thence to ●umae, then  
To Putzol, on they March, and are again  
Repulsed: the Sulphurous Soil, the Pools, and Lakes  
Described. From thence the Libyan Captain makes  
His Army march to Nola, where they are  
o'erthrown. What Contributions for the War  
At Rome are made: such as, would Service fly  
In War, are punished with Infamy.  
Torquatus prospers in Sardinia.  
The Libyan, wasting Countries in his way,  
And burning Towns, goes to Tarentum; where  
The City is betrayed: the Romans are,  
For Safety, fo●c●d to fly into the Fort.  
The Ships, by them blocked up, within the Port,  
By a new Stratagem unto the Sea,  
Over the Hills doth Hannibal convey.  
By his Host's Treach'ry brave Graochus falls,  
In vain endeav'ring the besieged Walls  
Of Capua to relieve. The Libyan goes  
To Rome; where Storms, and Lightning him oppose.  
NOW the sharp Winter, in the Earth again,  
His Icy head, his Temples swelled with Rain,  
And Cloudy Brows had hid; and Spring, with clear  
And warmer Air, and Winds, began to cheer  
The fertile Fields; when forth the Libyan breaks  
From Capua, and with Panic Terror shakes  
The neighbouring Towns. As Serpents, that lay still  
Concealed, while the Riphaean Winds were i'll,  
In warmer Days roll from their secret Beds,  
And, shining new, erect their Radiant Heads,  
And, from their lofty Jaws, their Venom Spout.  
But soon as Libya's Ensigns Shined about  
The Fields, through Fear, all Desolate was made,  
And straight in Works, as Terror did persuade,  
Despairing Safety, they themselves enclose,  
And Trembling, on the Walls, expect their Foes.  
But then that Vigour, that did Armed invade  
The Alps, and, breaking through, a Passage made,  
That Trebia enjoyed, and stained, with Blood  
Of Bravest Romans, the Maeonian Flood,  
Was lost. Their Limbs with Wine, and Pleasure made  
Effeminate, and, dull with Sleep, decayed:  
Those, that were wont in coldest Nights to lie  
Loaden with Arms, beneath a Stormy Sky,  
And oft, when Showers of Hail came Rushing down,  
Contemned their Tents: who ne'er by night were known  
To lay their Quivers, Darts, Swords, Shields aside,  
And Arms, as useful as their Members tried;  
Their Helmets, now, an heavy Burden call,  
Their Targets Weighty seem, their javelins all  
So weakly thrown, that they with Silence fly.  
The first of all, that was assaulted by  
Their Arms, was Fair 
(a) Naples.  Parthenop●e, a Town  
Not Wealthy; but for Strength of some Renown:  
But the convenient Port the General, who  
Sought to secure the Ocean, thither drew;  
That Ships from Carthage, there, might safe arrive.  
The Citizens did then in Pleasure live,  
And entertained, in Peace, the Muses, free  
From weight of Cares: Siren Parthenopé,  
From 
(b) The Sirens were the Daughters of Achelous, and Melpomene.  Achelôus sprang, whose Music long  
Reigned in those Seas, when Her delightful Song  
Destroyed the Mariners, that near Her came,  
Left, to those Walls, Her memorable Name.  
Assaulting this behind, (for by the Sea  
The Front was Safe) the Libyan no way  
With all his Strength could force. Inglorious in  
The loss of that Design, He doth begin,  
With Rams, to Batter the obstructed Gates:  
And there, that Conqueror, that even the Fates  
At Cannae had Subdued, did stand, in Vain,  
Before a 
(c) For that anciently it was Peopled with a Greek Colony.  Grecian Bulwark: and again  
A cautious Resolution doth approve  
By that Event; for that He did not move,  
After the Daunian Field (that sadly swum  
In Trojan Blood) unto the Walls of Rome.  
Now You, that call me Idle, and that say,  
I know not how, to give the Fates their Way;  
For that I would not suffer you to Climb  
(Said He) the Walls of Rome, even at a Time  
When you had newly Fought▪ now enter, and  
Within these Houses, which a Grecian Band  
Only defends, give Us that Festival,  
Which once you Promised, in the Capitol.  
While thus He them upbraids: incensed with Shame  
(Should He desert the place) of future Fame,  
He every thing attempts, and eager Whets  
Their Swords, with his accustomed Deceits.  
But sudden Flames upon the Walls, and through  
The Air, at every Breach, swift Weapons flew.  
As, when an Eagle hides upon an High  
Imperious Rock her Young, if silently  
A Serpent thither crawl, and gaping wide,  
By his Approach, her Brood is terrified,  
She with her Bill, and Talons (wont to bear  
The Arms of jove) still Watchful, every where,  
Resists her Enemy, and flies about  
The Circle of her Nest, to keep him out.  
Weary, at length, to Cuma's Port He took  
His Way, by various Motion to provoke  
Fortune, and wave that Blow to His Renown.  
But Gracchus, than Commander of the Town,  
Was its Defence, and forced Him to retreat  
Even from the Walls, not suffering Him to set  
Before the Gates, or hope for Entrance there.  
Then, mounted on a nimble Steed, Despair  
Seizing His Mind, He views, and searcheth all,  
And thus again doth on His Soldiers call,  
With Arguments of Praise: Good Gods! (said He)  
What Period (Friends) what Measure shall We see  
Of Standing, thus, at 
(d) Cumae, and Naples  Grecian Towns, while none  
Of You remember, what You once have done?  
Is it because a greater Bulk doth stand  
Before You, than the Alps? and I command,  
That You should climb again those Rocks, that strike  
At Heaven? Should We another Land, that's like  
To that now find, where sudden Rocks, and Snow  
Invade the very Stars, would You not go;  
And boldly Arms, wherever I lead You, bear?  
These Walls (Alas!) and Cuman Rampires, here,  
Despairing Gracchus hold, I who, perceive,  
Even in the least of Danger, dare not leave  
Those Ports: but shall the World then think what You  
Have gained by Toils, you did by Chance subdue?  
I, by those Gods, that at the Tyrrhen Lake  
Propitious were, entreat; for Trebia's sake,  
And by Sagunthus Dust, Yourselves now show  
Worthy Your present Fame, and Cannae to  
Your Thoughts recall. As thus He sought to raise,  
And fix with Words, their Minds, with wanton Ease  
Made dull, and through Prosperity decayed;  
And, as he there the Avenues surveyed,  
A shining Temple, on the Top of all  
The Tower He spied, whose famed Original  
Thus, Capua's cruel Captain, Virius told.  
In this Our Age, that Fabric You behold,  
Was not (said He) erected, greater Hands  
Built it: when Daedalus lived in the Lands  
Of the 
(e) Minos, King of Crete.  Dictaean King (thus Fame doth say)  
To quit the Earth, by flying, He the Way  
First found; none else, in all the World, did dare,  
On borrowed Wings, himself into the Air  
To lift, and show men how to fly. But He,  
His floating Body poising equally  
Amidst the Clouds, soon mounted out of Sight;  
Like a strange Bird, affrighting in His Flight  
The very Gods. His Son likewise assumes,  
By his Advice, the Shape of borrowed Plumes,  
To try the ways of Birds. But Him again  
He fallen beheld, beating the troubled Main  
With his unhappy Wings, and broken Oars  
Of Quills; and, as Indulgent, he deplores  
His sudden Fate, moving his Hands unto  
His Breast, unmindful whither He would go,  
Sorrow his Flight delayed: but, to appear  
Grateful for his Cloud-wandring Passage, there  
To Phoebus he first built that Holy Fane;  
And laid aside his daring Wings again.  
This Virius. But Hannibal each Day  
Passed without Action Numbers, of that Stay,  
And cross ashamed he Sighs, and Quits the Town,  
Resolved to satiate his Grief upon  
The Dicarchaean 
(f) Putceli.  City: but even there  
The Sea, and Industry of those, that were  
Within, and lofty Walls, repel his Rage.  
And, while a Tedious Labour doth engage  
His Army, there to force a Passage, through  
The rough obstructed ways, He taketh a view  
Of the miraculous Pools, and Soil not far  
From thence. The Chief of Capua present are;  
And one among the rest gins to show,  
Whence the warm Baiae were so called, and how  
One of the Famed Dulichian Ship, which came  
Upon that Coast, left to that Pool his 
(g) Baius, one of Ulysses his Companions, buried there.  Name.  
Another tells, the Lucrine Lake of old  
Was called Cocytus; and commends the Bold  
Adventure of Alcides, 'midst the Sea,  
When He dispersed its Waves, and brought away▪  
Th' Iberian Herd: how Styx its Ancient Name  
Had to Avernus changed, of greatest Fame  
Among those Silent Lakes: then the Dark Face  
Of Groves, and Shadows, that invest the Place.  
Fatal to Birds, it breathes, into the Air,  
A dire Contagion, and is every where  
Renowned, for Stygian Worship. Near to this,  
(As Fame reports) a Dreadful Pool there is,  
Which leads to Acheron, and, opening wide  
With a Deep Gulf, divides, on either Side,  
The gaping Earth, and sometimes doth affright  
The Ghosts below with unexpected Light.  
Not far from this, the Place all Dark, they tell,  
Where the Cymmerian People long did dwell,  
In a Tartarean City, under Ground,  
Pressed with Infernal Clouds, and Night profound.  
At length, they show those Famous Fields, that Fire,  
Sulphur, and boiling Brimstone still expire.  
From the parched Entrails of the Groaning Earth  
Black Vapours break, like Waves, and, at their Birth,  
Into the Air cast Stygian Blasts, that from  
The trembling Caves, with dreadful Murmurs, come.  
And as, sometimes, the Fire beats round about  
Those hollow Rooms, and Labours to get out,  
It sadly Bellows, with a threatening Sound,  
And tears the mangled Entrails of the Ground,  
Destroys the shaking Mountains, eaten through  
With Flames. The Giants there (if Fame say true)  

(h) The Phlegraean Field, where the Giants were overthrown by Hercules.  Subdued by Hercules, the Earth that's cast  
Upon them shake, and, often breathing, Blast  
The Fields, and, when they Threaten to prevail,  
And break their Chains, the very heavens grow Pale.  
There cruel Mimas Prison; Prochyté  
Appears: and, farther off, Inarimé;  
Which, with Black Storms, fuming japetus down  
Doth press. While frequent sulphurous Flames are thrown  
From his Rebellious Mouth, and, if he should  
At any time get lose, again He would  
Against the Gods, and jove, the War renew.  
Not far from these Vesuvian Cliffs they show,  
And on the Top the Rocks, devoured still  
By Flames, with Ruins, round the broken Hill,  
And Stones, that equal Aetna's Fates: and there  
He sees Misenus, in his Sepulchre,  
Keeping his Trojan Name, and on the Shore  
Th' Herculean Bauli. Thus doth he explore.  
With Wonder, both the threaten of the Sea,  
And Labours of the Land. These seen, away  
To th' Pherecyades high Walls he hasts,  
And the Nysaean Top of Gaurus wastes,  
Fertile in Generous Vines. From thence amain  
His Troops he leads to Nola; (in a Plain  
Nola is situate, encompassed round  
With numerous towers, guarding the Level Ground  
With a deep Trench) but there Marcellus, who  
Assumed not Arms to be protected so  
By towers, who would have Valour only made  
Their Wall's Defence, brought them both Strength, and Aid.  
He, when far off the Libyan Fleet he spied,  
Which thither Steered, and towards the Walls applied  
The Flower of all their Force; To Arms, said He;  
The cruel Foe draws near. And instantly,  
Exclaiming thus, his Arms he takes in Hand;  
And straight the eager Youth about him stand,  
And in a Rage (as Custom was) put on  
Their bloody Casks. Then, running up and down,  
The Troops he order thus; Nero, by Thee  
That Port, on the Right-Hand, shall guarded be:  
Thou Tullus, who the Volsci's Glory art,  
Thy Larinantian Ensigns shalt divert,  
And Country Cohorts, to the Le●t; and, when  
I give the Word, with sudden Fury then,  
And Silence, force the Gates, and pour into  
The Fields your Showers of Darts against the Foe;  
Into the Midst of them I'll charge, and force  
From th' open Gates the Skirmish of their Horse.  
As thus Marcellus spoke, the Libyans strove  
The Bars, and Pallisadoes, to remove,  
And the despised Walls to scale. Then, round  
The Town, the Trumpets, and shrill Cornets sound,  
With Shouts of Men, hoarse Horns, and clashing Arms  
Against their furious Limbs. With these Alarms  
The Elephants advance, incited by  
The Darts upon them thrown: and suddenly,  
Like a rude Storm, the Troops of Horse came on,  
And charged. As when, the Banks, & Locks, o'erthrown,  
Unruly Rivers Inundations make:  
Or, driven by Boreas, foaming Billows break  
Against the Rocks: Or, an Eruption made  
From their dark Prisons, Winds the Land invade  
Nor with that dreadful Sight of Arms, and Men,  
Can Libya hope to gain the Place. For then,  
On's frighted Steed, the 
(i) Marcellus.  Dardan General  
Advanced, and at their flying Backs, withal  
His Fury, pressed His Lance: invoking thus  
His Friends; The Gods, and Time, now favour Us.  
Go on, this leads to Capua's Walls. And then,  
Turning upon the Enemy again;  
Stay, whither haste Ye● I do not (said He)  
Upbraid thy flying Men, but rather Thee,  
Perfidious Hannibal; for in our Hands  
The War, this present Field, and Army stands:  
I'll quit Thy Troops from Slaughter, let Them see  
A single Combat between Thee, and Me.  
Marcellus this demands! This said, the Fame,  
And Value, of the Danger did inflame  
Him with the Libyan to begin the Fight.  
But this to juno was no pleasing Sight;  
Who Him diverted, hasting to His Fall,  
From what He then designed: while Hannibal  
Strives all He can to Rally, and to Stay  
His frighted Troops. Such then from Capua,  
And from those fatal Mansions, do We come?  
(Said He) Oh stand, ye Wretches; You, whose Sum  
Of Glory, is Dishonour! Credit Me,  
No Place will Faithful prove to You, that flee:  
You have deserved, that all Ausonia now  
Should rise against You; and it is from You,  
You, that with so great Terror routed are,  
That all may both of Peace, and Life despair.  
His Voice suppressed the Trumpet's Sound; and, though  
Obstructed, through their Ears, his Clamours go.  
In Grecian Arms young Pedianus stood,  
Most fierce in Fight, and from that Trojan Blood  
Himself derived, that from Antenor came.  
Nor less, than His Original, in Fame  
Was He, 
(k) A River, that descends from the Alps, and, running more than forty Miles under Ground, breaks out again near Venice, and emptieth itself into the Adriatic Sea; the Euganean Lake not far from it.  Sacred Timavus Glory, and  
A Name beloved in the Euganëan Land.  
To Him, nor Father Po, nor those, that boast  
Their Aponus, nor the Venetian Coast  
Can any Equal find. Whether he fought,  
Or in a studious Life the Muses sought,  
Or turned Aönian Ditties with his Quill,  
Not any was more famous for His Skill:  
As He, in full Career, did close pursue  
The Libyans at their Backs; and, near them, knew  
The Cask, and Noble Spoils, of Paulus slain,  
Worn by young Cinyps, who rejoiced (in vain)  
In that great Favour of his General.  
This Cinyps was beloved by Hannibal:  
None was, than He, more Beautiful in Face,  
None in the Forehead had a greater Grace;  
So shines that Ivory, that, in the Air  
Of Tibur bred, Time never can impair;  
Or Gems of the Red-Sea, which in the Ear,  
For Whiteness of admired Price, We wear.  
Him Glorious in His Helmet, and His Crest  
Well known, in the last Rank, among the Lest,  
When Pedianus spied, and to His Eyes  
Paulus, from Shades below, appeared to rise,  
Gnashing his Teeth, he charged him; Mu (said He)  
The Trophies of that Sacred Head by Thee  
Be worn; which not, without the Crime of all  
The Gods, and Envy, even your General  
Can wear? See Paulus! (and, with that, upon  
The Ghost of Paulus calls to see it done)  
And, as he fled, his Lance, with all his Force,  
Thrusts in his Side; then, lighting from his Horse,  
Tears off the Cask, and Trophies of the Great  
Consul, with his Right-Hand, and, while he yet  
Can see, despoils him of his Honour: all  
His Beauty is dissolved in his Fall.  
And straight a Stygian Colour over-casts  
His Snow▪ white Limbs, and all the Glory blasts  
Of His admired Form; His Amber Hair  
Disordered falls; His limber Neck can bear  
No more its former Weight; but, as oppressed,  
Sinks with His Head into His Milky Breast.  
So, when then 
(l) Lucifer.  Cythereian Star again  
Rising, refreshed, from the Eöan Main,  
Himself to Venus boasts, if Clouds invade  
His Face, the Lustre of his Beams will fade,  
And soon, decreasing in that Mask of Night,  
Retires his languishing, and fainting Light.  
Even Pedianus, as he takes in Hand  
His Helmet, at his naked Face doth stand  
Amazed, and checks his Rage, and then away  
Bearing, with Shouts, unto his Friends his Prey,  
He Spurs his furious Steed; which Stains with Gore,  
From his fierce Mouth, the frothy Rems he wore.  
But, than Marcellus, fierce in Arms, came on,  
And meeting Him, the Honour He had won  
Thus gratulates. Go, Antenorides,  
Go on; and by such valiant Acts, as these,  
Surpass thy Ancestors▪ it now (said He)  
Remains, the Spoils of Hannibal should be  
Our Prize. Then, fired with Rage, his fatal Lance,  
With dreadful Noise, he threw; nor had, perchance,  
His Wish been vain, had not the Obvious Force  
Of Gestar with his Body stopped the Course  
O'th' flying Shaft: for, while He, fight near  
At Hand, defends his General, the Spear,  
Not aimed at Him, passed through Him, ending all  
His mighty Threaten in His changed Fall.  
With that the General, with Speed, withdrew,  
Struck with the Danger of his Death, and to  
The Camp retired. Then, with a Headlong Rout,  
The Libyan Army turned their Arms about,  
And all contend, who shall most Speedy fly:  
Their Enemies Pursue, and satisfy  
The long-contracted Anger of their Woes;  
While every Man with Emulation shows  
To the Revenging Gods, and Heaven, His Sword,  
All stained with Blood. 
(m) The Reputation of this Victory was of greater Consequence, than the Victory itself (though some say the Carthaginians lost two thousand three hundred, and the Romans but one man) for from thence the Roman●s took Courage, scarce believing before, that Hannibal could be vanquished in open Fight.  That Day did first afford  
That, which even from the Gods none durst believe  
Before; that it was possible to give  
A Stand to Hannibal in Fight: but then  
They took His Chariots, Elephants, and Men,  
And stripped the Living; and, thus joyed to see,  
That Hannibal did from the Slaughter flee,  
Return. Marcellus to the God of War,  
In Honour, is compared; and Greater, far,  
In Triumph marched, then when He once did bring  

(n) His Victory over Viridomarius, King of the Gauls. See above in the first Book.  Opimous Spoils to the Tarpeian King.  
But, when the Libyan Prince, with much ado,  
Had from His Trenches forced the Conquering Foe;  
When, and with how much Hostile Blood, shall I  
Wipe off this Stain? Ausonia saw Me fly.  
Oh jove! (said He) dost thou conclude, that I  
Am worthy, after Trebia, thus to die?  
And You, My long-unconquered Troops! who are  
(Alas!) now Vanquished without a War  
By Capua's Wealth; I, not degenerate  
From former Acts, have seen You turn of late  
Your Conquering Ensigns from the Latins, and  
Showed them Your Backs: and, when I called to stand,  
And fight, from Me You fled, Affrighted, all,  
As if from the Italian General.  
What then o'th' ancient War remains (said He)  
In You, who can, when I recall You, flee?  
Thus Hannibal, while, with loud Shouts, their Prey  
The Roman Troops to Nola bear away.  
But Rome, which had been long inur'd to hear  
The sad Disasters of their Friends, and ne'er  
Enjoyed Success, the joyful Tidings brought  
At Length, how Happily they then had fought,  
With that great Favour of the Gods erects  
Her drooping Head, and Courage recollects.  
But, first, those Coward Youths, that slowly to  
The War were drawn; and, while it raged, withdrew,  
And hide themselves from Danger, punished be  
For their Concealment. Then with Infamy  
They Mark all those, that, through a fond Desire  
Of Life, had Arts invented to retire;  
Or, in a League with Hannibal had been  
Involved: and purge the Nation from that Sin.  
That fatal Counsels punished, and Thy Crime  
(Metellus) who consulted in a Time  
Of Danger to desert Thy Native Land.  
Such then the Hearts of Men: the Women stand  
Resolved to equal them, and to require  
A Share in Glory. Then their Antique Tire,  
And Gems, which did their Heads, and Hands adorn,  
And Carcanets, that from their Necks were torn,  
The joyful Matrons bring, and to the War  
With Emulation Sacrifice; nor are  
The Men unwilling, they should share so great  
A Lot of Praise, and, to perpetuate  
That Act, rejoice to give them Place. Next whom  
A Noble Troop of Senators doth come,  
And all into the Public Treasure heap  
Their private Riches: none desire to keep  
A secret Stock, in Store, for better Days:  
But, even the Vulgar strive the Banks to raise,  
And with the Spoils of their poor Lar come.  
Thus all her Limbs, and Her whole Body, Rome  
At once employing, raised again to Heaven  
Her Bloodless Face: besides the Answer given  
At 
(o) This Answer of the Oracle was brought by Q. Fabius Pictor, who, ●●●●ructed by the Priest, wore a Wreath of Laurel, as he entered the Temple, to inquire the Oracle, and, when he received Answer, went directly to his Ship, on the Poop whereof he placed it, and never removed it, until he arrived in Rome, where it was deposited on the Altar of Apollo, with great Solemnity. Liv. lib. 23.  Cyrrha adds new Hopes, and seems t' allay  
Their Woes; the Messengers reporting, they  
Had joyful Tidings heard, when from the Den  
A Sacred Voice, like Thunder, broken, and when,  
Inspired by Phoebus, the Prophetic Maid  
This bellowed out; Let all your Fears be laid  
Aside, fair Venus' Race! whate'er remained  
Of Misery, in your sad War sustained,  
Exhausted is: Light Labours are behind,  
And, without Dangers, Fears: be still inclined  
To Prayers, and to the God's Devotions pay;  
Warm Sacrifices on their Altars lay:  
Nor yield to Misery; for Mars will you  
Assist, and the (p) Cyrrhaean Prophet (who  
Was ever prompt to ease the Trojans Woes)  
Will all those Ills, that threaten you, oppose;  
But let an hundred Altars, first of all,  
Be Crowned with Fire, as many victim fall  
To jove; He this dire Cloud, and Storms of War  
Shall, Violent, to Libya drive. From far  
Yourselves shall see Him shaking, for the Fight,  
His Aegis, which shall all the World affright.  
When this, at Cyrrha sung, they did Proclaim,  
And to the People's Ears Apollo came,  
Up to the Capitol they flock amain,  
There, prostrate to the God, the Holy Fane  
With Blood they Honour, Paeans sing, and jove  
Entreat, the Answer may Authentic prove.  
In the mean time, Torquatus, old in Arms,  
Sardinia, with his country's Force, Alarms:  
For there (his Name from Trojan Blood derived)  

(q) The Sardinians had yielded to the Obedience of the Romans at the End of the first Punic War, and now at the instigation of Hanno (not the Enemy of Hannibal's Family) rebelled, under the Conduct of Oscus, and Hasdrubal. In two several Conflicts the Sardinians lost the Day: and in the later, twelve thousand men were slain, among them the King's Son Oscus; three thousand, two hundred taken Prisoners, and with them Hasdrubal, Mag●, and Hanno, three eminent Carthaginians, and the Island reduced to its former Obedience.  Hapsagoras unto the War, revived,  
The Tyrians called: brave Oscus was His Son,  
Worthy a better Father, who, upon  
His forward Youth relying, trained His Young,  
And tender Years (as Custom was among  
Those Barbarous Nations) in Arms. When He  
Torquatus saw Advancing, furiously,  
With hasty Ensigns, greedy to begin  
The Fight; straight sallying forth, experienced in  
Th' Advantage of the Place, a nearer Way  
He takes, and, where thick Forests did display  
Their shady Heads, through devious Paths, He flies,  
And, in an hidden Vale, in Ambush lies.  
The Isle, Man's Foot resembling, by the Sea  
Encompassed, and assaulted every Way  
By Billows, and by Waves compressed, contains  
Vast Tracts of Land: at first the Grecian Swains  
Called it Ichnusa; But, soon after these  
(Boasting His Blood from Libyan Hercules)  
From Himself, Sardus on the Land His Name  
Imposed; the Teucri likewise thither came,  
And, there dispersed through all the Sea, when Troy  
Was overthrown, did forced Abodes enjoy.  
Then likewise, Iölaus, to the Land  
No little Fame didst add; when with a Band  
Of Thespians, in thy Father's Navy, there  
Thou didst arrive. 'Tis said, when Cynthia Fair  
Was by Actaeon in the Fountain seen,  
And, all his Members torn, his Crime had been  
Sadly Revenged, affrighted at his strange  
Unusual Fate, and his prodigious Change,  
His Father Aristaeus fled by Sea,  
And to Sardinia came: they tell the Way  
Unto that Coast, to Him before unknown,  
Was by His Mother famed Cyrene shown.  
The Country is from Serpents free, and void  
Of Poison; but with Bogs, and Fens annoyed,  
The Air 's unwholesome; where it looks upon  
Th' Italian Shore, with Rocks, and Hills of Stone,  
It breaks the sparkling Waves. Within, the Plains  
With sultry South-Winds, when hot Cancer reigns,  
Are Pale, and too much parched; but all the rest  
Is Fertile, and with Ceres' Favours blest.  
Through this rude Tract of Land, & Pathless Groves,  
The Foe, Torquatus oft deluding, moves,  
And in Expectance of Iberian Aid,  
And Tyrian Weapons, for the Battle stayed.  
At Length, the Fleet arriving, and his Men  
Encouraged more, without Delay, again  
He from his Covert leaps: and then at large  
The adverse Troops drew out, and seem to charge,  
And join, though Distant; and no Space between,  
For hasty Darts, at Distance could be see:  
Till, trustier Weapons, their tried Swords they drew,  
And then a cruel Slaughter doth ensue.  
They kill, and fall alternately, and, on  
Their fatal Points, descend to Acheron.  
I cannot hope their numerous Slaughters, and  
So many horrid Acts, for a Command  
So High, so Great, to utter, as I ought,  
Or equal with my Words their Rage, that fought.  
But Thou, Calliope, my Labours bless;  
That, to Eternity, I may express  
Our Poët's Noble Deeds, but little known  
As yet, and Consecrate His due Renown!  
Ennius, of King Mesâpus ancient Line,  
Who to the Honour of the Latin Vine  
Did, by His Valour, add, led the Forlorn  
To fight, sent thither from Calabria; born  
Among the ancient Rudiae, now known  
In His surviving Memory alone.  
He (as, of old, the 
(*) Orphsue.  Thracian Singer, who,  
When Cizycus with War shook Argos, threw  
His Rhodopeian Darts, when He had laid  
His Quill aside) with no small Slaughter made  
Himself to be observed, when first he Charged,  
And from the Slaughters of his Hand enlarged  
His Fury. Oscus hoping, if that Slain  
He wiped away, Immortal Praise to gain,  
Upon Him flies; and at Him throws his Spear,  
With all His Force: Apollo, sitting near  
Within a Cloud, derides what He designed,  
And, driving far the Shaft into the Wind,  
Fond Youth (said He) Alas! Thou dost aspire  
Loo high, to let His Spoils be thy Desire:  
He's Sacred, and the Muse's greatest Care,  
A Poet worthy Phoebus; who shall dare  
The first, in Noble Verse, Italian Wars  
To sing, and raise their Captains to the Stars:  
He Helicon, with His Immortal Lays,  
Shall make to Echo; nor shall He in Praise,  
Or Fame, unto the Old 
(*) He●iod.  Ascraean yield.  
Thus Phoebus; and through Oscus Temples thrilled  
A swift Revenging Dart: his sudden Fall  
Makes the whole Army face about, and all  
The Troops, affrighted, through the Champagn fled.  
The Father, hearing that his Son was dead,  
Groaning with Rage, pierced his own panting Breast,  
And to the Shades below his Footsteps pressed.  
But, Hannibal in Fight thus broken, and  
Crushed by Marcellus, wastes the Neighbouring Land,  
And turns His unjust Arms upon the Poor  
Acerrae; which to Fire, and Sword, given o'er,  
With no less Rage He on 
(r) Acerrae, and Nuceria, were both destroyed by Hannibal. The first (the People stealing out by Night, and flying into other Cities of Campania) found empty, was burnt by Him: The later, after an hard Siege, yielded on Conditions, That all the People might march away, every Man with two Garments; but no sooner came they out of the City, but He forced them into Sulphurous Pits, where they were choked with Smoke, and Vapours. Liv. 23.  Neuceria falls,  
And levels with the Ground her stately Walls.  
Next, 
(s) Casilinum, (now Casteluccio) held out a long Siege, until they had eaten all things Edible (even to their Bridles, and all things covered with Leather) but, at length, having some small Relief of Nuts, which the Romans put into Barrels, and sent floating down the River Vulturn●s (which ran through the Town) Hannibal (who before was deaf to all Conditions) was induced to give them their Lives for Ransom, and upon Payment gave them safe Conduct to Cumae. Liv. 23.  Casilinums Gates, that long had been  
Stoutly defended by their Arms within,  
By Fraud with much ado he gained, and sold  
Unto the starved Besieged their Lives for Gold.  
And then into the Daunian Fields He falls,  
And, to what Place soe'er His Malice calls,  
Or Plunder doth invite, His Fury turns.  
Then, smoking in Her Fall, 
(t) The Petilians (whose City was built by Philocteles, to whom Hercules bequeathed his Quiver) of all the Brutians, only kept their Faith to the Romans. Which caused Hannibal to use them with the greater Severity; burning their City to the Ground, and slaying most of the Citizens: eight hundred of which, escaping His Fury, were, after His Departure from Italy, with great Care, and Honour, replanted by the Romans, in their Country. Appian. in Hannibal.  Petilia burns,  
Unhappy in her Faith, the next to sad  
Sagunthus' Fate, and Proud, that once She had  
Alcides' Quiver kept. To th' Libyan Side  
Tarentum, after this, herself applied,  
And gave them Entrance; but a Latin Band,  
Relying on the Place's Strength, remained  
A strong Reserve within the Citadel.  

(u) The Citadel of Tarentum, placed within one of the Havens (for there were two, divided by an Is●hmus) held out sometime after Cononeus, had betrayed the Town to Hannibal: So, that, to hinder their Relief by Sea, He made use of this Stratagem to convey Ships over the Isthmus, and so straightening them on all Sides, to Extremity, at last received that likewise to His subjection.  Here he removed his Navy (strange to tell)  
That ready Rigged within the Harbour lay;  
For, at two narrow Mouths, the crowded Sea  
Breaks out between two Rocks, and, with a Large  
Recess, a secret Ocean doth discharge  
Into the Plains: But He the Ships (that there  
Blocked up, by th' Arcenal Commanded were)  
By Stratagem, recovered from the Sea's  
Embrace, another Way by Land conveys.  
First slipp'ry Planks on every Oaken Wain  
Were laid, and Hides of Oxen newly slain:  
The nimbly-turning Wheels, through Meadows, drew  
Their Load, and then o'er lofty Hills, and through  
Thick Groves, the Fleet arrived, upon the Shore,  
And swum, brought to the Sea, without the Oar.  
But Fame (the Navy by no usual Way  
Transported) Him, that terrified the Sea,  
Now fills with frequent Cares (while He pursued  
The War far off, and hoped to have subdued  
Th' 
(x) The Tarentines.  Oëbalian Race) that Capua was then  
On every Side besieged, the Bars again  
O'th' Gates forced open, and quite overthrown,  
And the whole War upon that Wretched Town  
Was turned. Enraged, He quits that Enterprise;  
And, Shame, and Anger, Wings affording, flies  
The next Way thither, with prodigious Haste,  
And Threatening, to the Fight, desired, past.  
So, of her Young deprived, a Tigress flies  
From Covert, and with Rage-inflamed Eyes  
Explores all Caucasus, and in few Hours,  
With the like Speed, o'er Ganges Borders scours;  
Till in her Course, their Tract She apprehend,  
And on her Foe, surprised, her Fury spend.  
Him, in his March, Centenius (rashly prone  
To all Attempts, and Dangers) falls upon  
With sudden scattered Troops, but yet with small  
Honour to the Sidonian General:  
For, Rich in Latin Vines, the Peasants He  
Had round about Him raised, and suddenly  
An half-armed Band opposed against the Fo.  
Twice seven were slain, and still they forward go:  
Then twice seven thousand Fulvius (than He  
No more expert, but of a Family  
Renowned in Arms) all well Appointed led:  
But He still over Heaps of scattered Dead,  
A Conqueror, goes on, and cuts his Way  
Through all; nor in his March admits Delay.  
But the Ambitious vain Desires to raise  
Unto Himself the empty Name, and Praise,  
Of a Brave, Generous Mind, upon Him call  
To solemnize a joyful Funeral.  
For, while a Parley 
(y) Flavius Lucanus, wsio entertained Gracchus in his House, pretending some of the chief Lucanians would come to a certain place to treat with him, prevailed, that He went out to meet them, and was betrayed into the Hands of Hannibal, who admiring his great Valour (for that, when he saw himself betrayed, he resolved not to be taken alive) at his Death celebrated his Funerals with great Solemnity, and sent his Bones to Rome.  Gracchus did demand,  
And the perfidious Promise entertained  
Of the Lucanian People, (Sad to tell)  
By His Host's Treachery, surprised, He fell;  
And Hannibal with Greediness assumed  
The wished-for Praise, to see His Corpse entombed.  
But, soon as it was known, that, with such Haste,  
To the Campanian Walls the Libyan past,  
Affairs no where stand still. Both Consuls take  
The Field with Speed. Nola, and Arpis make  
What Strength they can; Young Fabius, among  
The Rest, His hasty Forces brings along.  
There Nero, here Syllanus, Day, and Night  
Their Cohorts speed to the desired Fight,  
And from all Quarters come; resolving all  
Their Generals to oppose against Hannibal  
Alone. While, nearer to Tifata, He  
Advances, where the Hill's Vicinity  
Pressed on the Neighbouring Walls; and, looking down  
From that near Height, survays the lower Town.  
But, when such numbers of Allies He found,  
Which with their Arms the Gates encompassed round,  
That Entrance was denied to Him alone,  
And that they could not sally from the Town,  
Doubtful of the Event, sometime He thought  
Through all, that then opposed Him, to have fought  
A Passage with His Sword; and then declined  
Again whate'er before He had designed;  
And seeks those Myriads by Policy  
To draw from the besieged Gates, and free  
Th' enclosed Walls. Thus therefore His resolves  
He with Himself debates, and Cares revolves.  
Oh! whither tend My troubled Thoughts? Shall I  
In this unequal Place new Dangers try,  
And Capua see Me fly? Or sitting still,  
Upon the Top of this adjoining Hill,  
Shall I endure this Town of My Allies  
To be destroyed, and fall before mine Eyes?  
Such Me nor Fabius, nor Minutius found,  
When I escaped from Hills encompassed round  
With armed Troops: With Victory, compelled  
The affrighted Herd to scatter, through the Field,  
Flames from their burning Horns, wherever they run.  
Nor yet are all My Arts, and Projects done:  
If Capua cannot now defended be  
By Us, yet Rome may be Besieged. When He  
Had thus His Resolution fixed, before  
The Sun had raised from the Eöan Shore  
His Horses, breathing Day, both with His Hand,  
And Voice, He draws His Troops together, and  
Declares His high Design. Go on (said He)  
My Soldiers, let all Difficulties be  
Surmounted by Your Valour, and (as fast,  
As You can March away) now boldly haste;  
To Rome You go: this March the Alps to You,  
This Cannae did decree. Go, and into  
Th' Ilîack Walls your Targets drive, and there  
Retalliate Capua's Ruins, which so dear  
Shall cost, that you shall see high towers, and jove  
From his Tarpeian Temple to remove●:  
Instructed thus, away the Army hies:  
Rome in their Ears, Rome only in their Eyes  
Is fixed; and they believe the Diligence  
Of Hannibal that Action did commence  
More aptly, than had He conducted them  
From the 
(*) Cannae.  Aetolian fatal Field. The Stream  
Of swift Vulturnus overpast, the Rear,  
To stop th' Italians, that behind them were,  
Burn all their Boats; and then, with nimble Bands,  
March over all the Sidicinian Lands,  
And Thracian Cales, that its ancient Name  
Did from thy Son (fair Orithya claim:  
Then Alifanus, that great Plenty yields  
Of Bacchus' Fruits, and the Casinian Fields,  
Inhabited by Nymphs; and straightway, near  
To those, Aquinas, and Fregellae, where  
The smoking Giant buried lies, in Haste  
They overrun: Then, with like Speed, they passed  
O'er lofty Hills, where Warlike Frusino  
Sticks on hard Rocks, and where Anagnia too  
Hangs on a rising Hill, and Plenty yields  
Of Corn. At length, into Labîcus Fields,  
And Plains, He enters, and those Walls declines,  
Battered by Telegon. His high Designs,  
Admit no Stop: nor pleasant Algida,  
Nor yet Gabinian Juno's towers can stay  
His March; but on, like a rude Storm, He goes  
To those low Banks, where Anyo gently Flows  
With sulphurous Waters, and, with Silence, to  
Old Tiber's Arms. When here the Line He drew  
Of's Camp, and set His Standard up, and shook  
The Banks with is Cavalry; first, Ilia, struck  
With Fear, flies to her Husband's Sacred Cave,  
And all the frighted Nymphs the Waters leave.  
But the Italian Dames, as if they had  
No Walls at all, Affrighted run, like Mad,  
About the Streets; and, figured by their Fear,  
Those wounded Ghosts before their Eyes appear,  
That at sad Trebia, and Ticinus Stream,  
Were slain; brave Paulus, Gracchus, and with them  
Flaminius seems to wander up, and down.  
The Ways, and all the Passes of the Town  
Are thronged. The Stately Senate troubled to  
Behold their Fear, endeavour to subdue  
Their sad Distraction with an angry Frown;  
Yet Tears sometimes, with Silence, trickle down  
Under their Helmets, as they Doubtful are,  
What Fortune threatens, or the Gods prepare.  
Through their high towers, the youth dispersed, thought  
Affairs were then to such a Period brought,  
That it was enough, for Rome, Her Walls to keep.  
But Hannibal, who scarce the whole Night's Sleep  
Had to His weary Soldiers granted, risen  
Betimes, an Enemy to all Repose,  
And thinking whatsoever Time was spent  
In Slumber, that so much from Life was rend,  
His Radiant Arms puts on, commands His Light  
Numidians to break forth: and then, in Sight  
Of frighted Rome, with Nimble Coursers, round  
About her trembling Bulwarks, with a Sound,  
Like Thunder, Rides. Sometimes the several Ways  
The Avenues, and Passes He survays:  
Now against the Barricadoed Gates His Spear  
He strikes, and seems delighted with their Fears:  
Then, Pleased, He to the lofty Hills retires,  
And, entering with His Eyes the Town, inquires  
Of Places, and their Causes: and in that  
Survey had taken Time to penetrate  
Into all Parts, and every thing had seen;  
Had Fulvius, with a strong Relief, not been  
At Hand: nor was the Siege of Capua quite  
Relinquished; but the Libyan, with the Sight  
Of Rome much satisfied in His Desires,  
With His insulting Troops, to th' Camp retires.  
But, when the Night from Heaven was chased away,  
And with the first Appearance of the Day  
The Ocean blushed, and Morn revived again  
Their Labours, breaking down the Works, amain  
He pours His Forces out, and with a Cry,  
As loud as He could make; Oh Soldiers! by  
Our many Trophies, and our Hands in Blood  
Now Sacred, make (said He) Your Wishes good:  
Equal Your own Desires; Attempt, and Dare  
As much in Arms, as Rome hath Cause to Fear.  
Destroy this Heap, and there is Nought for You  
In all the World beside left to subdue:  
Nor let the Fame of their Original  
From Mars retard You; You that City shall  
Now take by Myriads, entered long ago  
Of Warlike Senones, accustomed to  
Be taken; and, perhaps, amidst their Fears,  

(z) When the Gauls entered Rome, the Senate placed themselves in their Chairs, and Habit, at their several Doors; believing that Venerable Sight might qualify the Fury of the Barbarous Gauls, or, at least, they might die in State. At the first, the Reverence of their Persons, and Posture, amazed the Gauls; till a Gaul, stroking the Beard of one of them, the Senatour ●rapped him on the Fingers, with his Staff, at which the Gaul incensed, slew him, and by his Example all the rest, before thought Gods, were slain.  Their Senators in their Triumphal Chairs,  
Like their Forefathers, sit, expecting by  
Your Hands a Noble Death, resolved to die.  
Thus He: but the Oënotrian Youth require  
No Language of their General, to fire  
Their Thoughts: their Wives, and Children, with their Dear  
Parents, that up to Heaven, lamenting, rear  
Their feeble Palms, sufficiently excite  
Their Courage; and, presenting to their Sight  
Their Babes, even penetrating with their Cry  
Their Hearts, their armed Hands with Kisses ply.  
On they desire to go, and to oppose  
Their Bodies, for their Walls, against their Foes:  
Then, on their Friends reflecting, swallow down  
Their Tears. But, when the Gates were open thrown,  
And the whole Army sallied forth, a Cry,  
Mingled with Prayers, and Groans, invades the Sky,  
From the high Walls: the Matrons, with their Hair  
Dishevelled, howl, and lay their Bosoms bare.  
But, Fulvius, flying out before the rest,  
Exclaims, Who knows not, that the Libyans pressed,  
Through a Necessity, to come before  
Our Walls? He flies from Capua's Gates:— As more  
He would have said, with horrid Murmurs, from  
The broken Clouds, loud Cracks of Thunder come.  
For, when the threatening Libyan Father jove  
(As He from Aethiopia did remove)  
Beheld approaching near the Roman Walls,  
The other Gods he straight together calls,  
Commands the Dardan Temples to defend,  
And quickly into the seven towers descend.  
Himself, high seated on the Capitol,  
Musters up all his Forces, summons all  
The Winds, and Clouds, with Storms of Hail: then powers  
Thunder, and Lightning down, with Stygian Showers.  
The Poles with Horror shake, the heavens are quite  
Obscured; the Earth is covered o'er with Night;  
The Tempest blinds their Eyes; and Rome, though near,  
To the approaching Foe doth disappear.  
Flames, from the Clouds, upon the Army, thrown,  
Continue still their Noise, and hiss upon  
Their blasted Limbs: here Notus, Boreas there,  
And Africus, with Cloudy Wings appear,  
And War with such a Rage, and Fury, move,  
As might suffice the Wrath, and Mind of jove:  
Then sudden Cataracts of Water fall,  
Mixed with black Storms, and Blasts, and cover all  
The Neighbouring Champagn with a foaming Flood.  
jove on the Top of all the Mountain stood,  
And, as He Thunder poised in his Right-Hand,  
It against the Shield of Hannibal (His Stand  
Not yet resolved to quit) with Fury throws:  
His Lance's Head straight melts, and His Sword flows,  
As from the Forge it were but newly ta'en.  
At length, His Arms thus burnt, He doth restrain  
His Men, declares the Vanity of all  
That secret Fire, that from the Clouds did fall,  
And Murmurs intermixed with Winds: But, then,  
After so many Miseries of His Men,  
And Ruins, poured from Heaven, the Foe not seen,  
Nor Sword in all the Storms, that there had been;  
He bids His fainting Army to retire  
To Camp, and sadly thus revives His Ire.  
Well: to the Winds, and Winter-Storms, Thou now  
(Oh Rome) the Safety of one Day dost owe:  
But Thee the Morrow's Light shall not defend  
From Us; though angry jove himself descend  
To Earth, to guard Thee. And, as this He spoke,  
From the clear heavens a sudden Lustre broke,  
And all the Clouds dispersed. The purged Sky  
Shined out again, the Romans instantly  
Perceived the God, and straightway, laying all  
Their Arms aside, to the high Capitol  
Erect their humble Hands; and, Pious, round  
The Sacred Hill, their joyful Laurel bound:  
And then the cheerful Face of jove, bedewed,  
Of late, with no small Sweat, thus praying, Viewed.  
Grant Father jove (say They) Thou Chief of all  
The Gods! O, grant, that Hannibal may fall  
By thine own Sacred Shaft, in Fight! for none  
Can Him destroy, We fear, but Thou alone.  
As thus they prayed, the Evening began t' invest  
The Earth with Shades, and Silence stopped the rest.  
But Night, by Sol dispersed, as from the Sea  
He raised his Lamp, and use of Life, with Day,  
Restored to Mortals, Hannibal again  
Came on: nor did the Roman Youth within  
Their Trenches keep. But, when they came as near  
To fight, as one might well have thrown a Spear,  
Their Swords scarce drawn, the Light of Heaven began  
To fail, thick Darkness suddenly o'reran  
The Skies, the newborn Day was put to Flight;  
And jove began again to arm for Fight,  
The Winds blew high, and a thick Globe of Showers,  
By Austere driv▪ n along, grew Hot; jove pou'rs  
His Thunder down, by which he Atlas shakes,  
With Taurus, Pindus, Rhodope: the Lakes  
Of Erebus it heard, and, buried far  
In Darkness, once again Celestial War  
Typhaeus saw. Now Notus, whistling loud,  
Comes on, and whirling round a pitchy Cloud,  
Full fraught with Hail, the Libyan charged, in Vain  
Struggling, and threatening, and Him forced again  
Into His Camp: but He no sooner there  
Had laid His Arms aside; but straight a clear,  
And joyful Face of Heaven again was shown:  
Nor could you think mild jove his Bolts had thrown,  
Or had with Thunder torn the Peaceful Sky.  
All this He, vexed, endures with Constancy,  
And oft affirming, the ensuing Day  
No more should be against them. Only they  
Their Valour of their Country must assume,  
And, lest they should believe to ruin Rome  
Might prove a Sin, Where was (I pray, said He)  
The Thunder of their Conqur'ing jove, when We  
With these our Swords th' Aetolian Champagn strowed  
With Slaughter? when the Tyrrhen Pools o'erflowed  
With Humane Blood. If now the King of Gods  
Fights for the Roman Walls, with so much Odds  
Of Thunder thrown; Why strikes He not at Me,  
Who fight against Him 'midst this Noise? No; We  
Most poorly turn Our Backs to Storms, and Wind:  
Oh! (pray) resume that Courage, and that Mind,  
Which, while as yet the Leagues, and the Decrees  
Of Senate were in Force, did prompt Us these  
Our Arms to take in Hand. Thus every Breast  
He fires, till Sol his weary Steeds released.  
The following Night could not His Cares allay;  
Sleep durst not once approach Him: With the Day  
His former Rage returns, and then again  
He summons to the Fight His frighted Men,  
And strikes His dreadful Shield; the Noise, and Storms  
Of Heaven so imitating, with His Arms.  
But when He found, that Rome so confident  
Was of the Gods, that She Supplies had sent  
Unto the Betick Coast, and that by Night  
The Troops marched from the Walls full of Despite,  
And Rage, that the Besieged such Leisure had,  
(As now secure of Hannibal) more Mad  
He presseth forward; and Advanceth near  
The Walls: when juno, almost sick with Care,  
Thus jove with Counsel seeks to qualify.  
Sister (said He) and Wife, most Dear to Me,  
When wilt thou check this Tyrian Youth? or when  
Wilt thou restrain this furious Man again?  
Let it suffice, Sagunthus to destroy,  
To levelly the high Alps, and to annoy,  
And Chains impose upon the Sacred Po▪  
And to pollute the Lakes. He's ready now  
Into Our Temples, and Our towers to break.  
Stop Him, for you may see (as now We speak)  
How He prepares, how He for Fire exclaims,  
To imitate Our Thunder with His Flames.  
To this Saturnia giving Thanks, through Air  
(Much troubled) to the Earth descends, and there  
Seizing the Youth's Right-Hand; Whither, said She,  
Thou Madman, dost Thou run? and, not to be  
Maintained by Mortals, dost a War pursue?  
'Tis juno speaks to Thee: (with that She drew  
Her Veil of Clouds away, and showed her Face)  
Thou hast not now with Phrygian Swains (Alas)  
Or the Laurentines, to contend: behold!  
(For I'll remove the Mist awhile, t' unfold  
All Things to Thee) observe, and see Thou where  
That Hill's high Top ascends into the Air,  
(The Palace called of the 
(a) Mount Palatine, where King Evander the Arcadian dwelled, and Apollo had a Temple.  Parrhasian King)  
By Phoebus 'tis possessed; who, menacing,  
Prepares his Echoing Quiver, and his Bow  
For Fight: but where upon the lofty Brow  
Of Neighbouring Hills, the 
(b) Another Hill in Rome, where Diana had a Temple.  Aventine doth rise,  
See! how Diana shakes, before thine Eyes,  
Her Torches, fired from Phlegeton! how She  
Hath stripped her Arms for Fight! Then that way see,  
How Mars, in cruel Arms, that 
(c) Campus Martius.  Field, that bears  
His Name, hath filled! there janus, furious, Wars;  
And here Quirinus: every Deity  
Fights from his Hill; but then observe with me,  
How jove his Aegis, breathing Storms, and Fire  
Shakes, and with how great Flames he feeds his Ire:  
Or this way turn thy Face, and, if Thou dare,  
Behold the Thunderer, what Tempests are  
Beneath his Nod! or, when he shakes his Head,  
What Thunder falls! what dreadful Flames are shed  
Against Thine Eyes! at length, give Way unto  
The Gods, nor such Titanian Wars pursue.  
This said, the Man, intractable to Peace,  
Or Rule, yet wondering at the stormy Face,  
And fiery Members of the Gods, with Pain  
Away She drew, and Peace to Heaven again,  
And Earth, restored. He, looking still behind,  
Retires, and to the Camp, much vexed in Mind,  
Commands His Ensigns straight to march away,  
And threatens to return another Day;  
When through the Air a clearer Light displays  
Itself, and Phoebus gilds the trembling Seas.  
But, when the Romans from the Walls beheld  
Far off, that Hannibal had left the Field,  
And pulled His Ensigns up, they, Silent, view  
Each other's Face; and, Nodding only, show  
That, which as yet, through Greatness of their Fear,  
They durst not then believe, nor willing were  
To think Him gone; but rather, that He then  
Practised His Punic Frauds, and Arts again.  
In this Suspense each silent Mother stands,  
Kissing her Children, till the Punic Bands  
Quite vanished from their Eyes, and, Fear removed,  
All his suspected Plots but Fancies proved.  
Then to the Sacred Capitol they throng,  
And, mutually embracing, chant a Song  
Of Triumph to Tarpeian jove: and, there  
Adorn the Temple of the Thunderer.  
Now all the Gates fly open, ev'rywhere  
Those Joys, which they so lately did despair,  
The People rush to see: these view the Place,  
Where the Sidonian King's Pavilion was,  
And where He proudly, from a lofty Throne,  
Spoke to his summoned Troops; those look upon  
The Place, where Warlike Astur lay, and where  
Fierce Geteses, and cruel Hanno Quartered were.  
This done, their Bodies purged in living Springs,  
Each Hand its Aid, to build up Altars, brings  
To th' Anienian Nymphs; and, Joyful, then  
Hallowing the Wall, return to Rome again.  
The End of the Twelfth Book.   



Succedunt Simulacra virum, concordia Patris,  
Vnanimique Simul Patrui-ruit ipse per umbram   

Oscula vana petens Iwenis. Fumoque volueri  
Et nebulis similes animas apprendere tentat,   
Honoratissimo Dn. ᵒ Dno joanni Comiti Bathoniae Vice●omiti Lansdowne Baroni Grenuile de Kilkhampton & Bideford Custodi & Gardiano Stannariorum Capitali Seneschallo Ducatus Cormiciae Gromettae Stolae & primo è Cubiculo D●̄i Regis Generoso. Tabula summâ cum Observantia D D.D.  SILIUS ITALICUS OF The Second Punic War. The Thirteenth Book.  
THE ARGUMENT.  
Repulsed by Storms, and Lightning, from the Gates  
Of Rome, resolved to try again the Fates,  
The Libyan returns. Agrippa shows  
What Miseries, and Plagues attended those,  
That fought against the Places, that contained  
The famed Palladium. By this restrained,  
Away He marcheth to the Rhegian Coast:  
In the mean time besieged Capua's lost.  
What Wealth, and Trophies, there the Romans gain,  
In Spain two Noble Scipios are slain.  
Grief, for his Friends, oppressing Him, and Cares,  
Young Scipio to Autonöe repairs.  
Apollo's Priestess, who, by Magic Spells,  
Cumaean Sybil's Ghosts doth raise, which tells  
To Him ensuing Fates, describeth Hell,  
And where the Blessed Souls, in Pleasure dwell.  
THE Capitol's high Top He scarce discerned  
In His slow March, when straight the Libyan turned  
Towards the City His fierce Eyes again,  
Preparing to return, and in that Plain  
Encamped, where Bankless Thuria overflows  
The level Meadows; and, Inglorious, goes  
Into the Tuscan Sea, a silent Stream.  
Here sometimes on his chiefest Friends the Blame,  
Sometimes upon the God's commands, he lays,  
Then on Himself. Tell me at length (He says)  
Thou, by whose slaughtering Hand the Lidyan Lake  
Increased, who mad'st the Daunian Land to shake  
With Thunder of thine Arms, discouraged now,  
Into what Country back again, dost Thou  
Thine Ensigns bear? What Sword Thy Breast, what Spear  
Hath pierced? Should Towered Carthage now appear  
Before thine Eyes, what Reason couldst Thou yield  
Soldier, unwounded thus to quit the Field?  
Wouldst Thou allege from Storms (dear Country) I  
From Tempests mixed with Blood, and Thunder, fly?  
Let this Effeminate Stain be far, Oh far,  
From Tyrian People, as unfit for War,  
But in fair Wether, and in Air that's clear.  
The Army, though as yet a Panic Fear  
O'th' Gods possessed them, and a recent Smell  
Of Lightning on their Arms, as yet, did dwell;  
And 'fore their Eyes the Fight of angry jove:  
Yet still a Vigour to obey, and move,  
Wherever He should them command, appears,  
And, by degrees diffused into their Ears,  
(By what He said) Desire in every Breast  
To bear their Ensigns back again, increased:  
As when a Stone the Water breaks, it makes,  
At first, small Rings; but as its Motion shakes  
The trembling Liquor, while it still descends,  
The numerous Orbs increase, till it extends  
The curling Circle, every Way, so wide,  
That it may touch the Banks on either side.  
But, contrary to this, Agrippa (who  
His famed Descent from Diomedes drew)  
Among th' Oëtolian People, much Renowned,  
And of a Noble Name, with Riches Crowned,  
But Faithless, and, when Rome's Affairs declined,  
With the successful Libyan had joined;  
Revolving these Traditions, that of old  
To him his Ancestors before had told,  
Thus pleads; When Teucrine Pergamus with long  
Protracted War was shaken, and among  
The Grecian Soldiers, unengaged in Blood,  
The God of War before the Rampires stood,  
Calchas (for this, full oft at the Request  
Of 
(a) Daunus, King of Apulia, Father-in-Law to Diomed.  Daunus, kept within his faithful Breast,  
Amidst their Feasts did Diomedes express)  
Calcas assured the doubtful Greeks, unless  
The fatal 
(b) The Palladium was the Image of Pallas.  Image of the Warlike Maid,  
Kept in the Arcenal, they thence essayed  
To gain, the Spartan Arms should ne'er prevail  
O'er Troy, nor should they, with their Honour, sail  
Back to Amycle. For it was by Fate  
Ordained, that none those Walls should penetrate,  
That did possess that Image, and then Our  

(c) Diomed.  Tydides', joined with Ithacus, the Tower  

(d) The Greeks, admonished by Calchas, that they should never take Troy, nor return Home; while the Palladium (which was the Image of Pallas, made of Wood) continued there. Diomedes, and Ulysses by Mines, or Vaults, passed by Night into the Tower, where it lay, and stole it thence. This was generally received, unless we should rather believe, that to be the true Palladium, which was found enclosed in a Wall by Fimbria (in the War against Mithridates) who (as Appian affirms) made a more sad Destruction in Troy, than the Greeks under Agamemnon. Of the Palladium, see Virgil, lib. 2. Aentil.  Entered by Stratagem, and having slain  
The Guard, just at the Entrance of the Fane,  
Thence the Celestial Image straight conveyed,  
And Troy unto our Fates was open laid.  
But, when, on the Oënotrian Coast, he built  
A City, troubled at his former Gild,  
T' appease the Phrygian Goddess with His Prayers,  
And Ilian Gods, Devoutly He prepares.  
Then, on a lofty Tower, a Temple straight  
(To Trojan Pallas, a most hateful Seat)  
Was raised. When, 'midst his Sleep, the threatening Maid,  
Discovering her great Deity, thus said;  
This Fabric, Diomedes, which here you raise,  
Unworthy 's of the Honour of such Praise.  
To Us Garganus, nor the Daunian Land  
Are due: Him rather seek, whose Pious Hand  
Now the first Walls of better Troy doth rear  
In the Laurentine Fields. Go thither, there  
That captived Relic of their Fathers lay.  
Troubled at this advice, He hasts away  
To Saturn's Kingdom, where Anchises 
(e) Aeneas.  Son,  
A Conqu'rer, then, 
(f) Lavinium built by Aeneas, and so called from his Wife Lavinia.  Lavinian Troy begun,  

(g) It was a Custom anciently, after a War ended, or a Country subdued, to hang the Arms in their Temples; or, before they were built, in Groves, where they raised their Altars.  And's Dardan Arms, in a Laurentine Grove,  
Had fixed. But, as the Daunian Fleet did move  
Near Tiber's mouth, and Diomedes there  
On Shore had pitched his shining Tents, with Fear  
The Trojans trembled, till, in his Right-hand  
A Pledge of Peace extending to the Land,  
(An hoary Olive-bough) Tydaeus Son,  
Amidst the Trojans Murmurs, thus begun;  
Thy mindful Rage (Aeneas) and thy Fear  
Now confidently lay aside; whate'er  
At Troy, at Simöis, or Xanthus' Flood,  
Or near the Scaean Port, with so much Blood,  
And Sweat, by Us was done, was not (Alas!)  
Our Crime: the Gods, and Fate it brought to pass.  
Now think on what remains; why do not We,  
With better Auspicies of Time, agree  
To live? Let's join our peaceful Hands. This shall  
Be Witness of our League: and showed withal  
Trojan Minerva from the Poop. By Her  
Fell the Bold 
(h) After the Gauls had sacked Rome, and besieged the Capitol, Camillus came upon them, from Ardea (whither he had been banished) with a small Army (in the very Interim, when they were weighing the Gold, which was to ransom those in the Capitol) and made so great a slaughter of them, that there remained not so much as a Messenger to carry the Tidings of their destruction into Gallia. See Liv. lib. 5.  Gauls, that Rome invaded, nor  
Of that Great People did there One remain,  
That to his Native Land returned again.  
Dismayed at this, the General his Bands  
(Much joyed, that they should March away) Commands  
To pull their Ensigns up, and to remove  
Into those Fertile Plains, where in a Grove  
Wealthy 
(i) The Religion of this place, where juno Feronia was Worshipped, sprung from a Miracle; for, the Grove by accident being fired, the Inhabitants would have removed her Image, when straight the Grove recovered its former Verdure. There was afterwards a Temple, whither such Slaves as were enfranchised, repaired, and, their Heads being shaved, received a C●p, the token of their Liberty, hence she was called The Goddess of Liberty. This Temple, enriched by Devotion, was spoiled by Hannibal. See Liv. lib. 26.  Feronia's Worshipped, and o'er all  
The Grounds Capêna's Sacred Waters fall.  
From Birth of Ancient Faunus (as 'tis said)  
Through a long Tract of time, together laid,  
Great Wealth, by frequent Gifts increased, and there,  
Alone, preserved by a religious Fear,  
The Gold untouched for many Ages lay:  
Their barbarous Hearts, and greedy Minds, the Prey  
Pollutes, and arms them to contemn the Gods.  
From thence it pleased him through remoter Rhodes  
To turn, where Fields, Ploughed by the Brutian Swain,  
Extended are to the Trinacrian Main.  
While, Discontented, thus the Libyans go  
To th' Rhegian Coast, Brave Fulvius (the Foe  
Removed from's Country) at the Walls appears  
Of Capua, and to the Besieged bears  
Th' unwelcome News. Their Miseries were than  
Extremely high, when Fulvius thus began  
To all of Name in Arms: Take this Disgrace  
Away by Valour. Shall this Treacherous Place,  
(To Us another Carthage) after all  
Her violated Leagues, and Hannibal  
Sent to our very Gates, Her proud Demand  
Of an alternate, equal Consul, stand?  
And from her lofty Turrets, now dismayed,  
Still look for Libyan Cohorts to her Aid?  
Deeds to his Words he adds, and, straight, he calls  
For towers of Oak, 〈…〉 the highest Walls  
He could surmount, and, instantly, commands  
To join huge Beams with Cords, and Iron Bands,  
By which the tallest Posts of Gates He broke,  
And all Delays of Bars would quickly shake.  
Here, fenced with Starlike Piles on every Side,  
A Mount is raised, and there they are employed  
To raise the 
(k) This Work was by the Romans called Vinea, and covered over with Timber, Hurdles, ●raw Hides, etc. the Soldiers went under it securely to undermine Walls.  Vinea, armed above, and all  
Soon done, which he could Necessary call,  
He gives the Sign to scale the Walls, and fills  
The Town with Terror of impending Ills;  
When suddenly an happy Omen shined  
On His Attempts: an Hind (which rare We find  
Of such a Colour) that the Swans, or Snow,  
Surpassed in Whiteness; which, when with his Blow  
Capys the Circuit of those Walls designed,  
A Countrey-Present, taken with its Kind  
Familiarity (when Young) he fed,  
And a kind Sense of Man had in it bred.  
All Wildness lost, She used to take her Stand  
To feed at Table; by her Master's Hand  
When stroked, much pleased, oft the Campanian Dames  
Smoothed her with Combs, and in the Neighbouring streams  
Renewed her Whiteness: thus the Hind became  
The Deity o'th' Place, and had for Name  
Diana's Servant; and, as to a God,  
With holy Ensigns they the Altars load.  
Lusty, and strong in Life (though Aged) She  
A thousand Years, with great Felicity,  
Had past, and Houses built by Trojans there  
Equalled in Age; but not her Death was near:  
For chased by cruel Wolves, that suddenly  
Into the Town, (a doleful Prodigy  
In War) by Night had entered; as the Day  
Began to break, out at the Gates, away  
She ran, and, frighted, fled into the Plain,  
Near to the Walls; where, by the Soldiers ta'en,  
(Who joyfully contended in the Chase)  
To Thee, Latonian Goddess, on the Place  
The General offering her (for unto Thee  
He knew that Sacrifice must pleasing be)  
Prayed His Design might, by thine Aid, be crowned:  
And straight, relying on the Goddess, round  
The City moved his Troops, and where into  
An Orb the Walls were bend, obliquely, drew  
A strongly-guarded Trench, and kept them there  
Enclosed with Arms, like Beasts in Toils. While Fear  
Increased in others, with a stately Plume  
Out at the Ports doth Warlike Taurea come,  
Chafing His foaming Steed (to Him, for brave  
Exploits, Maurusian Shafts the General gave  
But lately, and an Autololian Band)  
He spurring on his Steed, which scorned to stand,  
Hearing the trembling Cornets, when so near  
He came, that He perciev'd the Foe might hear  
His Neighbouring Call, said Claudius, (who i'th' Art  
Of War excelled, and Honour, with Desert,  
In many a Fight had gained) if yet upon  
His Valour He rely, may He alone  
Enter the Field, and fight with Me. What stayed  
The Roman, when 'twas heard what He had said,  
Was, that it was Ordained before, on Pain  
Of Death, that none should dare to entertain  
A single Fight, without the General's Leave.  
But soon as Fulvius His Permission gave,  
Into the open Plain, with Joy, he flies,  
And straight thick Clouds of Dust, like Billows, rise.  
But scorning all Assistance of the Thong,  
Or Loop, to make His Weapon fly more strong,  
Taurea, with his bare Strength, His Spear advanced,  
And it with Headlong Rage, and Fury, lanced  
Into the Air: while, of another Mind,  
The brave Ru●ulian, seeking where to find  
A certain Place to give a Wound, now shook,  
Then couched His Spear, and many a threatening Stroke  
Pretends; till fixed in's Shield his Javelin stood:  
But was deprived of the desired Blood.  
Then instantly he drew his Sword, when straight  
Taurea, to fly the Menaces of Fate,  
With his steeled Heel drives on his nimble Steed.  
While, at his Back, the Roman with a Speed,  
Great as his Rage, pursued, and very near  
Giving the Reins, approached him; and, as Fear  
The Conquered, so the Conqueror Desire  
Of his deserved Blood, Honour, and Ire  
Into the Gates invite; and, while they there  
Scarce Credit what they see, that He should dare,  
Alone, to break into their Walls, and haste  
So boldly through th'amazed Town, he passed  
Through th' adverse Port, and to his Friends retired.  
With that th' Minds of all the rest were fired  
With the like Heat, and Industry t' invade  
The Walls; and where he had a Passage made,  
To enter, Flames, and Swords straight shine; then Showers  
Of Stones, and Darts, assault the highest towers:  
None could the Rest in Courage to engage  
Excel, all Hands were equalled by their Rage.  
Dictaean Shafts fly through the Air, and fall  
With Wounds i'th' midst o'th' Town. The General  
Is pleased to find, that they had left no Room  
For his Encouragement; they all assume  
So eagerly their Task. Whom when he spied  
So well resolved, and Fortune made a Guide  
To all; up to the Gate he, Furious, came,  
And sought with Danger to increase his Fame.  
Three Brothers (Twiris) who each a chosen Band  
Had of an Hundred men, at their Command,  
Guarded that Pass, and there their Station held:  
Of these in Beauty Numitor excelled,  
Laurens in Running, and Laburnus Tall  
Above the other: but their Weapons all  
Were different; One Renowned for his Bow;  
For's Spear the other, wont in Fight to throw  
His poisoned Lance, and not to trust his Sword:  
But Lamps, with Flames, and Sulphur mixed, the Third  
Composed. So (famous in a former Age)  
That horrid Monster of a Triple Rage,  
Gerîon, fought on the Atlantic Shore,  
Whose three Right-Hands three several Weapons bore;  
One cruel Flames; Behind him t'other drew  
His Bow; the third his trusty Javelin threw:  
And dealt three several Ways, at once, a Wound.  
When these, thus varying Fight, the Consul found  
With different Arms, the Slaughter, that appeared  
At th' Entrance of the Gate, and Posts besmeared  
With Blood of such, as thither did advance,  
With an enraged Force his twisted Lance  
He throws. Importing Death, th' Italian Yew  
Cuts through the Air, and, where (as then he drew  
His Bow, and from above his Arrows plied)  
Stout Numitor was Naked, pierced his Side.  
But, not Content to fight, besieged there,  
In War Unskilful, though still apt to dare,  
With headlong Heat, rash Virius open threw  
The Gate, and broke into the Field, and to  
The Conqueror's Rage his miserable Men  
Exposed: these Scipio fiercely charged. But then,  
As he the offered Troop, insatiate, kills,  
Calenus, born upon Tifata's Hills,  
Bred up to bold Attempts, His Courage great,  
As was His Body, often wont to beat  
Lions, to fight bareheaded, to Contend  
With Steers, and down the winding Horns to bend  
Of fiercest Bulls, by Force, unto the Ground,  
And for his vigorous Fate before Renowned:  
He, while bold Virius from the Town expelled  
Some rash Assailants, whether, that He held  
His Breastplate useless, or to shun Delay,  
Into the Field had, Naked, made His Way,  
And, nimbler now, the panting Fugitives  
O'ertakes, and several Ways, Victorious, drives:  
And now, already, Veliternus through  
The Belly he had thrust; and Marius, who  
With equal Sport was wont to exercise  
Equestral Fights with Scipio, by him dies,  
Struck backward to the Ground by an huge Stone,  
Torn from the Earth. Expiring, with a Groan  
H'implores his Friend; and, Gaping, underneath  
The Rock was crushed. But, Sorrow for his Death  
Doubling his Strength, while all his Face overflows  
With Tears, his singing Cornel Scipio throws,  
Hasting to his Expiring Friend, to show  
The wished▪ for Comfort of a dying Fo.  
The Shaft, as if a Bird the liquid Air  
Divided had, passed through his Breast, and there  
Dissolved his mighty Frame: swift, as its Way  
A nimble Galley makes upon the Sea,  
Which flies more nimbly, than the Winds, as oft  
As, to their Breasts reduced, the Oars aloft  
The curling Surges strike, and with the Strength  
Of one joint Struck runs farther, than her Length.  
But Volesus Ascanius (who had cast  
His Arms away, that he might lighter haste  
Unto the Walls, as through the Plain he fled)  
Pursues. Straight severed by his Sword, his Head  
Drops at the Owner's Feet: but, by the Force  
Of running forward, in its speedy Course,  
The following Trunk, at length, beyond it falls.  
No longer, now, to keep their open Walls,  
Did the Besieged hope. When straight about  
They Face, and shut their own Companions out,  
That beg to be received. Their Hinges then  
They turn, and strive, too late, their Bars again,  
And Bolts to fix. At this th' Italians pressed  
More fiercely on, and the Besieged infest.  
And, had not Earth been taken from their Sight,  
Wrapped in the Stygian Bosom of the Night,  
The Soldiers their Assault so furious made,  
The broken Gates had then been open laid.  
But yet the Darkness brought not equal Rest  
To all. These Fearless Slumbers (such, as blest  
With Victory, Men know) enjoy; but there  
With doleful Cries of Women, every where,  
With dire Complaints, and trembling Parents Groans,  
Capua affrighted, her sad Fate bemoans,  
And prays a Period of her Woes to see.  
The Head, and Author of her Treachery  
(The Senate) murmurs. Virius, all Cares  
Of Life, now, laid aside, aloud declares  
No Hopes of Aid from Hannibal. Said He;  
I hoped to rule o'er Rome, and did agree,  
If Gods the Libyan Arms, and better Fate  
Assisted had, to Capua to translate  
Trojan Quirinus Empire. It was I,  
That sent that Force to shake their Walls, and high  
Tarpeian towers. I had the Courage there  
To ask an equal Consul, that might bear  
The Fasces, in Our Name. It hitherto  
Sufficeth, We have lived; and, while We now  
Have Night enough, whoever in his Mind  
Affecteth it, at Acheron may find  
Eternal Liberty: let Him repair  
Unto my Table, and My Cates, and there  
Drenching himself in Bacchus' Fruits (his Mind  
Subdued) he soon a Remedy may find  
For all his Woes; the Sting of Death may charm,  
And, with that pleasant Poison, Fate disarm.  
This said; a Multitude attend him Home.  
Amidst his Palace, in a spacious Room,  
A mighty Pyle of Wood did still remain,  
The common Receptacle of the Slain.  
But, yet the People Grief, and Fear, distract;  
While now, too late, on Decius they reflect  
Their Thoughts, and his brave Valour, punished by  
A cruel Banishment. Then from the Sky  
Divinest Faith looks down, and vexeth their▪  
Fallacious Hearts, and straight through every Ear  
A secret Voice is spread: Break no Accord,  
Or Oath (Ye Mortals!) with the cruel Sword;  
But keep Your Faith Inviolate: for This  
Then Thrones, that shine with Purple, better is.  
For who with Fallacies delights to break  
A League, or shall the slender Hopes forsake  
Of his afflicted Friend; his House, his Wife,  
Perpetual Trouble shall attend: his Life  
Shall ne'er want Tears; but both by Night, and Day,  
Despised, and violated Faith, by Sea,  
And Land pursuing, shall him still torment.  
Then, in a Cloud disguised, Erinnys went  
To all Assemblies, touched their Tables, and  
Sits down, and feeds, and then, with her own Hand,  
Bowls, froathing up with Stygian Gore, prefers,  
And largely Plagues, and Death, administers.  
But Virius (while yet Ruin She pretends,  
Diving into his Soul) the Pyle ascends,  
And sticks in her Embrace, commanding straight  
To Kindle it, and so to join their Fate.  
The Night her Limits touched, and now, amain,  
The furious Conqueror came on again.  
When the Campanian Youth upon the Walls  
Milo, who thither his Companions calls,  
Beheld: Affrighted, straight, they open threw  
The Gates, and such, as wanted Courage, to  
Avoid their Punishment by Death, with low  
And trembling Knees, now entertain the Fo.  
The Town her Houses, by the Tyrian Guest  
Polluted, opening, her blind Rage confessed.  
Women, and Children, in Confusion, run,  
With the sad Senate (that their Woes begun)  
And vulgar Crew by none lamented; whiles  
The Army all stood leaning on their Piles,  
To view those Men, who nor Prosperity,  
Nor Misery could bear: sometimes to see  
Them sweep the Ground with Beards, which Trimmed they wear  
Down to their Breasts; with Dust their Whiter Hair  
To slain, and, poorly Weeping, to entreat  
Most shamefully, and yielding Air to beat  
With their affeminate Howl. But, while these  
Unmanly Acts the wondering Soldier sees,  
And, still Incensed, expects the Signal to  
O'erthrow the Walls, behold! Religion through  
Each Breast, with silent Sense of Pity, goes,  
And their fierce Minds doth by her Power compose.  
A gentler God doth sensibly inspire  
Their Hearts, to lay aside all Thoughts of Fire,  
And their destructive Torches: not to burn,  
And into Dust, at once, the Temples turn.  
He likewise then suggests (to all unseen)  
That that proud Town's Foundation had been  
By Capys laid of old: He tells them there  
Fair Houses, fit for Habitation, were  
Extended far into delicious Fields.  
Thus, by Degrees, their former Fury yields  
To milder Thoughts, and, quickly mollified  
In every furious Breast, all Anger died.  
The Trojan Houses willing safe to keep,  
jove, likewise, thither sent the God of Sheep,  
Pan, who still seems as he were Hanging, and  
Scarce on the Earth imprints, wherever he stand,  
One horned Foot; his Right-Hand wanton plays  

(l) In the Festivals of Pan, which were called Lupercalia, the Priests cut the hide of the Goat, that was sacrificed, into thongs: wherewith, running naked about the Streets, they struck such Women, whom they met, and desired to be with Child, upon the Bellie●: out of opinion, that this caused them to be fruitful. Rosin. Antiq. Rom. lib. 3.  With a Tegaean Hide, and in cross Ways,  
Wagging his Tail, desired Strokes bestows.  
A Pine surrounds his Hair, and Shady Brows:  
On his red Front arise two little Horns;  
His Ears upright; a squalid Beard adorns  
His Chin; a pastoral Staff he always bears,  
And a slick Do-Skin on his Left Side wears:  
No ragged Rock so Steep, and High doth rise,  
On which, his Body poised, like one that flies,  
He will not dare, through pathless Ways, to tread:  
Sometimes, he laughing, backward turns his Head,  
To see the Sport of his bushy Tail  
Upon his Back; then lifts his Hand to veil  
His Forehead from the Sun's too fervent Rays,  
And Pastures with his shadowed Sight survaies.  
He, when he had the God's Commands fulfilled,  
Their raging Hearts appeased, and Fury stilled,  
To the Arcadian Groves away He speeds,  
And his loved Maenalus, where on shrill Reeds  
He sweetly plays, and with his Rural Song  
Leads, from the Sacred Hill, his Flocks along.  
But, Fulvius commanding that the Fire  
Should from the Gates be kept, and leave entire  
The Walls, th' Ausonian Legions, to show  
The noble Temper of their Minds, withdrew  
Their Flames, and Swords; but from the Temples, and  
The Houses, that enriched with Gold did stand,  
A wealthy Prey they took, with that, which fed  
Their Riot, and by which they perished,  
Effeminate Garments, that their Men arrayed,  
And Tables rich, from foreign Lands conveyed;  
With Goblets, that provoked to Luxury,  
Set with Eöan Gems: nor could they see  
An end of Silver, and the carved Weight  
(Expressly made for Feasts) of golden Plate.  
Then came the Captives, in a numerous Train,  
With all their Coin, sufficient to maintain  
A long-protracted War: with Servants, that,  
In Multitudes, did at their Banquets Wait.  
But, when from Plunder of the Town, again,  
The Gen'ral, by the Trumpet's sound, His Men  
Had called (a Noble Cherisher of Great  
Attempts) to Milo, from his lofty Seat,  
He thus began: 
(m) Dausqueius hath in this Judiciously corrected the corrupt Copy of our Author, wherein Lavimum is put for Lanuvium, where juno Sospita (so called from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, signifiying to Preserve) had her Temple: for which the Lanuvini were received into the Protection of the Romans, and the City freed, on agreement that the Grove, and Temple might be equally free to the Romans, who often sacrificed there, as may be observed in Livy.  Lanuvian Youth, whom We  
From juno Sospita receive, from Me  
This Martial Honour, for thy Victory,  
Accept, and 'bout thy Towered Temples try  
This 
(n) This Crown, or Wreath, was of Gold (though not so honourable, as some of other Inferior matter, saith Pliny) and given by the General to him, who first made his way over the Walls into any Town taken by assault. Aulus Gellius, lib. 5.  Mural Crown. This done, he straightway sent  
For all the Nobles, that first Punishment  
Had merited, and, for their treacherous Deeds,  
Beneath his juster Axe each Guilty bleeds.  
But, that fierce Valour, Taurea (for to hid,  
Even in a Foe, that Honour had been tried,  
Were base) with a loud Voice exclaims; Shalt Thou,  
Thus Unrevenged by Me, deprive Me now,  
(A Soul more Great, then Thine) of this My Sword?  
Or by the Lictour (when thou giv'st the Word)  
Shall this most Valiant Head dissevered fall  
At such base Feet? On Us this never shall  
Be by the Gods allowed. Then with a Look  
Threatening, and full of Rage, he sudden struck  
His Warlike Sword quite through his Breast, and died.  
To whom the Roman General replied;  
Go, and the Ruin of thy Country thus  
Accompany in Death. What Minds in Us  
Remain, what is Our Valour, what We are  
(Each Man of Us) shall be discerned in War.  
If thou dost think it Shameful to abide  
Just Punishment, thou mightst have fight died;  
Thy Country suffering, at the very time,  
With Streams of Blood for her unhappy Crime.  
But, mixing Joys with Sorrows, the dire Hand  
Of Fortune, then in the Iberian Land  
Two Noble Scipios had destroyed, that there  
Great Griefs, and Honours to their Country were.  
By Chance a Youth, of that Illustrious Name,  
Into the 
(o) Puteoli.  Dicarchaean City came,  
After Extremities of War: and there  
Resided. Fame, reporting to his Ear  
His Friend's sad Destiny, and Tears, (though He  
ne'er used to stoop under Adversity)  
Beating his Breast, he tears his Garments: nor  
Can Sense of Honour, or a Soldier,  
Nor the Persuasions of his Friends prevail;  
But still his angry Piety doth rail  
On the unequal Gods; hates all Relief,  
And usual Comforts of increasing Grief.  
And now some days were spent in sad Complaint,  
And still his Father's Ghost seems conversant  
Before his Eyes, and therefore he intends  
To raise the Souls, and Manes of his Friends,  
And by Discourse with them, at length, the Rage,  
And Smart of his great Sorrows to assuage.  
So, by a Neighbouring Lake invited, where  
The Acherusian Liquor doth Declare  
The horrid Entrance to Avernus, straight  
His Thoughts are fired to know ensuing Fate.  
And therefore to Autonöe (who then,  
Under Apollo's Name, the sacred Den,  
And Tripods kept) He goes, and open lays  
The Counsels of his troubled Breast, and prays  
To see his Father's Face. Without delay,  
The Prophetess commands him straight to slay,  
To th' Shades below, the usual Sacrifice,  
Two Coalblack Lambs, as Day began to rise;  
And, while they yet were Breathing, as they died,  
The flowing Blood within the Earth to Hid,  
Then shall the Stygian Empire send to Thee  
Her People. What thou more desir'st (quoth She)  
To know, a greater Prophetess shall Sing.  
For I to Thee true Oracles will bring  
From the Elysian Fields, and Thou shalt see,  
Amidst old Sibyl's Rites performed by Me,  
That famed Phoebean Breasts Prophetic Shade.  
Go then, and, when the dewy Night hath made  
Her course beyond her middle Line, then bring  
Th' aforesaid Victims to the Stygian King,  
chaste, to Avernus' Entrance. Likewise join  
To them choice Honey, and the purest Wine.  
He, quickened by Her Counsel, and no less  
With the great Name o'th' promised Prophetess,  
The Sacrifices for his dark Design  
Prepares, and, when to the appointed Line  
The Night arrived, and what was finished  
Equalled the following Darkness, from his Bed  
He risen, and to the troubled Entrance went  
Of the Tartarean Port; where, Diligent  
To keep her Word, the Prophetess had then  
All things fulfilled, and sat i'th' Stygian Den.  
Then that Way, where at first the broken Ground,  
A Cave, that ne'er by Sun was seen, is found,  
And sadly groaning, from its hollow Mouth,  
Belcheth Cocytus bitter Streams, the Youth  
Into't She leads; commands him, in the Ground  
With's Sword to dig an Hole; and, Trotting round,  
Muttering a secret Charm, She bids, that all  
The Beasts for Sacrifice, in order, fall.  
To Pluto first a Bull; to Hecate,  
With a 
(p) That had never born Yoke.  chaste Neck, an Heifer; then to Thee,  
Allecto, and Megaera (ever sad)  
The chosen Bodies of two Sheep, that had  
But two years lived: on these they Milk infused,  
Honey, and Wine. The Youth stood still amused,  
While the old Prophetess exclaimed, She well  
Perceived each Face, that did with Pluto dwell.  
I see, said She, all Hell approaching, and  
Now the third Empire in my View doth stand.  
Behold what various Shapes, and whatsoever  
Was born of Man, and died together, there  
From deepest Chaos come. The Cyclops see!  
Scylla, and those, that with such Cruelty  
Their Thracian Horses fed with Flesh of Men!  
Attend, and mark; and, without Fear, again  
Put up thy Sword. Those Souls, that in such Haste  
March on before, the Offered Blood to Taste,  
Let pass, till the chaste Sibyl's Shade appear.  
In the mean time, Behold! how Speedy there  
Comes that Unburied Ghost to speak to Thee,  
And hath (as when Alive) the Liberty  
To use its Voice, till on the Funeral Wood  
Its Body burn, if it hath touched no Blood.  
This noble Scipio saw, and, troubled at  
The sudden Apparition, said; O what  
Sad Chance Thee from thy sinking Country, when  
Our horrid Wars require such Gallant Men,  
Renowned Captain, snatched? for none could Thee  
(Appius) in Valour, or in Policy  
Excel. Ten times the glorious Lamp of Day  
Hath rose, since I returned from Capua,  
And saw Thee, then, Bathing thy Wounds, and sad  
Only, that they continued still so Bad,  
Thou couldst not go unto the Walls, and quite  
Deprived Thee of the Honour of that Fight.  
To which the Ghost replied: Th' ensuing Day  
The pleasant Horses of the Sun away  
From Me (then fainting) turned, and banished Me  
To the dark Waters for Eternity.  
But while vain Vulgar Rites the tedious Care  
Of Friends pursues, my Body they forbore  
To burn; that far about, at length, they may  
It to my Father's Sepulchre convey.  
But by thy glorious Deeds (which emulate  
Those of our Father Mars) I Thee entreat,  
Let Drugs, that keep the Bodies of the Dead  
Entire in other Lands, be Banished  
From Me, that so my Wand'ring 
(q) The ancient Opinion was, that such, as continued Unburied, wandered upon the Banks of Acheron, and were not suffered to go over, till an hundred years were expired.  Shade may soon  
Go freely to the Gates of Acheron.  
Most noble Branch of ancient Claudus Line,  
None of my Cares shall be preferred to Thine,  
The Youth replies, although they are not small,  
That now Afflict Me: for I know, through all  
The Nations of the World, a various Sense  
Of Tombs, and Ashes, keeps a difference,  
And varies much the funerals of the Dead.  
In the Iberian Country (as 'tis said)  
An ancient Custom 'tis, that Praetors tyre  
On their Dead Bodies. When their Kings Expire,  
Th' Hyrcanian People think it best t'expose  
To Dogs their Members. The Egyptians close  

(r) Among the Egyptians were three sorts of preserving their Dead. The Poor People only took out the Guts, and dried the Body with Salt for the space of seventy days. The more Wealthy never cut open the Body, but injected into the Belly a Clyster of the Juice, that distils from Cedar, which had the Virtue, after seventy days, to draw out with it all the Entrails, through the Side. The Carnous parts, in the mean time were consumed by Nitres, and the Skin and Bones only remained. But those of the best quality, first, with a crooked Iron, drew out the Brain through the Nostrils, than took out the Guts, and filling both Cavities with Myrrh, Casia, and other Perfumes (Frankincense excepted) they again sewed up the Body, and buried it seventy days in Nitre: when all moisture consumed (and therefore by the Poet Metaphorically termed, Stone perfumed) it was taken up, and in a wooden Case (shaped to its proportion) placed against the Wall, in some room of the house, where, even in their Banquets, they had it in their view; not to check their Mirth, but to invite them to enjoy themselves, while alive. Herodot. lib. 2. Euterpe.  In Stone perfumed their Bodies, after Fate,  
And hardly from their Tables separate  
The Bloodless Ghosts. In Pontus they Ordain,  
The Heads of Men to empty of the Brain,  
And so Embalmed, for many Ages, keep.  
What should We say of those, that Buried deep  
Dig naked Garamantians up in Sand?  
Or of the Nasamonians, that command,  
Their Dead to bury in the cruel Seas  
Upon the Libyan Coast? The Celtaes please  
Their empty Skulls with Gold about to ring,  
And such for Cups unto their Tables bring.  
But the Cecropians did by chance Ordain,  
That such, as in their Country's Wars were Slain,  
Should be together Burned. Opposed to these,  
Time only doth inter the Carcases  
Of Scythian People; who, on Stakes of Wood  
Impaled, hang melting with corrupted Blood.  
As thus he talked, Autonöe (the Shade  
O' th' Sibyl rising) Set a Period, said,  
To your Discourse. Behold that Priestess; who  
So much of Future things, when living, knew,  
That even the Gods, that they knew more, denied.  
And now 'tis time your Men should go aside,  
That You, and I, the Beasts may burn. This said;  
With mysteries filled, the old 
(s) Sibyl.  Cymaean Maid,  
After the Sacrificed Blood her Mouth  
Had touched, and tasted, viewing well the Youth  
(Whose Face was Beautiful) began: When I  
Etherial Light, not idly, did enjoy,  
My voice was heard in the Cymaean Den  
To answer People; and Thee (Scipio) then,  
In future Ages, and in Rome's Affairs  
Concerned, I sung. But yet thy Father's Cares  
Scarce merited my Words: for they nor made  
A due Enquiry after what I said,  
Nor yet observed it. But now mark; since Thou  
Desirest to know the Fates of Rome, which now  
On Thine depend (for I thy Diligence  
To take the Oracles of Life from hence  
Perceive) and here thy Father's Manes see:  
On th' armed Iberian Thou, with Victory,  
Thy Father shalt Revenge: to Mars before  
Due years entrusted; and thy Sword the Moor  
Shall of his Joys deprive. Thou shalt rejoice,  
When Thee, as Omen to the War, the Voice  
Of Rome shall choose: when, in th' Iberian Land.  
Carthage Thou shalt subdue. Then to command  
More eminent Thou shalt be raised, nor jove  
From Thee his Care, and Kindness shall remove,  
Till the whole War He into Libya drive.  
And there to Thee even Hannibal shall give  
To be Subdued. But, oh Ingrateful Rome!  
Which after all these Honours Thee of Home,  
And 
(t) After Scipio had subdued Hannibal, and broken the whole Force of Carthage, and, with his Brother, overthrown Antiochus, he was afterward accused, by a Faction, of defrauding the People of the wealthy Spoils of Antiochus▪ whereupon He, in a voluntary Exile, retired to Linternum, where he died, commanding this Inscription to be set on his Tomb. Ingrateful Country, thou hast not so much, as Bones  Country shall deprive. As this She spoke,  
She turned her Steps towards the Stygian Lake.  
whate'er ill Chance of Life attends Me, I  
(The Youth replies) will my Endeavours try:  
Yet may my Breast be free from Gild! but now  
I pray thee (since the only Cause, that Thou  
Didst live, was Humane Labours here to Aid)  
A while thy Steps restrain (renowned Maid)  
And unto Me the silent Shades report,  
With all the Terrors of the Stygian Court.  
She soon assents to that, which he required,  
But Thou a Kingdom, not to be desired,  
(Said She) dost open: 
(u) Hell described.  for the Darkness there  
People, that once Innumerable were,  
Inhabit, and through endless Shadows fly,  
And yet make up but One great Family.  
I' th' midst a dark, and airy Space, of large  
Extent, there is, which common Death doth charge  
With all, that from the Teeming World's first Birth  
The fiery Air produced, the Seas, or Earth.  
Thither all things descend, what hath, or shall  
Perish, that gloomy Field devoureth all.  
Ten Gates this Kingdom compass, whereof One  
Receives the Warlike Sons of Mars alone:  
Another those, that Famous Laws have made,  
And the Foundations, first, of Cities laid.  
The Third 's for Ceres' harmless Tribe, that go,  
By Fraud unpoisoned, to the Shades below.  
Next Those, that pleasant Arts did first invent,  
And Way of Living, full of all Content,  
And (which not Father Phoebus would Disdain)  
Verses composed, their proper Gate maintain.  
The next the Shipwreck Port, (for so that Gate  
Is Named) is kept for such, as meet their Fate  
In Winds, and cruel Storms. Another wide,  
And near this stands, for such as Guilty died,  
And there confess their Sins: Their several Pains  
Even at the Entrance Rhadamant Ordains,  
And empty Death inflicts. The S●venth to Bands  
Of Women, that flock thither, open stands:  
Where her pale Groves the chaste Proserpina  
Maintains. And, near to this, another Way,  
And Gate there is, well-known by Infants Cries,  
To them assigned, and all those Companies,  
That in the Port of Life extinguished are:  
And Virgin Troops, whose Nuptial Tapers were  
Turned into Funeral Flames. But then, remote  
From this, there is another Gate, of Note,  
Which, Night dissolving, shines like rising Day,  
And, through the Shadow of a secret Way,  
Leads to th' Elysian Fields: Here, nor to Hell  
Subjected, nor in Heaven the Pious dwell.  
But quite beyond all Seas, upon the Brink  
O' th' Sacred Fountain, thither throng to Drink  
Forgetfulness of Mind, in Lethe's Streams.  
The Last, with Gold refulgent, feels the Beams  
Of Light, and Shines, as if the Moon were there.  
This way the Blessed Souls to Heaven repair,  
And, when a thousand Lustra Time hath past,  
Forgetting Dis, into their Body's haste:  
Death, his black Jaws wide opening, to and fro,  
Through all these Ways, and Ports, doth wand'ring go.  
Then a slow Gulf, without a Body, far  
Extended, and dark muddy Lakes there are,  
Where 
(x) The Rivers of Hell.  Phlegeton with swelling Waters burns  
The Banks, on every side, and, Roaring, turns  
The flaming Quarries up, with Storms of Fire.  
Then, in another Quarter, with as Dire  
A Rage, 
(x) The Rivers of Hell.  Cocytus rolls black Waves of Blood,  
And runs, a Torrent, with a foaming Flood.  
But Styx, which jove himself, and all the rest  
Of the Immortal Gods, do still Attest,  
Dreadful with Pitch, and Sulphur, smoking Mud  
Drives through his Channel. But (than These a Flood  
More dismal, froathing with Corruption, and  
Thick Poison, Belching up the gelid Sand,  
With horrid Murmurs) Acheron, through all  
The Pools, with a black Stream, doth slowly fall.  
This Venomed Three-mouth Cerberus desires,  
This for her Drink Tisiphone requires:  
This dire Megaera craves; nor yet can they,  
With all their Drink, their raging Thirst allay.  
But the last River breaketh out before  
The Entrance, and inexorable Door  
Of Pluto's Palace, from a Fount of Tears.  
There a fourth Tribe, in several Paths, appears  
Of Monsters, still to Watch, and Terrify  
The trembling Ghosts with their confsed Cry.  
Devouring Grief; and Leanness, that on ill  
Diseases waits; with Sadness, feeding still  
On Tears; and Paleness without Blood; with Cares,  
Base Treachery, old Age, that nothing bears  
Without Complaint; Envy, with both her Hands  
Crushing her Throat; and Poverty, that stands  
Deformed, and Prone to any thing that's Bad;  
With wand'ring Error, and Dissension, glad  
To mingle Seas with Heaven; Then Briareus,  
That with his hundred Hands the Gates doth use  
Of Hell to open; Cruel Sphynx, with Blood  
Her Virgin-mouth Besmeared; the furious Brood  
Of two-formed Centaurs; with fierce Scylla there,  
And the Rebellious Giants Ghosts, appear:  
Here the three-headed Dog, when he hath broke  
His Chains, and off a thousand Fetters shook,  
And up and down, through Hell, doth Wand'ring go,  
Neither Allecto, nor Megaera, though  
With Fury swelled, come near; while 'bout his Loins  
His viprous Tail, he fiercely Barking, twines.  
On the Right Hand, a Yew, that like a Wood  
Its Branches spreads, and, by Cocytus' Flood  
Watered, more Levy grown, there stands: here dire,  
And fatal Birds, Vultures, that ravening tire  
On Carcases; and numerous Owls reside:  
Screech-owls, with Specks of Blood their Pinions died,  
And greedy Harpies build their Nests, and thick  
Among the Leaves on all the Branches stick,  
And make the Tree with doleful Cries to nod.  
Among these dreadful Shapes, th' Infernal God  
Sits on a Throne, examining the Crimes  
Of Kings, and what they did in former Times.  
Enchained they stand, and 'fore the Judge repent  
Too late, while all the Forms of Punishment,  
And Furies, round about them fly: and now  
How glad would they their Sceptres disavow!  
Those Souls, which, when on Earth, unworthy, and  
Unequal things endured, with harsh Command  
Insult, and what they living, did not dare  
To utter, now Complain of, freely, there.  
Then 
(y) Prometheus.  One in cruel Chains is bound upon  
A Rock, 
(z) Sisyphus.  another rowls a restless Stone;  
While, with her Snaky Whip, Megaera still  
Pursues him, labouring up the lofty Hill.  
Such bloody Tyrant's Punishments shall be:  
But now the Time's arrived, that We to Thee  
Must show thy Mother's Face, whose Shade in Place  
The first appears, and hither comes apace.  

(a) This Opinion (saith Valerius Maximus) arose from his Custom of going to the Capitol, and spending some hours in the Chapel of jupiter, before he enterprised any thing public, or private. Whence a Report went current; that, before his Mother was with Child, a Serpent frequented her Chamber, and, as soon as any man appeared, vanished. This they fancied to be the God, who, in that shape, begat Scipio, whom some Authors affirm to have been the first Caesar (that is; cut out of his Mother's Womb) though Polybius writes the contrary.  Pomponia, pregnant by Jove's Stealth, drew nigh.  
For, when the Libyan War, in Italy,  
Fair Venus knew, endeavouring to prevent  
All Juno's Plots, a silent Flame She sent  
Into her Father's Breast: which had not She  
Foreknown, the conquered Roman Altars We  
By Tyrian Virgins kindled now had seen.  
But, when the offered Blood had tasted been,  
(As the old Prophetess advised) and both  
Each other's Faces knew, thus first the Youth  
Began: My dearest Mother, who to Me,  
Like some great Deity, appear'st; that Thee  
I might have seen, how willingly would I  
Have died! Oh! what was our sad Destiny,  
When that first Day, that gave Me vital Breath,  
Thee, without Honour, snatched away in Death.  
As thus He spoke, his Mother thus again  
Replies: O Son, my Death was free from Pain:  
For when the Burden of my Womb was laid,  
By Jove's Command, Me Mercury conveyed  
To the Elysian Fields, and gave Me there  
An equal Place, where Leda now, and where  
Alcmene by his Sacred Bounty dwell.  
But, since We now have time (my Son) to tell  
Whence thou didst spring (that thou no Wars mayst fear,  
Nor doubt to Heaven by Deeds thyself to rear:  
Know this; when I, by Chance, in midst of Day,  
Retired to repose, and Sleeping lay,  
A sudden close Embrace my Members bound,  
Not such, as I before my Husband's found,  
Nor easy unto Me, and then I clear  
(Although my heavy Eyes in Slumber were  
Involved) great jove beheld (You may believe  
This Truth) nor could his borrowed Shape deceive  
Me then, though, turned into a scaly Snake,  
He, coiling, did a thousand Circles make.  
But, soon as Thou wert born, that I should die  
It was Decreed, and then how much did I  
Lament, that I to Thee could not declare  
These things, before my Soul resolved to Air.  
At this, t'embrace her Neck he thrice Efsaied  
In vain, and lost as oft the fleeting Shade.  
This done, two Ghosts of Men, that well agreed,  
His Father's, and his Uncle's, straight succeed.  
While, through the Shadows pressing on, he there  
Vain Kisses sought, and strove those Ghosts, that were  
Like flying Smoke, and Clouds, to apprehend:  
Oh Thou! on whom our Empire did depend  
(My dearest Sire) what God, an Enemy  
To the Ausonian Land, did us of Thee  
Deprive (said he) Oh Woe to Me! for why,  
Was there the least of Time, that, Cruel, I  
Should absent be from Thee? thy Death I might  
Have changed, by this my Breast, opposed in Fight.  
What Groans th' Italian People, every where,  
Give at your Funerals! The Senate rear,  
In Mars' Field, to each of you a Tomb.  
Amidst his Speech, the hasty Ghosts assume  
The Word: and first his Father's Manes barred  
His farther Language thus; A fair Reward  
Is Virtue to herself; yet it descends  
Sweet to the Shades below, when 'mong our Friends  
The Glory of our Lives survives: nor our  
Due Praises dark Oblivion can devour.  
But say, how great a War doth Thee molest?  
(Our dear Renown!) how oft doth Fear my Breast  
Invade, when I but think how fiercely Thou  
Goest on, when Dangers meet thee! but I now  
Conjure thee, by the Cause of our sad Fate,  
(Most valiant Youth) thy Rage to moderate,  
And thy Desire to Fight; sufficient be  
Th' Examples of our Family for Thee.  
For the eighth Summer than had reaped the dry,  
And rustling Sheaus of Corn, when conquering I  

(b) These Scipi●es, who commanded in Spain, dividing their Forces were there, with their Armies, both destroyed, by Indibilis Massanissa, and Hasdrubal, Generals for the Carthaginians. See Liv. lib. 25.  Had all suppressed, and the Tartessiack La●d  
The Yoke accepted from my Brother's Hand.  
Her then reviving Walls, and Houses, we  
To poor Sagunthus gave. They Baetis, free  
From Foes, then Drunk: oft Hasdrubal to Us  
His Back had turned. But, oh their barbarous,  
And still corrupted Faith! When Victor I  
Advanced against Hasdrubal, with Misery  
Almost Destroyed (a sudden Change) Behold!  
The Spanish Troops, which with his Libyan Gold  
(A Mercenary People) Hasdrubal  
Had made, breaking their Ranks, their Ensigns all  
Forsook: then straightway Us, deserted by  
Our Auxiliary Bands, the Enemy  
With a thick Ring (more numerous in Men)  
Encompassed round; nor did we Poorly then,  
Or Unrevenged, the last of all our Days  
On Earth conclude, but ended it with Praise.  
To this his Brother thus began to join  
His own Mishaps, and said; In the Decline  
Of our Affairs, a lofty Castle I  
For a Retreat desired, and thereto try  
Our last Attempt▪ a thousand Torches they  
With Lamps, and smoking Firebrands, every way  
Into it threw. For what concerns my Fall,  
I of the Gods make no Complaint at all:  
For they my Body 
(c) The Carthaginians, after they had destroyed the two Scipios, secure, and negligent; Lucius Martius, collecting the scattered Romans, fell upon them in the night, slew 37000. of them, took 80. thousand prisoners, and recovered what was so lately lost. See Liv. ibid.  burned, and to a Grave  
Of large Extent, my Arms fixed on it, gave.  
But I am grieved, lest, since We both are slain,  
The Libyans should o'errun oppressed Spain.  
To which the Youth, his Face with Tears o'erspread,  
Replies. Ye Gods! as She hath merited,  
May Carthage all just Punishment endure  
For these foul Deeds! But He, who under your  
Command was tried, brave Martius, hath restrained  
The fierce Pyrenean Troops, and entertained  
Our weary Friends, and with known Arms the War  
Maintains: and, it is famed, the 
(d) Hasdrubal.  Conqueror  
In Battle lately was o'erthrown, and all  
Due Piacles exacted for your Fall.  
Much joyed at this, the Generals went again  
To those sweet Places, where the Blessed remain.  
The Youth, adoring them, with eager Eyes  
Pursues them: and now Paulus Ghost supplies  
Their Room, scarce to be known, as than he stood,  
'Mong many Ghosts. But, having drunk the Blood,  
He thus began: Thou Light of Italy,  
Whose Martial Deeds, than one Man's greater, I  
Have seen. Who now hath instigated Thee  
These Kingdoms, where once All must dwell, to see?  
To whom again sad Scipio thus replies;  
Great General, how long, with weeping Eyes,  
Did Rome thy Fate lament? how near with Thee,  
Falling to Stygian Darkness, did we see  
Oenotrian Palaces! The Tyrian Foe  
Did on Thee Dead a Sepulchre bestow,  
And in thy Honour sought for Praise. With Tears  
While Paulus thus his Hostile Burial hears,  
Before their Eyes Flaminius, Gracchus, and,  
With a sad Countenance, Servilius stand,  
At Cannae slain. A great Desire he had  
To speak to them, and farther Language add:  
But stronger Inclinations to know  
More ancient Ghosts made him desist, and now  

(e) Brutus, the first Consul, whose Sons, conspiring with other young Noble Men to restore the Tarquins, were by him put to Death. See Liv. lib. 2.  Brutus, that merited immortal Fame  
By's cruel Axe; Camillus then, that came  
Near to the Gods in Praise, and, hating Gold,  

(f) Marcus Curius, refusing a great sum of money offered him by the Samnites, in Pyrrhus his name, replied, I had rather Command over the Wealthy, then be Rich. He first Triumphed over the Samnites, and forced Pyrrhus out of Italy.  Curius he sees, (their Names the Sibyl told,  
And showed their Faces, as they came) That's He,  
That, though of Sight deprived, the Treachery  

(g) Appius Claudius Coecus, who would never hearken to any terms of Peace with Pyrrhus; but still persuaded him, not to rely upon his force, and friends in Italy, but to return home, and then by Embassy treat of Peace with the Romans.  Of Peace, and Pyrrhus from the Gates repelled:  
And that, the Bridge behind him broken, held  

(h) Horatius Cocles, who, with two others, defending the Gates, at the Bridge over Tiber, stopped Porsenna's men, who then pursued the Romans, till the Bridge behind him was broken down so, that the Enemy could pass no farther: which done, He leapt armed into the River, and returned safe into the City.  His Station valiantly, and did exclude  
Returning Sceptres, when the King pursued  
To Tyber's Banks. If you desire to see  
The Man, that in the former War (said She)  
The League with Libya made, Lutatius there  
Behold, with Naval Arms, a Conqueror.  
But, if Amilcar's cruel Shade you'd know,  
See! That is it, that stands far off; his Brow  
(Not smoothed by Death) as yet his rabid Ire  
Retains: to talk with him if you desire,  
Tasting the Blood, with your permission, He  
May speak; which granted, and when Greedily  
The thirsty Shade had drunk; first Scipio thus  
With angry Looks upbraids him: Such with Us  
(Thou Sire of Fraud) are then thy Leagues? with Thee,  
Captived, on the Sicanian Coast, did We  
This Contract make? Against all Leagues, thy Son  
Ausonia, with War, doth overrun,  
And comes upon Us, breaking through the Bars  
O' th' alps. All Italy with barbarous Wars  
Is now inflamed, and back, obstructed by  
Sad Slaughters, to their Springs our Rivers fly.  
To this the Shade replied: So soon, as He  
Was ten Years old, the Latin War, by Me  
Commanded, He espoused. Nor must He now  
Deceive those Gods, attested to the Vow  
Made to his Father. But, if now with Fire  
He Italy destroy, and still aspire  
To overthrow that State, derived from Troy.  
O Piety! O holy Faith! O Boy,  
Indeed mine Own! and would to Heaven He might  
Repair that Honour, We have lost in Fight!  
Seeming to swell, with Speed (as this he said)  
He vanished, and retired a greater Shade.  
Next these, the Prophetess those Ghosts disclosed,  
That, Armed, to conquered Nations disposed  
Their Laws: with those, that first the Romans taught  

(i) The Romans, having changed the Government of Consuls to that of the Decemviri, sent three Ambassadors; viz. Sp. Posthumius, S●r. Sulpitius, and An. Manlius, to Athens, to take an Extract of their Laws. Which they performed, and those Laws, digested (with such of their own, as the Romans esteemed wholesome) into twelve Tables, ten of Brass, and two of Stone, were ever after their Rules of justice..  Those Sacred Laws, from Pallas City brought.  
Scipio, well-pleased, with an insatiate Ey  
Views all their Faces, and would willingly  
Have talked with all, had not the Prophetess  
Informed him, that their Troops were numberless.  
What Myriads in all the World dost Thou  
Believe descend to Hell, since here you now  
All these behold? A boundless Torrent there  
Of Shades continually run down, and are  
In Charon's spacious Vessel wafted over;  
And that base Boat's sufficient, were they more.  
Many passed by, the Virgin to his View  
Presents a Youth. This is that 
(k) Alexander the Great.  wanderer, who  
His Ensigns, where He marched, did Conquering bare;  
By whom the Bactrii, and the Dacae were  
Subdued; who Ganges drunk on conquered Ground;  
With a Pellaean Bridg Niphate bound,  
Whose 
(l) Alexandria in Egypt.  Walls now stand where sacred Nile doth run.  
To him Aenëades: Thou certain Son  
Of Libya's horned Hammon! Oh, how far  
Doth thy indubitable Fame, in War,  
All Generals excel! The like Desire  
(Renowned Shade) hath set my Breast on Fire,  
To know which Way thou took'st thyself to raise  
To that proud Honour, and great Height of Praise.  
To whom the Ghost: A dull Sedulity,  
In War, is base. Thou by Activity,  
And Daring, may'st accomplish greatest Wars.  
Slow Valour never yet unto the Stars  
Herself hath raised. Do Thou precipitate  
The time of thy great Deeds. Black Death doth wait  
Upon the Active Man. Thus having said,  
He vanished. Straight succeeded Croesus' Shade,  
Rich, when alive; now, levelled with the Poor.  
But when, arising from th' Elysian Shore,  
The Manes of a Beauteous Youth he spied,  
Whose Tresses, with a Purple Fillet tied,  
Flowed on his radiant Neck: Divinest Maid,  
Tell me (said He) who is that glorious Shade,  
Whose sacred Forehead with a Light's endued,  
To him peculiar, and a Multitude  
Of Souls, admiring, follow, and, about  
Him thronging, seem to give a joyful Shout?  
Oh, what a Face! did I not see him here  
I'th' Stygian Shade, I easily should swear  
He were a God. Nor art deceived (quoth She)  
He hath deserved to seem a Deity:  
Nor in so great a Breast was there a small  
Divinity. For He in Verses all  
The Seas, and Earth, with Heaven, and Hell comprised,  
And in his Song the Muses equalised,  

(m) The most eminent of all Poets; who, of very mean Birth, was constrained to Shift for his Livelihood by teaching a School, till by a Disease in his Eyes, while yet a Youngman, he was made Blind, wand'ring through several Cities of Graece, He sometimes subsisted by repeating Verses, casually composed, to the People: and at length entertained by several Persons, that admired his Learning, he compiled those Immortal Works of his Iliads, and Odyssees. He died in jon, (in his Voyage to Athens) where the Inhabitants built him a Tomb. Vide Heredo●. de Homero  In Honour Phoebus: when he could not see,  
All this unto the World, in order, he  
Divulged, and raised your Troy unto the Skies.  
Scipio, the sacred Shade with joyful Eyes  
Beholding, said; Would but the Fates allow,  
That through the Universe this Prophet now  
Might sing the Roman Deeds; how much more great  
Would the same Things, with his Certificate,  
Pass to succeeding Times? Thrice happy You,  

(n) Achilles.  Aeancides, to whom it happened, to  
The World by such a Tongue to be expressed:  
For by his Versethy Valour still increased.  
But what's that Troop, that such Applauses give,  
Seeking the Ghosts of Heroes, and receive  
The Greater Shades? With that Achilles He,  
And mighty Hector, is amazed to see.  
And then the Valiant Ajax stately Pace  
Admires, and Nestor's venerable Face.  
But he was pleased, when he beheld the Two  
Renowned 
(o) Agamemnon, and Menelaus'.  Atrides, and Ulysses, who,  
In Prudence, equalled great Achilles' Deeds.  
To these Ledaean Castor's Shade succeeds,  
About to live; for then Alternate Light  
Pollux in Heaven maintained. But, to his Sight  
Presented, straight▪ Lavinia's Shade withdrew  
His Face: for then the Maid advised him to  
Consider women's Shades, lest rising Day  
Should summon Her (protracting Time) away.  
This Venus happy 
(p) Being Wife to Aeneas, Son to Venus and Anchises.  Daughter is (said She)  
That Trojans long-derived Posterity,  
Joined to the Latins. Would you see the Bold  
Quirinus' Bride? Hersilia there behold,  
Once by Her Shepherd Husband ravished, when  

(q) When Romulus had built his City, and the Inhabitants so increased, that it was now time to form a civil Society: He sent Ambassadors to his Neighbours to demand of them Women, which they then wanted. But, his Embassy every where rejected, He, pretending the Celebration of Games to Neptune, the Sabines coming with their Wives and Children, invited as well by Curiosity to see the News, as Devotion, while they were intent on the Celebration of the Festival, the Romans, seizing all the Virgins that came with them, forced the rest out of the City. The Sabines returning armed to revenge this Violence; these Virgins, now their Wives, became Mediators between their Husbands, and Parents, and made the Romans and Sabines one People.  Their Neighbours scorned such rough, unpleasant  
Yet She, well-pleased, his homely Cottage saw, (Men,  
And lay with him on Pallets made of Straw,  
And angry Sires, from ' vengeful Arms, withdrew.  
But now 
(r) Carmenta was a Prophetess, in whose honour the Roman Matrons (as to a Goddess) celebrated an Annual Feast called Carmentalia.  Carmenta's Godlike Gesture view;  
She was Evander's Mother, and Divined  
Your present Labours. If you have a mind  
To see the Face of 
(s) Tanaquil, who animated her Husband Tarqvinius Priscus (a Stranger at Rome) to repair thither, to offer himself after the Death of Martius Ancus to be their King, and as they came to the Gates, sitting with his Wife in their Cart, an Eagle gently took off his Cap, and, hover awhile over his head, put it on again: by which Omen encouraged, Tanaquil persuaded him to enter the City, and, not long after Ancus dying, he was elected King.  Tanaquil: that's She,  
Whose Chaster mind prevailed in Augury,  
And to her Husband did his Throne foreshow,  
And in the Bird the God's propitious knew.  
There see, of Roman Chastity the Grace,  
Lucretia, glorious in her Death, her Face,  
And Eyes fixed on the Ground still bears. Thou (Rome)  
Must not, alas! nor doth it Thee become  
To wish the long Fruition of so great  
A Praise. Near Her, Virginia see; who, yet  
The Wound retaining, in her bleeding Breast,  
(Sad Monument, that Chastity expressed  
Defended by the Sword!) 
(t) Virginia, the Daughter of Virginius; who being vitiated by Appius Claudius, her Father to provoke the people against him, bringing her into a public Assembly, stabbed her; and, showing the Knife all bloody to the people, declared, he rather chose, that his Daughter should so die, than not be free from the violence of Appius. See Liv. lib. 1.  her Father's hand  
Applauds, in that dire stroke. Next her doth stand  
The famous Claelia, who to fly thy Yoke  
(Porsenna) her Weak Sex contemned, and broke  
The Lidyan War, and Tiber: such, as She  
(A Virgin) Rome once Wished her Men to be,  
This sudden Apparition much Dismayed  
Young Scipio, who, more enquiring, said;  
What may those guilty Manes be, and why  
Are they Tormented? She gave this reply.  
That 
(u) Tullia, the Wife of Tarqvinius Superbus, who drove her Chariot over the body of her Father Servius Tullius, whom she had murdered, to raise her Husband to his Throne.  Tullia, who with her Chariot tore,  
And broke her Father's Members, and stood o'er  
His trembling Face with her contracted Reins,  
That She may ne'er be free from lasting Pains,  
Swims in hot Phlegeton, that, rapid, springs  
From smoking Furnaces, and upward flings  
Burned Rocks, made harder by the River's Heat,  
And still with Flaming Flints her Face doth beat.  
But She, whose Lungs a Bird's sharp Bill destroys,  
(Hark! with his beating Wings how great a Noise,  
Returning to his Food, the 
(*) An Eagle.  Bird of jove  
Now makes!) Oh horrid Wickedness! for Love  
Of Gold, the Capitol, that Treacherous Maid  

(x) Tarpeia, the Daughter of Tarpeius Keeper of the Capitol; who contracted with the Sabines to betray to them the Capitol, on Condition, she might have all that they wore on their left Arms (meaning their Bracelets) the Sabines entering, as she opened the Gates, threw upon her so many Shields from their left Arms, that she was pressed to death with the weight of them.  (Tarpeia) to the Sabine Troops betrayed.  
Then dost not see. (for lighter Crimes our Laws  
Scarce touch) dire Orcus still with hungry Jaws  
Doth bark? Of old the monstrous Guardian He  
Of the Iberian 
(y) Geryon.  heard, and eagerly  
Assaulteth with his Teeth, and fiercely Trails  
The Entrails out with his polluted Nails.  
Yet is the Punishment inferior to  
The Sin, that 
(z) Those Vestal Nuns were chosen into that Order at sixteen years of age, and were to continue so thirty years, after which they might marry (though few did) but if, while Devotees, any chanced to violate their Vow, they were buried alive.  Vestal voluntary threw  
Her Virgin Zone away, and sacred Rites  
Of Vesta stained. But now these several Sights,  
Which you have seen, sufficient are, I straight  
To Thee (concluding) will enumerate  
Some Souls, that now Oblivion drink (they are  
But few) and so again to Night repair.  
That 
(a) The Sibyl, having showed him the Souls of such as had lived on Earth, now following the opinion of Plato (in Phaedo) that Souls created must have some place of abode before they entered Bodies, shows him the Souls, which after they had drunk of Lethe (that is ●olly, and Forgetfulness of their Original) were to live on Earth. Among other, Marius, who of a mean Person came to be General in the War against the Cimbri, over whom he triumphed, and, after strange variety of Fortune, died in his seventh Consulship.  Marius (for the Time's not long when he  
Shall go into Etherial Light) shall be  
Your Consul, and shall long Command procure  
From humble Birth. Nor shall Sylla endure  
Long to drink drowsy Lethe, or Obey.  
Fate, which no God can Change, and Life away  
Him call. He first shall Seize, as by Assault,  
The Empire, but the glory of his Fault  

(b) Sylla, who, after he had cruelly afflicted the Commonwealth, and assumed to himself absolute Authority over the Lives, and Estates of the Romans, voluntary laid down his Dictatourship, and retired to Puteoli, where he lived privately, and restored them to their Liberty.  Shall be, that he shall it restore alone,  
And in so great a Name there shall be none,  
That shall desire to second Sylla. He,  
Whose Hair erect on's rugged Front, you see  
Is Pompey, a most glorious Head on Earth,  
And by the World beloved. But He, that Birth  
O'th' Gods, who lifts his Starry Head so high,  
As Caesar, of Iülus Progeny,  
When these break from their dark Abodes, by Sea,  
And Land, how great, how mighty things will they  
Attempt? Alas, how oft will they Contend  
In Fight through all the World? nor in the End,  
Shalt thou (the Conqueror) less Guilty die,  
Then He, o'er whom thou gainest the Victory.  
Then Scipio, Weep, said: It grieves me much,  
That the sad Order of Affairs is such  
For Italy. But if, when Life is done,  
There be no Pardon, and even Death must run  
The hazard of Desert; say, in what part  
Of Phlegeton, his Sins still burning smart  
Shall Hannibal endure? or, tell me, where  
Shall a fit ravenous Fowl for ever tore  
His Limbs, which for her Food shall still increase?  
Oh! fear no that, exclaims the Prophetess,  
A Life inviolate he shall not lead,  
Nor in his Country shall his Bones, when Dead,  
Be laid to rest. For when he shall in Fight  
Be Vanquished, and all his Forces quite  
Dispersed, he shall endure to be O'erthrown,  
And beg inglorious Safety. Macedon,  
For War, shall give him Hopes again to rise  
In Arms; and then (condemned for Treacheries)  
His constant Wife, and Son forsaken, He  
Shall Carthage quit, and through the Ocean flee  
In a small Ship. Cilician Taurus' then  
he'll visit. But (alas!) how foolish Men  
Will rather choose hard Servitude to bare,  
The Hot, and Cold Excesses of the Air,  
With Hunger, Flight, and Seas; then once to Dy.  
He, after these great Wars, in Italy,  
A Servant to th' Assyrian King shall be,  
And thence, deprived of his Desire to see  
Ausonia embroiled, with doubtful Sails  
Shall put to Sea, until, with lazy Gales,  
Brought to the Prusiack Coast, grown weak with Age,  
He in another Service shall engage,  
And, through that Kingdom's Aid, a Shelter find:  
Till, that their Enemy may be resigned  
The Romans urging, secret Poison there  
In Haste he drinks, and from continual Fear  
Absolve the doubtful World. Thus having said,  
To hollow Shades of Erebus the Maid  
Again withdraws; and Scipio straight ascends  
Unto the Port, and his rejoicing Friends.  
The End of the Thirteenth Book.   



Flagrantom Luxu, & miscentem turpia duris  
jurati obtruncant junenam.   

Nec ●am Modus Ensibus addunt  
Faemineam Caedem, atque msontum rapt● Sororum  
Corpora prosternunt Ferro.   
Honoratissimo Dno. Domino joanni Berkley, Baroni de Stratton in Comitatu Cornubiae. Tabula Summâ cum Observantia D. D. D.  SILIUS ITALICUS OF The Second Punic War. The Fourteenth Book.  
THE ARGUMENT.  
Sicilia described: the wanton King  
Is slain. The Libyans, and the Romans bring,  
Into that Land, their Arms. What Victories  
Marcellus gained. Both sides have their supplies  
From the divided Land. By Land, and Sea,  
To Syracusa's Walls the Romans lay  
Close Siege. What Arts by Archimedes were  
Found out, for their repulse. New Aids appear  
From Libya by Sea. A Naval Fight,  
Wherein some Libyan Ships are put to flight,  
Some Captive made, some sunk. Both Armies are  
Infected by a Plague▪ which ceased, the War  
The Romans straight renew. To one Assault  
Rich Syracuse yields: the Soldiers Fault,  
Who Archimedes, as He Figures drew,  
Studious, upon the Sand, not knowing, slew,  
The General deplores. What praises He  
Deserved, whose Mercy crowned his Victory.  
YE Powers of Helicon, now turn your Lays  
To Sicily, and the Ortygian Seas:  
Sometimes to Daunian Kingdoms your Resorts  
To make; sometimes to the Sicanian Ports,  
Or Macedonian Palaces to see,  
And the Achaïck Land, your Task must be:  
Or wand'ring, where Sardôan Floods enfold  
Your Steps; or, where in Cottages, of old,  
The Tyrians reigned, to go; and farthest Day  
To visit; and where Earth's vast Globe by Sea  
Is Limited: all this the Scenes of War,  
That, in their several Quarters, Acted are  
By Mars, require. This therefore We must do,  
And, where the War, and Trumpets call, pursue.  
Of large extent, a Port of Italy,  

(a) Sicilia was anciently called Trinacria from the three I romentories, Pachynus, Pelorus, and Lilybaeum. It was an old Opinion, that it was once joined to Italy by that Neck of Land, where Rhegium (now Rezzo) stands; but to be torn from it by the violence of the Sea.  Trinacria was, till once Assaulted by  
Notus, and raging Waves, against it heaved  
By the Coerulean Trident, it received  
The Ocean in: for, by an hidden way,  
The Earth's torn Entrails the impacted Sea  
Asunder threw, and, breaking through the Land  
With a full Tide, at once the People, and  
The Cities, by the Tempest's secret Force  
Bore quite away. Since, keeping that Divorce,  
By an impetuous Flood, th' unruly Main  
Permits not the Disjoined to meet again.  
But yet the space, that the two Lands divides,  
As Fame reports (so narrow are the Tides,  
That run between) Barking of Dogs, and Lays  
Of early Birds, to either Side conveys.  
So rich the Soil, that it the Garners fills  
Of Husbandmen: with Olives shades the Hills,  
Titles creates to Bacchus, and swift Steeds,  
That will endure the sound of Trumpets, breeds.  
Cecropian Tapers Hybla, every where  
Renowned, from her sweet Nectar, kindles: there  
Paeonian Streams with secret Sulphur spring;  
There, by the Muses graced, famed Poets Sing  
Worthy Apollo, who their Lays diffuse  
Through Sacred Groves: whose Syracusian 
(b) Theocritus, born in Syracuse; whom Virgil imitated in his Bucolics.  Muse  
Makes Helicon resound. The People are  
In Language prompt; but, when employed in War,  
Their Ports are Crowned with Trophies, from the Seas.  
After the Reign of dire 
(c) Antiphates was King of the Laestrigonians, who were Anthropophagis, Man-Eaters.  Antiphates,  
And Cyclops Rule, Sicanian Plows began  
First to turn up the untilled Ground, and then  
From high Pyrene thither People came;  
Who on the vacant Land imposed the Name  
Of an Iberian River. After these,  
There soon arrived stout Bands of Ligures,  
By 
(d) The Ligurians, vexed by their Neighbours the Brutii, and other People of Calabria, under the Conduct of Siculus, passed over into Sicilia (then called Sicania, from the Spaniards, that had planted themselves, and called it so from a River, or rather from their Leader Siculus) and, settling there, changed the former Name to that, which now it bears. See Dionys. Halicar. lib. 4.  Siculus Commanded, who by War  
Possessed the Land, that still his Name doth bare.  
Nor was it Loss of Fame, or held a Shame  
For Siculus to change Sicania's Name.  
Next Neighbouring Minos, making his Demands  
Of Daedalus, his Eteocretian Bands  
Led to the hapless War: and, after He  
A Judge of Hell, through cruel Treachery,  
And Plots of the Cocalides, was made,  
Weary of making War, his 
(e) Minos (feigned by the Poets to be one of the judges of Hell) pursuing Daedalus into Sicily, the King Cocalus treated with him, and promised to perform all he desired, invited him to his Palace, and stifled him in a Bath; (as Diodorus Siculus affirms) though the Poet follows the Report, that he was murdered by the Daughters of Cocalus. After his Death his People, wanting their King, and their Ships, all burned by the Sicilians, laid down their Arms, became Sicilians, and built a City, in Memory of their King, called Minoa.  People laid  
Their Arms aside, and dwelled in Sicily.  
Trojan Acestes, then, his Progeny  
Had mixed with Trojan Helymus, who there  
(Some Bands of Youth soon following) first did rear  
Those Walls, that since from Them retain the Name.  
Neither are Zancle's Walls obscure in Fame,  
Which Saturn, laying down his Sickle there,  

(f) The Land about that City being very fertile; the Poets feigned Saturn to have dropped his Sickle there.  Renowned. But in th' Ennaean Land none are  
More famed, than those were Founded by the Name,  
That thither from 
(g) Sisyphus was King of Corinth; whence Archius came with a Colony, and built Syracuse.  Sisyphian Isthmus came,  
And, in the 
(h) Corinthian.  Ephyraean Offspring, all  
Doth much Excel. Here doth Alphaeus fall  
Into his Arethusa's fishy Springs,  
And of a Sacred Crown the Figure brings.  
But in Trinacrian Caves the 
(i) Vulcan.  Lemnian God  
Delights, and there hath fettled his Abode.  
For feeding, under ground, in Forges vast,  
Lipare from her hollow Head doth cast  
A sulphurous Smoke. But her continual Fires  
Aetna, inflamed, from trembling Rocks expires;  
While, with included Groans, the raging Sea  
She imitates, and restless, Night, and Day,  
Through secret Ruptures murmuring Thunders. So  
From Phlegeton the flaming Billows flow,  
And from the melting Caverns rolls (among  
Those pitchy Tempests) half-burnt Rocks along.  
But though, within, it boileth with so Dire  
A Storm of Flames, and still-encreasing Fire:  
Yet White upon the Top, 'tis strange to tell,  
How near those very Flames the Snow doth dwell;  
How th' burning Rocks are with Eternal Cold  
Congealed, and horrid; and how they behold  
Perpetual Winter on the Mountain's Head,  
And Snow with glowing Ashes overspread.  
What should I say of the Aeölian Land?  
That Dwelling of the Winds, and Bars ordained  
Against Storms? Here, washed by the Iönian Main,  
Turned to that Land where 
(k) Argos.  Pelops once did Reign,  

(l) An High Promontory.  Pachynus Cliffs appear: There opposite  
To Libya, and the raging 
(*) Strong West-winds.  Cauri's Spite,  
The noble Lilybaeum hath in view  
The bending 
(m) The Arms of the Celestial Scorpion.  Chelae. A third Frontier to  
The Shore extended, and to Italy  
Opposed, upon the other Side, the high  

(n) Another Promontory of Sicily.  Pelorus riseth, with an Hill of Sand.  
Here long in Peace did Hieron command  
His People, with a mild, and easy Sway,  
And ne'er the Hearts of those, that did Obey,  
With cruel Fears perplexed!▪ nor could He be  
Induced to violate that Faith, which he  
Had at the Altars sworn. For many Years  
His Social League, with the Ausonian Peers,  
Entire he kept. But, when the Fates dissolved  
His aged Life, the Fatal Crown devolved  
To's eldest Nephew, and unto that Court  
(Of late so Good) unruly Minds resort.  

(o) This young King, given over to Luxury, which soon after drew him into Tyranny, fell into such a Dislike with his People, that they rebelled against him, at a time when they were divided among themselves: some resolving on Defection from the Romans; others to adhere to them. But his Death gave the Romans the Advantage, of which Marcellus made Use, to the subduing of all Sicily, in taking Syracuse.  Not sixteen Years of Age the King had known,  
When he Eclipsed the Glory of his Throne;  
Unable to sustain his Kingdom's Weight,  
Too Confident of his too fickle State.  
In a short time all Crime's protected by  
The Force of Arms; there all Impiety  
Familiarly was known: the very Name  
Of Justice banished, and a modest Shame  
Was in the King held Vile. His Mother's high  
Descent from Pyrrhus, the great Family  
Of ancient Aeäcus, and Thetis Son,  
(In Verse Eternal) spurred this Fury on  
To that so great a Precipice. And straight  
His Breasts invaded by a sudden Heat,  
To favour the Designs of Libya,  
And, this his Sin admitting no Delay,  
He makes new Leagues; by which it was agreed,  
That the Sidonian Army should recede  
From Sicily, if they the Conquest gained  
But yet his Punishment for this remained  
Still fixed, and dire Eirnnys him a Tomb  
Even in that Land denied, where he no room  
Would yield to his Ally. For some, whom Ire,  
And daily Fears, invited to Conspire,  
(Resolved his Youth no longer to abide,  
Inflamed with cruel Lusts, and bloody Pride,  
And adding to his Tyranny abhorred,  
And vilest Acts) him slew. And then the Sword  
No measure knew. To this the Slaughter they  
Of Women add, and seizing, as a Prey,  
His guiltless 
(p) Such was the Rage, and Fury of the People, that, after they had slain the King, they sought out all of the Royal Family; and murdered them likewise, viz. his two Sisters: and a Daughter of Hiero (his Grandfather) with her Daughters. Liv. 24.  Sisters, kill them. Thus rag, d new▪  
Recovered Liberty in Arms, and threw  
The Yoke away. Some Punic Camps require;  
Some the Italian, and known Friends desire:  
Nor was there wanting some, that, full of Rage,  
Refused in League with either to engage.  
Such were Trinacria's Broils, such was the State  
Of Sicily, by the young Tyran's Fate;  
When high in Honour (for, as▪ twice before,  
Then, a third Time, He Latian Fasces bore)  

(q) At the very time that Marcellus came into the Harbour of Zancl● (which was capable of six hundred Ships, such of the Syracusans, as desired Peace with the Romans, sent their Ambassadors to Appius (the Praetor) but before he had dispatched to the Consul Marcellus, Tidings came, that the Carthaginians Fleet arrived near Pachynum, which encouraged their Party within the City to break off the Treaty.  Marcellus with his Fleet arrived upon  
Zanclaean Coasts: and, when all things were known,  
The Murder of the King; th' ambiguous Mind  
O' th' People; and what Places Arms had joined  
With Carthage; what their Strength; who firmly stood  
In Amity with Rome; what vain, and proud  
Conceits than 
(r) Syracuse, so called from the River.  Arethusa entertained,  
Who at the Gates his Entrance did withstand;  
Close to the War he falls, and, with an high  
Incensed Breast, let's the whole Fury fly  
Of's Arms, through all the Neighbouring places. So  
Himself, from Rhodope, doth Boreas throw,  
And with Tenth Waves against the Earth doth raise  
The Main, and, following th' ejected Seas,  
Raves with his roaring Wings. By the first War  
Leontine Territories wasted are;  
A Land, where once the cruel Laestrigon  
Did reign. The General went, Furious, on;  
To whom it seemed all one, if slowly He  
Subdued the Grecian Forces, as to be  
O'ercome. Through all the Plain they, Frighted, fly  
So, as you'd think they were a Company  
Of Women, that his Men at first withstood,  
And Ceres Fields made Fertile with their Blood.  
In every Place they be slain: nor, as they run,  
Would furious Mars permit them Death to shun.  
Such, as hoped Flight some Safety might afford,  
The General prevented with his Sword:  
And, urging on his Troops, that seemed too slow,  
With his Shield's Point, exclaims: Go, quickly Mow  
With your keen Swords that coward People down;  
That in their Wrestling Exercise, alone,  
Are Skilled; whose lazy Youth with Joy affect  
The slender Praise, to be with Olive decked;  
When they those easy Conflicts, in a Shade,  
Have undergon, and a poor Conquest made.  
This must your only Honour be, if You  
The Enemy, as soon as Seen, subdue.  
This from the Gen'ral heard, the Army, straight,  
More furiously fall on, and press on Fate:  
Now the sole Contest 'mong themselves remained,  
Who should the Foremost be; what valiant Hand  
The rest Excel in noblest Spoils. Not more  
Enraged, the Billows of Euripus roar,  
Broken against Caphareus: Propontis so  
The bellowing Sea, with Violence, doth throw  
From its straight Mouth: nor near the farthest Sun,  
With greater Tumult, doth the Ocean run,  
And strike th' Herculean Pillars. Yet in Heat  
Of Blood, and Fury of a Fight so great,  
Was the mild Grace of Noble Valour famed.  
A Tyrrhene Soldier, Asylus named,  
At Thrasimenus Lake once Captive made,  
The mild Commands, and easy Bondage, had  
Of Berra undergone, and Home again,  
With his kind Master's leave, returned: and then,  
Resuming Arms, his former Misery  
Revenged in the Sicilian War: while He  
Was mingled, in the midst of all the Fight,  
And did by Chance on's Master Berra light,  
(Who, to the League from Carthage sent, did there,  
Entering the Social War, an Helmet wear  
Of Brass, that, shutting close, secured his Face)  
The Youth He with his Sword invades, and as,  
Fainting with feeble Steps, he left his Stand,  
And Backward went, o'erthrew him on the Sand.  
Hearing the Conqu'rour's Voice, poor Berra, straight  
His fearful, lingering Soul from instant Fate  
recovering, from his Chin the Fastening tares  
Of his then treacherous Helmet; and to Prayers  
Had farther Language added: but, amazed  
At that so sudden Sight, Asylus gazed  
On his known Face, and, as his Sword he stayed  
With's Hand, with Groans, and Tears abortive said;  
Oh! beg not Life, I pray, or Doubtful so  
Entreat: 'tis just, that I defend my Fo.  
He the best Soldier is, who first, and last  
In War, defends his Faith. Me, first, Thou hast  
Rescued from Death, and, not preserved by  
Thy Foe, didst him preserve. I'd not Deny  
Myself (who have endured so much of Ill)  
To be Unworthy, and deserving still  
To fall into things Worse, should this my Hand  
Not make thy Way where Fire, and Sword withstand.  
And kindly raising him, as this he said,  
With Life the Benefits of Life repaid.  
His first Attempts in Sicily thus blest  
With Quiet; Troops Marcellus forward pressed,  
And his Victorious Eagles turning to  
The Ephyreian Walls, he straight way drew  
About the Syracusian Towrs a Line:  
Yet did his love of Fight now decline.  
With grave Advice he strives to take away  
Their blind Resolves, and Fury to allay.  
But (lest perhaps they might refuse, or fear  
To credit Offers, that so Gentle were)  
The Siege with strictest Guards still forward went,  
And He, with cautious Arms, then more intent,  
Watched, fearless, in the Front, with secret Care  
Designing Dangers, not expected there.  
So in the Po, or in Cayster's Streams,  
Swims the White Swan, and, while her Body seems  
Unmoved, with the prone River forward goes,  
And with her Feet through silent Surges rows.  
But, while the Town, Besieged, still doubtful stands,  
What to resolve; their Arms, and Social Bands,  
Th' excited People, and the Cities sent  
T' enforce the Camp. Thither Messana went,  
That lies upon the Sea, from Latian Ground  
Too far disjoined, by Oscan Tribes renowned:  
Then Catinè, too near Typhaeus Flame,  
And for two pious 
(s) Catine, lying just at the foot of Aetna, was thence fired. When two Brothers (Amphinomus, and Anapius) took their aged Father, and Mother, and carried them, through the Flames, into Safety. Their Statues were after honoured with an Epigram; (more lasting, than the Brass, or Marble) by the Excellent Claudian, too long to insert here.  Brothers known to Fame;  
And Camerina, not by 
(t) Forbidden to be stirred by the Sibylline Oracles.  Fates to be  
Once moved: then Hybla, that presumes with Thee  
(Hymettus) Hives of Nectar to compare.  
Selinis, that so many Palms doth bear;  
And Mile, once a Port secure, but now  
The Shore alone a Refuge doth allow,  
And dangerous to such as scape the Sea.  
Then lofty Eryx and Centuripe,  
From her high Mountain, with Entella, came,  
Entella plentiful in Wine, a Name  
To Troy's Acestes dear. Then Tapsos, and  
Acra, that high on Icy Hills doth stand.  
With these an Agathyrnian Band was there,  
And Tyndaris, that glories in her Pair  
Of Leda's 
(a) Castor, and Pollux.  Sons, and Agragas, that breeds,  
And brings her numerous Troops of Warlike Steeds,  
That all the Air inflame with Neighing loud,  
And roll unto the Walls a dusty Cloud.  
Their Leader Grosphus was, whose carved Shield  
The Monument of ancient Torture held;  
A fierce Bull's Image; which, while Bodies, burned  
By Flames put underneath, to bellow turned  
Sad Groans, and you'd believe some Oxen gored,  
And driven from their Stalls, then truly roared.  
But, this revenged, 
(u) Perillus, who invented for Phalaris (the Tyrant of the Agrigentines) a Bull of Brass, into which when the Condemned were put, and Fire placed underneath, their Cries imitated the bellowing of a Bull. Of this Torture Perillus, the Inventour, made the first Experiment, condemned to it by the Tyrant.  th' Inventor of so Dir●  
An Art; did, bellowing, in his Bull expire.  
Thither came Hesa, thither Gela came,  
Gela, that from the River takes her Name:  
And the 
(x) Near Palica (now called Palicenia) was a Temple (dedicated to the Gods Palici) in which were certain Springs, called Cups, not very large, but extraordinary Deep; the Water of a fiery Colour, perpetually boiling up, but never increasing, or diminishing. The Religion of the Place was, that, when any eminent Controversy happened, that could not be decided, but by the Oaths of the Parties, they were brought by the Priests to the Cups, into which they cast Tablets, on which they writ what they asserted by Oath. The Tablets of such, as swore Truth, swum: the other sunk: and, before the perjured got out of the Temple, they were miraculously punished by Blindness, Lameness, or some other Judgement of Heaven upon them. See Diodorus Siculus,. lib. 11.  Palîci, where the Perjured are  
Tortured by present Punishment: and there  
Trojan Acesta was, and (ᵐ) Acies, who  
Through Aetna's Vales into the Sea doth flow,  
His dear Nymph washing with a pleasant Stream,  
Once in thy Flame a Rival, Polypheme:  
But, while He fled thy Barbarous Rage, into  
Small Streams dissolved, at once, he scaped his Foe,  
And his victorious Waters mixed among  
His Galathêa's Waves. With These, along  
Came Those, that murmuring Alabis; and those,  
That Hyspa drink, and the perspicuous Flows  
Of clear Achates: Vagedrusa too,  
And Hypates, whose Channel runs so low:  
Pantagya likewise, easy to be past,  
Through his small Current; and, which runs so fast,  
The Yellow-streamed Simêthus. Thermae then,  
Of old enriched with Muses, Armed her Men,  
Where 
(y) Hymera, rising out of the Mountain Nebrodes (now called Maduvia) runs North, and South, the Branches differing in their Nature. That, which runs Northward, and falls into the Libyck Sea, is Salt: and the other, which falls into the Tyrrhen, is Fresh Water.  Hymera descends into the Seas:  
For it divides itself too several Ways,  
And runs to East, and West, with equal Force.  
Two-crowned Nebrodes keepeth this Divorce;  
Then which, no Hill with a Sicanian Shade  
Doth rise more Rich: this lofty Enna made  
A sacred Fortress to the Groves of Gods.  
Here a dark Path to Stygian Abodes  
A Cave, that opens wide the gaping Ground,  
Detects, through which a strange new Lover found  
A Way to unknown Coasts. Pluto this way,  
Inflamed with Lust, durst venture up to Day,  
And, leaving doleful Acheron, above,  
On the forbidden Earth, his Chariot drove.  
Then, having Ravished the 
(z) Proserpina. Of which see the excellent Claudian.  Ennaean Maid;  
In Haste, retiring, his black Steeds, affraied  
To view the Face of Heaven, and flying Day,  
Drove back to Styx, and hid in Shades his Prey.  
Petreia Roman Leaders then desired:  
And Roman Leagues Callipolis required;  
And Eugion, arched with Stone: and there they see  
Hadranum, and Hergentum, Melitè,  
Proud of her stately Webs, and wealthy Store  
Of Wool: Melactè, with a Fishy Shore:  
And Cephalaedias, near the stormy Main;  
Whose boisterous Coast, in the Coerulean Plain,  
Feeds the vast Whales: the Tauromenians too,  
Where Ships by dire Charybdis, in their view,  
In quick-devouring Gulfs are swallowed down,  
And from the Bottom straight again are thrown  
Up to the Stars. These Latin Arms approved,  
And under the Laurentine Ensigns moved.  
The rest of the Sicilian People there,  
With 
(a) Libyan.  Elysaean Vows, in Arms appear.  
A thousand were the Agathyrnian Bands;  
As many Strongylos, that southward stands:  
A thousand sent Fascellina, the Seat  
Of the Thoantean 
(b) Diana.  Goddess: Thrice as great  
A Number gave Panormos'; some, that killed  
Wild Beasts in Chase; and some in Fishing skilled;  
And some, that could the Birds from Heaven allure.  
Herbesos then, nor Naulochum secure  
Of Danger sat: nor, with her Shady Plains,  
Morgentia from this treacherous War abstains.  
Joined with Nemaean Forces, thither came  
Amastra; thither Thisse small in Name;  
Netum with these, and Micitè combined;  
With these Achetum, and Sidonia joined;  
And Depane; and, vexed with roaring Waves,  
Helorus; and 
(c) This Defection of the Slaves in Sicily came to that height, that (with an Army of more than twenty Thousand) having wasted many Towns, and Cities in that Country, and among others Triochala (or Tricala) eminent for its Strength: they made one Salvius (to whom they gave the Name of Trypho) their King, and under his Conduct defeated Lucius Lucullus. Trypho dying, one Athenio succeeded, and prevailed against Lucullus his Successor, C. Servilius, and continued thus in Arms four years, till C. Acilius, who was Consul with C. Marius, subdued, and totally suppressed them. See Diod. Sic. 36.  Triochala, by Slaves  
Soon after Wasted; Arabeia fierce;  
Iëtas high; and Tabas, to converse  
With Arms most ready; and Cossyra small,  
And Mutè, which not Megara at all●  
Exceeds in Bigness, came, with joint consent,  
To Libya's Aid; with Caulon eminent  
For her calm Sea; when She the 
(d) The Bird called the King-Fisher.  Halcyon hears  
Singing, and the scarce-moving Water bears  
The swimming Nests on Surges strangely stilled.  
But the famed City (Syracuse) filled  
Her spacious Walls with various Arms, and Men,  
Collected from all parts. The People, then  
Facile, and ready Tumults to desire,  
Their Leaders with this boasting Language Fire;  
That their four towers, and Walls, no Foe, as yet,  
Had entered; That their Fathers saw how great  
A Cloud, so inaccessible a Town,  
Through situation of her Port, had thrown  
Upon the 
(e) The Athenians, after the vain Expedition of Xerxes, became so powerful, that they freed all Greece from the Persian Yoke, and, after, invaded Sicily: where, after several Conflicts in a Naval Fight before Syracuse, under the Conduct of Nicias, they were overthrown, and their whole Force repulsed, and beaten out of Sicily. See Diodor. lib. 13.  Salaminian, Victories,  
And Eastern Trophies; when, before their Eyes,  
Three hundred Ships, and Athens, in whose Aid  
The Ruins of the Persian King were made  
To serve, in one great Wrack, while they sustain  
No Loss at all, were swallowed in the Main.  
Two 
(f) Hypocrates, and Epicydes, whose Grandfather was banished from Syracuse, and fled to Carthage, where they were born, their Mother being a Carthaginian. See Livy, lib. 24.  Brothers (born in Carthage, and allied  
To Carthaginians, by the Mother's side,  
Whose Father, a Sicilian, banished  
From Syracuse, had them in Libya bred;  
In whom Sicanian Levity conspired,  
With Tyrian Fraud, the giddy People fired.  
Which when Marcellus saw, and that no Cure  
The Wounds of their Sedition would endure,  
(The War still growing, from the Foe, more high)  
He straight attests the Gods of Sicily,  
Thy Fountains, Arethusa, and the Lakes,  
And Rivers; That unwillingly he takes  
The War in hand, and that those Arms (which He  
ne'er of himself assumed) the Enemy  
Forced him to bear. With that, the Wall he storms,  
And Thunders on the City with his Arms.  
An equal Fury them together all  
Draws on: on either side they Fight, and Fall.  

(g) Of this, and other Engines, made by Archimedes, in opposition to Marcellus, see Plutarch in the Life of Marcellus.  With many coverings seeming to invade  
The Stars in height, and by a 
(*) Archimedes.  Grecian made  
Ten Stories high, which Shades of many a Grove  
Consumed, a Tower there was, from whence they strove  
To roll down mighty Stones, and Engines, which  
With Fire were Armed, and power down scalding Pitch.  
Here Cimber, at a distance having thrown  
A burning Lamp, the Fatal Weapon on  
The side had fixed: The Fire, assisted by  
The Force of Wind, quite through the Tower doth fly,  
And through the lofty Machine's several Floors,  
Increasing, climbs, and trembling Beams devours  
With rapid Flames, which (Smoke, like Billows, thick  
To Heaven ascending) soon Victorious, lick  
The shining Top. All places, filled with Smoak,  
And Clouds of Darkness as, with a fierce Stroke  
Of Thunder dashed, none scaping it, they all,  
In one vast ruin, into Ashes fall.  
Like Fortune on the other Side, by Sea,  
The Ships attended. For, when nearer they  
Unto the City, and the Houses, drew,  
Where the Port brings the calmed Waters to  
The Walls, a Mischief Unexpected there  
Fills (by a new Device) their Hearts with Fear.  
A Beam (exactly Smooth, and every where  
Like a Ship's Mast, the Knots shaved off) did bear  
Strong Grapples, firmly fixed, and seizing all  
That Fought, from the high Rampart of the Wall,  
Caught them aloft with Hooks of Ir'n, and to  
The midst of all the City, backward, threw.  
Nor did this Force thus toss the Men alone,  
But, when the Steel, impulsed, was downward thrown  
Upon a Ship, and the impetuous Stroke  
Fixed the tenacious Teeth within the Oak,  
Aloft the Vessel's tossed, and suddenly  
The Chains, with Art, let lose (most Sad to see)  
With such a Force into the Sea again  
Is thrown, that it there sinks with all the Men.  
Beside these Stratagems, the Wall, by Art  
Made hollow, narrow Loopholes did impart;  
Through which, upon the Foe they might, secure,  
Discharge their Weapons, from the Counter-Mure:  
And this so cunningly Contrived, the Foe,  
Through the same Way, no Shafts again could throw.  
Thus 
(h) Archimedes.  Grecian Policy, and Art excelled  
Their Arms, and both by Sea, and Land, repelled  
Marcellus, with his mighty Threaten, and  
Before the Walls a dreadful War doth stand.  
The Man (th' Isthmiack Swains Immortal Fame)  
In Wit, with ease, all other overcame,  
That then the World produced. Not rich; but One,  
To whom the Heavens, and all the Earth was known.  
He, by the Sun's obscured Rays, at Birth  
Of Day, could tell what Storms would fall: if Earth  
Were Fixed, or did Instable hang: why, bound  
By certain Leagues, this Globe's encompassed round  
By Thetis Waves: the Labours of the Sea,  
And Moon, what Laws the Ocean's Tides obey.  
Nor is it vain to think, that He the Sand  
Of the vast World could Count; who, by the Hand  
Of a weak Woman, could, with so much Skill,  

(i) Archimedes, to show an Experiment of his Art to King Hieron, caused a very great Ship to be sunk with its ordinary Burden: and, sitting on the Shore with a small Engine, which himself only moved, drew it out of the Water upon the Land. See Plutarch, ibid.  Draw Ships, and heaps of Stones against an Hill.  
While thus, with Stratagems, He wearied all  
The Teucri, and the Roman General;  
An hundred Sail of Tyrian Ships their Way  
Made towards their Relief, and ploughed the Sea.  
Erected now with sudden Hopes, their Fleet  
Launched from the Port, the Syracusians meet,  
And join with them: nor, on the other Side,  
Was the Ausonian backward to provide  
His Navy; but, with drowned Oars, apace  
Cuts through the Ocean, whose beaten Face  
With frequent Strokes grows White, and, where they cleave  
The Billows, a broad Path of Foam they leave.  
Both, equally, insult upon the Main;  
And Neptune's Empire with new Storms again  
Trembles, through which their Shouts, and Clamours sound,  
And Echoes, full as loud, from Rocks rebound.  
And now, drawn out for Fight, the Warriors stood,  
And compass with their Wings the spacious Flood,  
And with their Naval Toils the Wat'ry Plain  
Include. Both Navies, in like Form amain,  
Came on, and with their Moon-like Circles crowed  
The foaming Waves. Now, no Delay's allowed;  
The dreadful Murmurs of the cruel Brass,  
Sounding the Charge, through all the Ocean pass:  
Which rousing 
(k) Feigned to be Neptune's Trumpeter.  Triton, frighted him; their Yell,  
And Noise, contending with his crooked Shell.  
Scarce they the Sea rememb'red, with so prone  
A Fury to the Battle they go on,  
And, standing on the Gallie's Margins, throw  
Uncertain Darts, still nodding to and fro:  
The Sea between them is with Weapons strewed;  
While the tall Vessel rising, as they rowed  
With labouring Strokes, the foaming Billows cleaves  
With the black Keel, and so their Aim deceives.  
But some in Fight were torn, and with the stroke  
Of the Assaulting Ship their Oars were broke;  
Some swiftly through the Bulk of others strike  
With their sharp Prows, and in the Breach alike  
Are stopped, and stop. But then, amidst them all,  
A Galley (terrible to Sight, and Tall  
Above the rest, than which none had before  
More large been Launched from the Sidonian Shore)  
Strikes with four hundred Oars, at once, the Main,  
And, Proud of her large Sails, that could retain  
Strong Boreas, and gather every Blast  
With her wide Yards, but very slowly passed,  
If only driven with Oars, She put to Sea.  
The Latin Ships, more ready to obey  
The Pilot's hand, and charged with fight Men,  
Made Way with more Celerity. Which when  
Himilco, through the calmed Ocean, spied,  
Advancing, and commanded on his Side  
To give the Charge, obliquely with their Prows,  
All the Sea-Gods invoking to his Vows  
(As was his Custom) straight an Arrow to  
Th' extended Nerve he fits, and against a Foe  
Directs it with his Ey, and when, again  
His Arms released, he showed the flying Kain  
Its Passage through the Air, his steady Look  
Pursuing, brought it to a Wound; and struck,  
Nailing it to the Helm, the Pilot's Hand;  
Which, now, no more was able to command,  
So maimed, the yielding Stern, where he was placed:  
And, while unto his Aid the Seamen haste,  
As if the Ship were taken, 'midst them all,  
With the like Fate, and Nerve, a Shaft doth fall  
Again, which Taurus, as he undertook  
The vacant Helm, quite through the Body struck.  
But now, at length, a Cuman Ship broke in,  
Which Corbulo commanded, and had been  
With cheerful Youths at Stabiae filled, of late.  
The 
(l) It was anciently their Custom to have their Tutelar Deities at the Poop of their Ships.  Guardian Goddess (neighbouring Venus) sat  
On the high Poop. This charging very near,  
The Object of all Shafts, amidst them there  
Sinking, the yielding Waters doth divide;  
And their Mouths foaming Nereus (as they cried  
For Aid) fills with his Brine, and, as they strove  
In vain, the Sea them sucking in, above  
The Waves their Hands appear. But here, behold!  
With an huge Leap, quite cross the Billows, bold  
With Rage, leaped Corbulo upon the Decks  
(For now the Galleys, which strong Bands connex  
Of Ir'n, a Tower of Oak brought up) and there,  
Like a dire Comet, shaking, in the Air,  
On the high Top, a flaming Pine, the Fires  
With Brimstone fed, with which the Wind conspires,  
Throws 'mong the Libyan Flags. The Lemnian God  
Soon enters, and their Hatches, all abroad  
Diffused, straight fills: the Rowers, full of Fear,  
Forsake their Benches; yet, although they were  
So hard Beset, the Noise of that so great,  
And fatal Mischief, did not Penetrate  
To those below, till running fiercely down,  
By unctuous Lamps, and Torches thither thrown,  
Victorious Flames whizz through the Hold. Yet where  
From Dardan Fire, and Smoke, as yet, they were  
Untouched, and Free, the dire Himilco held  
His Gallie's Fate, and them with Stones repelled.  
And here poor Cydnus, while a flaming Brand  
I'th' Air He brandished, from Lichaeus Hand  
Into the Ocean, by a Mural Stone,  
From the Decks, slippery with Blood, was thrown.  
Then, with a filthy Stink, a Lamp the Air  
Pollutes, and Hisseth on the Waves: and there  
A missile Weapon Sabrata let's fly,  
From the adored Poop: the Deity  
O'th' Libyan Ship was Hammon, who survay'd  
With his Horned Brow the Sea. Now, Father, Aid,  
And grant (Thou Garamantick God) that We  
May against the Romans fling sure Darts (said Herald)  
Then from the trembling Throng, as this he spoke,  
A Cornel came, that through the Visage broke  
Of Neptune's Neighbour, Telon: nev'rtheless  
He, in the Gate of Death, doth forward press  
On those, who Flying, in a Crowd, retired  
Into a part o'th' Ship as yet not fired.  
But, when th' inevitable Fire had passed,  
Like Lightning, through whate'er was next, at last,  
The whole Ship to victorious Flames was made  
A Prey: but first Himilco, by the Aid  
Of a Sea-Rope (where Vulcan had not yet  
Raised to extremest height his Stygian Heat)  
A little scorched, slips down into the Sea,  
And, by the Oars of Friends, is born away.  
Next, wretched Batho, did thy Fate deprive  
A Ship of a good Pilot, who couldst strive  
With roughest Seas, and Wether by thy skill  
The highest Storms; He could prevent what i'll  
Boreas next day, or Auster did intent:  
Nor, Cynosura, couldst thou, though thou bend  
Thy Course obscurely, his still-watchful Eye  
Deceive. When he perceived their Misery  
No Measure had; Thou, Hammon, who dost see  
This our unequal Fate, receive (said He)  
My Blood. With that, into his Breast he drives  
His Sword, and in's Right-Hand the Blood receives,  
Which largely, 'twixt his Sacred Horns, he pours.  
Daphnis, 'mong these, unhappy Fate devours,  
(An ancient Name) who chose to leave the Woods,  
And changed his Farms for the perfidious Floods.  
But how much more, under a Shepherd's Name,  
Did the first of that Race excel in Fame?  
To Daphnis the 
(m) The Muses of Sicily.  Sicelides inclined,  
And a Castalian Pipe to him the kind  
Apollo gave; commanding, when he laid  
Himself along upon the Grass, and played,  
To Daphnis the joyed Flocks, through Meadows, and  
Through Fields, should haste, and Rivers Silent stand.  
When on his sevenfold Reeds he played, the Woods  
He charmed, the Sirens, in their briny Floods,  
Forgot to Sing, and Scylla's Dogs no more  
Would bark, a quiet Face Charybdis bore,  
And 'mong the Rocks, the Cyclops, overjoyed,  
Would hear his Lays. But here, by War destroyed,  
Fell the whole Progeny, and that great Name,  
So Amiable for his sacred Flame.  
On smoking Planks fierce Ornytoes away  
Then swum, and lingered out a Death by Sea.  
So Ajax, when her Thunder Pallas threw,  
Did rising Waves with burning Arms subdue.  
Marmarick Scyron, wounded by a Stem's  
Sharp Point quite through the Belly, part of's L●mbs  
Swim under Water, part above, and so  
Through all the Ocean, on the Fatal Prow,  
Is born away. The Ships the Fight pursue  
Close, on both sides, and with a bloody Dew  
From labouring Oars the Faces dash of those  
That fought. With such fierce strokes Marcellus goes,  
That his stout Galley overcame the Wind,  
Which, as Libaeus seizing fast behind,  
With eager Hands, endeavovured to have stopped  
With a sharp Axe his Members off were lop'd,  
And, sticking to their Hold, were born away  
By the swift Vessel. In this bloody Fray  
Aeölides Podetus did engage,  
In a Sicanian Ship, although his Age  
Not yet arrived to Man. He, whether by  
Sinister Gods drawn thither, or his high  
Hot spirit, and desire of War, not yet  
Full ripe for Honour, painted Arms did fit  
To his white Shoulders, proud so, with his tall  
Chimaera, to disturb the Sea. Now all  
Rutulian Ships, now all the Libyan, He  
Better in Oars, and Darts Triumphantly  
Outstriped, and Nessus had already drowned  
In cruel Waves; Nessus with Turrets crowned:  
Alas! vain Glory! that did then so ill  
Persuade a Boy to Fight, which wanted skill.  
While for Marcellus Crest, which then he wore  
On's dreadful Cask, and Spoils, he doth implore  
The Gods, as he, too rashly, did advance,  
A deadly Wound by a returned Lance  
He took. Oh how much praised, whither he threw  
The 
(n) Discus was a round Quoit os Led, Stone, or the like: which was used for Exercise, much like the Sledg among our Country People.  Discus, shining near the Stars; or drew  
His Bow, and to the Clouds his Arrows sent:  
Or run with winged Feet, and as he went  
Scarce touched the Ground: or o'er the measured Plains  
By leaping past, taught by continual pains:  
Enough of praise (fond Youth) didst thou acquire,  
In such safe Conflicts, why didst thou aspire  
To greater Deeds? When he was beaten down  
And sunk, through numerous Darts against him thrown,  
Under the Waves, his shipwrecked Corpse, the while,  
Deprived of his Syracosian Pile,  
Cyclopean Rocks bemoan, with Cyane,  
Anapus, Arethusa, and the Sea.  
But Tiberinus, in another place,  
Where then the Libyan Admiral did pass,  
Drives on his Ship, and straight they Io cried,  
And cast their Grapples in on either side:  
The Ships stand bound unto the Combat; nor  
With Shafts, and Darts, at distance thrown, the War,  
Do they pursue; but Fight it near at hand,  
And with the Sword, as in a Fight at Land.  
Where the first slaughter opened, and did show  
A passage, the Italian Ships broke through;  
While the vast Chains, and Iron Bands his Friends  
Maela advised to break, and so intends  
Such, as had Boarded him, to bear away  
Farther, from their then equal Arms, to Sea.  
Young Polypheme in an Aetnéan Cave  
Was bred, and thence affected still to have  
The Name of ancient Fierceness, nurtured by  
A She-Wolf, when a Child; his Stature high,  
And terrible of Bulk; a cruel Mind;  
Rage ever in his Face; his Heart inclined  
To Blood, as all the Cyclops: He, at length,  
The Chains got lose, with all his body's Strength,  
Had driven on the Ship, and, in the Sea  
Drowning his Oars, had born her quite away,  
Had not Laronius, with a sudden Blow  
Of's Lance, as he his Body raised to row,  
Nailed him to's Seat. Scarce he, in Death, forsook  
What he begun: for, as its wont Stroke  
His Hand, then languishing, did still pursue  
Upon the surface of the Sea, he drew  
The lazy Oar; struck with the adverse Prow,  
On one side, to the other, from the Foe  
The Libyans thronged; when with their sudden Weight  
Oppressed, Waves leaping in, on that side, straight  
The Vessel under Water sinks, and there  
Targets, and Crests, and useless Darts, that were  
Pointed with Steel, with Guardian Gods, upon  
The Ocean float. All Weapons lost: here One  
Fights with a broken Plank, and so again,  
By Shipwreck, Arms himself for Fight; and then  
Another, whom blind Rage too rashly heats,  
Spoils of her Oars the Ship, teras up the Seats  
O'th' Seamen, and with no Distinction throws.  
Neither from breaking Sterns, nor yet from Prows,  
To deal intended Wounds, do they abstain,  
And snatch up Weapons swimming on the Main.  
The Waves at gaping Wounds break in, which straight  
Their fleeting Souls with Sighs regurgitate,  
Into the Sea. Some in a strict Embrace  
Are drowned, and, where no Weapons else have Place,  
Kill, in their Death, their Foes. The Rage of those,  
That from the Bottom rise, more Cruel grows,  
And they resolve, for Swords, the briny Flood  
To use, while Whirl-pits, covered o'er with Blood,  
The turning Corpse devour. Loud Clamours here  
Are heard: sad Deaths, and Flight, and Groan there,  
With cracks of breaking Oars, and Stems, that beat  
The Air with dreadful Echoes, as they meet.  
Thus chafed, and overspread with War, the Sea  
Grew hot; when, in a little Bark, away  
Himilco stealing, weary of the Fight,  
Towards the Coast of Libya, takes his Flight.  
At length, both Greeks, and Libian quit the Sea,  
And now the captived Ships are born away,  
In a long Train, together linked, to Land,  
While some amidst the Deep still burning stand.  
The Lemnian God shines o'er the glittering Seas,  
Which brandish up, and down his trembling Rays.  
There known at Sea burns 
(o) Names of Ships.  Cyané, and here  
The winged Siren burns, Europa there,  
Who, in a white Bull's Shape, by jove was born,  
And crossed the Ocean, holding by his Horn.  
And Nerëis, who, with Hair dishevelled, rides  
A crooked Fish, and through the Ocean guides  
The wat'ry Reins: there Phyton wandering o'er  
The Waves, and Hammon burns; with That, which bore  
Eliza's Image, and, on either Side,  
With twice three Oars, did o'er the Billows ride.  
But chained Anapus to his Native Shore  
Is dragged, with nimble Pegasus, that bore  
His Gorgon Wings up to the Stars; and that  
Tall Ship, where Carved Lybia's Image sat,  
And Triton Captivate, and Aetna high  
With Rocks (where buried, deep in Flames, doth lie  
Panting Enceladus) is dragged away,  
With their Cadmaean Sidon. Nor had they  
To break into their trembling Walls delayed,  
Nor from the Temples of the Gods had stayed  
Their Conquering Engines then, if suddenly  
Raised by the Envy of the Gods, and by  
Their Toils at Sea, a dire Contagion, and  
Devouring Sickness, had not set a stand  
To all their Joys. For Sol with flaming Hair,  
And influence of Fiery Stars, the Air  
And Cyane, that open lies, and swells  
With Fenny Waters, round, with noisome smells  
Of dire Cocytus fills, and so pollutes  
Autumn, the Flourishing with store of Fruits,  
And it inflames with Lightning: the thick Air  
With Clouds of Darkness smokes. Earth, every where,  
Parched, with a vitiated Face appears,  
Affords no Food, nor any Shadows bears  
For fainting Man, and in the Pitchy Air,  
Black Vapours move. Dogs are the first, that bear  
The fury of this Plague; next, as they Fly,  
Birds fall with flagging Pinions from the Sky;  
Then Beasts within the Forests die; at last  
It creeps into the Camp, and there doth waste  
Th'infected Troops: their tongues dried up, cold sweat  
Creeps through their Entrails, o'er their Limbs: the Meat  
Appointed for their sustenance, their dry,  
And parched Jaws refuse to swallow: by  
Sharp Coughs their Lungs are torn, and, Thirsty, from  
Their panting Throats, a fiery Breath doth come.  
Their Eyes, scare able to endure the Light,  
Sink from their crooked Noses, while they spit  
Corruption mixed with Blood; a shrivelled Skin  
Covers their Bones, the Flesh consumed within.  
Oh Grief! in their known Arms renowned, by  
A lazy Death, the valiant Soldiers Die:  
Their stately Trophies, gained in many a War,  
Are thrown into the Fire, no Medicines are  
Of Power, but all too weak for the Disease.  
Heaped up, the Ashes of the Dead Increase  
To a vast Hill, though Bodies every where  
Forsaken, and Unburied lie, through Fear  
To touch infected Limbs. Thus sadly fed,  
The Acherusian Plague doth farther spread,  
And shakes with no less Grief Trinacrian Walls,  
And on the Libyan Camp as fiercely falls.  
Now, equal in their Ruin, every Place  
The common Wrath of Heaven, and the same Face  
Of Death frequents: and yet no Force of all  
These Ills could vanquish (while their General  
Was safe) the Romans: He, alone, secure,  
Doth balance all the Woes, which they endure.  
Soon, therefore, as the burning 
(p) The Dog-Star.  Dog allayed  
His deadly Heat, and the Contagion stayed  
The greedy Hand of Death, (as when the Seas,  
The South-Winds ceasing, their rude Waves appease.)  
The Fisher drives his Bark into the Main.  
So his Youth, wasted by the Plague, again  
At length Marcellus Arms, and every Band,  
Purged with due Sacrifice, now Cheerful stand  
About their Ensigns, and o'erjoyed appear,  
That they than lived the Trumpet's Sound to hear.  
Against the Foe they March, well-pleased, that they  
(If Fates determine so) in Battle may  
Die by the Sword; it grieves them for their Friends,  
Who, like to Beast, by such Inglorious Ends,  
Their un-commended Souls expired in  
Their Fatal Beds. Then to their Tombs again,  
And worthless Funeral Piles, they turn their Eyes,  
And rather wish, then see by Maladies  
To be o'ercome, to have no Graves at all.  
The first, whose lofty Ensigns to the Wall  
Advanced, the Gen'ral was. Their Faces in  
Their Helmets hid that Leanness, which had been  
Contracted by their lying still: and so  
That Paleness, which might animate the Foe,  
Is from their Sight concealed. Then on they fall,  
And in thick Bodies scale the battered Wall.  
So many Houses, and strong towers by War,  
Before unentered, by the Soldier,  

(q) See Plutarch.  At one Assault, are now surprised. The Sun,  
wherever his Chariot through the World doth run,  
Can not behold a Town, that might compare  

(r) No City in the world was held to be more Wealthy, having, till that time, never suffered under the Fury of a Foreign Enemy, but enriched by many Victories.  With Syracuse then: so many were  
The Temples of the Gods, within the Wall  
So numerous their Havens, and withal  
Their Market-places, and their Theatres,  
On lofty Columns raised, and mighty Bars  
Contending with the Sea. Then add to these  
Innumerable stately Palaces,  
That, in long Rows, most spacious, appear  
Like Countries; with the Groves, which Sacred were  
To Sports the Youth, which Limits large enclose  
With ample Galleries: then captived Prows,  
And Stems of Ships adorn the Temples, mixed  
With numerous Arms, that to the Gods were fixed;  
Which or the Marathonian Foyes had lost,  
Or else were brought from Conquered Libya's Coast.  
And there Agathocléan Trophies shined;  
There Hieron's great Riches: there they find  
Antiquity by Artists Sacred made.  
Not any Place, in any Age, ('tis said)  
More glorious was in Pictures: there they take  
All Works of Brass, that 
(s) Corinth.  Ephyrè could make;  
Garments with Yellow Gold contending, where  
The Images in Texture breath: and, there,  
What Babylon could boast engraved, or Tyre,  
Proud in embroidered Purple, could admire;  
What in Attalick Arras Needles wrought,  
And varied with Art, or could be bought  
From Pharian Looms, with Silver Goblets, rich  
With Gems, and Images of Gods, the which  
The Deity, first given by Art, retain:  
Beside the Spoils o'th' Erythraean Main  
Was made their Prey, with Fleeces, which from Trees  
The Sirian Women card. This Wealth, and these  
Rich Houses, when the Roman General  
Had taken; standing High, upon the Wall,  
The City (Trembling with their Shouts) he views,  
And, when he found it left to his Refuse,  
Whether the Fabrics, there, of Kings should be  
Left standing, or the following Day should see  
No Walls at all, he sadly Groans: and then,  

(t) Marcellus wept, both in detestation of the Fury of the Soldiers, and in Commiseration of the Death of Archimedes; who, notwithstanding the great Tumults, at the Entrance of the Romans into the City, was so intent in drawing some Mathematical Lines on the Sands; that, not minding a Soldier, who asked him, Who he was, (for Marcellus commanded Archimedes should be saved) he was slain by him.  Grieved, that so much was left to cruel Men,  
He speedily recalls the Soldier's Ire;  
Commanding, that the Houses stand entire,  
And that the Ancient Gods their Temples there  
Inhabit still. The Conquered thus to spar●  
Was better worth than Spoil, and victory stood  
Content, and clapped her Wings unstained with Blood.  
Tears, for Thee, likewise, from the General  
(Thou famed 
(u) Archimedes.  Defender of thy Country) fall,  
Whom, drawing Lines, and Figures in the Sand,  
(While in so great a Ruin thou dost stand  
Untouched, and Ideas dost pursue)  
By Chance an Ignorant Common Soldier slew.  
But now again their minds the People give  
To Mirth, in which the Conquered seem to strive  
Even with the conquerors. 
(x) Marcellus.  He, emulous  
O'th' nature of the Gods, preserving, thus,  
The City, built it: which still stands to be  
A glorious Trophy to Posterity,  
And shall continue, that the Manners, so  
Of ancient Generals the World may know:  
Happy the People, if, as Anciently  
In War, our Towns could now preserved be  
From Spoils in Peace! for if his Care, by whom  

(y) The Poet here flatters Domitia●.  We now, enjoy our Peace had not o'ercome  
That boundless Rage of Plundering all: the Hand  
Of Rapine had quite barred both Sea, and Land.  
The End of the Fourteenth Book.   



Cum Subito assistunt dext●i Laeuâq  
Hinc Virtus, Illinc Virtuti Inimica Voluptas●   

Occupat inde prior Promissis Fisa Voluptas.  
Tum Virtus, quas nam juvenem Florentibus, inquit  
Pellicis in Frauds Annis?   
Honoratissimo Viro Edoardo Nicholas Equiti Aurato Serenissimis Carolo jmo & 2do. Magnae Brittaniae &c: Regibus Secretario. & è Sanctioribus Cousilijs. Tabula Summa cum Obseruantia D.D.D.  SILIUS ITALICUS OF The Second Punic War. The Fifteenth Book.  
THE ARGUMENT.  
Scipio (his Father, and his Uncle, slain)  
Made Consul, undertakes the War of Spain;  
Though but 
(*) Twenty five years.  five Lustra old. The vain Delights.  
Of Youth, to which fond Pleasure him invites,  
He flies, and Virtue follows. Then by Sea  
To Spain he hasts: and, in one happy Day,  
An Omen to his future Conquests makes  
New Carthage, which he, sudden, storms, and takes.  
His Chastity: that to her Princely Spouse  
A Captived Beauteous Maid, untouched, allows.  
The Macedonian King incu●sions makes  
Upon the Grecian Coasts. Old Fabius takes  
Tarentum. The Numidian Troops surprise  
Marcellus by an Ambush, where he dies.  
His Obsequies by Hannibal performed.  
The Libyan Camp, in Spain, by Scipio stormed.  
Young Hasdrubal over Pyrene flies:  
Persuades the Gauls with him, in Arms, to rise,  
And Italy invades, where he again  
Is by the Romans overthrown, and slain  
By Nero, who his Head upon a Spear,  
In Triumph, to the Roman Camp doth bear.  
BUT a new Care Rome's Senate now perplexed  
(The Nations trembling at their Loss) who next  
Should Rule, and undertake the War of Spain.  
By a proud Foe both 
(a) After the two Scipios were overthrown in Spain, (though Martius had recovered very much) yet was the Terror of the Libyan Arms (joined with the Infidelity of the Natives) so great, that all Men at R●●● waved the undertaking of that War.  Scipios were slain  
(Two Warlike, Valiant Brothers) hence a Fear,  
Lest the Tartessiack People should adhere  
To Tyrian Laws, and dread the War, at Hand.  
The State thus shaken, sad the Senate stand:  
Looking about for Remedies, and pray  
Th' Immortal Gods to give them One, that may,  
With Courage, in the shattered Camp succeed,  
As General. The Noble Youth, indeed,  
Eager his Father's, and his Uncle's Shade  
To vindicate, sad Troops of Friends dissuade,  
And, adding by their Sorrows to their Fears,  
Sadly recount the Number of his Years:  
Should he into that Fatal Country go,  
Amidst the Ashes of his Friends; that Foe  
He there must Fight, who had the Counsels foiled,  
And Arms of two great Generals, and boiled  
With Pride of his Success. Nor was it for  
His tender Arms to Manage such a War;  
Or that Command, at such Unskilful Years,  
To undertake. The Youth these Cares, and Fears,  
(Alone, retiring to the farthest Part  
Of all his House) revolved in his Heart,  
Under a Laurel Shade. When suddenly,  
Here Virtue, Pleasure there, (her Enemy)  
Descending through the Air, on either hand,  
Exceeding Humane Stature, by him stand.  
The One breathed Persian Odours from her Head;  
Her Amber-Hair upon her Shoulders spread;  
Shining with Yellow Gold, a Tyrian Vest  
She wore; the Beauty of her Front expressed  
The Bodkin's Art; and from her Wanton Ay  
The frequent Flames, with dubious Motion, fly:  
A different Habit did the Other wear;  
Her Forehead rough, and never changed by Hair  
Composed; a steady Look; her Gesture nigh  
To Man's, and such her Face; with Modesty  
Cheerful; upon her lofty Shoulders shined  
A Snow-white Robe. Then Pleasure first (inclined  
To promise Much) thus seizeth him. What Rage,  
What Fury's this (brave Youth) thy Flower of Age  
Thus to Consume in Fight? Art thou so  
Unmindful of dire Cannae, and the Po?  
Or Thrasimen, than Styx more grievous far?  
To what end do you Thus the Fates, by War,  
Provoke? Th' Atlantic Kingdoms you prepare  
To try, and Tyrian Houses. But forbear  
(Let me advise) to strive with Dangers so,  
Or thyself rashly, as before, to throw  
Into those Storms of Arms; unless you eat  
Those Rites, sad Virtue, here, will bid you run  
Into the midst of Armies and through Fire.  
'Tis She, that (Prodigal) thy noble Sire,  
Thy Uncle (Paulus) and the Decii, down  
Into the Lakes of Erebus hath thrown;  
While Titles to their Ashes She proclaims,  
And gilds their Tombs with Memorable Names.  
Yet are their Souls Insensible what She  
Performs. But, Youth, if Thou wilt go with Me,  
In a smooth Path thy Days (allowed by Fate)  
Shall pass. No Trumpet's Sound shall violate  
Thy troubled Sleeps: nor Northern Frosts, nor Heat  
Of burning Cancer shalt thou Feel. Nor eat  
On Tables, oft composed of bloody Grass.  
Dire Thirst, Dust, swallowed under Casks, shall pass  
By Thee, and Labours, undergone with Fear.  
But bright thy Days, and all thy Minutes clear  
Shall run. Thou may'st grow Old with dainty Fare.  
What mighty things by God provided are,  
For Man's more cheerful Use? what Joys hath He,  
With a f●ll Hand, bestowed? and Him to be  
Th' Example of a Quiet Life we find,  
Living at Ease, with an untroubled Mind.  
I'm She, that Venus, near to 
(b) A River near Troy.  Simois Stream,  
Joined to Anchîses, whence the Author came  
Of your Great Race. Even I am She, for whom  
jove sometimes hath been willing to become  
A Bird, sometimes a Bull; and this Advice  
Observe. Life swift from Mortals runs; nor twice  
Can any Man be born: away Time flies;  
And Hell's swift Torrent, swallowing all, denies,  
That You, if any thing hath pleased you here,  
It to the Shades below, from hence, shall bear.  
And who is He, that grieves not, at the last  
(Too late alas!) that all my Hours are past?  
When She was silent, and an End had made  
Of Speaking. In what Darkness (Virtue said)  
What Cheats of Life, this Youth, in is prime of Age,  
Dost thou endeavour (flattering) to Engage?  
Unto whom Reason, by the will of Heaven,  
And a great Mind's celestial Seeds are given.  
As much as Gods above do Men exceed,  
So They all other Creatures. For, indeed,  
Such Nature to the Earth, as lesser Gods,  
Hath given: and hath Condemned to Hell's Abodes,  
By fixed Decree, degenerate Souls. But All,  
That keep their Heavenly Seed's Original  
Entire, shall enter Heaven. What should I tell  
Of great Alcides, who did all debel?  
Or Bacchus; whose Triumphal Chariot, through  
The Cities, fierce Caucasean Tigers drew;  
After the Seres, and the Indians He  
Had Conquered, and brought Home, with Victory,  
His Ensigns from the East? What should I say  
Of those famed 
(c) Castor, and Pollux.  Twins, to whom the Seamen pray  
In Danger? or of your Quirînus? See  
How God to Heaven hath raised Man's Face, which he  
Erect hath made! While Birds, and Beasts, with all  
Of base Kind, upon their Bellies fall.  
Thrice Happy and (if they the Gifts Embrace  
O'th' Gods) to Honour born is Humane Race.  
Do but consider this; (I'll not repeat  
Too many things) by Valour, now, how Great  
Is Rome become? once, much Inferior to  

(d) The Fidenae were a Colony of the Veientes, seated on the other side Tiber, near the old Territories of the City of Rome, In the time of Tolumnius, King of the Veientes, they (having been before subdued by the Romans) revolted to the Veientes, and slew four Roman Ambassadors. Then joined with the Falisci, and Veientes, threatened the Ruin of the Romans: who, notwithstanding, under the Conduct of Mamercus Aemilius, defeated them, and Tolumnius was slain by Cornelius Cossus; who, by that Victory, gained the next Opimous Spoils after Romulus.  Threatening Fidenae, and Content to grow  
In a poor Sanctuary. Then behold,  
What wealthy City's Luxury, of Old,  
Hath overthrown! For not so much the Ire  
Of all the Gods, nor Swords, nor Foes conspire,  
To Ruin; as when Pleasure seizeth on  
The Mind alone. Thy sure Companion  
Is Drunkenness, with Riot: and on Thee  
Still, with black Wings, waits Infamy. With Me  
Is Honour, Praise, and, with a cheerful Ey,  
Glory, with fair Renown, and Victory,  
Unstained, as are her Snow-white Wings. His Head  
With Laurel compassed, Me doth Triumph lead  
Up to the very Stars. My House is chaste,  
And on a lofty Hill my Dwelling's placed.  
The Way, that up the stony Cliff doth go,  
At first is rough (I'm not Accustomed to  
Deceive) and they must Labour, that intent  
To enter there. Nor doth that Wealth ascend  
With them, which faithless Chance hath given, and can  
Force back again. Straight the whole Race of Man,  
(Standing above) beneath Thee, thou shalt see,  
And all things contrary to that, which She  
Doth, flattering, promise, must be undergone.  
You sleepless Nights, under the Stars, (upon  
The hard Ground lying) must Endure. You must  
Hunger, and Cold subdue: so strictly Just,  
That, whatsoever things you take in Hand,  
Think that the Gods as Witnesses shall stand  
Of all your Deeds. Then, when your Country's, or  
The Dangers of the State require, for War  
Be you first ready, Hostile Ramparts scale  
The first: let neither Gold, nor Swords prevail  
Upon your Mind. Robes stained with Tyrian Dye,  
And sweet Perfumes (in Men unhandsome) fly;  
I'll bring to pass, that He, who now the Land  
Infests with cruel War, shall by thy Hand  
Be vanquished, and, the Libyans quite Destroyed,  
Thy Laurel in 
(e) By an Ancient Custom, after the happy finishing of a dangerous War, and Confirmation of Peace, the Laurel of the General was deposited in the Capitol, in the Lap of jupiter Capitolinus.  Jove's Bosom shall be laid.  
This sung by Virtue, from her Sacred Breast:  
The Youth, whose Looks approved what She expressed,  
With these Examples joyed, She turns: but yet  
Pleasure holds not her Tongue, but, in a Heat,  
Exclaims. I weigh You not at all, 'twill come,  
My Time (I'm sure) will come, when easy Rome,  
With all her Might, my Empire will obey,  
And unto Me alone will Honour pay.  
Thus having said, shaking her wanton Head,  
Into dark Clouds, from them, away she fled.  
But the Youth, full of Precepts, and inflamed  
With Love of Virtue, so appearing, aimed  
At Mighty things, within his Heart: and then  
Ascends the Rostra, and, while other Men  
So hot a Service shunned, desires to bear  
The heavy Charge of that ambiguous War.  
The Minds of all intent upon him were:  
Some think his Father's Eyes, some think they there  
Behold again his Uncle's furious Look.  
But yet (though, with deep Silence, Terror struck  
Their Hearts) sad with great Dangers: with their Fears  
That War's great Weight they ponder; then his Years  
Their anxious Favour numbers. But, while they  
These things, with their confused Murmurs, weigh;  
From a cross Quarter of the Heaven, behold!  
A Serpent, shining Bright with Spots of Gold,  
Seems 'mong the Clouds to pass, and, through the Air  
Rays from the flaming Tract diffusing, where  
The Clime to Heav'n-supporting Atlas tends,  
The Pole resounding with the Noise, descends.  

(f) As the Romans never enterprised any thing of Moment without consulting their Augurs, so (the Oblata Auguria) the Auguries, that happened of themselves (Good, or ●ad) were more observed by them. And therefore (though not mentioned in History) the Poet makes the ●●●s concerned to give Scipio an Omen both of Thunder, and the Apparition of a Snake, before mentioned, as the Shape, wherein jupiter begot him.  jove to the Augury adding twice, or thrice,  
A shining Bolt, the scattered Thunder flies  
Through all the shaken World. Then they command,  
That, instantly, he take his Arms in hand;  
And, humbly prostrate on their Knees, full low  
Salute the Omen, and now bid him go  
Wither (as it appeared) the Gods did lead,  
And the Path, showed him by his Father, tread.  
And, now, with Emulation, such as are  
Joined in Affairs, and Ministers of War,  
Together flock, and Earnest are to share  
The hardest Labours: the same Arms to bear  
With him, is Honour held. Then straight to Sea  
Goes a new Fleet: on him Ausonia  
Attends, and is transported into Spain.  
As when dire Wars on the Coerulean Plain  
Fierce Corus makes, with hollow Floods, he heaves  
The lofty 
(g) There are many Isthmi; but here▪ by way of Excellence▪ that of Pelop●nnesus (as the most eminent of Europe, separating the Aegean, and Ionian 〈◊〉) is intended.  Isthmos up, and with rude Waves  
Forcing, at length, through groaning Rocks, his Way,  
Mingleth th' Iö●ian with Aegêan Sea.  
Stately, in Arms, shines Scipio, and, within  
The foremost Ship, to Neptune doth begin.  
Thou, God of Seas! through whose deep Empire We  
Are ready now to pass; if just it be,  
Which I intent, grant that this Navy may  
Go forward (Father!) and vouchsafe, (We pray)  
Our Labours to Assist! an Holy War  
It is, which now, I through the Ocean bear.  
This said, straight gentle, and propitious Gales  
Breath out, and forward drive the swelling Sails.  
And now the Fleet, where Tyrrhene Billows roar,  
Had Nimbly passed from the Ausonian Shore,  
And by the Coast of the Ligurians plied  
With speedy Prows. When, far at Sea, they spied  
Earth (the high Alps) the Stars invading: then  

(h) Massilia, now Marseilles (in Provence) first built by a Colony of Greeks, from Phocidis, (a small Region near the Crissaean-Bay) Commended by Tully (whom our Poet follows) for their strict Observation of their Ancient Civility of Manners, kept Entire; notwithstanding they were encompassed by Barbarous Nations, till they fell under the Government of the Romans.  Massilia's Walls, built by the Grecian,  
With Nations proud begirt, and whom, with Rites,  
That Cruel are, her barbarous Neighbour frights.  
But Hospitable, She, among those bold  
And Warlike Nations, still retains the old  
Rites, Manners, Habit, of Phocensian Greeks.  
Hence Scipio, by the Ocean's winding Greeks,  
Coast's on: at length, a lofty Hill appears,  
Where, on her Woody Top, Pyrene bears  
Thick Forests, in the Clouds, and then he sees  

(i) Emporiae, a City of Hispania Tarraconensis (Castille.)  Th' Emporiae, that, by ancient Pedigrees,  
A Grecian People are: Then Tarracho,  
Where the 
(k) Vines.  Nysaean Fruits in plenty grow.  
Then in a Port his Fleet, secure, he lays,  
And quits the Toils, and Terror of the Seas.  
Now welcome Night, did Sleep, like Death, bestow  
On Men, when, standing before Scipio,  
His Father's Ghost appeared, and thus begun.  
Dear Son, thy Father's safety once: dear Son  
Thy Father's Glory, after Death; by Thee  
The Land, that to these Wars gave Birth, shall be  
Subdued; if they desire to Fight with Thee,  
And all the Troops for Battle Mustered are:  
Who is it, that the Triple Force can bare  
Of Furious Men? All dubious Acts by you  
Must be forborn: but Better things pursue  
With Diligence. There is a City Walled,  
And built of old by Teucer, Carthage called,  
By Tyrians now possessed; and, as there is  
Of Libya one, so of Iberia this  
Is the Metropolis: in Wealth excelled  
By none, or Port, or Situation; held  
As Rich, as any, in her fertile Fields,  
And, with as active Vigour, Weapons yields.  

(l) The absence of the Carthaginian Generals (employed in reducing other Parts of Spain, having placed here a strong Garrison, and, in it, [as by Nature almost inexpugnable] much of their Wealth, with the Hostages of the Spaniards gave Scipio, both Time, and Courage to attempt it. The lat●er so much prevailing, that he spent only a Day of the former. The Governor Arris (some call him Mago) yielding at the second Attaque. It was first built by Teucer, and much decayed in the time of Hamilcar (Hannibal's Father) whose Successor Hasdrubal so well repaired it; that he was by some held to be the Founder, and called it New Carthage.  This, while the Generals are turned away,  
Invade; no Fight so much of Fame, or Prey,  
Can give. These Counsels by his Father were  
Declared, and still he seemed t' advise more near;  
When straight the vanished Shade, and Sleep forsaken  
The Youth, who, rising, humbly doth invoke  
His Father's Manes, and the Powers, that be  
In Stygian Groves, by Name. Be You (said He)  
Our Captains in this War, and lead us to  
The City you have mentioned. I for you  
Will seek Revenge, and, when Iberia  
I have subdued, due Sacrifice I'll pay  
To You, in Sarrane Purple richly clad,  
And Sacred Games unto your Tombs will add.  
Then hasting on, with a swift March, his Bands  
He leads away, and overruns the Lands.  
So from Piséan Stables, once got lose,  
A Mettled Courser, as a Conqueror, goes  
Before his Fellows, and (as if by Wind  
Begot) runs through the Air, and leaves behind  
The rest so far, that not the quickest Sight  
Is able to o'ertake him in his Flight:  
Now th' seventh Day, by bright Hyperion's Flame,  
Arose, when sensibly they nearer came  
To the Town's towers; whose Tops increased, as they  
Approached, and 
(m) Laelius, who then Commanded Scipio's Fleet, was appointed, with the Tide, to approach the City on that Side; but, his Scaling-Ladders not well reaching the extraordinary height of the Walls, he was constrained, with some Loss, to retire. See Livy lib. 16.  Laelius, at his Time, by Sea  
Arriving (as before the General  
Appointed had) his Navy to the Wall  
Draws up, and with his numerous Ships, behind,  
The Town invests. Carthage, by Nature's kind  
Assistance, hath high Walls, which by the Sea  
Encompassed are, and, towards the rising Day,  
A little Isle, its narrow Mouth doth close.  
But, where it looks to Phoebus' fall, it throws  
Up standing Pools, into a muddy Plain,  
Which coming Tides increase, and Ebbs aga●●  
Abate. But, where it Fronts the Northern Bear,  
Standing upon a lofty Hill, it there,  
Steep, to the Neighbouring Ocean descends,  
And with Eternal Floods her Wall defends.  
But the bold Soldiers, as if, marching in  
A Plain, they Conquering Ensigns brought, begin  
To climb the Hill. Arris Commanded there  
In Chief, and, had against them, through a Fear  
Of some Distress, himself with Aids supplied,  
And all the Hill, and Castle fortified.  
A Foe the nature of the Place doth prove,  
And with small Force, of those that fought above,  
Th' Assailants tottering, through the places High,  
And Steep, are tumbled down, and maimed Dy.  
But, when the turning Tide retired again,  
And, with a rapid Fall into the Main,  
The Billows fled; where tall Ships, lately, Ploughed  
The Waves, safe Passage Nereus there allowed  
A Foot. And this Way noble Scipio,  
Consulting with his Thoughts, resolved to go,  
Draws through the Sea his Men, and suddenly  
Up to the Walls doth through the Waters fly.  
And, when with Speed, behind, they hasten on,  
Where Arris, trusting to the Sea, the Town  
Had left without a Guard; strait (sad to tell)  
His Neck in Chains, the Libyan Prostrate fell,  
And bade the People all, disarmed, to yield.  
This City Titan, when he risen, beheld  
Circled with Camps; and captived saw the same,  

(n) They began the Assault in the Morning; and, about Noon, when the Tide was gone, Scipio Commanded longer Ladders to be brought (while the Enemy, fearing little on that Side, was wholly intent on the Land) and entering the City there, had it, before Sunset, in his possession.  Before in Western Seas he hide his Flame.  
Th' ensuing Morn from Earth had chased away  
Night's Shades, when first they Altars raise: then Slay  
Unto the God of Seas, for Sacrifice,  
A Bull; and so to jove. Then equalise  
Rewards to all Deserts: and, gained with Blood,  
Valour her Crown receives. Here, shining, stood  
One with rich Trappings on his Breast; and there  
Another, on his Warlike Neck, did wear  
A golden Snake: this with a Mural Crown  
Was honoured. But then, Laelius (in renown  
Both of his Family, and Valour, all  
Excelling) is created Admiral.  
Besides a Gift of thirty Oxen, and  
The Libyan's Arms that did, in Chief, command.  
Then Spears to some, and Martial Ensigns are  
To others given (as they deserved) and share  
Of Spoils. And when the Praise of Gods, and Men,  
Was perfected, their Captive Riches then  
Survay'd, and Pray laid up; this Gold was for  
The Senate, and those Talents for the War.  
This Kingdom they for Donatives Design;  
That for the Temples of the Powers Divine  
Is Chief kept: whatever else remains  
Rewards the Soldier's Valour, and their Pains.  
Then the Iberian King, whose 
(o) Among the Captives a Virgin of incomparable Beauty, was brought to Scipio: who, finding her betrothed, to Luceius (a Prince of the Country) not only restored her Inviolate into his Hands; but gave with her a very large sum of Money (presented to him by her Parents in token of their Gratitude) as a Dowry from Him. See. Livy, ibid.  Sponsal Flame  
Was fixed deep in his Bones, as summoned, came;  
To whom, much joyed, his Spouse, a Virgin Fair,  
And Pure, he cheerful gave. Then, free from Care,  
Their Tables spread upon the Neighbouring Shore,  
And feasting High, with solemn Sports, before  
The rest, thus Laelius. Brave General,  
Go on, adored, for thy chaste Mind, through all  
The World! To Thee the Glory, and the Praise,  
And (celebrated in Immortal Lays)  
The Valour of great Heroes shall give Way.  
That 
(p) Agamemnon.  Captain, who a thousand Ships by Sea  
From the Mycenae drew, and Argive Arms  
Joined with Thessalian, through a Woman's Charms,  
Infringed his 
(q) The small City Lyrnessus, taken by Achilles, in the Expedition against Troy, Hippodamia (or Brisaeis) the King's Danghter became Achilles' Prize; but Agamemnon, who was Generalissimo, Enamoured of her, took her from him.  Social League, and they beheld  
All Tents, within the Phrygian Army, filled  
With Captive Beds. A Barbarous Maid by Thee  
Alone, more spotless, in Virginity  
Is kept, than Troy's Cassandra. Thus the Day,  
In Talk, they spent, till Night in dark Array  
Raised her black Steeds, inviting all to Rest.  
In the mean Time, Aemathian Broils infest  
Th' Aetolian Land, invaded suddenly  
By 
(r) Philip, King of Macedon, entering League with the Carthaginians, fell upon the Allies of the Romans, and wasted all the Grecian Coast; till at length, recalled by Broils at Home, and the ill Success of the Carthaginians, he was constrained to accept a dishonourable Peace from the Romans.  Macedonian Ships: an Enemy,  
With whom the Acarnanian quickly joyn●d.  
For than King Philip, in a League combined  
With Libya, against the Roman Name  
Those new Commotions had raised. The Fame  
Of his Descent, his Ancient Crowns, and Throne  
From the Aeäcides, and 
(s) Achilles, from whom he descended.  Thetis Son,  
(His Grandsire) puffed him up. Now, He with Fear  
Of's Arms, by Night, filled Oricon: and where,  
On the Illyrick Coast, Taulentians dwell,  
In small, and nameless Walls, upon them fell.  
With furious War. Thence passing on by Sea,  
Tesprotian Borders, and Phoenicia  
Alarmed: with vain Attempts, he Epire viewed,  
Then on the Coast of Anactorium showed  
His Ensigns: then th' Ambracian Bay, and Shores  
Of Pella scoured with rapid War, his Oars  
Beating Leucate's chafing Waves, he straight  
At Actium saw Apollo's sacred Seat.  
Nor left he Ithaca (Laertes Throne)  
Untried: nor Sames; nor those Rocks whereon  
White-foaming Floods the Cephalenians see.  
And Neriton with Rocky Fields: then He  
To Pelops Country went, glad to behold  
Achaean Walls, and Caly●●● of old  
Affected by Diana. After these  
To the Caretes, and Oeni●●●s,  
With promise, to the Greeks, against Italy,  
To use his Arms, he went: then Ephyre,  
Patrae, and Princely Pleuron he survay'd:  
Two-crowned Parnassus, and (by Phoebus made  
To speak) Prophetic Rocks; and, though again,  
Often by War called homeward: sometimes when  

(t) In his absence both Sarmatians and Thessalians (Dolope▪) invaded his Country.  Sarmatian Orestes did infest  
His Kingdoms, or fierce Dolopes oppressed  
His Country, yet unwilling to forbear  
His vain Designs, the shadow of a War  
He carried up, and down, the Grecian Coast;  
Till all his hopes, placed in the Libyans, lost  
By Sea, and Land, a Suppliant, he signed  
A League, with the 
(u) Romans.  Dardanians, nor declined  
From them, in his own Kingdom, to receive  

(v) The Governor of Tarentum was a Bruti●● (a Nation formerly observed to be of an Inconstant Faith) who, enamoured of a Tarentine Woman (whose Brother was a Soldier under Fabius) was induced by her to betray the City to Fabius. See Plutarch, in the Life of Fabius.  The Law: But then Tarentum's Fortune gave  
To Italy increase both of Renown▪  
And Riches. For, at length, that treacherous Town,  
Was by old Fabius conquered, and of all  
His Titles, of a Wary General,  
The last became. For than his Industry  
Gained that safe Honour, that the City He  
Had taken without Blood. And, when 'twas known,  
That a Sidonian Captain, in the Town,  
Burned with a Woman's Love: and that, through Ease,  
A silent Treason thence might Valour please:  
To his loved Sister, straight, her Brother (who  
Then bore Rutulian Arms) is forced to go,  
Instructed to subdue the Woman's Mind  
With ample Promises, if She inclined  
The Libyan to betray the Gates. And, thus  
The Libyan overcome, old Fabius  
His Wish enjoyed, and, through th' unguarded Walls  
By Night, into the Town the Army falls.  
But who, that heard Marcellus then was slain  
In Fight, would think, that Sol should join again  
His flaming Steeds, so turned away from Rome?  
That noble Person, that brave Breast, in whom  
The God of War inhabited, who never,  
In its most horrid Shape, did Danger fear,  
In Combat fell: in his renowned Fall,  
(Alas) how great a Blow to Hannibal!  
In him thy Terror Carthage prostrate lay,  
Who had perhaps from Scipio born away  
(Had but the Gods been pleased awhile to spare  
His Life) the Name of finishing the War.  
Which seated, then, within the Daunian Land,  
Between both Camps, a little Hill did stand.  
Crispinus with Marcellus bore like Share  
In Cares, and Honours, and the Common War  
Pursued: to whom Marcellus thus began.  
I have a Mind to view those Woods, and on  
The Hill to lodge our Men; lest first it be  
Possessed, in Ambush, by the Enemy.  
I would Crispinus (if you please) that you  
Would share in this Design; for seldom two  
In Counsel fail. When this they had Decreed,  
Each Man contends to mount his eager Steed.  
Marcellus, when he saw his Son, among  
The rest, put on his Arms, and in the Throng  
Joyful, and Brisk: Thou dost appear more Great  
(Said He) than Me, by thy admired Heat.  
May this thy early Labour Happy be!  
Such, as, at Syracuse once, I Thee  
Beheld, before thine Age would Thee allow  
As fit for War, engaging with a Brow,  
Like mine. Oh! hither come (my Glory) stand  
Close to thy Father's side, and by my Hand  
Learn a new Way of Fight. Then he laid  
His Arms about his Neck, and briefly prayed.  
Grant, from the Libyan Gen'ral (Oh! thou King  
Of Gods) that on these Shoulders I may bring  
Opimous Spoils to Thee! As here he ends;  
From the clear Sky a bloody Dew descends,  
And jove the Fatal Drops had sprinkled on  
His (then successless) Arms. Scarce had he done  
His Speech, when through the Straits, advancing up  
The Fatal Mountain, straight a nimble Troop  
Of Nomades upon them fly, and pour  
Their Darts, as thick, as an Etherial Shower:  
While, from their secret Ambush, they supplied  
The Fight, with armed Troops. On every side,  
When Valour found herself thus close beset;  
And nothing, now, remaining, as a Debt  
Unto the Gods: He only sought to go,  
With a great Name, unto the Shades below.  
Then, at a distance, his contorted Spear  
With all his Force he throws: now fights, more near  
At Hand, with's Sword; and had escaped, perchance,  
That cruel Storm of Danger, if a Lance  
Had not transfixed the Body of his Son.  
But then (alas!) the Father's Hands begun  
To shake, and, weak through Sorrow, loosely bore  
His hapless Arms, until an obvious Spear  
Pierced through his naked Breast; by which sad Wound  
He falls, his Face imprinting on the Ground.  
When Hannibal perceived (amidst the Fight)  
The Fatal Lance within his Bosom light,  
Aloud he cries: now Carthage, cease to fear  
The Roman Laws; the Name of Terror here  
Lies prostrate, and the 
(y) Though, in the time of Marcellus, there were in Rome many Eminent Captains, yet none did exceed him, in Conduct, Strength, or Courage. For which, his Fortune made him particularly Renowned; having fought many single Combats, and in all been a Conqueror. Plutarch observes, that he was called Marcellus (quasi Martialis) as▪ most excelling Warrior Hannibal so much honoured him for his Valour, that he burned his Body (after the Roman Manner) and sent his Ashes to Rome.  Column of their State.  
But that brave Hand (so like mine own of late)  
Shall not obscurely to the Shades be sent.  
True Valour's void of Envy. Straight they went  
About to build his Pyle, which to the Skies  
By mighty Oaks, brought from the Woods, doth rise.  
You might believe the Libyan General  
Had died! then Incense, Cates, his Shield, withal,  
And Fasces (his last Pomp) are brought, and while,  
With his own Hand, the Taper to the Pyle  
The Prince applies; Eternal Praise (said He)  
We have acquired. For of Marcellus We  
Have Italy deprived. Perhaps they may  
At length, now, lay down Arms. Go then, and pay  
To that great Soul, and to his Dust, all Deuce  
Of Funeral. I never will refuse  
Thee this (O Rome) that thou the Sepulchre  
Of one, whose Valour made him Great, in War,  
With Titles may'st adorn: and lasting Fame,  
Among Rutulian Nephews, crown his Name.  
Such is your other Consul's Fate, whose Steed  
Him, breathless, to your Camp conveyed, with Speed.  
Such, then, Affairs did in Ausonia stand.  
But not the same, in the Iberian Land,  
Was the Event of Arms. The quick Surprise,  
And Conquest of New-Carthage, terrifies  
The Nations round about. The Generals there,  
Unless they join with Social Aids, despair  
Of Safety: since Young Scipio had fought  
(As if He Thunder in his Arms had brought  
From Italy) with so great Auspicies,  
That he a fenced Town (whose Height their Eyes  
Can hardly reach, as on an Hill it stood)  
Had taken in one Day, and filled with Blood.  
While, even their Warlike Hannibal, before  
He overthrew Sagunthus, that for Store  
Of People, and for Wealth might not appear  
As Equal unto that, had spent a Year.  
To his great Brother's Deeds aspiring still,  
The next was 
(z) Hasdrubal, Brother to Hannibal, was by him left sole Governor of Spain, (when he began his March towards Italy) with two thousand Horse, twelve thousand Foot, and fifty Ships.  Hasdrubal; who on a Hill  
Encamped, encompassed with a rocky Wood  
Here, his chief Strength, fierce Cantabrians stood;  
Mixed with rebellious Africans: and there,  
Then the swift Moor more swift, Asturians were.  
And with as much of Majesty did he  
Iberia rule, as then in Italy  
His Brother Hannibal with Terror lived.  
It chanced, a Tyrian Solemn Day revived  
Their ancient Honour, and the Time, wherein  
The Walls of Carthage they did first begin,  
And a new City of small Houses raised.  
His Nations Rise the General much pleased  
Thus to commemorate, his Ensigns all  
Adorned with Laurel, kept the Festival;  
And th' Gods appeased. Lose from his Shoulders hung  
His Brother's Gift (a Mantle) which, among  
Some other Presents, as a Compliment  
Of their strict League, Trinacria's Prince had sent,  
A stately Robe, among Aeölian Kings.  
An Eagle, through the Clouds, with golden Wings,  
Snatched up (in Texture hovering) to the Sky  
A Boy. A spacious Cave there was hard by,  
Which, in the Purple, there, the Needle made,  
The Cyclops House: here Polypheme was laid  
Along, and swallowed Bodies, dropping Gore,  
Between his Deadly Jaws. About him store  
Of broken Bones; which, chewing, forth he threw.  
Then for his Drink, his Hand extended to  
Läertes 
(a) Ulysses.  Son, he calls: and, belching up  
Crude Blood, with Wine commixed it in the Cup.  
Conspicuous in this Robe, at Altars made  
Of Grass, the Peace o'th' Gods the Tyrian prayed.  
When riding in, amidst them all, behold  
A Scout, that Hostile Arms approached them, told.  
The Worship of the Gods unfinished,  
With troubled Minds, they from the Altars fled.  
All Sacred Rites broke off, all Night they lay  
Encamped. But, when the dewy Morn the Day  
First raised, a furious Fight began, and there  
Stout Sabbura first felt the thrilling Spear  
Of Scipio. Both Armies seemed to be  
Moved with the Omen. The first Victim We  
I'th' Field (Ye sacred Shades!) to you have slain,  
(Exclaims the Roman Gen'ral) Now again  
Into the Fight, and Slaughter (Soldiers) go,  
As with best Captains you were wont to do.  
This said; they all fall on: by Lena's Hand  
Falls Myconus; Latinus, Cirta: and  
Stout Maro Thysdrus kills: and Catiline  
Incestuous Nëalces doth disjoin  
From his own Sister's Bed. Then Cartulo  
(A Libyack Prince) is sent to Shades below,  
By fierce Nasidius. Thee (likewise) thou  
Laelius (thou great Renown of Italy)  
Things, scarce to be believed, performing there,  
Amidst the Carthaginians, full of Fear,  
Pyrene's Land beheld. Nature bestowed  
On him all Happy things, which were allowed  
By all the Gods. When he was heard to plead  
At th' Bar, not Nestor could in Speech exceed:  
Or when the Fathers, and the Court did stand  
In Doubt, and his Opinion did demand,  
He led the Senate's Hearts, as with a Charm.  
But, when the Noise of Trumpets did Alarm  
His Ears, within the Field, with such an Heat,  
He rushed into the Fight, and Armies, that  
You'd think, he had been born for War alone;  
And nothing, without Praise, by him was done.  
From a stolen Life the Gala fight threw:  

(b) He was designed to be Sacrificed at Carthage; but his Mother gave another Child in his stead.  Whom 's Mother once, by changing him withdrew  
From Byrsa's cruel Rites. But quickly all  
Such Joys, as rise from Gods, so cheated fall.  
Then Murus, Alebis, and Draces, who,  
With an Effeminate Cry, for Life did sue,  
By him were slain. Poor Draces, as he prayed,  
And begged; his Head cut off, the Murmurs stayed  
In his dissevered Throat. But Hasdrubal  
Had not the like desire to Fight. Not all  
The extreme Loss, and Slaughter of his Men  
Him moved. But to the Woody Hills again,  
And lurking Holes of pathless Rocks, he flies,  
And to the Alps, and Italy his Eyes  
Are turned: the great Advantage of his Flight.  
The Signal silently is given, and Fight  
Quite laid aside, they are Commanded through  
The Woods, and Hills to fly dispersed, and who▪  
Soe'er escaped should to Pyrene's Top  
Ascend, their Chief, and sole remaining Hope.  
All Marks of Honour, as a General,  
Then laid aside, disguised, with a small  
Iberian Targe, first Hasdrubal ascends  
The Hills, and, flying, quits his wand'ring Friends.  
To the forsaken Camp the Romans straight  
Their Ensigns send. No City captivate  
Can yield more Spoils; and did their Rage withdraw  
From Slaughter, as the Libyan foresaw.  
So in some Brook surprised, when he despairs  
Of Safety, from his Groin the 
(c) This may very well be reckoned among Vulgar Errors. The Testicles of the Beaver being in no wise so valuable, as his Skin. Besides, that they are not only out of his reach, lying close to his Spine; but not at all attempted by him, when hunted.  Beaver tares  
The parts, that caused his Danger, and away  
Swims from his Fo. Intent upon his Prey  
When thus the Libyan had with Speedy Flight,  
Trusting to Rocky Woods, in Shades, like Night,  
Himself concealed: straight back again they go  
Unto a greater War, to meet a Foe  
More sure to be subdued. But first upon  
Pyrene's Hill, with this Inscription,  
A Shield they fix, 
(d) When the Romans had utterly subdued an Enemy, they Triumphed: when only put him to Flight, they in the Place erected a Trophy, which was commonly (as out of Tacitus his second Book may be observed) of heaps of Arms, taken in the Field, with an Inscription on a Table (as here Scipio) fixed over them.  SCIPIO A CONQUEROR,  
HASDRUBAL'S SPOILS UNTO THE GOD OF WAR.  
In the mean time, beyond the Hills (all Fear  
Now laid aside) Bebrycian People were  
By Hasdrubal soon armed: who Prodigal  
To purchase Hands for Aid, and ready all  
Prepared to thrust into the War, with Store  
Of Gold, and Silver, thither sent before  
And with long Labours gained, in Wealthy Lands  
Had raised their Warlike Minds. Hence active Bands  

(c) Hasdrubal took the Field with such Forces, as, at first, he hired of the Ligurians (about eight thousand Men) and soon after the Averni, and other Gauls, with the People of the Alps, joined with him: so that he became no less formidable, at Rome, at that time; then Hannibal.  Filled the new Camp. All Mercenary Souls:  
Those, that where 
(f) Rhosne.  Rhodanus swift Billows rowls  
Delight to dwell; with those, where Arar flows  
Most softly through the Fields. And, now, the Snows  
Of Winter all resolved, the Year retains  
A milder Face. Then through the Celtic Plains,  
Entering a speedy March, he goes: admires  
The Conquered Alps, and pervious Heights: inquires  
The very Footsteps, where Alcides trod:  
Compares with th' Adventures of the God  
His Brother's Ways. When to the Top of all  
He came, and in the Camp of Hannibal  
Sat down: What higher Walls (said He) do Rome  
Invest? which, after these once overcome  
By my great Brother, stand yet safe? Oh, may  
The Glory of so brave a Hand (I pray)  
Prove Happy! nor, let it the Envy be  
Of any angry Deity, that We  
The Stars approached! Then, where a safe Descent  
The Hill declining showed, straight down he went,  
With hasty Arms. Through all, so great a Dread  
Not the Beginnings of the War had spread.  
Two Hannibals they now report: and two  
Strong Camps, on either side: and glutted, through  
Success, with Roman Blood, the Chiefs the War  
Jointly pursue. The Armies doubled are,  
And to the Walls the Foe would quickly haste,  
And, sticking on the Gates, they Jav'lins, cast  
From Elysaean Hands, should shortly see.  
Much vexed at this, the Land of Italy  
Thus with herself. Alas! ye Gods, must I  
With so great Fury of the Libyans lie  
Despised? who Saturn, when the powerful Hand  
Of jove he feared, concealed: and in my Land  
An Empire gave! Now the tenth Summer's Corn  
Appears, since thus I have been sadly torn.  
And, now, a Youth, who wanteth nothing more,  
But to invade the Gods, the farthest Shore  
O'th' World hath left, and 's Arms against me bends,  
And, the high Alps profaned, with Rage descends  
Into my Land. How many Corpse have I  
Of Slain entombed? Alas! how often by  
My flaughtered Sons deformed? I have no Trees  
With pregnant Buds: his Corn the Peasant sees,  
Yet Green, cut down with Swords: the towers of all  
My Villages into my Bosom fall,  
And by their Ruins is my Land defaced.  
Yet, now, must I endure this Youth at last,  
By whom my wasted Coasts invaded are,  
Who seeks the ruthful Relics of the War  
To burn. Then wand'ring Africans may rend  
My Bowels with their Ploughs, and Moors commend  
The Crops, which the Ausonian Furrows yield.  
Unless their Troops, insulting through the Field,  
I, in one Grave, inter. As, thus, She than  
Her Woes revolved, and Night both Gods, and Men  
Composed to Rest, to Nero's Camp She went.  
He, with a Neighbouring Trench, was then intent  
The Libyan from Lucanian Coasts to keep.  
The Youth, here, Latium's Image, in his Sleep,  
Accosts. O Nero! Thou, who art become  
(Marcellus lost) the greatest Hope of Rome!  
The 
(g) Clausus was a General of the Sabines, who, after Peace was made between Romulus, and the Sabines, came with five thousand Clients, and encorporated them with the Romans, with whom they they equally enjoyed all Privileges of Citizens; but suffrage in Creating Magistrates. From this, Clausus came both the Claudian Tribe, and Family.  Clausi's Glory! shake off Sleep; by Thee  
Something of Moment must attempted be,  
(If thou wilt add unto thy Country's Fates)  
Which even the conquerors (when from the Gates  
The Foe's repulsed) shall wonder to be done.  
With shining Arms (behold!) 
(h) Hasdrubal, Brother to Hannibal.  Amilcar's Son,  
Like a dire Deluge, overruns the Plains,  
Where Sena still her gallic Name retains:  
Unless thy winged Troops Thou thither straight  
Draw out to Fight, thine Aid will come too late  
To ruin'd Rome hereafter. Rise; be gone:  
I have condemned Metaurus Region,  
And all those spacious Fields, to Libyan Bones,  
And Graves. This said: She vanishing, at once  
Appears to draw him after Her, and through  
The broken Gates to drive his Troops into  
The Field. With that he wakes, and Troubled stands  
With an inflamed Heart, and then, with Hands  
Lifted to Heaven, He prays the Earth, and Night,  
The scattered Stars, and Moon, with silent Light  
To be his Guides. Then, choosing proper Hands  
For such a Work, through 
(i) The Larinates, Frentani, Marrucini: all Borderers on the Upper, or Adriatic Sea.  Larinatian Lands  
(Coasting upon the Vpper-Sea) and where,  
Hardy in War, 
(i) The Larinates, Frentani, Marrucini: all Borderers on the Upper, or Adriatic Sea.  Marrucine People were,  
And the strict 
(i) The Larinates, Frentani, Marrucini: all Borderers on the Upper, or Adriatic Sea.  Frentane, that his Faith maintains  
In Social Arms: where the Praetutian Swains  
(Pleased with their Labour) dress their Vines, he flies,  
Swift as a Bird; as Lightning from the Skies;  
As Torrents with Hybernal Billows flow;  
Or Arrows, from an 
(k) Parthian.  Achemenian Bow.  
Each Man himself exhorts. Go on, and haste;  
For in thy Feet the doubtful Gods have placed  
Rome's Safety: whether She shall stand, or fall.  
Thus crying, on they go; the General  
Best Exhortation, being Foremost, gives:  
While every one, his Speed increasing, strives,  
By following, to equal him, and Day,  
And Night, un-wearied, nimbly March away.  
But the Report of those increasing Ills,  
O'th' adverse War, all Rome with Terror fills.  
That Nero hoped too much, they now complain.  
That by one Wound that Life, that did remain,  
Might soon be lost. Nor Money, Arms, nor Men,  
Nor Blood to lose, there now remained. And then,  
Who had not strength to deal with Hannibal,  
Alone, in Fight, should fall on Hasdrubal.  
That now again (soon as the Libyan saw  
His Arms diverted from the Camp) he'd draw  
His Forces to their Gates. That he was come,  
Who, in the Glory of destroying Rome,  
Would strive with his Proud Brother. With one mind  
Thus frets the Senate; yet in Counsel joined,  
To keep their Honour, and themselves to Free  
From threatened Chains, and angry Gods to flee.  
Amidst these Sighs, Nero, protected by  
An obscure Night, unto the Camp drew nigh;  
Where, near to Hasdrubal, within the Field,  

(l) Marcus Livius had formerly been unjustly Censured, and Banished by the People; who, now in want of such Captains, recalled him, and made him Consul with Nero, with whom he afterward Triumphed for this Victory.  Old Livy lay. He Warlike once, and skilled  
In Feats of Arms, flourished in former Times,  
Famous in War; but, falsely charged with Crimes  
By the Unequal Tribes, in Discontent,  
His Days obscurely in the Country spent.  
But, when a sadder Weight, and Fears began,  
Through nearer Dangers, to require the Man,  
After so many Valiant Captains slain;  
Then, to his Country called, to Arms again  
His aged Valour He had vowed. But all  
These Plots of new Supplies to Hasdrubal  
Were known, and what the Wings of Night concealed  
The Signs of Dust upon their Shields revealed.  
Besides their hasty Running to, and fro:  
Their Horse, and Men prepared, and Trumpets show  
(As they the Signal sound) the Camp to be  
Commanded by two Generals. But (said He)  
If yet my Brother live, how can they now  
Their Social Forces join? Yet, till I know  
The Truth, it only now remains, that I  
The Time protract, and Chance of Fight fly.  
Nor, with base Fear, this poor resolve of Flight  
Did he delay. But, when from Cares the Night  
(Mother of Rest) had freed the Breasts of Men,  
And Darkness dreadful Silence nourished, then  
Forth from his Camp he breaks, and his mute Bands  
To follow with a silent March commands;  
Who, through the quiet Plain, protected by  
The gloomy Night, all Noise avoiding, fly.  
But shaken, by a Motion so great,  
Th' Italian Land, perceiving their Deceit,  
Involves them in dark Errors in the Place,  
And (Night conspiring) in a narrow Space  
Still leads them round. For, where, with winding Waves  
His crooked Banks the Flood obliquely laves;  
And, through rough Creeks returning, falls again  
Into itself, there toiling, all in vain  
With fruitless Wander, a small Circuit they  
Had made, and, in the Errors of their Way,  
(The Benefit of Night now lost) the Light  
Comes on, and to their Foes detects their Flight.  
With that a furious Storm of Horse, the Gates  
Thrown open, and a Shower of Steel dilates  
Itself, o'er all the Field. Arms, yet, they none,  
Nor Hands had mixed: But Shafts, at distance thrown,  
Drink Blood. To stop the flying Libian, here  
Dictaean Arrows fly: and Lances there,  
Like a black Tempest, and on whom they light  
They Death inflict. And, now all thoughts of Flight  
Quite laid aside, about they, frighted, Face,  
And close drawn-up, their Hopes in Fight place.  
Amidst them all, the Gen'ral, mounted High  
(For now He saw their sad Extremity)  
On a tall Steed, his Hands, and Voice extends:  
By all those Trophies gained by You (my Friends)  
Under the farthest Pole; my Brother's Praise:  
Make it appear, I You beseech (He says)  
The Brother of Great Hannibal is come;  
For Fortune labours, now, to give to Rome  
Sad Documents, and show how strong an Hand  
You, that have conquered the Iberian Land,  
And at Alcides' Pillars used to War,  
On the Rutulians turn. Perhaps, not far  
From hence, my Brother to this Battle may  
Arrive. Oh! hasten worthy him (I pray)  
A Spectacle; with Bodies fill the Plain.  
Each General is by my Brother slain,  
That might be feared, in War: and now their sole  
Remaining Hope, drawn from his skulking Hole.  
Decrepit Livy (a condemned Head)  
Is offered to you. Oh! go on, strike Dead  
That General, cut off his Feeble Age,  
Against whom 'twere Shame my Brother should engage.  
But Nero contrary exhorts: Why are  
You slow, the Labours of this mighty War  
To end? 
(m) Nero, having intercepted Hasdrubal's Letters to Hannibal, marched very hard, for several Nights together, (while Hannibal wasted the Countries of the Larinates, Frentani, etc.) to join with Livy, before Hasdrubal should enter farther into Italy, or Hannibal have tidings of his Arrival.  Your Feet already Praise have gained,  
Now crown these high Beginnings with the Hand:  
The Camp you, rashly (all the Bars o'erthrown)  
Have left, except you perfect what is done  
By Victory. Your Glory hasten: show  
That your Arrival overthrew the Fo.  
But Livy, in another Quarter, where,  
His Helmet taken off, his hoary Hair  
Was seen to all, cries; Come (my Lads) and Me  
Observe in Fight, and wheresoever you see  
My Sword shall make your Way, there enter; so  
The Alps (too open to the wasteful Foe)  
Shut with your Swords, at length. Unless we quite  
Destroy this Army, by a sudden Flight,  
That Thunderbolt of Carthage (Hannibal)  
Will soon be here. Then who is He of all  
The Gods, that Us from Stygian Shades can free?  
Then he resumes his Cask, and instantly  
His Sword confirms his Words, and (is Age from sight  
Again concealed) He enters first the Fight.  
Him through the thickest Bodies of the Field,  
Breaking through closest Ranks: who, furious, killed  
As many, as he Shafts discharged; with Dread  
The Macae, and fierce Autololians fled:  
With Bands of Rhodanus, their Hair unshorn.  
'Mong the Prophetic Sands of Hammon born,  
Secure of Fate, there Nabis fiercely fought,  
And mighty Trophies (as if then he thought  
The Gods protected him) to fix at Home,  
Had vainly promised. From the Tyrian Loom,  
Flaming with Garamantick Gems a Vest  
He wears (so shine the Stars in Heaven) his Crest  
With Gems, with radiant Gold his Shield enchased;  
On's horned Cask the hanging Fillets cast  
A sacred Dread, and Honour of the Gods:  
A Bow, and Quiver, which with Shafts he loads  
In Cerasts steeped, hang at his Back; and, so  
With Poison Armed, to Battle doth he go  
Then leaning, backward, on his Horse (as he  
His Country's Custom used) upon his Knee  
Resting the Weight of his Sarmatick Spear,  
It, prone, upon his Foes he thrusts, and there  
With that vast weapon, through his Arms, and through  
His Body, wounded, in the Consul's view,  
Sabellus, with loud Shouts, he bears along  
In Triumph, praising Hammon in his Song.  
But the old Consul, who so great a Pride,  
And Rage, in Barbarous Breasts could not abide,  
A Weapon lanced, and both his Life, and Pray  
A Conqueror, from the Conqueror took away.  
Hearing the Cries of his sad Fall, amain  
The Libyan Prince came on, and from the Plain  
As Arabus was then about to take  
His Spoils, made Stiff with Gold, and Gems, at 's Back  
A Weapon aimed, and through the Chine him struck,  
Just as, in both his Hands, in Haste he took  
His Prize, and left his trembling Body bare.  
He fell, and all the Sacred Garments, there,  
And golden Threads restored (unhappy) to  
The Dead, and died upon his spoilt Fo.  
But Canthus, Owner of much Libyan Sand,  
Where their Unconquered Name unto the Land  
The famed 
(n) The Cyrenenses, and Carthaginians contended for Bounds between their two Cities, separated by a vast Sandy Plain. After many sharp Conflicts it was agreed, that, on a certain Day, two from each City should set out at a certain hour, and where they met, that Place should be their Bounds. The Phileni were two Carthaginian Brothers, who got much Ground by their Speed, of the Cyrenenses; who, cavilling, that they came out before their time, it was at length agreed; that, if the Phileni would be content to be buried alive, where they met, that Place should be their Bounds. To which they consented, and to their Memory, besides other Honours at Home, the Carthaginians built Altars on the Place.  Philêni gave, Wealthy in Sheep,  
Killed Rutulus, where lofty Folds did keep  
A thousand bleating Lambs, spending his Days  
In easy Care. Sometimes the Sun's hot Rays,  
He from his Flocks would break, in some cool Flood:  
Sometimes retiring to a shady Wood,  
Shining, as white as Snow, their Fleeces sheared.  
Or when, at Night, they Home again repaired  
From Pasture, was much pleased to see the Lambs,  
Within the Flood, distinguishing their Dams.  
Deceived He fell, through his brass Target struck,  
And grieved too late, that he his Folds forsaken.  
At this the Romans forward pressed, and came  
More Furious on. Like Torrents, Storm, or Flame  
Of Thunder▪ swift as Waves from Boreas fly,  
Or hollow Clouds run on, when to the Sky  
Eurus throws up the Ocean's briny Flood.  
Tall Cohorts, with their Celtic Ensigns, stood  
I'th' Van; which, with their wedg-like Files, their fierce  
Impulse, and sudden Force they soon disperse:  
And tried with Wand'ring, and the scorching Sun,  
And tedious Labours they had undergon,  
A native Terror makes them all to fly.  
The Romans, at their Backs, their Weapons ply,  
And with their following Shafts so instant are,  
That they no Flight allow. Straight, Tyrus there  
Fell with one Wound. By more fell Rhodanus,  
With Arrows pierced. A Lance thrust Morius  
Down to the Earth. Whom Livy, that full speed  
Came on, as he was falling, struck, and 's Steed  
Into the Troops, as they were flying, spurred.  
There Mosa's swelling Neck he with his Sword  
Cut off: his Head, within his Helmet bound,  
Falling so high, shaken with its Weight the Ground;  
While the yet-setting Trunk his Steed conveyed,  
Frighted, into the Fight. Here Cato said  
(For he among the thickest fought) If He  
Had first the Tyrian Youth opposed, when We  
In Battle lost the Alps, alas! how great  
An Hand from Italy had found Retreat?  
How many Funerals to Libian, slain,  
Might the sad Suffrage of that Fatal Plain  
Have given? But, now, the Armies began to yield.  
An universal Terror, through the Field,  
The Celtae's Fear had spread. The Tyrian Side  
Declines, and Victory herself applied  
To the Rutulian Arms. The Consul high  
As in his prime of Years, Triumphantly  
Went on, and still more great appeared to all.  
But now, behold, the Libyan General  
Comes on, and with him brings a Troop, all White  
With Dust: and, lancing Darts, exclaims; Your Flight  
Forbear; who is this Foe, from whom you fly?  
Do you not blush? Our Troops are routed by  
An old Man's Feeble Arms. Am I (I pray)  
Now grown Degenerate in War? or say  
Are Ye grown Weary of Me? Me? who am  
Of Belus Race, allied to Dido's Name.  
Amilcar was my Sire, in War to all  
To be preferred; my Brother Hannibal,  
To whom the Hills, Lakes, Plains, and Rivers yield.  
I am the next to Him, at Carthage, held.  
Me Baetis in her Coasts, and Nations, where  
My Arms have been, do, even with Him, compare.  
As this he spoke, He rushed into the Fight,  
And soon, as with his shining Arms in Sight  
The Consul came, too hastily, at Him  
A Javelin threw; which, passing through the Brim  
Of's brazen Shield, and, at the Top of all  
His Breastplate entering, lightly, in its Fall,  
His Shoulder wounded, drawing little Blood;  
Although the Libyan thought, it would make good  
His vain Conceits. The Romans were dismayed  
At this. When thus the Consul, to upbraid  
His weak Attempt (You might believe that in  
Some women's Broils, or Boys, he scratched had been)  
Cries; Go, my Lads, and let them understand,  
How great the Wounds are, that a Roman Hand  
Inflicts. Then suddenly a mighty Shower  
Of Darts, whose Shadow hides the Sun, they pour  
Upon the Foe, and all the spacious Plain  
Alternate Slaughter strews with Bodies slain:  
Whose Heaps increasing, in the River, joined  
The Banks. So, when Diana hath a Mind  
To hunt in shady Groves, and Sport to show  
To her pleased Mother, and the Woody Brow  
Of lofty Pindus shakes, or takes a View  
Of Maenalus, with Arrows charged, a Crew  
Of Nymphs about her flock, and straight surround  
The Pathless Cop'ces. There the Quivers sound,  
And loosely hanging, all the Shafts drawn out,  
Leap at their Backs; while still they beat about  
The Fields. Then on the Rocks, in Coverts, in  
The Valleys, Rivers, and the Dens, (still Green  
With Moss) the Slaughtered Beasts in Plenty lie.  
Then on some Mountain, with a joyful Eye,  
The Prey collected, pleased, Latona views.  
But furious Nero, when he heard the News  
Of Livy's Wound, breaks through the thickest, and  
Perceiving, that the Fight did Equal stand.  
What now unto the Fates of Italy  
Is left? (said He) If you this Enemy  
Do not overcome; how will you Hannibal  
Subdue? With that, as Mad, amidst them all  
He rushed: and, when he Hasdrubal beheld  
Among the foremost Troops, with Fury swelled.  
Like a Sea-Monster, that hath long been tossed  
In the vast Deep, quite void of all repast,  
When 'mong the Waves a Fish, far off, She spies;  
She boils within, and then, with eager Eyes,  
Pursuing in the Flood her swimming Prey,  
Swallows, with Fishes mixed, the Briny Sea.  
Now no delay of Darts, or Words. Thou Me  
No more shalt escape; Pyrene's Woods (said He)  

(o) Haesdrubal, was formerly so shut up in his Camp by Nero (between Illiturgi●, and M●ntissa, in Spain) that he could no way be relieved: and therefore Treated with him for many Days, on Conditions to draw all the Carthaginians out of Spain, and protracted that Treaty, till he had, by Degrees, in the Night, given his whole Army means to escape over the Hills, into places of Security. See Livy, lib. 16.  Shall not deceive Me here; nor yet, with vain,  
And faithless Promises, shalt thou again  
Delude; as, captived in th' Iberian Land,  
With a false League, thou once didst fly my Hand.  
Thus Nero: and withal he threw a Dart,  
And not in Vain. For in the lower Part  
Of's Side it stuck. With that, on him he leaps  
With's Sword: and, as with's Target-Point he keeps  
His trembling Body down, If now (said He)  
At the last Gasp, Thou dost desire it, We  
Unto thy Brother thy Commands will bear.  
To whom the Libyan replies; I fear  
Not Death: make use of this thy Victory;  
Till to my Shade a swift Revenger He  
Arrive. But, if unto my Brother Thou  
Wilt bear my last Desires, then say; that now  
I bid him burn the Capitol, and there  
Mix, with the Ashes of the Thunderer,  
My Bones, and Dust. As more he did desire  
To add, his Heart still boiling-up with Ire,  
The Conqueror pierced him with his Sword, and then  
Cut off his Faithless Head. With that, his Men  
(Their Gen'ral slain) are routed, and the Fight  
No more pursue: and now, at length, the Night  
The Sun, and Day obscures: when they repair  
With moderate Food, and Sleep, their Strength, and bare  
(The Way they came) their Conquering Ensigns, ere  
The Day returned back to the Camp, for Fear  
Shut up. Then Nero (as He did advance  
The Libyan's Head, aloft, upon his Lance)  
Said; Cannae, Trebia, Thrasimenus We  
With this thy Brother's Head have now to Thee  
Repaid (O Hannibal.) Thy Treacherous War  
Ingeminate, and hither call from far  
Thy doubled Troops. Such their Reward shall be,  
Who (the Alps crossed) desire to join with The●e  
But Hannibal, who did his Tears suppress,  
By Constant bearing, made his Sorrows less:  
And vows, in time, fit Sacrifice to pay  
Unto his Brother's Shade. Then, far away,  
His Camp removes: and so, dissembling right,  
His Griefs by Quiet, shuns a Dubious Fight.  
The End of the Fifteenth Book.   



Si tibi non segnes contra tua fulmina sa●●e  
Visi stare sumus; dignam te (nate Tonantis)  
Affe●imus dextram: tum dextra Scipio dextram   

Amplexus fatur magna sunc te praemia clarae  
Virtutis, Masanissa manent: ●itiusque vel armis  
Quam stratae studio vincetur Scipio Mentis   
Honoratissimo viro Edoardo Stanley Armigero Illustrissimo Domini Dni jacobi Comitis Derbia qui Sub Rebellibus Martijrium passus est Filio natu Secundo. Tabula Observantissime D.D.D.  SILIUS ITALICUS OF The Second Punic War. The Sixteenth Book.  
THE ARGUMENT.  
The Libyan Army to the Brutian Land  
Retires. What full Obedience the Command  
Of Hannibal obtained. Two Generals  
In Spain o'erthrown: a Third, a Captive falls  
Into brave Scipio's Hands. Prodigious Flames  
Crown Massanissa's Head; who straight disclaims  
The Libyan Side, and with the Roman joins.  
Both Hasdrubal, and Scipio their Designs,  
In Syphax Court, pursue. The League again  
Confirmed with Syphax; Scipio goes for Spain:  
Where, all subdued, with great Solemnities  
His Father's, and his Uncle's Obsequies  
He celebrates. Contending for Command,  
Two Brothers give a Combat Hand to Hand,  
And both are slain. To Rome the Consul goes,  
Where his Designs old Fabius doth oppose.  
But, by the Senate his Desire approv●d,  
The War is, into Libya, removed.  
BUT Hannibal, who for his Country grieves,  
And's own Mishaps, the 
(a) The Brutians first revolted to Hannibal. See before in the eleventh Book, page 296.  Brutian Land receives.  
Where, he, entrenched, the Time considers, when  
The War, suspended, he might raise again.  
As, when a Bull the Stalls forsakes, and quits  
His Empire of the Herd, and Straying gets  
Into some Wood enclosed; on wand'ring Fights  
He ruminates, and, fiercely Bellowing, frights  
The Groves: then o'er the lofty Rocks he goes;  
Tears them up with his Horns, and Trees or'ethrows.  
While Trembling Shepherds on high Hills, from far '  
Behold him thus preparing a new War.  
But, now, that Vigour (which had quite destroyed  
Ausonia, had He other Helps employed)  
Through a base Envy (labouring to retract  
Their Minds at Carthage) was constrained to Act  
Without their Aid; and, through the length of Time,  
In his Affairs to wax more Dull. Yet him  
The Fear, and Terror, by his valiant Hand,  
And by so many former Slaughters, gained,  
As an Inviolable, Sacred Head  
In Battle, still preserved. So that, instead  
Of all their Arms; their Aids of Camps, and all  
Their fresh Recruits, the 
(b) Hannibal had nothing now left him, but the Reputation of his former Deeds, to keep his Army together; which, though very much straitened, and Hopeless of all Relief from Carthage, and all Italy (the Brutians excepted) their Enemies; continued Faithful, through a Veneration of his Worth, and Valour, till he was recalled to relieve his Country.  Name of Hannibal  
Alone sufficed. So many Troops, that there  
Differed in Speech; So many Hearts, that were  
Divided in their Barbarous Customs; all  
Stood firm, a Reverence of their General:  
Kept their Minds Faithful, when Affairs declined.  
But the Dardanian Arms not only find  
Success in Italy, but 
(c) Phoenix was one of the four Generals, who, after Hasdrubal (the Brother of Hannibal) quitted Spain, maintained the War there: but was soon after forced to retire likewise into Africa.  Phoenix yields  
Iberia, beaten from those Golden Fields.  
And 
(d) This Mago was Brother to Hannibal; who, as the former Generals, beaten out of Spain, retired to Gades; and thence went with some few Forces by Sea into Italy, to join with Hannibal.  Mago, having lost his Camp, in haste,  
Urged by his Fears, by Sea to Libya past.  
But Fortune, not Content with what before  
For Scipio She had done, reserved in Store,  
Another Honour. 
(e) This Hanno (not that great Enemy to the Barcean Family) after Mago left Spain, was sent thither by the Carthaginians; but, soon after, his Camp was invaded by Syllanus, one of Scipio's Lieutenants, his whole Army destroyed, and himself, taken Prisoner.  Hanno then amain  
Advanced, and leading on a Barbarous Train,  
With rattling Shields, the Native Spaniards brought  
Too late. Yet (had he not with Scipio fought)  
Nor Valour, Art, nor Policy, in War  
Was wanting in Him. But all Force so far,  
With greater Weight, the Roman General  
Depressed, as Phoebe's Light surpasseth all  
The lesser Stars; as Sol doth Her excel;  
As Atlas other Hills; as Nile doth swell  
'Bove other Rivers; or the Ocean  
The Narrow-Seas exceeds. While he began  
T' encamp, as Evening with Un-equal Shades  
Olympus veiled, the Roman him invades;  
And, in the sudden Tumult, every where  
Th' imperfect Works are overthrown, and there  
The weighty Turf, and Earth, oppressing those,  
That fell, the Honour of a Grave bestows.  
But with a Courage, that might worthy be  
Of more than One, and which Posterity  
Deserves to know, and to commend to Fame  
Is worth our Pains, Cantabrian Larus came.  
Who, for his Mind, and body's Bulk, might be  
A Terror, though Unarmed. Most fiercely He  
(After his Country's Custom) his right-Hand,  
Armed with an Axe, the Combat still maintained:  
And (though the routed Bands about him, round,  
And his one Country Troop destroyed he found)  
The Place of those were slain supplied Alone;  
And, if he fought at hand, would oft upon  
The Forehead wound his Fo. And, when aside  
They him assailed, with obliqne Blows employed  
His Axe reflexed; If he assaulted were  
Behind, a furious Conqueror, free from Fear,  
His Fatal Weapon, he could Backward throw:  
In every part o'th' Fight, a dreadful Fo.  
At him with mighty Force (the Brother to  
The General) his Lance Young Scipio threw;  
Which, with his Cap of Fence, his flowing Hair  
Cast down: For, driven strong, the Fatal Spear  
Sunk deep, and far the lifted Axe was thrown.  
At which the Youth, whose Anger now was grown  
A mighty Weapon, leaping on him, giveth  
A Shout, and Home the Barbarous Weapon drives.  
The Armies trembled, while his battered Shield  
Sounds, with that Warlike weight, through all the Field.  
Nor was't in vain: For with his Sword, as from  
His Stroke the Spaniard drew his Right-hand Home,  
Cut off, and Dead, with its loved Weapon, down  
It fell. Which Wall, when it was overthrown,  
The Trembling Troops an Universal Flight  
Scatters, through all the Plain. No show of Fight;  
But the sad Face of Punishment of those,  
That fell, on every side, by Conquering Foes.  
But now, behold! the Libyan Prince, his Hands  
Behind him bound, through midst of all the Bands  
Is dragged along, and begged (Oh flattering Light  
Of Heaven!) that Captivate in Chains he might  
Have longer Life. To whom the Roman thus.  
See these are they, who once required o'er Us  
So great a Power; to whom thy Sacred Race  
Must yield (Quirinus) and the Gown give Place!  
But, to submit to Bondage if you are  
So Easy, why did you begin the War?  
As this he spoke, an Horsman Tidings brought,  
That 
(f) Hasdrubal, the Son of Giscon, the last of the Carthaginian Generals in Spain; and Father of Sophonisba. See Livy.  Hasdrubal, not knowing they had fought,  
Came on with Speed, to join his Arms, and Fate.  
Scipio snatched up his ready Ensigns straight,  
And when, overjoyed, he saw the Fight (so much  
Desired) approach, and Troops to Death with such  
A furious Speed advancing, to the Sky  
Lifting his Eyes; No more (Ye, Gods!) do I  
Of you this Day require, since now I see  
This Fugitive is drawn to Fight (said He)  
Our other Wishes by our Valour may  
Be gained. Then haste (Companions go,) I pray,  
Behold my Father here, my Uncle there  
With Rage, upon you call. Oh you, that are  
My Deities in War, our Leaders be.  
I'll follow you: Assist! and you shall see  
(If my presaging Mind deceive me not)  
A Slaughter worthy of your Name. For what  
Shall else give Period to our Fight here,  
In the Iberian Land? When shall appear  
That glorious Day, when at the fierce Alarms  
Of the approaching War, and these mine Arms  
I (Carthage) thee shall trembling see? This said  
Hoarse Trumpets, with shrill Murmurs, straight invade  
The Stars, with Echo. With fierce Clamours than  
They meet, with such a Violence, as when  
Notus, and Boreas, or fell Auster raves  
By Sea, and drown whole Fleets in swelling Waves.  
Or when his deadly Flames the Dog expires,  
And burns the fainting World with wasting Fires.  
Such Slaughters their fierce Fury by the Sword  
Commits, the gaping Earth could not afford  
A Space, the Ruins of the Fight to hid.  
No Rage of Savage Beasts had ere destroyed  
So many in their Fatal Dens. And, now,  
With Blood the Fields, and Valleys overflow;  
Their Weapons all are dulled: The Libyans are  
Cut off, and the Iberi, that in War  
Delight. And yet, though shattered much, a Band  
There was, that struggled still, and kept their Sta●d,  
Where Hasdrubal did with his Spear contend.  
Nor had their constant Valour made an End  
That Day; but that an Arrow chanced to fall  
Upon his Breast-plate's top. The Wound, though small  
Persuaded him to fly. Then straight he quits  
The Fight, and on his nimble Courser gets  
To Shelter, and along the Shore, by Night,  
To the Tartessîack Ports directs his Flight.  
The next to him in Arms, and Valour, there,  
To th' Fight (He the Massylian Sceptre bare,  
For's League, and Friendship to the Roman Name,  
Soon after famous) 
(g) Masanissa, after his defection to the Romans, maintained Inviolable Friendship with them, during his whole Life. See more in the Continuation, second Book.  Masanissa came.  
Upon his radiant Head, as, tired with Flight,  
By Night he slept, a sudden, shining Light  
Appeared to compass, with a gentle Flame,  
His curled Hair, and to diffuse the same  
Upon his rugged Brow. His Servants straight  
Run in, and haste the Fire (that did dilate  
Itself about his Breast) with Water to  
Suppress. But his old Mother, who foreknew  
The Omens of the Gods, Your Wonders (cries)  
Thus, thus still hid, propitious Deities!  
Long may that Light abide upon his Head!  
Neither do Thou, my Masanissa! dread  
Those happy Wonders of the Gods: nor fear,  
When 'bout thy Temples Sacred Flames appear;  
This Fire a League with the Dardanian Race,  
And Empire, greater than thy Father's was,  
Doth promise, and, at length, shall give to Thee;  
And with the Latin Fates thy Name shall be  
Involved. Thus spoke the Prophetess. The Mind  
O'th' Youth, to these clear Prodigies inclined,  
Never thought on Honours from the Libyan Side,  
For ●is great Valour. And, besides the Pride,  
Of Hannibal in Arms, now, less became,  
And, every Day, the War decreased in Fame.  
From the dark heavens the Morn began to chase  
The Clouds, and scarce had Crimson-dyed the Face  
Of the Atlantic Sisters: when he goes  
To the Ausonian Camp (as yet his Foes.)  
Where when he entered, and kind Entertain  
Received from Scipio; thus the King began.  
Th' advice of Heaven, my Mother's Prophecies,  
And thy great Valour, to the Deities  
So dear, (Brave Roman) me have hither brought  
(Most willingly) from those, for whom I fought.  
If against thy Thunder I've appeared to stand  
With Courage, here I offer Thee an Hand,  
Worthy thy Name, thou Son of jove! nor Me  
Do wavering Thoughts, or vain Inconstancy  
Of Mind, to this invite. I Treachery,  
And, perjured from their Birth, a People fly.  
And, when Thou at Alcides' Bars hast made  
An End, the Mother of the War invade  
With Me. For Him, who Italy ten Years  
Hath now possessed, and Scaling-Ladders bears  
Against the Walls of Rome, You back must bring  
With Fire, and Sword, to Libya. Thus the King.  
To whom (their Right-Hands joined) If glorious We  
(The General replies) in Arms to Thee  
Appear; more glorious much We Romans are  
For keeping Faith. Then (Masanissa) far  
Thy double-tongued Associates from thy Mind  
Remove. Thy famous Valour, hence, shall find  
A great Reward: and sooner Me subdued  
By Arms, then overcome in Gratitude,  
Thou shalt confess. But that, which you persuade,  
That We should Libya with Fire invade,  
Time shall effect. My Thoughts are oft inclined  
To that, and Carthage fatigates my Mind.  
Then to the Youth a rich embroidered Cloak,  
And Horse, which he from conquered Mago took,  
And had himself his Mettle tried, withal  
A Cask, and Golden Cup, which Hasdrubal  
Used to the Altars of the Gods to bring  
With Sacrifice, He gives. Then, with the King  
A Social League confirmed, He straight employed  
His Thoughts, that Byrsa's towers might be destroyed.  
The richest King in the Massylian Land,  
And Valiant held, was 
(h) Of Syphax, see the Continuation, first Book.  Syphax: whose command  
Unnumbered Nations, and the farthest Seas,  
Obeyed. His Territories vast; in these  
He Store of Horse, and Monstrous Beasts, that are  
In Fight a Terror, and choice Youth for War,  
Possessed. None Him surpassed in Ivory,  
Or Gold, or Garments of Getulian Dy.  
Desirous, therefore, to his Side to bring  
This Strength (the Danger weighing, should that King  
To Carthage turn) He puts to Sea, and in  
His Thoughts, already, doth that War begin.  
But when, at length, his Ship arrived before  
The Port; fled thither, by the nearest Shore,  
In a weak Bark, was Hasdrubal, who sought  
New Leagues, for his distressed Affairs, and brought  
Massylian Ensigns to the Tyrian Side.  
But, when to Syphax it was signified,  
That the two Generals of two Nations (who  
With all their Might contended to subdue,  
Each, to their Laws, the World) into his Land  
Were come: big in his Thoughts, he gives Command,  
They should be straight conducted to his Court;  
Proud, that his Throne was Honoured with Resort  
So great. Then, as, with joyful Eyes, he ran  
O'er Scipio's Face, to him he first began.  
Brave Dardan, famed for thy clear Soul! how Thee  
I, willingly, Embrace! how gladly see!  
How much I'm pleased old Scipio's Face to Mind  
To call! thy Father in thy Looks I find.  
I speak of the Herculean Gades now;  
When, Curious to observe the Ocean's flow,  
And Ebb, to th' Erythraean Coast I came.  
With Kindness strange, at Baetis neighbouring Stream,  
Those two great Captains came to see Me; where  
They Presents of their Spoils (the Best that were)  
On Me bestowed: as Arms, and (which within  
My Kingdom, until then, unknown had been)  
Bridles for Horse, and Bows, with which we may  
Our Country's Darts compare. Besides these, they  
Masters of ancient Discipline, that might  
In Order form our scattered Bands, in Fight,  
(
(i) For Infantry: of which the Massylian knew nothing.  After your Country's Manner) to me gave.  
I Gold, and Ivory (of which We have  
Great Plenty in our Land) on them again  
Would have bestowed. But all my Prayers were Vain:  
Only two Swords, which carved Ivory  
Ensheathed, they took. Now therefore cheerfully  
My Palace enter; and since, hither now  
The Libyan General my Fortune, through  
The Seas, hath brought, consider what I say  
With Candid Thoughts: and Thou (whom all obey  
At Carthage) Hasdrubal thine Ears to me,  
And Senses turn. What Storms, through Italy,  
Of Arms, like Torrents, run, and spread the Fears  
Of Ruin through the Land? And how ten years,  
Sometimes Sicanian Earth, sometimes thy Shore  
(Iberus) hath been drunk with Tyrian Gore;  
To all is known: Now, therefore, let the War  
Be laid aside, and jointly Arms forbore;  
Be Thou content with Italy, and Thou  
In Libya to contain thyself. And now,  
If to a League of Amity you please  
To turn, no mean Procurer of your Peace  
Will Syphax be. As more he would have said,  
Scipio, no suffering Him, before him laid  
The Customs of his Country, and the Will  
O'th' Senate: showed him, that the Fathers still  
Determined such Affairs: wished him to lay  
All Hopes of that Design aside. Thus they,  
In arguing, the Day remaining spent,  
And then unto their Cups, and Viands, went.  
The Banquet ended, every Man repairs  
To Rest, and the hard Fetters of his Cares  
Throws off to Night. But, when the Morn gave Birth  
To a new-Day, by her first Beams on Earth,  
And Sol His Horses from their Stable drew  
Unto their Yoke; Himself, not mounted to  
His Seat, but only, with his early Rays,  
Then breaking forth, enchased th' Eöan Seas:  
Scipio leaps from his Bed, and, with a fair  
Aspect, to Syphax Lodgings doth repair.  
He (as the Custom of his Country) bred  
Young Lions up; which lost, so Tamely fed,  
Their Native Rage, and, at that very Time  
Their Yellow-Necks, and Mains, while they with Him  
Were Wanton, stroked, and handled, without Fear,  
Their dreadful Jaws. But, when he came to hear,  
That Scipio was at Hand, he straight puts on  
His Robe: and Royal Ensigns of his Throne,  
In his Left Hand, assumes. White Fillets tied  
About his Temples, and to his left Side  
A Sword (as was their Custom) girt: He straight  
Invites him in; where privately they sat,  
The Sceptered King, and the Ausonian Guest,  
In equal State. when Scipio thus expressed  
His Mind. It was my First, and Chiefest Care,  
So soon as the Pyrenean Nations were  
Subdued by Me, into thy Land to haste  
(Most mighty Syphax) nor (which I have passed)  
Can me the cruel Seas, between, retard.  
Now, what I shall demand is neither Hard,  
Nor yet Dishonourable to thy Throne:  
With the Ausonians let thy Heart be one;  
A firm Ally to their Successes be:  
Not the Massylian Nations can Thee,  
Nor Territories stretched to Dangerous Sands,  
Nor Power of thy great Ancestors in Lands  
Of vast Extent, more Glory yield, then will  
The Roman Valour, still Invincible  
In Faith, and Honour of the Latin Name.  
For (not to mention more) none, that can claim  
Equality with the Immortal Gods,  
Over the Dardan Arms can compass Odds.  
The King this hearing, with a cheerful Face,  
Seems to assent, and, with a strict Embrace,  
Let Us confirm this happy Omen (cries)  
And our joint Vows propitious Deities  
Assist! Both Horned, and Tarpeian jove,  
Let us invoke. With that, they forward move  
To Sacred Altars, built of Turfs of Grass,  
Where ready for the Axe the Victim was.  
When suddenly the Bull the Altar flies,  
Leaps from the broken Cords, and with loud Cries  
Fills the whole Temple, and, his dismal Note  
Ingeminating (from his bellowing Throat)  
Through all the trembling Palace Terror spreads.  
Then straight the Fillet, that adorned the Heads  
Of his great Ancestors, without the Touch  
Of any, falls from the King's Temples. Such  
Sad Signs by Heaven of his declining State  
Were given, and heavy Omens of his Fate.  
This done: returning to the Port again,  
Scipio, with prosperous Gales, arrives in Spain.  
The greedy Nations met. Pyrene sent  
Her several People: all in Compliment  
Salute, and call him King, which the Supreme  
Honour of Virtue was, in their Esteem.  
But with a mild Aspect their Offers were  
By Him rejected, and He did declar●  
His Country's Customs, and (which well-became  
A Noble Roman) that the very Name  
Of Kings was Odious at Rome. Again  
Turned to that only Care, that did remain  
(No Enemy now left) the Latin Bands,  
With those, which Baetis, and which Tagus Sands  
every, he convocates, and to them thus,  
'Midst the Assemblies, speaks. Since Heaven hath Us  
So blessed, that, from the farthest Part of all  
The World thrown out, the Libyan should fall;  
Or in these Plains; or, from th' Hesperian Lands  
Exiled, should fly to see his Native Sands.  
I now the funerals of my Friends desire  
To celebrate, and Peace, which they require,  
To dearest Shades to give. Consent (I pray)  
With Me in this, and list to what I say.  
When the seventh Sun again the Skies shall gild,  
Whoer'e in Arms, or in the Sword is skilled;  
Or can with Art the Chariot drive; or by  
Swiftness of Foot hopes Conquest; or let's fly  
Darts, that impel the Winds: let such appear,  
And for the Crown contend with Honour here.  
I Rewards worthy, of the choice of all  
The Tyrian Spoils, will give. No Person shall  
Departed without Reward. Thus with Desires  
Of Gifts, and Praises, he the Vulgar fires.  
And now the Day arrived, when all the Plain  
With the vast Concourse sounds, and with a Train  
Well ordered, the pretended Obsequies  
Scipio, with Tears Abortive in his Eyes,  
Leads on. All Soldiers of the Latin Name,  
And all th' Iberian, with their Offerings came,  
And threw them on the flaming Pyles: while He  
Goblets of Sacred Milk, and Bowls, that be  
With blushing Bacchus filled, devoutly pours,  
And strews the Altars o'er with flagrant Flowers.  
Then the excited Shades he invocates  
With Tears, their Praises sings, and venerates  
Their glorious Acts. This done: from thence he goes  
Into the Cirque, where first he doth propose  
The rapid Race of Steeds, and doth Commence  
The Sport. The wavering People in the Sense,  
And Rage of Favouring Sides (the Bars not yet  
Thrown open) Fluctuate to and fro, and fret,  
Like murmuring Seas, and still their Eyes confine  
T'observe the Horses stand. Soon as the Sign  
Was given, the Bars resound, and to the Skies  
(Scarce the first Hoof appearing) Clamours rise,  
With dreadful Noise: while prone, and eager all  
As those that run, they to the Chariots bawl,  
And Steeds. The Cirque with their Contention shakes,  
And Heat in some, from others Courage takes.  
Exhorting they drive on, and, clam'ring loud,  
Their Horses guide, and then a Yellow Cloud  
Mounts, from the sandy Tract, into the Air,  
Obscuring, with its Darkness, every where  
The Horse's Way, and Drivers Pains. Here one  
Rails at his Headstrong Steed: and this upon  
The Master. Some the Country's Favour; some  
The ancient Stable's Name, from whence they come,  
Inflames; and some with Hopes tormented are  
Of the Young Steeds, that Harness newly bear.  
Some with old Age are pleased, and praise the Steed,  
Known for long Years. Starting, with rapid Speed,  
Callâick Lampon, through the Air, before  
The rest, flies out, and runs, insulting o'er,  
Much Ground, and leaves the Winds behind. They Shout,  
And with Applause grow hot; nor seem to doubt,  
That, with the Start, he'd gained the better part  
Of his Desires. But such, as in the Art,  
And Knowledge of the Race more Skilful were,  
Against their Clamour, at the first, declare,  
And at great Distance blamed, with vain Complaint,  
His ill-spent Pains, which made his Horses faint.  
Oh! whither, rashly, Cyrnus (for 'twas He  
That drove the Chariot) whither dost thou flee?  
Forbear the Whip, take up the Reins, alas!  
His Ears are Deaf, and He doth forward pass,  
Still of his Steeds secure; nor thinks upon  
The space of Ground, that yet remained to run.  
At Distance from the foremost, but the space  
Of's Chariot length, the next Panchates was.  
Asturian born; his Sire's White Ensign bright  
Upon his Forehead shined, his Feet all White  
Alike, his Mettle very great, not Tall  
His Members, and his body's Grace but small:  
But then He Wings assumed, and, with Disdain  
Of Reins, runs on, with Fury, through the Plain.  
You'd think his Limbs grew Greater, he more High.  
His Spanish Guide shined in Cinyphian Dye.  
The third, that equal with Pelorus run  
Affront, was Caucasus; most fierce, and One,  
That scorned on's flattered Neck the Hand's applause:  
But, foaming, loved to champ with Bloody Jaws  
Upon the Bit. But, easier to obey  
The Reins, Pelorus never from the Way  
The running Chariot, deviating, drew,  
And in the Tract went on directly to  
The Mark. His Crest was deep, and, to and fro,  
Upon his Neck an Ample Main did flow.  
No Sire he had: Him Harp, when anew  
In the Vectonian Meads the Zephyrs blue,  
Brought forth. This Chariot gallant Durius in  
The Race urged on. On Atlas, who had been  
His Master long, did Caucasus rely.  
Him thither then Aetolian Tide (by  
Tydides' built) had sent, and thought indeed,  
That his Descent was from that Trojan Breed  
Of Steeds, which from 
(k) In this the Poet discovers the Care of the Ancients in preserving a Race of good Horses, such as were those so celebrated of old, taken by Diomedes from Aeneas, at the Siege of Troy. After which, Diomedes raising several Colonies, and building several Cities, was not only renowned with Posterity, but in some Places adored, and among the Venetians had a White Horse Sacrificed to him. See Strabo, Geogr. Book the fifth.  Aeneas Diomedes  
Near Simois took, and home with Conquest led.  
Now, as almost amidst the Race they drive,  
In Space enlarged, Panchates, fierce, doth strive  
T' or'etake the foremost Horses, and to tend  
Yet higher, and behind seems to ascend  
The Chariot, that before him went; while He,  
Striking on the Callâick Axletree,  
Shakes it with his Forefeet. But, though the last,  
Old Atlas, towards the Goal, as nimbly passed,  
As Durius. You might think they Peaceful were;  
So equally their Fronts, and Reins they bear:  
But, when th' Iberian, who then next him went,  
Perceived, that the Callâick's Strength was spent,  
Nor, as before, the headlong Chariot leaped,  
But with continual Violence, and Whipped,  
The smoking Steeds went on. As, from high Hills,  
A sudden Storm the lower Valleys fills,  
Stretched to his Horse's Necks, and hanging o'er  
Their Heads, Panchates, that he should no more  
Delay, but bear his Reins with good Success,  
HE excites, and, lashing on, doth this express.  
While thou contend'st, shall an Asturian gain  
The Prize? Stir up; fly nimbly through the Plain.  
For Lampon, who, as winged, but lately went,  
In's panting Breast declines: his Breath is spent;  
Nor, gaping, hath enough to bear him to  
The Mark. Thus having said, the Horse anew  
Himself collects, as if he newly then  
Had started from the Barriers, and began  
The Race, and Cyrnus striving, as he passed,  
To cross, or equal him, behind him cast.  
Heaven, and the Cirque, with the Spectators Cries,  
Murmurs, while through the Air Panchates flies,  
And raising his Triumphant Neck more strong,  
And High, his Fellows (foremost) draws along.  
Atlas, and Durius, in the Rear, their Arts  
In Wheeling try. This to the Left converts  
His Reins, the other to the Right doth bend,  
And strives to pass: and both, in vain, contend  
Each other to deceive; till, on his Strength  
Of Youth relying, Durius turned, at length,  
His Reins, and headlong drives his Chariot on,  
Cross Atlas' Axletree; which overthrown,  
He, weak with Age, complaining justly, cries;  
Whither dost go? or what mad Way is this  
Of running Races? both my Steeds, and Me  
To kill thou dost Endeavour. Thus while he  
Exclaims, the Ax-tree broke, upon his Face  
He falls, and's Steeds, now drawing several Ways,  
Run headlong through the Champagne (Sad to see!)  
While, in the open Plain, with Victory,  
The Reins unto his Friends Pelorus heaves,  
And shakes, and 'midst the Sand, behind him, leaves  
Atlas, endeavouring there to rise. Nor far  
Had he to equal Cyrnus weary Carr.  
Past whom (learning too late to guide his Steeds,  
And marching slow) with nimble Wheels he speeds.  
His Friends with Shouts, and Cries, his Chariot make  
To go more Swift. And now upon the Back,  
And Shoulders o'th' Iberian Charioteer  
His mouth the Horse had laid; who, full of Fear,  
By the strong Vapour of his Breath, and Foam,  
Soon feels his Back oppressed, and Warm become:  
While Durius plied the Race, and lashed amain  
His Horses on, nor seems to strive in vain,  
On the Right-hand, to reach the Steeds before,  
And equalled them; and, then transported more  
With so great Hopes, cries out. Pelorus now,  
That Zephyrus was thy Sire, 'tis time to show:  
And let them learn, that can the Pedigree  
Of Steeds, by Name, derive, how much in Thee  
A Breed Divine excels. A Conqueror, Thou  
Shalt Altars raise, and Offerings shalt bestow  
Upon thy Sire. And if, as this he said,  
Through joyful Fear he had not been betrayed,  
By his too great Success, and letting fall  
His Whip, perhaps to Zephyrus he all  
His Vows had paid, and Altars raised. But then,  
As if he'd gained the Crown, and it again  
Had tumbled from his Head, Unfortunate,  
His Anger turning on himself, He straight  
Across his Breast his golden Garment rends,  
And dire Complaints, most sadly weeping, sends  
Up to the very Stars. And now no more  
(His Lashing ceased) the Chariot, as before,  
Obeyed his Hand: but on the Horse's Backs,  
Instead o'th' Whip, the Reins he, vainly, shakes.  
While, now secure of Praise, Panchates came  
Up to the Goal, and the first Prize did claim.  
The Wind with his large Main, which Nature laid  
Over his Neck, and Shoulders, gently played:  
While, snatching up his subtle Limbs, about  
He praunced, and triumphed with a mighty Shout.  
An Axe, in solid Silver carved, to all,  
Alike, was given. The rest the General,  
Distinguishing with several Honours, gave.  
The First a nimble Courser did receive,  
Which the Massylian King a Present made,  
Of high Esteem. The next in Merit had  
Two Golden Cups, o'th' Tyrian Spoils (which there  
In Plenty lay) and, rough with Yellow-Hair,  
A Lion's Skin, and (with like Dread expressed)  
A Tyrian Helmet, with an horrid Crest.  
The Third in Honour, in Reward the last,  
Was Atlas; who, though from the Chariot cast,  
(Pitying the sad Misfortune of his Fall,  
And his Decrepit Age) the General  
Presented, and, in's Prime of Age, a Slave,  
And Bonnet, of his Country's Fashion, gave.  
This done, the General the Race proclaims  
A Foot, and Hearts with Prizes fixed inflames.  
To th' first a Cask, which, late, upon the Head  
Of Hasdrubal, did Panic Terror spread  
Through all th' Iberian Bands. To him whose Speed.  
Next Merited, a Sword there was Decreed,  
Which from Hyempsal slain his Father took.  
And to the Third, a Bull. The rest forsook  
The Cirque: each Man well-pleased, and Proud, that they  
Two Darts of Native Metal bore away.  
Then Hesp'ros, and Tartessos, Lovely Boys,  
At once appear with the propitious Voice  
Of all the Cirque. Of Tyrian Blood, they came  
From Gades. Next (to whom the River's Name  
By Corduba 
(l) Cordua, Situate on the River Baetis.  was given, when yet a Child)  
In that great Contest, Baeticus was filled  
With joyful Hopes. And then, with Yellow-Hair,  
(But with a Skin, whose Whiteness might compare  
With Snow) did Eurythus with Clamours fill  
The Lists. He, bred upon her lofty Hill,  
Was thither sent by Setabis, and there,  
With trembling Piety, his Parents were.  
Then Lamus, and then Sicoris (thy Brood,  
Warlike Ilerda) and that drinks the Flood,  
Which, under Lethe's Name, with Silence laves  
The hollow Banks with its forgetful Waves,  
Theron appears. And, when they all upon  
Their Feet stood ready, and with Bodies prone,  
And panting Hearts, with Heat of Praise elate,  
Received Signal by the Trumpet: straight,  
Starting through Air, as swift as Arrows, by  
Extended Nerves enforced, away they fly.  
And now the Shouts, and Parties divers are:  
The Fav'rours by their Fingers hang, and, where  
Each Man affects, by Name their Friends excite;  
While the fair Troop speeds through the Plain, so light,  
Their Feet leave no Impression on the Sand.  
All in their Prime; in Face all Comely; and  
All swift of Foot; all Worthy to Overcome.  
Now eager Eurythus the foremost, from  
The middle Tract, advanced; yet foremost passed  
But a short Space: when Hesperos as fast  
Came up, and pressed upon his Heels, while he  
Conceived it was enough for him to be  
The Foremost. Tother it sufficed he might  
Yet hope to get before. With that, more light  
Their Steps they gather, and with vigorous Minds  
Drive on their Bodies. While their Beauty finds  
Increase from Labour. When with easy Pace  
Theron, who ran the last of all the Race,  
Finding his Strength sufficient for the Course,  
His Un-spent Vigour with a sudden Force  
Employs, and breaks into the Air, so fleet,  
You'd think that Mercury with winged Feet  
Went his Ethereal Course. Now these, than those,  
(The People all admiring) He outgoes;  
And lately last, now the Third Victor, pressed  
By his swift Steps, dost Hesperos infested.  
Nor whom he follows only: but the Rings  
Prime Hope, (advancing with such active Wings)  
Amazeth Eurythus; when, Fourth in place,  
Tartessos, vainly toiling (if the Race  
The other three pursued, as they began)  
With fiery Theron, that betwixt them ran  
His Brother pressed. Which Theron now no more  
Enduring raised Himself, and got before  
Enraged Hesperos. Then only One  
Before him went. And now the Goal begun  
With nearer Incitations to inflame  
The vexed behind. When up they furious came,  
And all the Force, that either Toil, or Fear,  
Piercing into their Hearts, had left (while there  
Can any thing be hoped for, in a Space  
So short) collect. The foremost Two the Race,  
With equal Speed pursue, and happily,  
The Prizes of a double Victory  
(Coming together to the Mark) had won  
With Merit, had not Hesperos (who run  
Close behind Theron, and through Anger made  
Most Cruel) seized upon his Hair (displayed  
On's Milky Neck) and drawn him Back. While thus  
The Youth detained, Triumphing Eurythus,  
A joyful Victor, for the Prize appears,  
And the fair Present of an Helmet bears  
Away. Their fixed Rewards the other found,  
And with green Wreaths their un-cut Tresses bound.  
Each had two Shafts with Native Metal steeled.  
This done; more cruel Conflicts slain the Field.  
The Sword's drawn Hand to Hand, and a fair War  
They represent. Not such, as Guilty are,  
Nor vicious Men are to the Sword designed:  
But such, whom Valour equalled, and a Mind  
Inflamed with Love of Praise. A perfect Face  
Of their past Labours, and of Mars his Race  
A worthy 
(m) This Spectacle, much more Memorable, than those, where the Guilty, and Condemned contended, was presented by two Spanish Princes, (Brothers, by the Father; named Orbis, and Orsua) who, disputing for the Sovereignty of a City, were resolved to determine the Controversy at this Solemnity by the Sword: and though the Poet, in imitation of that samed Dispute, and Funeral of Eteocles, and Polynices, saith, they both died, yet Livy affirms the Elder (Orbis) overcame the Younger.  Spectacle. Among these were  
Two Brothers, who (what will not Princes dare  
To act? what Crimes do Sceptres want?) engage  
In a full Cirque (while the whole Pit their Rage  
Condemns) in single Combat for a Throne.  
'Twas a dire Custom in their Country, known  
Where Orphan Sons their Father's Royal Seat,  
With Hazard of their Lives, invade. Both meet  
With all the Fury, that a Mad Desire  
Of Rule affords, and both at once expire;  
Bearing to Ghosts below ambitious Hearts,  
Glutted with Blood: and in their Inward parts  
With one joint Thrust, their Swords, pushed on, are drowned:  
And, adding railing Language to each Wound,  
Struggling, their angry Souls fly into Air.  
Nor could their Ghosts this Enmity forbore:  
For, when their Bodies were together brought  
Unto one Pyle (as if they still had fought)  

(n) The Bodies of Eteocles, and Polynices, who contended for the Sovereignty of Thebes, both slain in one Battle, being thrown upon the Pyle, the Flames arising from them, divided themselves, as if their Souls had still maintained their Power over them.  The Impious Flames ('tis strange) asunder fly,  
Nor would their Ashes there togetherly.  
The rest with several Gifts, as was their Share  
Of Courage, or of Force, rewarded are.  
Some Oxen, that, with Ploughs impressed, could Till  
The Earth: Some Youths, 'mong Tyrian Spoils, with Skill  
Accustomed to explore the Dens of Beasts:  
Some Silver Plate, with wealthy Robes, and Crests  
Rising on shining Helmets, bore away,  
The Spoils, and Trophies of the Libyan Prey.  
Then with the Dart they Honour sought (the last  
Of these Circensian Games) and strove to cast  
Beyond the Mark. Here, Neighbour to that Land,  
Where Tagus Pale becomes with golden Sand,  
Was Burnus, Famous for his long Descent,  
And Line: with Glagus, who the Winds outwent  
With his strong Arm. Aconteus too, whose Dart,  
In its most speedy Course, the nimblest Hart  
Never missed. With them 
(o) Indibilis was a petty, but Warlike King, of Spain; who, after he had performed many notable Exploits against the Romans, made Peace with Scipio: but soon, as he removed thence, risen again in Arms; but was subdued, and slain by Scipio's Lieutenants.  Indibilis, who long  
In War delighted, now esteemed among  
Confederates of Rome: who often slew  
With his sure Shafts the towering Fowl, that flew  
Among the Clouds. And stout Ilerdes, who  
Can easily surprise the flying do.  
Burnus, who in the Mark first fixed his Dart,  
Damum received; a Maid, that mixed with Art  
The milky Fleeces with Getulian Dye.  
But, who the next was Honoured, and that nigh  
Unto the Mark a Shaft▪ had thrown, with Joy,  
Ilerdes, for Reward, received a Boy.  
The third Palm brave Aconteus had, a Brace  
Of Dogs, that would the Boar with Mettle chase.  
But, when Applause, and Shouts these Honours had  
Approved: in Scarlet, Laelius, richly clad,  
And Younger Scipio, with a cheerful Look,  
The Names, and Manes of the Dead invoke:  
Then, straight, their javelins throw; delighting so  
All Honour to their Sacred Dust to show,  
And add that Ceremony to the Games.  
At length, the 
(p) Scipio.  General (whose Face proclaims  
His inward Joy, when he their Pious Hearts  
Rewarded had, with Gifts to their Deserts,  
And given a Weighty Corslet, all of Gold,  
Unto his Brother, and a Pair of bold  
Asturian Steeds to Laelius) rising, threw  
With Force his Conquering Javelin, and, to show  
The Shades were truly Honoured, as it flies  
Amidst the Field ('tis strange) before their Eyes,  
Fixed in the Earth, the Javelin stands, and straight  
With Leaves the lofty Boughs themselves dilate.  
But now its Shadow, wide, the growing Tree  
Extends: the Augurs all, with Prophecy,  
Command them on to greater Things to go,  
Which, by those Signs, the Deities foreshow.  
With this Presage, the Libyans all from Spain  
Repulsed, to Latium he returns again;  
His House, and Country both revenged, while Fame  
The Triumph leads. Nor other Cares inflame  
The Roman Breasts, than Libya to commit,  
And Sacred Fasces, to his Youth. But yet  

(q) The Graver ●ort, and, particularly Fabius, either through Envy, or too much Caution, opposed Scipio in his design to invade Libya. See Livy.  The Graver Sort, who fallen in Courage, or  
Success had wanted in that dubious War,  
Opposing his Designs as Rash, with Fear  
Their Dangers magnify: and, as he there,  
High in the Dignity 
(r) His great Exploits in Spain had gained him not only the Consulship, but the Favour of the People: so, that, notwithstanding the Power of Fabius Acilius, and others in the Senate, he obtained the Commission he desired.  of Consul, prayed  
Authority of Senate to invade,  
And ruin Carthage with his Arms; this grave  
Reply, aloud, the Elder Fabius gave.  
I hope, I need not fear, that I, who am  
Loaden with Age, and Honour; who in Fame,  
And Years abound, should by the Consul be  
Esteemed a Person, that maliciously  
From his Just Praises would detract. My Name  
Is with sufficient Splendour raised by Fame.  
Nor wants what I have done, with such Success,  
New Praise. But, while I live, 'twere Wickedness,  
To my dear Country to be wanting, or  
Conceal my Mind in Silence. You the War  
Intent to Libya to transferr. For We  
Now want an Enemy in Italy.  
Nor is't enough, that we have Hannibal  
Subdued. What greater Honour can in all  
Eliza's Land be found? but, if you are  
Spurred on by Glory, what should you Debar  
To reap this Harvest? Thee for Deeds at hand  
Fortune hath Fit, and Worthy made. Our Land  
Even thirsts, to drink the Blood of Hannibal.  
Wither the War, or Ensigns do you call,  
Extinguish first the Flames of Italy.  
You plainly quit a weary Enemy,  
And, at that Instant, Rome must Naked stand.  
But, when you waste the Syrts, and barren Sand,  
Will not that horrid Plague, with Fury, move  
Against these known Walls? invade Tarpeian jove,  
Deprived of Arms, and Men? Of how great Weight  
Is it, should you give Way, and leave the State  
To the Emerited? and, when we are  
Struck with the Thunder of so great a War,  
Must We (as Fulvius from proud Capua) Thee  
From Libya's Coast recall? Get Victory  
At Home, and Italy, that hath with Tears  
Deplored the Funerals of Fifteen Years,  
Absolve from cruel War; then take your Way  
To remote Garamantians. You may  
Your Nasamonian Triumphs than design.  
But Italy, distressed, must now Decline  
All such Attempts. Your Valiant Father (He,  
That so much Honour to your Family  
Did add) when, Consul, he was bound for Spain,  
Himself against Hannibal (who then amain  
Descended from the Alps) did first oppose,  
His Army all recalled. From Conquering Foes  
You (Consul) would retire; that so you may  
From Us the Libyan withdraw. But, say,  
He will, secure, sit Quiet; nor pursue  
You, and your Arms to Libya: will not You  
Condemn these blind Resolves, when Rome shall be  
Surprised? Or else suppose, that, troubled, He  
Should turn his Ensigns, and your Fleet pursue;  
He the same Hannibal will be, that You  
Entrenched have seen before this city's Wall  
This Fabius, and the like was urged by all  
The Elder sort. The Consul straight replied.  
By a joint Death two Valiant Captains died,  
When Spain, possessed, embraced the Libyan Yoke.  
Not Fabius then, nor Any, that have spoke  
His Sense, afforded Aid. I know, 'tis Truth,  
The War's whole Fury I, when but a Youth  
Endured, and to the falling Shafts alone  
My Head exposed, and drew all Dangers on  
Myself. And then the Seniour Sort, and even  
This Prophet murmured, that the War was given  
Unto a Boy, and blamed Our rash Design.  
But I all Praises to the Powers Divine  
(By whom a Trojan People we remain)  
With Thanks return. That very Boy, those vain,  
And Childish Years, that Scipio, who was then  
Unripe for Arms, to You, un-hurt, again  
Hath given all Spain; the Libyans thence by Force  
Repulsed, and, following the farthest Course  
Of Sol to Atlas' Bounds, the Libyan Name  
Expelled from the Hesperian Orb; nor came  
With his Victorious Ensigns Home, before  
He Phoebus saw, upon the Roman Shore,  
Losing his Flaming Chariot, near the Main.  
The same to you did foreign Kings regain.  
And Carthage now remains, the last of all  
My Toils. This jove declares. See! Hannibal  
Old Age now shakes, or fainting Fears doth frame;  
Lest to our Ruins, of such Length, my Name  
A Period should produce. My Valour I  
Have surely tried, and Strength, augmented by  
My Prime of Years. Then seek not to delay:  
But rather suffer, that this Lot I may  
Pursue. This the Immortal Gods for Me  
Have kept, to wipe away the Infamy  
Of former Woes. It is a fair Renown,  
For Wary Fabius not to be o'erthrown:  
And the Delayer hath effected all  
For Us by sitting still. But 
(s) Hannibal's Brother.  Hasdrubal,  
Mago, nor Hanno, nor yet 
(t) Another Hasdrubal.  Giscon's Son  
Had turned their Backs, if we the like had done:  
Or, Idle, close entrenched, spun out the War.  
Can a Sidonian Boy, who scarce did bear  
The Down of Youth upon his Cheeks, invade  
Laurentine People? Walls approach, were made  
By Trojan Hands? and drink the Sacred Stream  
Of Yellow Tiber? and in Latium seem,  
By a long War, to share? and shall We stand  
Thus backward to transport to Libya's Land  
Our Ensigns? and the Tyrian towers destroy?  
Their Coasts, secure of Danger, openly,  
And all the Land a rich Tranquillity  
Enjoys. At length let Carthage (wont to be  
A Terror) learn to Fear, and understand,  
That, though from Hannibal th' Oenotrian Land  
As yet's not free, we want not Arms. Even I  
This Man, that hath, so long, in Italy  
(Till He's grown old through cautious Counsels) stood,  
That hath three 
(u) Fifteen Years.  Lustra, largely, shed our Blood,  
Him, fearing Cruel things, and trembling, I  
Back to his Country, that in Flames shall lie,  
Will turn. The Shameful Marks of Tyrian Hands  
Shall Rome view on her Walls: while Carthage stands  
Free, and secure, and hears our Misery,  
And wars with open Gates? The Enemy  
May batter then with their Sidonian Rams  
Our towers again, if first in Roman Flames  
They hear not that their Country's Temples fall.  
The Fathers, by this Language, and the Call  
Of Fate inflamed, to what the Consul said,  
At the same Time, assent; and, when they'd prayed,  
That it to Italy might happy prove,  
Permit the War to Libya to remove.  
The End of the Sixteenth Book.   



Patria invehitur sublimi tecta Triumpho  
Ipse astans curru, atque auro▪ decoratus, e●ostro●   

Martia praebebat spectanda Quiritibus ora   
Honoratissimo Viro EDVARDO MANSEL Baronetto de Comitatu Glamorgen Tabula observantis D.D.D.  SILIUS ITALICUS OF The Second Punic War. The Seventeenth Book.  

THE ARGUMENT.  
From Phrigia Cybele's brought to Rome  
With Sacred Rites. chaste Claudia doth presume  
(To vindicate herself) to draw alone  
The standing Ship, by which her Virtue's known.  
From Sicily the Consul Scipio sails  
To Libya, where his Army still prevails.  
Syphax, and Hasdrubal (their Camps in one  
For Battle joined) by Scipio overthrown,  
Syphax is Captive made; a Panic Dread,  
From that great Overthrow, through afric spread.  
The Carthaginians call, to their Relief,  
The General from Italy. His Grief  
Expressed at his Return. The Armies fight,  
And Hannibal by Scipio's put to flight.  
Carthage, at length, receiveth Laws from Rome.  
Great Scipio returns, in Triumph, Home.  
THE Sibyl's ancient Oracles foreshow;  
That then th' Ausonian Land the Foreign Foe  
Should quit, when from Her Phrygian Seat, to Rome,  
Cybelè (Mother of the Gods) should come  
To be adored: and that the Deity,  
Arriving, should by Him received be,  
That should, selected from among the rest  
Of all the Senate, be esteemed Best  
Then living in the Present Age. A Name,  
Better than Triumphs, and of greater Fame.  
And now the thing arrived, which they had sought:  
Cybelè, in a Latian Ship, was brought.  
When 
(a) 
This Scipio, surnamed Nasica, was the Son of that Scipio, who was slain with the Father of Africanus, in Spain. A Person most eminent for his singular Virtues, particularly so free from Ambition, and Avarice; that, when his Soldiers would have given him the Title of Emperor, and the Senate decreed to him a Triumph for his Victories in Dalmatia, he refused both and, when he died, the Wealth he left behind him, was not enough to bury him. For these, and many other Excellent Qualities, he was judged the fittest Person to fulfil the Oracle of the Sibyl, viz. 
Mater abest: Matrem jubeo, Roman, requiras;  
Cum veniet, casta est accipienda manu.  
The absent Mother, Rome, I thee command  
To seek; Receive her with the chastest Hand.  She was brought from Pessinus, a Town in Phrygia, where She had a stately Temple of White Marble.   Scipio, fearless (while the Senate all  
Gave way) was ready to obey the Call,  
To meet th' appointed Rites. The Son was He  
O'th' General's Uncle, Chosen then to be  
The Chief Commander in the Africa Wars:  
Illustrious in his many Ancestors.  
When, far at Sea, the Deity this Youth  
Devoutly had received, and to the Mouth  
Of Tuscan Tiber brought: the Vessel, straight,  
A female Band succeeds, and, with it's Fraight,  
The lofty Galley through the River drew  
With fastened Cords. Then, round about them, through  
The Air, the hollow Sounds of tinkling Brass,  
With the harsh Timbrel's Noise contending, pass:  
And dancing Satyrs, which inhabit where  

(b) chaste, from the Goddess, Cybele, whose Rites were there most solemnly performed.  chaste Dindymus two lofty Hills appear,  
And use in the Dictaean Caves to Sport,  
And unto Ide, and silent Woods resort.  
Amidst this Noise, the Sacred Vessel, known  
By Cheerful Shouts, refusing to go on,  
Retracts the Ropes, and, on a sudden, stood  
immovable, and fixed within the Flood.  
With that, the Priest (as in the Ship he stands)  
Exclaims; Forbear, with your Polluted Hands,  
To touch the Cords, and, I advise you, far  
From hence, Oh! far departed, whoever are  
Profane, nor in this Chaster Labour join;  
While it sufficeth, that the Power Divine  
Gives this Advise: but, if there any be,  
That in her chaster Mind excels, if She  
Be Conscious to herself, Her body's Pure,  
Her Hand alone this Pious Task, secure,  
May undertake. Here 
(c) Claudia was of the Sabine Patrician Family, which first incorporated themselves with the Romans. She was a Vestal Virgin; and, suspected of Incontinency, made this Miracle the Test of Her Chastity; and was ever after Honoured, as the most Virtuous Matron of her Time.  Claudia, who her Name  
From th' ancient Clausi drew, by common Fame  
Traduced, unto the Ship her Hands, and Eyes  
Converting, said; Mother of Deities,  
Thou Power Divine, who didst for Us give Birth  
To all the Gods, whose Offspring Heaven, and Earth,  
The Seas, and Shades below, do rule by 
(d) The Lot between jupiter, Neptune, and Pluto; by which each of them received his Empire.  Lot.  
If this my Body be without a Spot,  
Great Goddess be my Witness! and let Me  
By this thy easy Bark absolved be.  
Thus having said; the Cable, free from Fear,  
She seized, and, suddenly, they seem to hear  
The Lion's Murmur, and a Sound more Grave,  
Untouched by any Hand, the Timbrels gave.  
The Ship advanced so fast, you'd think the Wind  
Had forced it on, and Claudia's left behind,  
Though against the Stream it ran. And Hopes, that far  
All else exceed, cheer up their Hearts: the War  
And all their Fears, at length, shall ended be.  
For active Scipio, leaving Sicily,  
Hid with his winged Ships the spacious Seas:  
But, with an offered Bull, did first appease  
The God, on whose blue Waves the Entrails swum.  
Then Thunder-bearing Birds, descending from  
The God's Abodes, through the clear Air, in view,  
Begin to lead the Navy, and to show  
Their Course by Sea. A Joyful Augury  
Their Cries afford; and, as they forward fly  
Under a liquid Cloud, the Ships pursue  
As far as they could keep them in their View;  
And the Perfidious Coast of Cadmus' Land  
Attain. Nor yet did afric Idle stand;  
But, since so great a Storm upon her came,  
A dreadful Power under a mighty Name,  
Against their Fury had prepared to bring  
The Arms, and Force of the 
(e) Of Syphax. See the Continuation, Book the First.  Massylian King.  
Libya's sole Hope, and Latium's only Fear,  
Syphax, the Fields, and Valleys, every where,  
And Shores had filled with Nomades, that scorn  
Their nimble Steeds with Trappings to adorn;  
Who with their singing Shafts, that, as they fly  
Through Air, like Clouds, surcharged, obscure the Sky.  
Of the Right-Hand, which he had given before,  
And League, that He upon the Altar swore,  
Unmindeful; Rites of Hospitality,  
And Feasts, that what was done could Testify  
His Faith, and Trust, changed by an Impious Flame  
Of Love, He had infringed, and's Crown became  
The purchase of his Bed. Great Hasdrubal  
A Virgin Daughter had, Esteemed by all  
As Beautiful, as her Descent was famed,  
She taken to his Bed, as if inflamed  
With his first Nuptial Taper, suddenly,  
His Forces all to Carthage turned. The 
(f) Of this League see above in the Sixteenth Book.  Tie  
Of Amity with Rome He violates,  
And to the Foe his Dotal Arms translates.  
But Scipio, careful to advise the King,  
Bids him be Faithful to observe the thing,  
That he had Sworn, and not to violate  
The Laws of Peace, but firmly to his State,  
And Kingdom stand. To call the Gods to Mind,  
And Deeds, that Hospitality did bind.  
That far his Nuptials, far his Tyrian Bride  
Would be 'mong Roman Arms, if He denied  
What they demanded, he should quickly find,  
That weak Obedience of too soft, and kind  
A Husband, and his Bed's so ardent Heats  
Should stand in Blood. Thus, intermixing Threats,  
Scipio advised the King, whose 
(g) Sopho●isbae.  Wife before  
Had stopped his Ears. And, when Advice no more  
Took place, He summons all his Swords again,  
Attesting the chaste Altars of the then-  
Polluted League, and in the War proceeds  
With various Arts. With Huts of slender Reeds,  
And Fenny Flags, such as the Rustic Moor  
Selects to thatch his Homely Cottage o'er,  
The Libyan Camp was filled. This he assailed  
By Stealth, and secret Flames with Targets veiled,  
Scattered in Dead of Night, which, as they run  
Diffused (like a Contagion) and begun  
With mighty Noise, through th' Unctuous Food their Way  
To make, through all the Air their Light display,  
And by their active Heat the Rafters fall.  
The Hostile Mischief, like a Storm, through all  
The Camp goes on, and on the arid Reeds,  
With frequent Cracks, devouring Vulcan feeds.  
Sad burn in all Quarters rise, and some,  
Before they could perceive't, excited from  
Their Sleep, are seized by Fire, and, as for Aid,  
In vain, they call, their Faces Flames invade.  
The Lemnian God appears in every Place  
A Conqueror, and in his dire Embrace  
Destroys both Arms, and Men. The Plague swells High  
And through the Clouds the half-burnt Camp doth fly,  
In glowing Ashes: Then, with dismal Sounds,  
And a prodigious Leap, the Fire surrounds  

(h) The Assault of the Romans, setting the Huts of the Numidians Camp on Fire, was so sudden; that Syphax fled, Naked, out of his Bed, and very hardly escaped their Hands, after which, he joined his Camp with the Carthaginians.  The King's Pavilion, and had sadly there  
Devoured the Man, had not his Guards, through Fear  
Of Danger, (while amazed He much enquired)  
Him from his Sleep, and Bed, by Force, retired.  
But, when, within one Camp, the Tyrian, and  
Syphax their Strength had joined, and through the Land  
Called thither, all in Arms, the Youth, again,  
The Wounds of that sad Night had eased: then  
Shame, Anger, and (a third pernicious Fire)  
His Wife into his Mind new Rage inspire.  
And now, He, threatening, storms, his Face should be  
Blasted by burning of his Camp: that He  
Should, Naked, hardly scape the Foe by Flight,  
Amidst his trembling Troops. But in the Light,  
In clearer Day, and less perfidious View  
Of Heaven, no mortal Syphax could subdue.  
Thus Foolishly he rants: while Fate his Pride,  
And Breath concluding, would no more abide;  
But cuts the Thread of this vain swelling Tongue:  
For soon, as He (like Floods, that draw along  
Whole Groves, and Rocks, and like swift Torrents, go  
Through devious Ways, and all the Banks o'erflow  
With foaming Waves) leaped from his Camp, He pressed  
His furious Courser on, before the rest  
And bids his Troops advance. The other Side  
(A noble, sober Army) when they spied  
The King far off, snatched up their Arms, and straight  
March on, and singly with themselves debate.  
See there: See how this proud Massylian King,  
Insulting, at his Army's Head, doth bring  
Them on, and for the Combat calls. Oh! may  
This my Right-hand that Honour gain to Day.  
The Sacred Altars of the Gods he hath  
Defiled, and hath infringed his League, and Faith,  
With our chaste General. Oh! may it be  
Sufficient (Gods) that once, already, He  
From his burnt-Camp escaped! This in their Hearts  
Resolved, they all, contending, launce their Darts.  
In the Fire-breathing Nostrils of his Steed,  
A Javelin, that surpassed the rest in Speed,  
Was fixed: By which the Beast erected stood,  
And with his bounding Heels (his Jaws with Blood  
Or'eflowing) beat the Air; then backward to  
The Ground he fell, and, with a Spear pierced through,  
As every Way he tossed his Limbs, betrayed  
His Rider to the Fo: who Him invade,  
As He, in vain, endeavoured from the Ground  
To rise, and fly; and, drawing from the Wound  
The Weapon, seize Him. Then the Shame of Chains,  
And Gyves, they add; while He to all remains  
A great Example, never to rely  
Upon Prosperity. And now, they ty  
In Manacles his Scepter-bearing Hands:  
And He, that, lately, saw so many Lands  
Beneath his Feet: that Sceptres, and the Sea,  
That to the Ocean's bounds extended lay,  
Under his Nod beheld, thrown from the Head  
Of all his Kingdoms, is in Triumph led.  
His Strength thus overthrown, the Libyans are  
Cut off: while hated by the God of War.  
And known for frequent Flight, (that Enterprise  
Condemned) with Speed, the Tyrian Captain flies.  

(i) After this overthrow, there was nothing left to relieve Carthage, but the Army under Hannibal, in Italy, whither they immediately sent to recall him.  Carthage on one sole Man (her Members all  
Thus ruined) now relied. And Hannibal,  
Even with his absent Name, the Frame sustained  
Falling with so great Noise: now, what remained  
Was, that even Fainting, and distressed for Aid,  
They should invite him Home. To this, afraid,  
They all assent, when they perceived, they were  
Forsaken by the Gods. And straight they are  
Dispatched, who with the Ship, the Briny Main  
Might pass with Speed, to call him Home again,  
And with the Senate's Mandate thus advise.  
Haste Hannibal; lest, through Delay, thine Eyes  
Carthage in Ruins see. Oh! be not slow  
T'assist thy falling Country, and the Foe  
From these our Walls repel. Thus charged, away  
They sailed, and, on the fourth ensuing Day,  
The Ve●sel brought them to th' Italian Shore;  
Where cruel Dreams the General's Mind full sore  
Disturbed. For as by Night, oppressed with Care,  
He slept, Flaminius, Gracchus, Paulus: there,  
Seemed with their naked Swords t'assault him, and  
Together drive him from th' Ausonian Land.  
With these, of dreadful Ghosts, an Army: all  
That did at Thrasimen, and Cannae fall,  
Appear to chase him to the Sea. While He  
Endeavoured to the well-known Alps to flee.  
Then Italy embracing in his Arms,  
To it he stuck, until Prodigious Storms  
Forced him to Sea, and in a Tempest sent  
Him Home again. Thus deep in Discontent,  
And with his Dreams perplexed, to him they came,  
And their Instructions, in the Senate's Name,  
With the great Danger of the State declare.  
How the Massylian Forces routed were;  
Their Prince, his Captive Neck, with Chains oppressed  
Kept 
(k) See the Continuation, Book the First.  a new Pomp for jove: and, how distressed  
Carthage, by Hasdrubal's not single Flight,  
Was shaken, and how they, in dead of Night,  
(Sad to relate) had seen both Camps (conjoined)  
Afire, while th' impious Flames through afric shined.  
And that the furious Youth (while Hannibal  
Still kept the Brutian Coast) then threatened all  
With Fire to Ruin: That the Fall drew nigh  
Of Carthage. To what Country should they fly?  
And his great Deeds (what Slaughters he had made  
In Italy) relate? When this they'd said,  
And all their Woes, and Fears had laid before  
His Eyes; they wept, and his Right-Hand adore,  
Like some great God. He, with a stern Aspect  
Fixed on the Ground, hears all, and doth reflect  
With Silence on their Words, and weighs with Care,  
If Carthage of so great a Value were.  
At length, He thus replied: Oh Envy! Thou  
Dire Foe to Man, who never will't allow  
Increase to things, or, that great Praise should grow  
Unto a greater Height. Not long ago  
I levelly with the Ground could Rome, subdued,  
Have laid, and Captive into Servitude  
Have led the Nation, and on Italy  
Our Laws imposed. But, while at Home to Me  
(Their General) they Pay, and Arms deny;  
Nor my Troops, wasted with Success, supply  
With fresh Recruits; and Hanno thinks it good  
My Cohorts to defraud of Corn, and Food:  
All Africa is on Fire, and Roman Spears  
Push at Cadmeian Gates. Now, it appears,  
That Hannibal's his Country's Glory, and  
Her sole Support: and now, in this Right-Hand  
Lie all your Hopes. Well, Homeward turn, with Speed,  
Our Ensigns, as the Senate hath decreed.  
I both my Country's Walls, and (Hanno) Thee  
Together will preserve. All this when He  
Had thundered out, straight from the Shore to Sea  
He lanced his Fleet, and 
(l) When Hannibal was at Sea (saith Livy) he often looked back towards Italy; accusing both the Gods, and Men, for reducing his great Designs to that Necessity.  Sighing sailed away.  
None durst their Backs, as they put off, invade,  
Or Him recall. Heaven seeming to persuade,  
He should, of's own accord, thus haste away,  
And Italy, at length, be freed: they pray  
For Winds, and think it is enough again  
To see the Coast so freed of Foes. As, when  
Auster doth his impetuous Blasts restrain,  
And, by retiring, calms the foaming Main,  
The Seaman then, not Prodigal of Prayers,  
Desireth not so much as gentle Airs;  
Content, that Notus should entirely cease,  
And by the Sea's smooth Course esteems his Peace.  
The Tyrian Soldiers, all, their Faces bend  
Towards the Main. But Hannibal, intent,  
With fixed Eyes, held Italy in view,  
While silent Tears, with frequent Sighs, bedew  
His Cheeks; as if he had been driven from  
His Country, and had left his dearest Home,  
Forced to some Desert Lands. But when, with Sails  
Tacked close, the Ships made Way with swifter Gales,  
And by Degrees, the Hills began to draw  
Their Summits down, that now He neither saw  
Hesperian Mountains, nor the Daunian Coast:  
Thus, fretting with himself; What have I lost  
My Sense, unworthy to return (said He)  
Even thus, when ever I from Italy  
Withdraw myself: in Flames first Carthage all  
Should perish, and the Name of Dido Fall.  
Was I not Mad, when, after Cannae's Field,  
From the Tarpeian Temples I withheld  
My burning Weapons, nor the Thunderer  
Dragged from his Throne, through the seven Hills, from War  
Now free? my Flames might have scattered then,  
And on that haughty Nation brought again  
Troy's Ruins, and their Grandsires' Fate. But, why  
Should this Afflict me? Who forbids, that I  
Should now invade them with my Sword, and go  
Directly to their Walls? It shall be so:  
And, through those very Lines returning, where  
I once encamped lay, I will repair  
To Anyo's Waters, by a Way to Me  
Well-known. Then turn your Prows for Italy,  
And tack-about the Fleet; I'll make, that Rome,  
Besieged, shall call again her Scipio Home.  
But, when the God of Seas perceived, he burned  
With so great Rage, and that they now had turned,  
Towards the Shore again, their shining Prows,  
straight, shaking his Coerulean Head, he throws  
●●ves from the Bottom, and the swelling Main  
●●●rudes beyond its Bounds. Then Winds, and Rain,  
With black Aeolian Storms, from Rocks arise,  
And cover from their Sight, with Clouds, the Skies.  
Then, with his Trident, moving all the Sea,  
Blue Tethys from the Rising of the Day,  
And Fall, he drives, and the whole Ocean's Face  
Distracts. The foaming Billows rise apace,  
And make the Rocks to snake, on which they beat.  
First Auster, from his Nasamonian Seat,  
Leaps for●h, from the lose Sands the Water flings,  
And leaves them bare. Him, on his gloomy Wings,  
Fierce Boreas, bearing high a broken Sea,  
Pursues. Then thundering, in another Way,  
With adverse Blasts, Cloud-raising Eurus rowls  
Part of the Ocean on: the cracking Poles  
Bellow aloud; while frequent Lightning flies,  
As if upon the Fleet the angry Skies  
Would fall. The rage of Winds, and Lightning, Rain,  
And Waves consent, and Darkness on the Main  
Imposeth Night. Now, coming from a Rock  
A furious Whirlwind, raised by Notus, struck  
The Yards, and whistling Dreadfully among  
The Shrouds, a Billow, like a Mountain, fling  
Against the General's paleface. His Eyes  
He turning to the Sea, and to the Skies,  
Exclaims; O Happy Brother, Hasdrubal,  
And to the Gods made equal, in thy Fall!  
Thy valiant Hand in Fight did thee afford  
A noble Death, Fate did to thee accord,  
That with thy Teeth, at least, on Italy  
Thou dying mightst lay-hold. But unto Me,  
In Cannae's Field, where noble Paulus died,  
And those renowned Souls, Death was denied,  
Nor, when I would have fired the Capitol,  
Can I by Jove's Tarpeian Thunder Fall.  
While thus he moans, with several Blasts impelled,  
The Waves, on either Side rushed on, and held  
With their dark Heaps the Vessel down, as drowned  
By that rude Shock. Straight, Whirling swiftly round,  
The Sands, raised high into the Air, it fling  
Again, where, poised by th' Winds, on Waves it hung.  
But against rough Stones, and Rocks (sad to behold)  
Notus two Galleys with hard Fortune rolled.  
The Prows cracked with the Fall, and with a Sound  
Of Dread, the broken Barks aloft rebound  
From the Sharp Stones. Straight, over all the Sea,  
A various Face of things. Here Helmets they,  
Arms, Crimson Crests, and Capua's Treasure see,  
And a rich Prize, with Care reserved, to be  
A Trophy for the Generals Triumph. There  
Tripods, and Tables of the Gods appear,  
And Sacred Statues, that, in vain, before  
The Miserable Latins did adore,  
When Venus, frighted, that the Ocean  
So high was moved, to Neptune thus began.  
This Fury, and these Threat'ning (Father) may  
Suffice for greater things; now spare (I pray)  
Thy Seas, lest envious Carthage boast, that She  
A Man hath generated, not to be  
Subdued in War, and, that to work the Fall  
Of Hannibal, the Romans needed all  
Thy Rage, and Seas. Thus Venus spoke, and straight  
Their Fury all the swelling Waves abate,  
And towards the adverse Camp the Navy drive.  
Their Gen'ral, old in Arms, and skilled to give  
Encouragement with Praise, their Minds, inspired  
With Anger by these furious Words, and fired  
Their Breasts with Flames of Honour. Thou, to Me,  
Flaminius bleeding Head, when slain (said He)  
Didst bring. I know thy Hand: Thou, first of all,  
Cam'st in to strike, at mighty Paulus Fall,  
And in his Bones didst fix thy fatal Spear.  
Th' Opimous Spoils of stout Marcellus were  
Thy glorious Prize: and falling Gracchus stained  
Thy Sword. But, there, behold that Valiant Hand;  
Which, with a Javelin, Warlike Appius (who  
Then stormed the Walls of wealthy Capua) threw  
Dead from the lofty Ramparts: and here see  
Another Thunderbolt of Valour! He  
It was, who Fulvius, a Name renowned,  
Pierced through the Breast, not with a single Wound.  
Stand thou here in the Van, who didst in Arms  
Consul Crispinus kill, Me, through the Storms  
Of Fight, do thou attend, who (I the thing  
Remember well) pleased in thy Rage, didst bring,  
At Cannae's Field, the 
(m) Paulus.  general's Head to Me,  
Fixed on a servile Lance. Brave Youth, I see  
Thy burning Eyes, and Aspect, that hath more  
Of Terror, than thy Sword; such, as before,  
Thee (when a Tribune, that in vain withstood,  
Crushed by thy strong Embrace, i'th' cruel Flood  
Of famous Trebia drowned) I did behold.  
But Thou, who, first, didst at the Banks of cold  
Ticînus, in old Scipio's Blood imbrue  
Thy Sword, thy former Enterprise pursue,  
And the Son's Blood present me now. Shall I  
Fear even the Gods themselves, when Thou art by,  
Should they come to the Battle? I beheld,  
When thou didst trample on the Hills, that swelled  
To Heaven, and o'er the highest Alps didst go  
With Speed. Since, by whose Sword, and Hands I know  

(n) The Field of Cannae. See above, Book the Ninth, and Tenth.  Argyripa's capacious Fields were fired:  
Wilt thou more slowly now, by Me desired,  
Go on, who first of all didst launce a Dart  
Against the Dardan Walls? nor willing art  
To join unto our Praise? must I again  
Thee now excite? Thee, who against Storms of Rain,  
Thunder, and Lightning, and, when I did stand  
Jove's Fury, didst, as fierce as He, command  
T'endure those vainer Storms, and went'st before  
Thy Gen'ral to the Capitol. No more  
Need I exhort you now, who, by a War  
So famed, Sagunthus overthrew; and are  
Renowned for those Beginnings: now again  
(As it becomes yourselves, and Me) maintain  
The former Praises of your Valour. I  
I'th' favour of the Gods, and Victory  
Grown old, now, after Fifteen Years, on You  
Relying, to my falling Country, to  
Those household Gods, that in so long a space  
Of Time I have not seen, to the Embrace  
Of my chaste Wife, and Son return again.  
This the last Battle is, that doth remain  
To Libya, and to Rome. This Day our Sword  
Shall give to the disputed World its Lord.  
Thus Hannibal. But, as their General  
Began to speak, the Roman Soldiers call  
For Battle, and the Signal; nor abide  
Delays of Words. All this when jove espied  
His Wife, at distance, in a Cloud of Air,  
Behold, and that her eager Looks did wear  
Something of Sadness, to her with this kind  
Address He goes. What Torments of the Mind  
Afflict Thee now? I prithee, let me know;  
Is it the Libyan Captains overthrow▪  
Or Care of Carthage grieves Thee● do but weigh  
Within thy Thoughts the Rage of Libya  
Against th' Trojans fatal Power, and Progeny,  
In violating Leagues. Say what will be  
The End of this Rebellious People? None,  
Not Carthage, more of Ills hath undergone,  
Or Labour, than thyself: who long hast toiled  
For the Cadmaean Race. Thou hast embroiled  
The Seas, and Earth, and into Italy  
Hast sent a furious Youth, while we might see  
The Walls of Rome stand trembling, and of all  
Mankind, for Sixteen Years, was Hannibal  
The Chief. 'Tis time the Nation to compose,  
The Period is come, and we must close  
The Gates of War. The suppliant Queen replied.  
Nor in that hanging Cloud did I abide,  
With a Design, a Day prefixed, at all,  
To change; nor yet the Armies to recall;  
Nor War extend: but what You can bestow,  
(Since now all Favour towards me is low,  
And our first Love's decayed) against Fates Decree  
I nothing ask. Let Hannibal now flee  
His Enemies, as you are pleased t'ordain,  
And let, in Carthage, Roman Ashes reign.  
By th' mutual Pledges of a double Love,  
Thy Wife, and Sister, I this only (jove)  
Entreat, that my brave Captain may survive  
All Dangers, and be kept, by Thee, Alive.  
Nor let him, Captived, Latian Fetters wear;  
But, let these, my dear Walls, that battered are  
With miseries (though the Tyrian Name decline)  
Stand, and, for Honour's sake, be kept as Mine.  
Thus juno. To whom jove this short Reply  
Vouchsafed. The Walls of lofty Carthage I  
Will, for some time, forbear, as you desire,  
And grant them to your Prayers, and Tears, entire  
To stand. Yet know (dear Wife) at what a rate  
I this indulge; not long, that City's Fate  
Endures. For there will come a General,  
Who, under the same 
(o) Scipio Aemi●ianus, who, in the last Carthaginian War, took, and razed Carthage.  Name, will ruin all  
These towers preserved. And, from this fatal Fight  
Escaping, Hannibal Ethereal Light  
(At this Entreaty) may enjoy a while.  
he'll seek the Stars, and Ocean to embroil,  
And with returning Arms to fill the Earth.  
I know his Heart, still pregnant with a Birth  

(p) The War, which afterwards ensued under Antiochus. See the Continuation, Bo●k the Third▪  Of War. But to this Boon this shall remain  
A Law: He never must behold again  
Saturnus Empire; nor to Italy  
Return. From instant Death now let him be  
Removed, with Speed; lest, if i'th' open Plain  
He join in Battle, he should not again,  
By all thy Power, from Scipio's Hand be freed.  
While thus their Fates the Thunderer decreed,  
Both to the City, and to Hannibal;  
The Armies to the Fight advance, and all,  
With Shouts, invade the Skies. Earth, in no Age  
Before, two mightier Nations did engage  
In Fight: nor greater Generals had seen,  
Equal in Arms, contending. While, between  
These two, their famed Dispute's valued Prize  
Was whatsoever is covered with the Skies.  
The Tyrian, rich in Purple, 'bove the rest  
Raised his proud Head: upon his Crimson Crest  
A waving Plume. A cruel Dread precedes  
From his great Name: his Sword a Lightning sheds▪  
Well-known to Italy. On th' other Side,  
Scipio, in radiant Robes, in Scarlet died,  
His dreadful Target shows; where, breathing War,  
His Father's Image, and his Uncle's are  
Engraved: Huge Flames from his high Forehead fly.  
And thus the Hopes of all, and Victory  
(Under so great a Force of Arms, and Men)  
Stood in the General's alone. And then  
Thus Fear, or Favour (as 'tis often seen)  
Suggests. If valiant Scipio had been  
In Libya born, the Empire might have come  
To Agenorean Nephews. Or, had Rome  
Given Birth to Hannibal, then doubtless He  
The World had subject made to Italy.  
Now rapid Storms of flying Shafts broke through  
The Air, and with them Clouds of Horror drew:  
Then to the Sword more close each Army came,  
And Fight it Face to Face. A dreadful Flame  
Burns in their Eyes, and those, that in the Van,  
Contemning Danger, first the Charge began,  
Between both Armies fell; and, long before  
Not seen by them, the Earth drunk Native Gore.  
But here, in Courage hot, as He was Young,  
Stout Masanissa flings himself among  
The Macedonian Cohorts, and flies round  
About, with's winged Darts, the Champagn Ground.  
So, when the painted Britain goes to War,  
He circumvents with his hook-bearing Carr  
The thronged Bands. A Grecian Phalanx then,  
In a close Body, had drawn up their Men,  
(As was their Country's Use) and firmly stood,  
With intermingled Spears, to make it good.  
Unmindeful of the Compact he had made  
After the League, these 
(q) Philip, King of Macedon: of whom see Book the Fifteenth, Page 430.  Philip to the Aid  
Of Cadmus' shaken City sent. And now,  
Broken with many Wounds, the Soldiers grow  
More thin, and, as on every Side they lay  
Prostrate upon the Ground, an open Way  
Between the Weapons leave. Then, with a Stroke,  
Of Ruin, in th' Ausonian Cohorts broke,  
And cancel all their Grecian Perjuries.  
Archemorus by Rutulus; Teucer dies  
By stout Norbanus, in declining Age:  
Both by their Mother Mantua sent t'engage  
In Arms. But Samjus brave Calênus slew:  
And Selvis Clytuis (a Pellaean) who  
Vainly insulted in his Country's Name.  
But alas Clytuis! 'twas not 
(r) The City, where Alexander the Great was born.  Pella's Fame,  
That could from Daunian Darts defend thee here.  
But Laelius, with Upbraid more severe  
Than these, the 
(s) Of these see above, Book the Eleventh, Page 296.  Brutian Bands, of Latin Race,  
Destroys. Was Italy so Vile a Place,  
That it, with Tyrian Oars, You thus (said He)  
Through the rude Seas, and raging Waves should flee?  
But 'tis enough, that you are fled. Will You  
With Latin Blood a foreign Land imbrue?  
This said: He Silarus, active in the Fight,  
Prevented with a Shaft, that in its Flight  
Stuck in the Bottom of his Throat: so hard  
It flew, that it, at once, the Passage barred  
Of Life, and Voice. Vergilius destroyed  
Caudînus. By Amanus Sarris died.  
Their Looks, and Habit of their Arms, well-known,  
And Language, that concorded with their own,  
Inflamed their Rage. Whom when Amilcar's Son  
Perceived inclining from the Fight to run,  
He cries; Betray not thus our Nation; stand:  
Then charged, and turned the Battle with his Hand.  
As when a Parethonian Snake, that long,  
I'th' Garamantian Fields, was fed among  
The fervent Sands, with Poison swelled, doth rear  
His Neck, and spouts, through the infected Air,  
The flowing Venom to the Skies: so He  
Herjus (that with his Spear continually  
Dealt Wounds, who of Marrucian Lineage came,  
And in Theatè had a noble Name)  
More nimble, stops, and, as he something high  
Attempted, seeking with his Enemy  
An equal Praise, with a swift Hand, quite through  
His Body drives his fatal Weapon to  
The Hilts. The Wounded falls, and, as he lies  
Prostrate, his Brother seeks with dying Eyes:  
When Young Pleminius came on apace,  
And, brandishing his Sword before his Face,  
Enraged at his sad Fall, with a loud Cry,  
Threatening, demands his Brother. This Reply  
Gave Hannibal; I shall refuse no more  
(If you think fit) your Brother to restore,  
On this Condition, that from Shades below  
You Hasdrubal recall. Shall I forego  
My juster Hate against such as Romans are?  
Or shall I let my Heart relent? and spare  
One, born on the Italian Ground? then may  
The Ghosts me, as a Foe, from thence where they  
Abide, expel! Then may my Brother M●  
For ever banish his Society  
In dark Avernus! Speaking thus, he ran  
With all the Weight of's Shield upon the Man,  
And where the Earth, made slipp'ry with the Blood  
Of's Brother, failed him, as he Fight stood,  
Feled, and with's Sword dispatched him on the Place:  
While with extended Hands in his Embrace  
He prostrate Herius held, and eased his weight  
Of Grief, by sharing in his Brother's Fate.  
The Libyan then a Body mixed in Fight  
Invades, and rushing on, his Foes to Flight  
Turned a long way. As, when, with Thunder hurled  
Th' Aetnéan Bolts of jove affright the World,  
And his high Palace shake, a Panic Fright  
Makes all Mankind to quake, th' Abortive Light  
With Horror shines, and jove seems ready, by  
Each Man, at him to let his Lightning fly.  
But in another Quarter, as if there  
Where Scipio fought, the only Danger were,  
A bloody Fight new Forms of Death Creates  
In various Shapes. A Sword this penetrates,  
And down he falls: That lamentably Groans,  
A Stone in pieces crushing all his Bones.  
Some, basely flying, on their Faces are,  
Through Fear, Precipitated. Against the War,  
Others, with Valour armed, their Breasts oppose.  
While the Rheteian Gen'ral forward goes  
O'er the dead Heaps. As when the God of War  
With Slaughter pleased, shakes his Bistonian Carr,  
Near frozen Hebrus, and the Getick Snow  
Melts with warm Blood, and Ice, by 
(t) The Northwind.  Aquilo  
Augmented, with his rattling Chariot's weight  
Asunder breaks. Now with a dreadful Heat,  
Looking about, He every valiant Name  
With's Sword assails. There through the World for Fame  
Of Slaughters known, among their Weapons, falls  
On every Side, the Youth, that stormed thy Walls  
(Sagunthus) and a War most Cruel in  
Thy miserable Ruins did begin.  
There, who the Sacred Thrasimen with Blood  
Had stained, and the Phaëtontian Flood  
Polluted, who the Boldness had to move  
Their Arms, to sack the House, and Throne of jove,  
In one vast Ruin fell. There they were slain,  
Who did the Secrets of the Gods profane,  
And first the Alps, prohibited, had pressed  
With mortal Steps. The Army, all possessed  
With Fear, in haste discouraged retire.  
As, through a city's Houses, when the Fire  
Diffused runs, and ventilated by  
A rapid Wind, the active Flames do fly  
Up to the Skies, struck with a sudden Fear,  
And Trembling, as the City captive were  
The People run, distracted every Way.  
But Scipio, now grown weary with Delay,  
So to pursue those scattered Combats, or  
To be detained in so light a War,  
Resolved his Force upon the Cause of all  
Those Ills, and War to turn. For, Hannibal  
Alone that Day surviving, it would be  
No Benefit at all to Italy,  
Should Carthage Walls be set on Fire, and all  
Their Armies overthrown. But should He fall  
Alone, not all their Arms, and Men would aught  
Avail the Libyans. Him he therefore sought,  
And searched, through all the Field, with busy Eyes.  
Then to the thickest of the Fight he hies,  
Wishing, that all Ausonia, if He there  
Should him encounter, the Spectators were.  
And bold, with a fierce Voice, his Foe doth cite  
(Upbraiding him) unto another Fight.  
Which Language when affrighted juno hears:  
Lest it should touch the Libyan Captains Ears,  
She informs a Roman Shape, which straight a●sumes  
Th' Italian Princes shining Crest, his Plumes,  
And Shield, and spreads his radiant Cassock's Grace  
Upon his Shoulders. Then She adds his Pace,  
And Habit; such, as him She did behold  
Provoking to the Fight: and Motion bold,  
Without a Body, gives. At length, a Steed,  
Like false, and vain, She forms, that runs with Speed  
Through devious Ways, and offers to the Sight  
The Image of a Warlike Shade, in Fight.  
Thus Scipio, feigned by juno, proudly to  
The Fight advanced, and brandished in the view  
Of Hannibal his Sword; who, pleased, his Ey  
Beheld the Roman General so nigh,  
And hoping mighty things were then at Hand,  
Strait claps his Heels against his Courser, and,  
With sudden Force, a Javelin at him throws.  
The winged Shade turns back, and flying goes  
Quite cross the Field, beyond the Armies. Then,  
As if possessed of's Chief Desire, again,  
With his steeled Heel, th'insulting Libyan makes  
His Horse to bleed, and still pursuing shakes  
Th' enlarged Reins. O! whither dost thou run  
Forgetful, that 'tis our Dominion  
(Scipio) where now thou Fliest. Libya ●o Thee  
Affords no skulking Hole. Thus, proudly, he  
With his drawn Sword still followed, as it Fled,  
Until, deluded, by it, he was led  
Into another Field, far distant from  
The place of Battle; where no sooner come,  
But the Delusive Shade to Air resolves.  
What God (said angry Hannibal) involves  
Himself in that dark Light to Me? Or why  
Doth he concealed within that Monsterly?  
Is then my Glory to the Gods become  
So opposite? Yet never shalt thou from  
This Hand compel, or force my Foe (said He)  
By all thy Arts, whatever God thou be,  
Who standest for Italy. With that he wheeled  
His nimble Steed about, and to the Field  
Enraged returns. When straight, with secret Dread  
Of sudden Mischief shocked, upon his Head  
Down fell his Courser, and, by Juno's care,  
Breathed from his panting Breast his Life to Air.  
But then, Impatient, This again (said He)  
This is your Plot (ye Gods) nor do you me  
Deceive: I better by the Rocks had been  
Overwhelmed; I better had been drowned in  
The Waves, and Seas. Was I preserved then  
To this vile Death? while those unhappy Men,  
That have my Ensigns followed, and from Me  
Alone received a battle's Augury,  
Are slaughtered, and I, absent, understand  
Their Groans, their Voice, and Words, as they demand  
Their Hannibal. What Stygian Torrent is  
Sufficient to wash off my Sin? As this  
He spoke, on's Right-Hand with an earnest Ey  
He looked, inflamed with a Desire to Dy.  
But juno, pitying the Man, assumes  
A Sheepherd's Face, and, on a sudden, comes  
From the thick Woods; and, as he thought to Die  
A Death Inglorious, thus accosts Him: Why,  
So armed, to these Our Woods do you repair?  
Would you go to that cruel Battle, where  
Great Hannibal in Arms the rest subdues  
Of the Ausonian Armies? If you'll choose  
The speedy, and compendious Way to go  
Into the Thickest of them, I will show  
The nearest Tract. To this He straight agrees,  
And onerates with ample Promises  
The, Sheepherd's Breast: and tells him, that the State  
Of Carthage would his Pains remunerate  
With large Rewards, and He would give as great.  
Thus Eager, hasting o'er the next Retreat  
With largest Steps, the Goddess him conveys,  
Deceived by Intricacy of the Ways,  
In Circles, and, herself concealing still,  
Gave him unwellcome Safety against his Will.  
But the Cadméan Troops, forsaken all,  
And full of Fear, seeing no Hannibal,  
Nor the known Conflicts of their furious Chief,  
Some think him slain, others are of Belief,  
That He, concluding all was lost, withdrew  
From the Sinister Gods. And now, in View,  
The Roman Gen'ral (like a Storm) amain  
Came on, and chased them through all the Plain.  
Carthage herself then trembled: Panic Dread  
Through afric by the routed Troops is spread.  
And, without Fight, as they Headlong fly,  
To their extremest Bounds they, frighted, high.  
Some to Tartessiack Coasts dispersed are;  
Others to Battus Lands, and Nile repair.  
So, when, by secret Force o'ercome, at last  
Vesuvius to the Stars his Flames doth cast,  
Through many Ages fed, o'er Sea, and Land  
The Fire's diffused: th' Eöan Seres stand  
Amazed, beholding a Prodigious Sight,  

(u) Vesuvius, the Famous Mountain near Naples, hath had sever●● Eruptions of Fire, to the great Terror, and Detriment of the Inhabitants of Campania, and other Parts; the Ashes flying almost incredibly (as Dio affirms) from thence into afric, and Asia, as far as Syria: and, at one time covering two Towns, Herculaneum, and Pompeios, with the Inhabitants, as they were in the Theatre. See Ambrose Leo, De Agro Nolano: and of its last Conflagration, in our Memory, see Salvat●r Varo, Vesuviani Incendii Neap. 1634.  Their silken Groves with Latian Ashes White.  
But now, at length, the weary General  
To th' neighbouring Hill Saturnia brought, where all  
The Face, and Signs o'th' bloody Fight more near  
He saw. Such as Garganus did appear;  
Such as the Tyrrhen Lake, and Trebia's Flood,  
And swift Eridanus, with Humane Blood  
overflowing, he beheld. Such a dire Face  
Was shown of Myriad slaughtered on the Place.  
Then troubled juno reascends the Sky,  
And, climbing up the Hill, the Foe drew nigh;  
When Hannibal thus with himself: Though all  
The Fabric of the heavens dissolved should fall  
On this my Head; and Earth should open wide:  
Yet shall the Fame of Cannae (jove) abide;  
And sooner from thy Empire shalt Thou fall,  
Then in the Deeds, and Name of Hannibal,  
The World be silent. Nor, from this my Hand,  
Secure (O Rome) shalt thou for ever stand.  
I, against Thee, my Country's Hope will live,  
For a new War. For that Thou now dost thrive  
In Fight, is 'cause thy Foes sit still. To Me  
More then enough it is, that Italy,  
And Dardan Mothers, while I live, will there  
Expect Me, and ne'er lay aside their Fear.  
Then, with a few, that fled away, he gets  
Back to the Hills, and more secure Retreats.  
Here the 
(x) After this overthrow all parts gave Way to Scipio, and Carthage itself submitted to the Power of the Romans, who deprived them of all things, but their own Laws: after which they permitted them to live; their Impious Rites of Sacrificing Humane Blood excepted. For this I take to be the meaning of Improba jura adempta; (though Dausqueius otherwise) since, through the whole Carthaginian Story, we do not find them in Use, after the Romans were their Masters; though they were Superstitious in them not long before, as appears by our Poet's Declamation against them, in the Fourth Book.  War's Period was. To Scipio  
Strait, of their own Accord, they open throw  
Their Gates. Their Impious Rites abolished are.  
Their Arms he takes away, and Laws, that were  
Engraved. Their Strength in Riches, and their Pride  
Is overthrown, and Elephants aside  
Their Castles lay. At length (to Libya  
A dismal Sight) their Fleet is fired: the Sea  
Burns with the sudden Tempest, and the Flame  
Nereus affrights. The Gen'ral, with a Name,  
That equal shall with Time, for ever, stand,  
With the first Title of that conquered Land,  
Sure of that Empire, goes, by Sea, to Rome,  
And, in great 
(y) Dausqueius needed not to have mentioned his slight Mutation of Arma, into Arva; for it is Obvious, that the Carthaginians did not carry all their Arms into the Field, but that a sufficient quantity was left to defend them, had all other things been equal to resist the Romans, who, after took from them all things, that could contribute to a War. See more in the Continuation, Book the First.  Triumph, to his Native Home  
Is born. Before him Syphax, Captivate,  
Upon a Bier, his Eyes dejected, sat;  
His Neck in golden Chains preserved. And here  
Hanno, and Young Phoenician Nobles were:  
Then Macedonian Princes: next to these  
The Moors, with parched Skins: then Nomades,  
And Garamantians known to 
(z) jupiter Hammon.  Horned jove:  
Where they the Sands survey, and Syrts, that prove  
Destructive still to Ships. 
(a) Of this Triumph, the most acceptable of all, that Rome yet had seen, as that, which confirmed her in her Imperial Power, see, at large, Appian, in Libycis.  Next, lifting to  
The Stars her conquered Hands, did Carthage go.  
Then the Effigies of th' Iberian Land,  
Now Peaceable: with Gades, that doth stand  
The Period of the Earth; and Calpè, that,  
Of old, Alcides' Praise did terminate:  
With Baetis, which the Horses of the Sun  
Is wont to bathe in Streams, that gently run:  
And high Pyrenè, that gives Birth to Wars,  
And lifts her levy Head unto the Stars.  
With rude Iberus, that, with Fury, flings  
Against the Sea the Rivers, that he brings.  
Yet nothing more delights their Minds, and Eyes,  
Then Hannibal, as in the Field he flies.  
But standing in his Chariot, to the View  
Of Rome, his Martial Face doth Scipio show;  
In Gold, and Tyrian Purple, richly dressed:  
As, when descending from the spicy East,  
With Bridled Tigers, Bacchus drove along  
His Vine-bound Chariot: Or, when, among  
The slaughtered Giants, in Phlegraean Wars  
Alcides walked, and touched the very Stars.  
Hail, thou Un-conquerable Parent! who,  
In Praise, art equal to Quirînus, to  
Camillus in Deservings! nor, when She,  
Among the rest, commemorateth Thee,  
The Offspring of the Gods, doth Rome belly  
TARPEIAN JOVE'S IMMORTAL PROGENY.   
FINIS.   

A CONTINUATION OF SILIUS ITALICUS TO The DEATH of HANNIBAL, In Three BOOKS; By THOMAS ROSS, Esq  
LONDON▪ Printed by THO. ROYCROFT, 1661.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE WILLIAM EARL of STRAFFORD, etc.  
My LORD,  
MY Obligations to your LORDSHIP have long since called for such Acknowledgement, as aught to appear under the Title of the Noblest Subject. Had any, within the Prospect of my Fancy, been more Eminent, than this of HANNIBAL, I had made choice of it, as Adequate to your Merits: but, none appearing, I have selected what SILIUS left untouched, to raise out of it this little Monument of my Gratitude; having no other Means to express it. I confess, I, at first, intended to adventure on the THIRD PUNIC WAR; which, though of less Continuance, than this SECOND, had in it as gallant Actions (especially in that famous SIEGE of CARTHAGE) as any HISTORY doth mention: but, Conscious of the Weakness of what I have already built, I feared, that, by raising, too many Stories, It might fall under its own Bulk, and myself under the Censure of Ambition, in aspiring to so great a Work. I have therefore rather chosen to desist, and fix this little Piece under your LORDSHIP'S Name, as a VOTIVE Table to testify to the World, how much I am,  
My LORD, Your LORDSHIP'S Most humble, and Faithful Servant, THOMAS ROSS.   



Nunc Han̄ibal oscula Na●o●  
Libat● in Amplexu charae nunc Conjugis haere●  
At tandem Ingrat●e Fugiens Carthaginis Art●s   

Abripitur dubios et quos in Littore-Nautas  
Invenit, eludit, Samno Vinoque Sepultos,  
Atque Novis pandit Velox sua Carbasa Fatis.   
Dignissimo Viro Gervasio Holles de Grimsby in Comitatu Lincoln: Armig: Flagrante Rebellione; Regijs in Exercitibus fortissmo: Chiliarcho extincta tana● Libellorum Supplicum Regis Magistro. Tabula Observantiss: D.D.D.  A CONTINUATION OF SILIUS ITALICUS To the DEATH of HANNIBAL` The First Book.  
THE ARGUMENT.  
The Roman Piety, and Zeal to pay  
(At Scipio's Return) the Vows, which they  
In War had made. King Syphax Captive dies  
By voluntary Famine. The sad Cries  
Of Carthaginian Dames. Their city's quite  
Disarmed. ●milce's parting Tears. By Night,  
Great Hannibal his Treacherous Country flies;  
Sails to Cercinna: and, in Sacrifice,  
A Day consumes. Fearing to be betrayed;  
Those, whom he doubts, by Wine asleep are laid.  
NOW had great Scipio brought his Trophies Home,  
And with loud Triumphs filled the Streets of Rome:  
The People to their numerous Altars bring  
Their pleasing Offerings, and glad Paeans sing.  
Such Store of Sweets, in every Temple smoke;  
As if not Libya only felt the Yoke  
Of this great Conquest: but Arabia there  
Her Tribute gave, and the Sabaeans were  
Their Vassals. Or, as if to Prophesy,  
That all the World, in Time to come, should be  
By them subdued, and Rome, Triumphant, stand  
The wealthy Storehouse of each conquered Land;  
Bulls, that with Snow, for Whiteness, might contend,  
Washed in 
(a) 
Clitumnus, a River in Tuscany, in the Territories of the Falisci (now called Civita Castellana) where such Bulls, as were designed for Sacrifice in Triumphs, were washed, and became White. Plin. lib. 2. cap. 103. asserted by Virgil, Georg. 2.  
Hinc Albi, Clitumne, greges, etc. But, this Virtue vanishing, they supplied the want of White, with Red Bulls.  
White Herds, and Victims of the best Esteem,  
Bulls, washed (Clitumnus) in thy Sacred Stream,  
The Roman Triumphs to the Temples lead:  
But this Virtue, etc.   Clitumnus sacred Streams, ascend  
The Capitol: their curled Foreheads Crowned  
With flowery Wreaths, their Horns with Fillets bound.  
These all in solemn Order, round the Hill  
Thrice, slowly, lead: the Joyful People fill  
The trembling Air with Shouts: then enter, while  
The Gods seem pleased, and in their Statues smile;  
Pleased, that Devotion with Success they see  
So duly mixed, and grateful Piety  

(b) It was a Laudable Custom among the Romans, after a Victory obtained, to command a Festival of Nine Days, wherein all the People abstained from Work, and Sacrificed to the Gods for their Success. Polyb. lib. Excerpt. Legat. cap. 16.  To pay those holy Vows, which first arose  
From Fears of Ruin, and insulting Foes.  
First, to the Queen of Gods, a Purple Vest,  
Whose rich Embroid'ry all the Art expressed  
Of the Sidonian Dames, and then a Crown  
Of Gold, which, hapless Syphax overthrown,  
His Sophonisba wore, the Matrons bring;  
And, Offering at her Shrine, thus, Pious, sing.  
Sister, and Wife of jove, Celestial Queen,  
Whom we, so long, so full of Wrath have seen;  
That Rome, almost despairing of her Fate,  
Saw these her Walls besieged; let not thy Hate  
To Trojan Blood still prompt Thee to despise  
Our Piety: but, with serener Eyes,  
Behold Us now, and hear Us, when We pray,  
And our Oblations on thine Altars lay.  
Why should thy Love to Libya still inflame  
Thy Rage against Us, who from Aenêas came?  
Let it suffice: We, to this very Time,  
Have expiated, with our Blood, that Crime  
Of Paris. Oh! believe him now to be  
In Us, repenting his Disdain of Thee.  
Be then appeased! thy Mercy will no less,  
Then doth thy Power, thy Deity confess:  
And, if at length, with other Gods, and Fate  
Thou wilt comply, to bless the Roman State;  
As Thou on the Supremest Throne above  
The heavens art seated: so, here, next to jove,  
Thou shalt be worshipped, and the World shall come  
To bring their Offerings unto Thee at Rome.  
The Flamen, while they thus invoke, his Hands  
Displayed to Heaven, at Jove's high Altar stands,  
And thus exhorts. Oh! may We ever see  
Religion thus to Crown thy Victory,  
(Quirinus' Progeny) these Pious Charms  
(Oh Rome) will force the Gods to bless thine Arms.  
Then, O, then, let thy Piety increase,  
As now, when War is ended, and thy Peace  
Confirm: Impiety alone the Fates  
Provokes, and flingeth open 
(c) The Temple of janus was always open, while the Romans were in War, and never shut; but when in Peace with all the World: it is observed not to have been shut above thrice. First, by Numa. Secondly, after the Second Punic War: and, Lastly, by Augustus Caesar.  janus' Gates.  
This said: an hundred Bulls at once are slain,  
Which, with their Blood, an hundred Altars slain.  
Their Entrails all, enquired for what's to come,  
Promise a lasting Happiness to Rome:  
That She the Head of all the World should stand,  
And next to jove the Universe command.  

(d) Though (as Plutarch observes) some other Triumphs had exceeded this of Scipio, in their Pomp, and Wealth; yet none was entertained with so much Joy, the Romans being not only absolved from the Despair of forcing Hannibal out of Italy, but Carthage likewise wholly subdued.  The Gods thus served; they all begin to Feast,  
And in their costly Banquets spend the rest  
O'th' Day. The Senate seated are alone,  
And to great Scipio's Honour, one by one,  
A stately Goblet quaff of Massick Wine.  
His Cheeks, mean while, with modest Blushes shine;  
As if they'd Fire the Laurel on his Brow,  
Unwilling those Just Praises to allow.  
So, in the Giant's War, when Heaven again  
Was free from Fear, and mighty Typhon slain,  
To Mirth themselves the Gods disposed, and, round  
The Tables, Hebè with Nepenthè crowned  
Their Cups: while all Apollo's Skill proclaim,  
Commend his Bow, his Shafts, and certain Aim,  
By which the Giants fell; when they upon  
The Stars had seized, and Jove's Celestial Throne  
Almost possessed. But, back again to Hell,  
Struck with these Heavenly Arms, the Rebels fell.  
The solemn Day thus spent: the Night succeeds,  
Inviting all to Rest. While Syphax bleeds  
Within: the Trumpet, which their Triumphs sounds,  
Grates on his Ears, strikes to his Heart, and wounds  
His very Soul. Sometimes, He thinks upon  
His former 
(e) Syphax was the greatest of all the Kings of Libya, having (besides his own Inheritance of the Massili, and Mauritania) usurped part of Masanissa's Kingdom of Numidia; which moved Masanissa to revolt to the Romans.  State, when, sitting on a Throne  
Of Native Ivory, He did command  
Those Nations, which the Aethiopian Land,  
And Nasamon confines, with those, that by  
The Carthaginian Bounds, and Hammon lie;  
With all, that southward dwell near Nile, and those,  
Where the Herculean Sea against Calpè throws  
Its foaming Waves: when he could summon, to  
The War, whole Myriads of Horsemen, who  
On naked Steeds did ride, and gave them Law:  
And between Rome, and Carthage when he saw  
The World disputed was, that He had been  
The Umpire of their Quarrel, and had seen  
Them both his Friendship seek, until his Flame  
Of Love the Ruin of his Throne became.  
Sad with these Thoughts, that, in his troubled Breast,  
Swell like a raging Tempest, and all Rest  
Deny: at length his Sighs (that, as a Wind,  
Within the Bowels of the Earth confined,  
Shakes the whole Fabric, until forth it breaks  
Into the Air) make Way, and thus he speaks.  
Is then the Birth, and Title of a King,  
(Ye Gods, from whom Kings, sprung) so vain a thing;  
That, with one Shock of Fortune only, I  
Must fall so low, into Captivity,  
As to become their Slave to whom, of late,  
I was a Terror? Are the Laws of Fate  
Of so great Force, that whatsoe're's Designed  
By them, by all must be obeyed? must bind  
The Deities themselves? Alas! if so,  
Why do poor Mortals to their Temples go,  
And vainly crave that Aid, which cannot be  
Confirmed, unless the Fates the same decree?  
How oft did I, before I took in hand  
This War, their Counsel, and Consent demand?  
As oft, their Tripods what I asked allowed.  
And I, as often, to their Honour vowed  
Dardanian Spoils. But, since I am o'erthrown,  
'Tis not my Crime they want them, but their own?  
From them it was, that 
(f) By this Marriage with Sophonisba, he was induced to quit his League with the Romans, and engage against them with the Carthaginians.  Sophonisba's Charms  
Prevailed, and Headlong thrust me into Arms:  
Against that Faith, which I to Rome, before,  
Religiously had sworn. I would no more  
Of this complain, had we together died.  
Or, had not Masanissa both my Bride,  

(g) After this Overthrow, and the Submission of Carthage, Masanissa was restored to his own Estate, and, ●or a Reward, had a great part of Syphax his Kingdom conferred on him, by the Romans.  My Throne, and Crown enjoyed. Ye Gods, You were  
If not Unjust in this, at least, Severe.  
Else wherefore did I not, when Hostile Fire  
Had seized my Camp, within those Flames expire?  
Then might I to the Shades below have gone,  
At least, a King. Then I had only known  
The Fate of being conquered, not the Shame:  
Nor then had Rome recorded Syphax Name  
Among her Captives. Nor, then, had these Hands,  
That shook a Sceptre o'er so many Lands,  
Been thus bound up in Chains. But, why do I  
Complain of Life, and not resolve to Die?  
What? though they study to preserve me still,  
A living Trophy here; yet is my Will  
Free, as the Conquerours': and Rome shall find,  
I still retain the Empire of my Mind,  
That stands above her reach, where I alone  
Will rule, and scorn to live, but on a Throne.  
This said; a sudden Silence seized his Soul:  
And, as deep Waters in still Channels roll,  
And, murmuring less, into the Ocean flow;  
So the Resentments of his Griefs, that grow  
Too great to be expressed, through every part,  
Like a swift Fever, runs, till his great Heart,  
Resolved to bear that Load no more, denied  
Nature her common Food, and, starved, He died.  
And, as a Lion, that hath long in Blood  
Maintained his Empire in some Libyan Wood,  
Surprised at last in Toils, and kept to be  
The Pastime of the Cirque, raging to see  
His Native Freedom lost, doth, roaring, round  
His Prison walk, and (with that dreadful Sound,  
Was wont all other Beasts to Terrify,  
And, with their Flocks, make trembling Shepherds fly)  
Shakes all about. But, when he finds, at length,  
That nor his Rage prevails, nor yet his Strength  
Can his Escape procure; all proffered Food  
He growling flies, forgets all thirst of Blood,  
And, in Disdain of his Captivity,  
Resolves in sullen Silence there to die.  
So that great King, to whom, not long before,  
Rich Gems were from the Erythraean Shore,  
For Tribute brought: to whom, with Lion's Tame,  
And towered Elephants, Getulians came,  
And, prostrate at his Feet, Obedience paid:  
At first in Love, than War, a Captive made,  
In a dark Dungeon died, and the sole Fame,  

(h) That he died by Abstinence, is consonant to the Opinion of Appian: his great Heart not brooking the Shame of being lead in Triumph. That he was a Spectacle in this Triumph, Mariana denies, though Polyb. (lib. 16.) and Livy (whom Silius follows) consent.  That he against Scipio fought, preserves his Name.  
But while, at Rome, their Triumphs still increase,  
At Carthage the sad purchase of their Peace  
Shows them a Face of things, which they deplore  
As much, as those deep Wounds they had before  
In War received, and Zama's fatal Plain,  
On which so many Libyans were slain,  
And Hannibal disarmed. For now they see,  
That nor in Peace, nor War, they can be free.  
Not all the Wealth their numerous Conquests gave,  
Nor Subjects, gained by Hannibal, could save  
Their own at Home: for, while his conquering Hand  
O'erturned Sagunthus, and the Iberian Land  
Subdued, and when his Troops Pyrenè passed,  
The Celtaes gained, and Italy did waste,  
Their Victories abroad (still calling for  
Recruits) as costly proved, as if the War  
Had been in Libya made: only their Fear  
Of Utter Ruin was not then so near.  
It was not now enough, that they had seen  
Those wealthy Trophies, that had thither been  
From Sicily, from the Herculean Bars,  
And farthest Nations, in preceding Wars,  
By great Amilcar sent, transported all  
To Rome, and there, within the Capitol,  
Among Aegates Spoils, hung up, to be  
Eternal Monuments of Infamy.  
Their dreadful Elephants, that had, so long,  
Against all stranger Nations, been so strong  
A living Wall: with all the Arms, which there,  
Since Dido first Phoenician Walls did rear,  
Had been stored up, and had a Panic Dread▪  
Over the Alps, and high Pyrenè, spread,  
Are yielded to their Foes, with trembling Hands:  
And conquered Carthage, now, as Naked stands,  
As when Eliza first her Walls begun,  
Or when enraged Hyarbas overrun  
(Full of Revenge) her narrow Bounds, and, while  
Her Ashes yet were warm, upon her Pyle  
Fixed his victorious Arms: Nor can they see,  
By Land, a Period to their Misery.  
Earth hath not space enough, whereon to lay  
Their Chains, which now, extended to the Sea,  
Confine the Force of Carthage; that no more  
It can, from afric, to Europa's Shore  
Terror diffuse: but melts into a Name,  
Like Troy, in Ruin only known to Fame.  

(i) At the Burning of the Carthaginian Navy (which is said to be five hundred Sail) the Cry, and Lamentation of the People was as great, as if all Carthage had, at the same time, been utterly destroyed. Plutarch, in the Life of Scipio.  That Navy, which (before the Fate of Rome  
Prevailed) had brought valued Treasures Home;  
Which through the Seas, from East to West, had flown,  
And where the Roman Eagles were not known,  
Under its swelling Wings Sidonian Dyes  
Had often born, and changed for such Supplies,  
As Meroè, and black Syenè yields,  
With whatsoever renowns those spicy Fields,  
Where Ganges flows; by which the Libyan Land  
(Though they dire Serpents, in the barren Sand,  
Plough up) as great a Plenty every where  
Enjoyed, as theirs, whose Harvest, twice a Year,  
Their Garners fills: is, by this Storm of Fate,  
Contracted to so small a Number, that  
They now despair, e'er more, with Hostile Oars,  
To fright from Latian, and Sicilian Shores  
The trembling Nymphs; but must, for ever, stand  
Condemned, as Slaves, to a parched Barren Land.  
As some hot Plague, by a Malignant Star  
Diffused into a Universal War,  
First the wide Air infects, next Beasts, and then  
The Commons, till, at last, the Best of Men  
Are snatched away, by the same cruel Fate,  
Which none but Heaven knows, where 'twill terminate:  
So, when the Roman Fury, in whose Hand  
Alone, the Fate of Carthage seemed to stand,  
Had stripped them of all Force by Land, and Sea,  
And nothing now was left, but to Obey;  
At length, their Spirits, by a dreadful Doom,  
Are seized: the Best of all their Youth to Rome  
(As Pledges of their Faith) must straight be born,  
And Libyan Mother's Tears become the Scorn  
Of Latian Dames. It had been better they  
(While Hannibal in Italy did stay)  
Had granted been to reinforce his Bands.  
They than their Country not with fettered Hands,  
But armed had left, and might have Fight died,  
Nor thus been Sacrificed to the Pride  
Of an Insulting Foe, whose Malice knows  
No Bounds; but, fed, still more Insatiate grows.  
But now the Fatal Day arrives, and Fears  
Wound every Breast, fill every Eye with Tears.  
The weeping Mothers with dishevelled Hair  
Run through the Streets, and, vainly, beat the Air  
With loud Complaints. Sometimes they call upon  
The Gods: then straight exclaim, that there are None,  
At least, that they are Deaf; else might their Tears  
Prevail, and their Oppressions touch their Ears.  
Sometimes the Author of the War, and those  
Infernal Altars, that, at first, their Foes  
Provoked, they curse. Sometimes those Men they blame,  
Whose Envy, without Reason, to the Name  
Of Hannibal, had fixed Victorious Rome  
In that great Height, and brought those Ruins Home,  
Which jove himself once feared; whose only Hand,  
With Thunder Armed, could Hannibal withstand,  
And keep the Capitol. But Oh (Ye Gods)  
What boots it now (say they) that so great Odds  
Carthage did once enjoy, above the World:  
Since, from the Height of Glory, She is hurled  
Into the depth of Shame. But thus you still  
Are Prone to give things Great, yet never will  
Preserve them so. In vain (alas!) the Toils  
Of our great Fathers have, with wealthy Spoils,  
Enriched your Temples, and, with noble Wounds,  
The Power of Carthage stretched beyond the Bounds  
Of Africa, and with such dreadful Aw  
Her Name had spread, that all the World their Law  
Expected from her Hand. But (Oh!) how small  
A Shadow, now, remains to Us of all  
Our former Glories? We are Mothers made,  
That, by this Blessing, We might be betrayed  
To a far greater Curse, and add more weight  
Unto our Ruin, and Unhappy Fate.  
Had these upon your cruel Altars died,  
Religion might perhaps have satisfied  
Our Loss, and We, at least, might Home return  
With this Content, that in their Native Urn  
Their Ashes were preserved. But these are born  
To be the Grief of Carthage, and the Scorn  
Of Rome, whose now they are, and not our Own:  
Nor will they be for such hereafter known;  
But taught their Country's Manners to disclaim,  
And bury in the 
(k) In the Number Appian dissents from Livy. The first allowing them only to be one thousand five hundred; the latter, two thousand: but they were of the Noblest, whom the Romans (as was their Custom) were careful to educate in their Manners, and Habit, as the readiest Way to a Conquest, as well over the Minds, as the Estates of Barbarous Nations.  Gown the Tyrian Name▪  
As thus they sadly to the Gods complain,  
The Wind the Roman Navy to the Main  
Invites. The Masters for the Captives call;  
While at their Feet the weeping Parents fall,  
And, Prostrate, thus implore. If yet that Ire  
Appeased be, that did your Breasts inspire  
At Zama's Field; wherein our Fates gave Way  
To Yours, and Crowned You with an happy Day;  
Now mildly hear our Prayers: and, as you are  
Raised, by the Gods, to this great Height in War,  
That by their Blessing You may Higher rise,  
Be Merciful, like them: do not despise  
The Tears of such, as fall; their Cries the Scale  
Of Fortune often turn, and may prevail  
With Heaven to break the Chain of your Success,  
If, whom the Gods afflict, You shall oppress.  
The bravest Souls no longer will pursue  
Their Rage, then while it serves them to subdue.  
And, when the Conquered do submit, they find  
A Sanctuary in a Noble Mind.  
When therefore our Unhappy Sons shall come  
(Sons not for Carthage born, but Conquering Rome)  
Within your Walls, Oh! be not too Severe,  
Lay easy Chains upon them, think they were  
Once free, as You: so may a better Fate  
Your Issue bless; so may You propagate  
Your lasting Names to Honour, and, near crossed  
By Fortune, keep that Freedom We have lost.  
As thus they plead, from their Embraces torn,  
Two hundred Noblest Tyrian Youths are born  
Away to Sea, at Rome ordained to stand  
The faithful Plegdes of their Native Land.  
But, while all other Breasts with Grief, and Care,  
Are filled, and every one, with sad Despair  
Of future Liberty, resolves the Yoke  
To bear with Patience, and no more provoke  
Those Arms, which, after such expense of Blood,  
And Wealth (too late, alas!) they understood  
Superior to their own: Revenge puts on  
Amilcar's Shape, and thus, by Night, his Son  
Excites to War. O Hannibal, canst Thou  
(After the Fame of thy so early Vow  
To prosecute this War) sit still, and see,  
By Rome, upon thy Country's Liberty  
Such heavy Yokes imposed? Canst thou, my Son,  
Tamely desist from what Thou hast begun?  
And see that Wealth, which, from so many Lands,  
By our great Ancestors Victorious Hands  
Together heaped, enabled Thee to spread  
Thy Conquering Ensigns o'er Pyrene's Head;  
And o'er the pathless Alps to make thy Way,  
Become the Prize of Rome; Yet thou that Day  
Survive? At length, awake, and let me find  
Thy Valour, fierce, and active, as the Wind  
On Adriatic Seas. Let not the Tears  
Of trembling Mothers, or the vainer Fears  
Of Utter Ruin, move thee to conspire  
So much with Hanno's Wish, or Rome's Desire.  
That Hannibal should now sit still, is more,  
Then all the Victories they had before:  
Those only did subdue thine Arms; but This  
Over thy Mind a greater Conquest is:  
And all, that Scipio now, at Rome, doth boast;  
Where he at Zama, when the Field was lost,  
Thee flying shows, and, afterward regains,  
And thy Pale Image loads with golden Chains,  
(As he great Syphax led in Triumph) Thou,  
Resolving thus to bear it, dost allow.  
Nor will the World condemn what Hanno says;  
While, in the Senate, he upon thee lays  
The Crimes of all these Ills; records the Rit●s,  
We once performed to Hecatè; excites  
The People's ●age, while he doth on them call:  
Where now is your Victorious Hannibal?  
Where is that Arm, that could alone defend  
These Walls? that durst with Fate itself contend?  
Where are Sagunthus Spoils? or those, which He  
From Spain hath brought? or conquered Italy?  
If yet that Arm survive, let him from Rome,  
Rescue our Captived Sons, and bring them Home.  
Or if those Spoils, which he at Thrasimen,  
Trebia, or Cannae gained, remain; why then  
Do We for our exacted Talents grieve?  
Nor rather, with that Wealth, ourselves relieve?  
But, if, consumed through his Ambition, We  
Have, with our Riches, lost our Liberty;  
Why should that guilty Head, to whom we owe  
These Ruins, and the Curse of all our Woe,  
Amongst Us still remain; and, with a Pride,  

(l) Hannibal when he saw the Senate, and People excessively Lament the Payment of their Tribute (which was very great) Laughed at their Follies, who, more bewailed the emptying of their Purses, than the loss of their Liberty, and Honour.  Great as the Conquerors, our Tears divide?  
Consider this: and, as infused Oil  
Doth heighten Flames, hence let thy Fury boil;  
Create more Spleen within Thee; make Thee rude,  
As Caucasus, till thou hast fully showed  
Th' amazed World, thou wert not born to bear  
The Roman Yoke. But do, what others dare  
Not think, and against the Latin Name, wherever  
There shall be War, do Thou in Arms appear;  
Till Fate absolve thy Vow, and Thou shalt be  
Crowned with a Noble Death, or Victory.  
When thus the Fury had herself inspired  
Into his Soul, with Night She straight retired  
To Hell. While He, now void of all Repose,  
Soon as from Tithon's Bed Aurora risen,  
To that famed Stygian Temple doth repair,  
Where, when a Child, his Father made him swear  
The War. Soon as He comes into the Grove,  
Strange, horrid Murmurs, round about him, move.  
The Goddess called to Mind, what he before  
Had offered there, and now expected more.  
Then over all the Place a Cloud She casts,  
Which thither calls the Night again, and blasts  
The rising Day. At length, She open throws  
The Temple-Gates, while on he, Fearless, goes;  
Till at the Entrance, from her Gloomy Cell,  
The aged Priestess thus bespeaks him. Tell,  
What is it, that so early hither Thee  
Invites? and, who thou art? For well I see  
Thou comest to offer to the Powers below,  
And therefore, with this Horror, they foreshow  
Thy Welcome: tell me then, what is thy Name?  
Though, now, thou knowst Me not, I'm sure my Fame  
(Said Hannibal) long since hath filled thine Ears.  
I am that Hannibal, who, ere my Years  
Two Lustra had fulfilled, a War, before  
These Stygian Altars, against the Romans swore;  
The rest the World hath told Thee: and I now  
(In prosecution of that Sacred Vow)  
Am come to know, what yet remains by Me  
To be pursued, and what the Fates decree.  
The Priestess thus. I know Thee now: nor can  
The Universe afford another Man  
More dear unto the Powers, which we adore:  
But we our Rites cannot perform before  
The following Night hath finished half her Reign.  
Now therefore to thy House make haste again,  
And my Advice embrace. For often Woe  
Have of the Gods enquired concerning Thee,  
Whose thread of Life is twisted with the Fate  
Of Carthage, and in That her better State  
Consists: and hence it is Imperious Rome  
By her Ambassadors, who, now, are come,  
Will not so much for Masanissa plead,  
As join with Hanno, to obtain thy Head,  
Or cast Thee into Chains: therefore till Night  
Returns, be Wary, and prepare for Flight;  
And when Boötes hath his lazy Wain  
Turned half about the Pole, hither again  
Repair, and I shall then inquire the Mind  
O'th' Gods, and what they have for Thee designed.  
Pensive with this Advice, straight Home He goes,  
And, ruminating on his Country's Woes,  
His Chamber enters, with a troubled Face;  
When, almost drowned in Tears, to his Embrace  
Imilcè flies, and thus gins: What now  
Thy Mind disturbs? what on thy Angry Brow  
Creates that Cloud? which, wheresoever it be  
Discharged (my Hannibal) must Ruin Me.  
I know 'tis War: for such the dire Alarms  
Of lost Sagunthus snatched I he from mine Arms.  
So from my Bed, before the Night was done,  
To meet their Sallies, thou wert wont to run.  
While Fury armed thee, and pale Death did wait  
Upon Thee, as upon the Hand of Fate.  
But then Thou wert protected; Heaven did then  
For Thee, and Carthage fight: if now again  
The Gods would hear our Prayers, and bless Thee so,  
How gladly would I yield to let Thee go?  
But they (alas!) are Angry, and no more  
Will lend their Thunder, as they did before,  
Unto Thine Arm. Rome now their Ears hath charmed  
Against Thee, and Thy Fortune quite disarmed.  
Naked against the World Thou now dost stand:  
All have submitted to Her Conquering Hand.  
Carthage is Hers, nor Libya, nor Spain,  
Pyrenè, nor the Celtaes can again  
Afford Thee Aid. 
(m) Philip King of Macedon, who with the Acarnanians made several incursions upon the Allies of the Romans: but his Success not answering his Ambition, he made a dishonourable Peace with the Romans, in which the Carthaginians lost all Hopes of his Assistance.  The Macedonian King,  
Who to our fainting Hopes appeared to bring  
Some Shadows of Relief, while He o'reran  
The Bounds of Athens, and a War began  
With that sad Omen, that Sagunthus turned  
To Ashes, and the 
(n) The Abydenians strictly besieged by Philip, and despairing of Relief, after the Example of Sagunthus, burned themselves, with all their Wealth.  Abydenians burned,  
On Pyles of their own Wealth, is forced at last  
To yield to Fortune, and himself to cast  
A Prostrate at Rome's Feet, and Peace implore.  
Content with those great Acts, that He before  
Had done, He now resolves, at Home, t'attend  
His Fate: and, would my Hannibal now lend  
A Pity to these Tears, Thou shouldst not more  
That Hand of Fortune try, which Thee before  
In one Day thrust from that great Height, to which  
The Toil of seventeen Years had raised Thee. Rich  
In Fame thou art, and, though all else is gone,  
That's such a Treasure, that for it alone  
The World may envy Thee, and Times to come  
Shall put thy Name in Balance against Rome,  
And all her Generals. But what of Life  
(After such Deeds) remains, unto thy Wife,  
And Son should be allowed: and, if thy Breast  
With Thoughts of sworn Revenge be still possessed,  
(Since Fortune courts the Young, and Thou art now  
In Years, to which She seldom doth allow  
Her Smiles) derive thine Anger to thy Son,  
Instruct him here, at Home, what's to be done  
To perfect thy Desires, and at thy Death,  
Into His Breast, with thy Departing Breath,  

(o) It was anciently a Custom in many Nations, to receive the last Breath of their Expiring Friends.  Inspire (my Hannibal) thy mighty Spirit,  
That so He may entirely Thee Inherit,  
And live the Fear of Rome. But, if Thou fly  
From hence, and leave Us to the Cruelty  
Of Our insulting Foes, Our Captived Names  
Will straight become the Talk of Roman Dames,  
'Midst their Triumphal Feasts; or be in Scorn  
Suppressed, as if We never had been born.  
This, with a thousand Sighs, and all the Charms  
Of Kisses, mixed with Tears, between his Arms,  
Speaking, She sinks: while, with that constant Face,  
With which He entered, in a strict Embrace,  
He holds Her up, and thus replies; Thy Love  
(My dear Imilcè) is so much above  
The Value of my Life, that I would all  
Those Dangers stand, which can upon Me fall,  
T' enjoy Thee here: But this our Enemies  
Will not allow. Domestic Treacheries  
Have now so far above the Arms of Rome  
Prevailed, that I a Captive shall, at Home,  
In Peace, be made, and hence in Chains be born,  
(Snatched from thy dear Embrace) to be the Scorn  

(p) The Custom of leading Captives in Triumph was first introduced by the Romans; and among them only in use: the Principal Captives, in Chains, passing before the Chariot of the Triumpher, and (for the most part) as he entered the Capitol, they were led to Prison, and, on the same Day, he laid down his Authority, and they their Lives. See Cicero, In Verrem.  Of second Triumphs, and when that is done  
(A Pride peculiar unto Rome alone)  
I shall not die like Syphax, from the View  
Of all the World; but they will something New  
For Me invent. Whatever was by Us,  
Before, Inflicted on their Regulus,  
Will be esteemed too Little; I shall be  
In Parts divided through all Italy,  
And feel, in each, a Death, and yet not all  
Their Malice satiate, when to Mind they call  
The funerals of their Friends. But, that I may  
Their Plots avoid, and keep a better Way  
Still open to my Fall, I now must fly  
M'Ingrateful Country, or resolve to die,  
This Day, before thine Eyes: for in this Hand  
Of Mine, alone, my Fate shall ever stand.  
Nor shall the World believe, the Life, and Death  
Of Hannibal depends upon the Breath  
Of Rome. As this He spoke, She stopped the rest  
With Kisses, and, reclining on his Breast  
Her drooping Head (whilst Tears, like April-rain,  
Into his Bosom flow, by Sighs again  
Dried up) Since so it is (said She) no more  
Will I (my Hannibal) thy Stay implore.  
Go, and be Happy! may those Gods, who Thee,  
With such Severity, deny to Me,  
Protect Thee, when Alone: go, Happy! may  
Thy wished Return be speedy! But I Pray  
For what I cannot Hope; those Gods, who now  
Us separate (alas!) will not allow,  
That We should meet again. As from her Tongue  
These last Words fell, about his Neck She fling  
Her Arms, and, after many Kisses past,  
While both contended, who should give the Last,  
With a long Silence (for with Grief each Heart  
Too big for Language swelled) at length they part.  
Now Night the middle of her Course had run,  
Between the Rising, and the Falling Sun;  
When Libya's anxious Champion at the Fane  
(All things prepared for Flight) arrives again;  
There finds the Priestess; from her hoary Head  
Tresses, like curling Serpents, overspread  
Her wrinkled Neck: a Mantle cross her Breast,  
In which forsaken Dido's Death, expressed  
By her fair Sister's Hand, and there bequeathed  
As Sacred (with the Sword, She, Frantic, sheathed  
In her own Bosom) fastened by a Charm  
On her left Shoulder, and her other Arm  
Quite Naked, waving round a Stygian Wand,  
With which, by adding Words, She could command  
The Powers of Hell, She meets him at the Door,  
And leads him in. The Sacrifice before  
Prepared, and She (no Minutes now delayed)  
Invoking some Infernal Names, to aid  
The Work, straight horrid Voices rend the Air;  
Some mournful Groans; some Sighs of sad Despair:  
Then, as if Hell were near, the Noise of Chains,  
With doleful Cries, which their inflicted Pains  
Extort. For all the Ghosts of Cadmus' Race,  
Whom Gild had stained, frequenting still the Place,  
To the un-kindled Altars brought Supplies  
Of Bloodlike Flames, which of themselves to rise  
Appear, and by their gloomy Light, and Smell  
Of Sulphur, show, that they were brought from Hell.  
At length, the Sacrifice was open laid,  
Whose Entrails when the Priestess had survay'd,  
She thus the Gods declared." If Hannibal  
" Be from his Country free, He never shall  
" Become a Slave to Rome. His very Name  
" Shall make the Syrian Armies owned by Fame,  
" And Italy once more shall fear, lest She  
" By his Invasive Arms should ruined be.  
" Scipio shall not more Fortunate at Rome  
" By th' World be held, than Hannibal at Home.  
" One Year shall give a Period to their Breath,  
" And each find Satisfaction in his Death.  
" In Latian Ground shall Scipio's Ashes lie,  
" On Libyssaean Hannibal shall die.  
With this ambiguous Oracle, his Mind  
As Great, and High, as when he first designed  
The War, as if the Gods were still the Same,  
Away he speeds? Thoughts of his former Fame,  
And Victories, all present Fears allay,  
And, with reviving Hopes, his Faith betray  
To a vain Confidence, That He, alone,  
If armed, could shake the World, and Rome unthrone.  
Ambition, and Revenge think nought too great  
For their Attempt, and, whilst he doth repeat  
The Actions, which achieved his former Fame,  
He counts all Easy, that's within his Aim,  
Nor weighs th' Incertainty of Fates to come.  
Those civil Factions, that, before, at Home,  
weakened his Arms, now, undistinguished, groan  
Under that Yoke, which Rome for Him, alone,  
So long prepared: so that even He might boast  
A Victory, when Envious Carthage lost  
Her Liberty, and Captived Hanno found,  
No other Hand could cure that Fatal Wound,  
But Hannibal's alone; who, now, got Free,  
Would search the World to find a Remedy.  
Thus, cheerful with the Gods, misunderstood,  
(As a fierce Tiger, thirsting after Blood,  
Far from his Covert rangeth, seeking Prey)  
O'er the Vocanian Plains he took his Way,  
And, through the Thapsian Fields, his Course pursued:  
Where (still the Gods resolving to delude  
His Thoughts with dubious things) he Waking dreams  
Of future Fates, and, swiftly Posting, seems  
This Language, from the Genius of the Place,  
To hear. Fly hence, fly Hannibal apace.  
Let Asia, no longer now attend  
Thine Arm, the World's great Quarrel to defend.  
Delay the Mother is of Doubts, and Fears,  
And he, that long the Yoke of Bondage bears,  
Forgets, that he was Free, and entertains  
A Servile Love of Safety with his Chains.  
Thy Presence shall increase the Noble Fire  
In Syrian Breasts, and they, at length, conspire  
Against Rome with Thee, and Carthage entertain  
An Hope by Thee her Freedom to regain.  
That War, which Thou didst, with so great Applause,  
Wage as Thine Own, is made the Common Cause  
Of the whole World, and all Mankind is now  
Provoked to be Assertors of thy Vow.  
Of Roman● Blood, all Seas, all Lands shall taste,  
And 
(q) Where Scipio, the ●last of the Pompeian Generals, was overthrown by Caesar: in which Battle ten thousand of the Pompeians were slain.  Thapsus, 'mong the Chief, in Fame be placed.  
No sooner did the Blushes of the Morn  
The Stars extinguish, and the Day was born,  
When they arrived near to that Fatal Shore,  
Where trembling Seamen hear the Billows roar  

(r) These Syrteses are two, whereof the less is not far distant from Carthage, and against it is the Island Ce●cinna, whither Hannibal fled. Of its Dangers, and Site, see Strabo, Geogr. lib. 17.  Against those Syrts, which, moving to and fro,  
Bring certain Ruin, wheresoever they go.  
Charybdis, nor dire Scylla's Rage, so great  
A Danger to Sicilian Vessels threat:  
Sometimes themselves, above the Waves, they heave,  
And stand like Promontories to deceive  
Unskilful Mariners; straight, falling back,  
Choke up the Channel, and prepare a Wrack  
Under smooth Waters, where, with all their Pride  
Displayed, tall Ships of late might safely ride.  
But Hannibal less fears the Treacherous Sand,  
Or raging Seas, than the more Treacherous Land,  
Which, Confident of better Fate, he quits,  
And to a little Bark himself commits.  
The Seas, as Conscious, that he was too Great  
To be their Sacrifice, their Rage forget.  
The Syrts retire, and the Conspiring Gales  
Pursue the Bark, and swell her pregnant Sails.  
The careful Pilot for Cercîna steers,  
Scarce knowing, that the Fraight his Vessel bears,  
Once balanced the whole World; yet wonders Heaven,  
In that tempestuous Track, a Course so even  
Allowed: so much the flattering Destinies,  
With a smooth Vizor of Success, disguise  
Intended Ruin; that even Hannibal  
Measures, from hence, what ever might befall  
Himself, and, while they yet the Africa Shore  
(On which the Fates resolved henever more  
Should tread) in View retained: I now am Free  
(Perfidious Country) both from Rome, and Thee;  
My better Fortune now (saith He) doth stand  
Not in a Senate's Vote, but in this Hand,  
This Hand, which (maugre thy Ingratitude)  
Shall Thee (if Me the Gods do not delude)  
Redeem; and Thou, at length, confess, that none  
Can break thy Yoke, but Hannibal alone.  
Now from the flying Ship the Land withdrew:  
The Libyan Shore descends; no more in View  
Those Altars, which Ulysses once did rear,  
To rescue his forgetful Friends, appear.  
Unhappy Men! who in those Dangerous Fields  
Found out those strange Delights, that 
(s) In these Syrteses inhabited Lotophagi, among whom Ulysses his Companions, bewitched with the Taste of the Lotus, desired to dwell, till Ulysses there raised Altars to Sacrifice for their Recovery, the Ruins whereof were to be seen in the Time of Strabo. (lib. 17.) and Homer (Odyss. lib. 9)  Lotus yields,  
Whose Taste all other Pleasures far exceeds,  
Man nothing more to make him Happy needs;  
In this all dear Delights at once they found,  
And Memory of Friends, and Country drowned.  
No sooner these were lost, but to their Eyes  
Cercîna, 'midst the Waves, began to rise.  
Approaching near the Port, some Ships they found,  
Whose Carthaginian Owners, Homeward bound,  
Soon as the Prince they spied upon the Shore,  
Haste to salute Him, and almost Adore.  
The Memory of his high Deeds, within  
Their Breasts still lived: how great He once had been,  
To Mind they call, and pay unto his Name  
Those Honours, which, they know, his Merits claim;  
Though now his State be less: for with a Cloud  
overcast, or else Eclipsed, the Sun 's allowed  
To be the same in Virtue, as before,  
When it shined Brightest; nor was He the more  
To be neglected, 'cause the borrowed Rays  
Of Train, at which the Common People gaze,  
And great with Envy swell, aside are laid.  
He still is that famed Hannibal, who made  
So many Barbarous Nations to submit  
To his Commands, and Native Rites forget;  
While fierce Massylians, with Iberians, stood  
In Fight, Revengers each of others Blood;  
While rude Cantabrians, with the Celtaes, came  
T' assert his Quarrel, and beneath his Name  
United lived, as if one Climb their Birth  
Had given, and nurtured them on Fertile Earth.  
Here all are busy to express their Care  
To entertain Him, and to such, as were  
Inquisitive to know, what did invite  
Him thither, cunning, He, replied: I might  
(Indeed) have gone to Tyre another Way;  
But none so near I judge, since I this Day  
Must spe●d in Sacrifice, to th' Powers above,  
That what I there must prosecute, may prove  
Propitious to the State, which thither Me  
Hath sent, and since, within this Island, We  
Few Trees for Shelter find, let Me entreat  
Your Sails, this Day, to shroud Us from the Heat  
O'th'scorching Sun. No sooner said, but all  
Their Hands employ; some from the Masts let fall  
The Sails; some lift them with their Yards to Land,  
On which extended straight, for Tents, they stand.  
And now whatever Rare the Isle affords,  
Makes up the Feast, and round the hastened Board's  
Lyaeus flows: and first, To Liberty  
A Bowl is crowned, which all as greedily  
Quaff off, as if in it they thought to find  
Their Wish, and Sense of Bondage from the Mind  
Expel. And, as the sparkling Liquor warms  
Their Blood, each man, as if he were in Arms,  
Defies the Power of Rome; now scorns to bear  
That Yoke, which, in a Sober mind, his Fear  
Would prompt him to embrace, and what before  
He durst not Think, he now dares Act, and more.  
All former Fears are banished: This exclaims  
Against Hanno's Pride; and That his Country blames  
For want of Courage, bids the Prince again  
Attempt to take away that Fatal Stain,  
For which, as in th' inflaming Juice he steeps  
His Brains, he in a Drunken Pity weeps.  
But Hannibal, whose Thoughts were far from thence  
Removed, and entertained a nobler Sense  
Of what they suffered, than themselves, mean while,  
Looks on their Follies with a scornful Smile,  
And, with repeated Cups, still feeds the Flame;  
Until, as he designed, he overcame  
Their Strength, and, while their Hands as yet retained  
The Blushing Bowls, Sleep all their Senses chained.  
The End of the First Book of the Continuation.   



Infaustis Masanissa rapit Connubia taedis▪  
Praecipitatque suae Sophonis bae Fata. Veneno   

Hausta Romanos, metuens Nova Sponsa Triumphos,  
Servata infelix, it Libertate sub Vmbras.   
Dignissimo Viro Gulielmo Wiseman de Magna Canfeild in Comitatu Essex Baronetto jabula observantiss: D.D.D.  A CONTINUATION OF SILIUS ITALICUS To the DEATH of HANNIBAL, The Second Book.  
THE ARGUMENT.  
To Hannibal Isalces doth relate  
King Masanissa's Love, and the sad Fate  
Of Sophonisba. Rome dreads the Report  
Of a new War. In the Ephesian Court  
Scipio, and Hannibal are entertained,  
And meet, as Friends. The City, Temple, and  
Its Wealth described. Great Alexander's Deeds  
Eumolpus sings. Whence a Discourse proceeds,  
Who the best Captains we●e. Past Actions are  
Revolved. The King resolves upon a War.  
WHILE thus pretended Piety beguiles  
The Vulgar, and the glad Deceiver smiles  
At the Success; Secure, that none could bear  
The Tidings of his Flight, before the Fear  
Of being stopped was past, to Sea again  
He hastens, hoises Sail, while yet the Reign  
Of Night continued, and the 
(a) 
Cynosura, (or Vrsa Minor) which the Tyrians observed in Sailing, as the Greeks did Helice (or Vrsa Major) according to that of Ovid, lib. Trist.  
Two Bears there are, of which the Tyrian seeks  
The Less, the Greater guides the wand'ring Greeks.   Tyrian Star  
Lent faithful Beams to guide the Mariner,  
And as, well pleased with what had passed, his Friends  
Discoursed, how much their Mirth had made Amends  
For all Delays, his sure Numidian Guide  
(Who once attended on great Syphax Bride)  
Began. But He inspired above the Rest  
To Me appeared, who did so much detest,  
And scorn their Names, who, through a shameful Dread  
Of Dying, had submitted to be led  
In Triumph, and, in Chains, before they Died,  
Had tamely Sacrificed unto the Pride  
Of Roman Conqueror's. How He did declaim,  
For this, against Syphax! how adore the Name  
Of Noble Sophonisba! who did bear  
A Face as Cheerful, as I carry here,  
(Said He) and, to avoid that Shame, was seen  
To drink her Death, and fall a Glorious Queen.  
I well observed his Zeal, and, I confess,  
(Replied Great Hannibal) could little less  
Then weep, at Mention of so dear a Name.  
But since we only have, by Common Fame,  
Her Story heard, and You a Witness w●re  
Of all that past, to Us her Fate declare.  
Then Herald When Syphax was o'erthrown, and all  
Numidia lost, through his Unhappy Fall,  
False Masanissa less ambitiously  
Aspired unto his Empire, then to be  
Successor in his Bed, and when he had gained  
The Queen into his Power (the King enchained,  
And kept a Trophy to Young Scipio's Pride)  
Impatient till he enjoyed so fair a Bride,  
His Mind he thus discovers: If the Throne  
Of Syphax, or Numidia's Wealth, alone,  
Had been the Object of mine Arms, I now  
whate'er the Gods, or Fortune could allow  
To my Desires, possessed: but know my Aim  
(Fair Queen) is Higher, and a Nobler Flame  
Reigns in my Breast, the Roman General  
May this (perchance) an Happy Conquest call,  
Because his Eagles, now, securely fly  
O'er the Numidian Plains. But nothing I  
Have gained, though this late Victory restore  
Whatever Syphax did, from Me, before  
Usurp; though Hammon, and Tarpeian jove  
Conspire to make Me great, unless your Love  
This Happiness confirm. For this did I  
From Libya's to the Roman Ensigns fly,  
Knowing no other Means to win You from  

(b) Masanissa, in his Youth Educated in Carthage, and observed to be a Person of singular Accomplishments, Hasdrubal (the Son of Giscon) betrothed to Him his Daughter Sophonisba (as eminent for her Beauty, as Birth, and immediately procured Him the Command of an Army in Iberia. But afterward, finding Syphax a more powerful Prince, enamoured of Her. He bestowed Her on him, which (among other things) incited Masanissa privately to make Peace with Scipio, and turn his Arms against Carthage. Appian, Liby●.  My Rival's Arms, and since He is by Rome  
Thrown from that glorious Height, and can no more  
Be Worthy held of what He did before  
In You enjoy (since none, but He, that wears  
A Crown, and in his Hand a Sceptre bears,  
Can Merit such a Bliss) that You may live  
A Queen, and (what lost Carthage cannot give,  
Nor Sophonisba take, but from my Hand)  
Be still adored through the Numidian Land.  
Accept my Love, by which, You can alone  
Eat Roman Chains, and still possess a Throne.  
To this the Queen (though an extreme Disdain  
Of what He offered in Her Soul did Reign)  
Fearing to be a Spectacle at Rome,  
More than to Die, replies. 'Tis to presume  
Too much upon your Victory, if You  
Imagine it as Easy, to Subdue  
This Heart, as late our Arms: and though, by Force,  
You have already made a sad Divorce,  
Yet know the Memory of Syphax Name  
Will, in this Breast, admit no other Flame,  
While He survives. But, rather than be led  
To Rome in Triumph, I confess the Bed  
Of any born of Libyan Blood may be  
Preferred: yet, if the adverse Fates decree,  
That, to avoid that Shame, I must the Crime  
Of hasty Nuptials add, a little Time  
(Me thinks) you ought, in Justice, to allow,  
To expiate, with Tears, my former Vow.  
With this Reply, which neither gave Assent  
To his Demand, nor yet denied, Her Tent  
He quits, advising Her to shun Delays,  
In her Resolve; for that, ere many Days  
Should pass, the Captives must be sent to Rome,  
And Her Consent would, then, too Tardy come.  
At these last Words, as when our Libyan Darts  
A Tygress strike, at first, amazed, She starts,  
And growling stands, but when the wounding Steel  
Is deeply fixed, and She gins to feel  
The Anguish of a Wound, She rends the Air  
With Cries, and, labouring with her Teeth to tore  
The Weapons forth, augments her Pain, then flies  
To some known Covert, and there, Raving, dies.  
Struck to the Heart (as if She than had seen  
The Gorgon's Head, or, like Amphîon's Queen,  
Congealed to Marble) Statue-like She stands,  
A while, and Silent weeps. At length, her Hands  
Invade her Head, from which She, frantic, tears  
The lovely Hair, and, furiously, impairs  
The Beauty of that Face, which by two Kings  
Had been adored. At last, Herself She flings  
Upon her Bed, and, with a mournful Cry,  
On her dear Syphax calls. Which hearing, I  
Stepped in, and found her turning to and fro,  
Her Eyes: now dry, and fired with Anger, so,  
When Pentheus scorned the Trieterick Feast,  
Agave's Looks Her inward Rage expressed.  
Amazed, a while, I Silent stood: till She,  
Sighs making Way for Words, at length to Me  
Her Speech directs. 'Tis not, because Uncrowned,  
(Isalces) that I grieve; a deeper Wound  
My Soul afflicts, and I am wracked between  
Two dire Extremes. Oh! had I never seen  
Numidia's Court, or had I ne'er been led,  
By Hymen's Tapers, to my Syphax Bed,  
The World, perhaps, had never heard that one,  
Born of Great Hasdrubal, was from a Throne  
To Rome a Captive led, but I must now  
(Oh cruel Fate!) renounce my Nuptial Vow,  
To yield up (what my Lord esteemed above  
Numidia's Throne) the Treasure of my Love  
To Masanissa, and in his Embrace  
Those Sacred Ties dissolve, or in the Face  
Of Rome, the greatest Trophy of the War,  
Exposed be, and the Triumphal Car  
Of the proud Conqueror, in Chains attend.  
Ye Gods! what greater Mischief can Ye send  
Upon this Head? Your Thunder cannot give  
A Blow so Fatal, if you let Me live  
To see that Day. As thus She spoke, her Eyes,  
With sudden Streams of Tears, her Tongue surprise.  
When I perceived, that Masanissa's Flame  
(Though yet an Enemy) was still the same,  
He had before professed; hoping the Charms  
Of such a Beauty might regain his Arms  
To Carthage, as they Syphax had withdrawn  
From Roman Leagues, after a Solemn Pawn  
Of Faith, before the Gods: I thus begun.  
Had Heaven left any other Means to shun  
The Power of Rome, and that prodigious Shame,  
Which proudly they on all of Tyrian Name  
Inflict, I should resolve, whate'er it be,  
To share Your Fortune. But since, now, You see  
The Conqueror your Captive is, You may  
Redeem yourself, and give a better Day  
To Your lost Country. 'Twas for this alone,  
Hasdrubal placed you on Numidia's Throne,  
The Cause is still the Same, nor is't a Crime,  
Which Fate Necessitates, and which in Time  
You may a Signal Piety avow  
To all the World. Even Syphax will allow  
It such, and die Content, if You restore  
Entire to Libya what She lost before.  
Persuaded thus; as when a Seaman finds  
Nothing, but certain Ruin from the Winds,  
Which on the Ocean storm, resolved no more  
To trust their Fury, for ●ome Neighbouring Shore  
He steers, and, to secure Himself, doth choose,  
Upon a Sand, the labouring Bark to lose:  
So, from Rome's Rage, the Queen resolves to throw  
Herself, for Safety, on a gentler Foe;  
Who now approached, while She puts on a Face  
Might move his Pity, and a God's Embrace.  
So, when her Memnon died, Aurora threw  
Over her Rosy Cheeks a Veil of Dew,  
Through which dissolving Crystal, from Her Eyes  
Day did more sadly, yet more Fragrant rise.  
Soon as He entered, Prostrate at his Feet  
She falls, and thus now sues his Love to meet.  
If my distracted Piety did swell  
Too High, if what I uttered did not well  
Beseem a Captive (mighty Prince) I here  
Beseech You pardon Me, not wont to bear  
So weighty Griefs, and, since th' Immortal Gods,  
Above my Syphax Fate, on You these Odds  
(Due to your Valour, and good Fortune) have  
Bestowed, whatever be my Doom, I crave  
It may proceed from You. And as you are  
A King, and with my Lord did lately share  
In the Numidian Name, let Me not be  
Exposed to any Roman's proud Decree.  
As I am only Wife to Syphax, I  
Would rather any Libyan's Mercy try,  
Then trust a Stranger. But withal you know  
What I, a Carthaginian, Daughter to  
Great Hasdrubal, may from a Roman fear.  
If then no other Remedy appear  
Within your Power, I here beseech you still,  
By Death to free Me from the Romans Will.  
Scarce this (with all Allurements, that could move  
At once the Conqu'rour's Pity, and his Love)  
She had declared, when He wipes off her Tears  
With fervent Kisses, and her future Fears  
Allays, with Promise to preserve her Free  
From Roman Hands. But pleads Necessity  
(To be Secure) that Night to Consummate  
Their Nuptial Rites. Unwillingly, to Fate,  
And his Desires She yields, and at the Time  
Her doubtful Heart, as Conscious of a Crime,  
Calls back her Blood, then sends it forth again  
Into her Cheeks (so shines a Scarlet Stain  
On Ivory) ashamed to have it said,  
One Day a Captive her, and Bride had made.  
And now the Weary Horses of the Sun  
To the Tartessiack Shore their Course had run;  
When Masanissa, with all Sacred Rites,  
The Presence of the Marriage God invites.  
But no good Omen showed him to be there;  
The Fire the Incense flies; the Altars are  
Smooth'rd in Stygian Smoke; a dreadful Sound  
Through all the Temple runs, and shakes the Ground▪  
And, as from thence into their Chamber they  
Retire, the Holy Tapers, all the Way,  
With Sputt'ring Flames (as if Allecto shed  
Sulphur upon them) lead them to their Bed.  
All this, intent upon his Mistress Eyes,  
He either did not see, or did Despise.  
Concluding what He should enjoy would all  
Those Miseries outweigh, that could befall  
Before this Fatal Night was spent. The Fame  
Of Masanissa's hasty Nuptials came  
To Scipio's Ear; He, fearing to give Way  
To such a growing Mischief, soon as Day  
Had chased away the Stars, by Laelius sends  
A Summons, and, thus sharply reprehends  
His Levity. 'Tis my Belief, (said He)  
That when We first contracted Amity  
In Spain, and then in Africa, when Thou  
Didst both thyself, and all those Hopes, which now  
Thou callst thine Own, to Me commit, that then  
Something in Me thou didst 'bove other Men  
Worthy that Trust conceive. But I in none  
Of all these Virtues, that did prompt Thee on  
To seek my Friendship, more of Glory placed,  
Then in my Temperance: That with a chaste,  
And Sober Mind, I could suppress the Flame  
Of hottest Lust; and this, I then did aim,  
To other thy rare Virtues might be joined.  
For trust Me, Noble Prince, We cannot find  
So much of Danger from our Armed Foes,  
As from those stronger Pleasures, that enclose  
Us round: and whotsoer'e repels their dire  
Assaults, and can by Temperance his Desire  
Within Himself Subdue, a Victory  
Of greater Honour gains, then that, which We  
O'er Syphax have obtained. Those Noble Things,  
Which Thou, with Valour worthy greatest Kings,  
Hast in my Absence done, I did, of late,  
To all of Name in Arms commemorate  
With all due Praise, and still shall keep in Mind.  
But I had rather Thou on what's behind  
Wouldst with thyself reflect, then Blush to hear  
Me give't a Name. It plainly doth appear  
To all the World, that Syphax was o'erthrown,  
And Captived by the Auspicies alone  
O'th' Roman People. Whatsoever He  
Possessed: his Kingdom, Wife, and People, We  
May challenge as our Prize, and none a Share  
Of Right, can claim. Though Sophonisba were  
No Carthaginian born; or did not We  
Her Father Gen'ral of their Armies see:  
Yet must She (who a King, that was our Friend,  
An Enemy hath made, and in the End  
Against Us drawn to Arms) be sent to Rome,  
And there the Senate's, and the People's Doom  
Attend. Strive therefore to subdue thy Mind,  
Shake this lewd Passion off, so much inclined  
To draw Thee into Ruin; nor the Grace  
Of all thy Virtues, with one Vice, Deface;  
Nor by one Crime deprive thyself of all  
Those Thanks, at Rome, for which thy Merits call.  
Struck to the Heart (as if some sudden Flame  
Were darted through his Blood) the Fire of Shame  
Flies to his Face: Yet nothing He replies,  
But straight retires with Sighs, and swelling Eyes;  
And, knowing, that what Scipio had decreed  
Must stand Irrevocable, sends, with Speed,  
For Me, and with a Box, into my Hand  
A fatal Poison puts, with this Command:  
Bear this to my Dear Sophonisba, say,  
That Masanissa was resolved to pay  
That Faith to Her, which kindest Husbands owe  
To their Dear Wives. But, since the Fates have so  
Decreed, that They now countermand his Will,  
To whom it is subjected; He is still  
Resolved his second Promise firm shall stand:  
And, that, Alive, into a Roman's Hand  
She may not fall, advise, that with her Drink  
She intermix this Poison. Bid Her think  
Upon the General (her Father) and  
Her Country: think how, once, She did command  
The Hearts of two great Kings, to whom Sh'hath been  
In Marriage joined, and let Her Die a Queen.  
The baneful Drug to my Dear Mistress I,  
With this harsh Message, brought. Prepared to Die,  
And with Undaunted Mind the Worst to bear,  
That Fate could add, She, with Attentive Ear,  
Listened to what I said, and, as She took  
In her fair Hand the Poison, with a Look  
Moor Cheerful, then when She a Bride was made  
To Masanissa, I accept (She said)  
His Nuptial Present: nor is it to Me  
At all Unwelcome, since (my Husband) He  
Can nothing Greater on his Wife bestow:  
But yet, withal, I prithee let Him know,  
That Sophonisba would more pleased have Died,  
If, at her Death, She had not been his Bride:  
For than my Country might upon my Tomb  
Have writ, that, thus, I Triumphed over Rome.  
No sooner spoke, but to her Lips She joined  
The deadly Cup, and, Greedy there to find  
A speedy Death, swallows it; all and, while  
We, Trembling, stand about Her, with a Smile,  
Which made her Lovely even in Death (her Heart  
Recalling now the Blood, from every Part,  
To its Relief) She sinks, and, as She lies  
Upon her Couch, gives one Great Sighs, and dies.  
As the Numidian this sad Story told,  
The Day began to rise. They now behold  
The Tyrian Coast, by which they Steer unto  
That City, whence the Carthaginians drew  
Their famed Original, when Dido from  
Her Brother fled. Received, as if at Home,  
With all the Joy, that could express the Pride  
They had conceived, in being near allied  
To that Great Hannibal, who late the Fear  
Of all the World had been; when he had there  
Himself refreshed, again He hoists his Sails  
For Antioch: from thence, with prosperous Gales,  
At Ephesus arrived; where, glad to find  
The Syrian King, who, with a dubious Mind,  
His Hate, conceived against the Roman Name,  
Pursued, at length he fixed, and by his Fame  
In Arms, appearing like a Martial Star,  
Guided his wandering Thoughts into a War.  
And now, o'er all the Syrian Cities, Fame  
Her lofty Head had raised, and with the Name  
Of Hannibal awaked the God of War:  
When straight the several Nations, which from far  
Their Tribute to the Syrian Crown did bring,  
And gave the Title, 
(c) Antiochus, the Sixth from Seleucus, (who was Alexander's Lieutenant in Syria) much enlarged his Dominions by his several Conques●s, and was therefore called The Great: Appian. Syriac.  GREAT, unto their King,  
Fly into Arms, and to th' Ephesian Court  
The Princes, and Ambassadors resort.  
All promise Aid; secure, that He was come,  
To stand a Bulwark against the Force of Rome,  
And Asian towers defend with greater Odds,  
Then all their Arms, or Tutelary Gods.  
All his great Merits plead, and, fond, raise  
The Value of his Virtues with their Praise.  
No Errors are allowed in all, that He  
Hath done. So little do the Vulgar see  
A Fault, where they affect, or know to State  
The Reasons of their sudden Love, or Hate.  
Carthage (though now in Chains) Unpitied stands:  
The Gods are praised, that her Ingrateful Hands  
He had escaped. For his late Overthrow,  
And Fight, they cast not on the Public Foe,  
But Homebred Treachery; as not the Crime  
Of Fortune, but the Envy of the Time.  
Envy, which still detracts from greatest Deeds,  
And on the Ruins of the Virtuous feeds;  
Which first, against the God's rebellious Wars  
Had raised, and made the Giants Storm the Stars.  
She Honour still pursues wherever it goes:  
wherever it treads, She Stygian Poison throws;  
That its fair Footsteps quickly doth Deface,  
And raiseth her own Trophies in its Place.  
With this Applause the Court, and City, ring.  
Some invocate the Gods, others the King  
Importune to the War. Then straight their Bands  
They List, and levy Troops in several Lands.  
Nor were those Aids to Syrian Bounds confined:  
But Names, and Nations to their Arms were joined,  

(*) Parthians.  Who, when the Strength of Rome was greater far,  
The Fates decreed, should in a 
(d) Marcus Crassus with his whole Army was overthrown, and Himself slain by the Parthians.  future War  
Her Power, though backed by all the World, restrain,  
And with a Consul's Blood her eagle's stain.  
With those the Medes, who even on Conquering Foes  
Their Manners, and their Habit did impose,  

(e) From the Medes, the Persians (as also the Armenians) learned their Arts of Riding, Shooting, and likewise their Habit, and Custom of adoring their Kings. Strabo in his Eleventh Book.  From whom the Persians first Tiaras wore,  
And, falling Prostrate, did their Kings adore:  
Whose mighty Monarches their Imperial Throne  
Had fixed upon the Walls of Babylon,  
Till, weakened with Delights, that Empire, which  

(f) Semiramis, Queen of Babylon, renowned for Her many Great Victories in Asia, over the greatest part whereof She Reigned forty two Years, and at the Age of Sixty two Years was slain by her Son Ninus, who degenerating (as likewise most of Her Successors) from her Virtue, the Empire fell first into the Power of the Persians, who left it to Alexander. Of Her, see justine, in his Tenth Book.  A Woman raised to so admired a Pitch,  
By Men less Valiant lost, the Prize became  
Of the Pellaean Youth, and crowned his Name.  
And, as if all, that Asia could prepare,  
Where Hannibal appeared, too little were  
T' attend his Fate; as if the Earth alone  
Too Narrow were, for Him, to Fight upon.  
Though Europe gave her Aids, and Warlike Thrace,  
mustering her Chariots, did the War Embrace,  
Cilician, and Phoenician Ports are thronged  
With Ships for War, and those where Hero longed  
So oft to see Laeander from the Seas  
Rising (like Hesp'rus, when he sought to please  
The Paphian Queen) until returning Day  
Revived her Fears, and called her Love away.  
But when the Rumour of so great a War,  
So many Nations joined, though distant far,  
Touched the Italian Coast: as swift, as Thought,  
To Rome it flies, and, soon as thither brought,  
Fear through all Quarters runs, in several Shapes  
Affrights their Minds, commits a thousand Rapes  
Upon their Sense, and greater Prodigies,  
Then all before, abused Fancy sees,  
What ever did Portend their former Ills,  
Seems now again to fright the World, and fills  
The People's Ears. Sometimes the Alps are said  
To tremble, while Trinacrian Flames invade  
Th' Italian Shore: as if, from Aetna's Womb,  
Th' Infernal Gods, themselves, had threatened Rome.  
Etrurian Augurs, straight, consulted are,  
And, from these vain Reports, divine a War;  
While Nature, sporting, to confirm their Fears,  
Makes Lions bring forth Lambs, and Wolves teem Bears.  
Then, as if Carthage had her Chains again  
Thrown off, and arming her Revenge with Spain,  
The Boii, Celtae, and those Nations all,  
That Rome had reason still her Foes to call,  
Did Italy Invade: the Roman Dames  
Run to the Temples, and with Holy Flames  
The Altars Crown, and thus to Heaven complain.  
If these our Walls yet merit to remain  
(Great Father jove) if Sybil's Prophecies  
Shall be confirmed, and thou dost not despise  
Tarpeian towers,: Ah! then, why should not We,  
After so many Wounds, and Toils, be Free?  
Was Rome exalted to so High a State,  
Through so much Blood, that She might be to Fate  
A richer Sacrifice? and must She fall  
By None, but by the Hand of Hannibal?  
Rather to those her Walls her Power confine,  
And with the Tarquins let Porsenna join:  
Or to the Rage of Senones, or Flames  
Of Brennus give Us up. Let not those Names,  
That with such Valour have your Temples▪ here,  
So oft preserved, and were esteemed so Dear  
To Heaven, be now made Victims to the Hate  
Of One proud Man; who, to accelerate  
Our Ruin, hath disturbed the Peace of all  
The World. If Fates Decree, that Rome must fall,  
Give Her a Foe, whose Virtues may exceed  
Her Own, and let our Crimes, and Vices bleed  
By a more Pious Hand, such, as from Blame  
May free your Justice, with a better Name.  
He, Perjured, from those Holy Altars flies,  
Where Peace was sworn, and doth that League despise,  
Which in the Name of all the Gods was signed,  
And now his Arms hath with a People joined,  
Where We that Fate, which He at Capua found,  
Shall undergo; where Vices will abound,  
As Victories increase, and We shall be  
Lost, by our Triumphs, in their Luxury.  

(g) After the Romans had advanced their Conquests into Asia, they were soon entangled in the Delights of those Provinces, and brought their Vices into Italy, to the Ruin of the Ancient Roman Virtue.  Thus will perfidious Carthage, not by Arms,  
See her Revenge on Us, but Asia's Charms.  
Mean while great Scipio, who their former Fears  
Had drowned in Carthaginian Mothers Tears,  
(Whom Heaven, to balance Hannibal, to Rome  
Had lent, and in his Hand had placed the Doom  
Of all the World) with gently-breathing Gales,  
From the Italian Shore, to Asia Sails,  
T' explore the King's Intent. At length, He came  
To that famed City, where Diana's Name  
In a fair Temple more Devotion moves,  
With gentile Rites, the 
(h) Thoas, King of the Taurick Region in Scythia, where Diana had her Altars, on which they offered Humane Blood. The same likewise was a Custom at Carthage. See Silius in his Fourth Book.  Thoantéan Groves.  
No weeping Mother here to Heaven complains,  
While her Son's Blood the Cruel Altar stains.  
But the bright Goddess, under Silver Shrines,  
As Pleased appears, as when Her Brother joins,  
With full reflected Beams, her radiant Horns,  
And, more than all the Stars, the Night adorns.  
In a large Plain, through which Maeander brings  
His Winding Waters, in a thousand Rings,  
To the Myrtôan Main, the City stands;  
First built (they say) by Amazonian Bands,  
That from Thermodonon, with Moon-like Shields,  
Victorious marched, through the Trachéan Fields,  
Commanded by an Oracle before,  
To build a City, where a Fish, and Boar  
Should, Dying, show the Place; Fate was their Guide  
This Way: where, sitting on the Ground, they spied  
Some busily employed their Living Prey  
To broil, late taken from th' adjoining Sea.  
When straight a Fish throws, with a sudden Leap,  
A burning Coal, upon a Neighbouring Heap  
Of Straw; which turned to Flame, a sleeping Boar  
Beneath it they beheld. Earth None before  
More Terrible had bred; as Big, as that,  
Which both Diana's, and Althaea's Hate  

(i) Who slew the Boar, sent by Diana to Plague Caledonia, and disputing the Trophy of his Head with his Mother's Brothers, slew them also; for which, by the Sorcery of his Mother Althaea, He likewise died Languishing. Ovid. Met. lib. 8.  On Meleager drew. But this was there  
With better Omen found, t' Instruct them, where,  
The Goddess would on Earth most Pleased abide,  
And make famed Ephesus great Asia's Pride.  
They all, amazed, his weighty Bulk admire:  
And, as He, Grunting, starteth from the Fire,  
A ready Hand a well-aimed Javelin throws,  
Which in his Shoulder fixed (as He arose)  
A Deadly Wound. But yet awhile He fled,  
And they with Shouts pursued, till, falling Dead,  
The Oracle was by his Death fulfilled,  
And they their City there resolved to build.  
Now do the Sacred Ploughs the Walls design,  
And to the Stars the lofty Turrets join  
Their shining Tops. The Goddess to renown,  
And to Immortalize their Labours, down  
From Heaven her 
(k) This Image is said to be of a Blackish Wood, very rude in Form, but imposed on the People as fallen from Heaven, as is mentioned by St. Paul (Acts nineteen. 35.) and kept in the Sanctuary of this Magnificent Temple, so renowned through all Asia. It was the Work of above an hundred Kings, and not only endowed with Inestimable Wealth, but with Privilege of Refuge, whose Bounds were enlarged, or diminished, according to the Devotion of the Princes, that governed, until abolished by Augustus, as a Nursery of Villains.  Image sent, which with it more  
Of Riches brought, then if another Shower  
(Like that of Danâe's) jove poured again  
Upon the Place: or, if to Silver Rain  
The very Stars dissolved. For soon as Fame  
The Presence of the Goddess, and her Name  
Through Asia had divulged: Devotion brings  
From Ganges, and Hydaspes greatest Kings,  
Who sweetest Spices, which their Fields adorn,  
Culled from the Bosom of the Rising Morn,  
With Gold, and Ivory, devoutly lay  
Upon her Shrine, and as their Tribute pay  
All Treasures, that the Womb of Asian Earth  
every: all, that the Seres, at the Birth  
Of Day, could gather from their silken Trees:  
What the Sabaean, or Arabian sees,  
Dropping from fragrant Boughs: with whatsoever  
From shining Rocks, or Shells the Indians bore  
To Eastern Kings, into the Sacred Fane  
Are heaped: which now no longer can contain  
Its Wealth. And therefore they a Work begun,  
Than which the Rising, nor the falling Sun,  
None greater viewed; whose Structure did excel,  
What ever Fame of Babylon doth tell,  
Or Pharian Pyramids; which by one Age  
Can not accomplished be, but did engage  
Succeeding Kings, who in that Work alone  
Employed the Riches of the Syrian Throne,  
And puzzled Art, to find out Ways, to show  
Their Pious Bounty. There, as White as Snow,  
Tall, polished Alabaster Pillars shine  
(As purest Emblems of that Power Divine,  
Was there adored) upon whose carved Heads  
An Ebon Roof the curious Builder spreads.  
This, like black Night, hung o'er the Place, until  
Myriads of Silver Stars the Frame did fill;  
And, to express her Empire in the Skies,  
With a full Orb, a Crystal Moon did rise.  
Through this, as Mother to Succeeding Day,  
Clear Light flowed in, and did at large display  
The Temple's Glory. There you might behold  
High Altars, not adorned, but built with Gold.  
The Hearths were of the bright Pyropus made,  
Whose Flames the Sacrifices on them laid,  
Seemed of themselves to burn: all other Fire  
As vanquished by their Lustre, to retire;  
All Gems thus were, or beautiful, or Rare  
(As if their Native Quarries had been there)  
In greatest Plenty shine, in every part  
So placed, their Value is increased by Art,  
Their lively Figures as exactly stand,  
Composed of several Stones, as if the Hand  
Of some rare Painter, to express his Skill  
In Colours, did the Walls, and Pavement fill.  
Through a large Plain of Em'rads, with her Crew  
Of Cretan Nymphs, Diana doth pursue  
The flying Game: their Arms, and Shoulders bare;  
Their Tyrian Vests tucked to their Knees, their Hair  
In lovely Tresses, yet neglected flows  
Upon their Backs: some armed with golden Bows;  
Some carry Darts, some Spears, whose points, instead  
Of Steel, with Diamonds, make the Beasts to bleed.  
This wounds a Panther, that a Tiger, this  
A Lion kills, not any Hand doth miss  
The Beast at which it aims, and thus with Chase  
Of various kinds, they beautify the Place.  
Above the rest a secret Chapel (where  
The Eunuch-Priests alone permitted were  
To enter) did delight, and Terror move.  
In a fair Fountain shadowed by a Grove  
Of varied agates made, encompassed round  
With naked Nymphs, the Hart, Actaeon, found  
Bright Cynthia bathing; 'bout her Snow-white Thighs  
The purling Waters play: with fixed Eyes  
At first, He peeping stands behind a Tree,  
But Curious, anon, more near to see,  
He farther steps, and stepping is betrayed  
By rustling Leaves. Startling, the Delian Maid  
Looks back, and spying him, Anger, and Shame  
To be so seen, at once her Face inflame.  
As Red She looks, as when her Brother's Light  
Denied, She doth 
(l) The Women of Thessaly, when the Moon was Eclipsed, were wont to make a Noise with all sorts of brazen Instruments, believing by it to assist her in her Agony.  Thessalian Dames affright.  
And now her Rage no longer will delay  
His Fate, but straight his Form she takes away:  
Longer his Head, and Ears, upon his Brow  
Large Horns, his Arms, and Thighs more slender grow;  
No more Erect, but prone towards Earth he goes:  
In all a Beast, but yet, alas, he knows  
He is not what he was; when straight the Cry  
Of his Molossian Hounds persuades to fly.  
The Nymphs, all laughing, urge them to pursue  
The Chase: He flies, they follow, and in View,  
Pinched in the Haunch, (to show Diana's Power)  
He falls, and they their Master changed devour.  
Here his two Guests, than which the World had none  
Then Greater seen, whose Presence more his Throne  
Renowned, than all the Trophies he had gained,  
The King with Cheerful Welcome entertained,  
And to their Eyes, as to invite his Foes  
To a new Conquest, prodigally shows  
His Empire's Riches. For no King before  
That had the Syrian Sceptre swayed, did more  
Possess: He was of all the Richest Heir,  
That did Great Alexander's Trophies share,  
And that vast Wealth not only kept Entire,  
But greater, which his Conquests did acquire,  
Heaped on his Throne. As if, to entertain  
Those famous Heroes, Fortune did ordain,  
That past, and present Ages should combine  
To yield their Spoils, and in that Honour join.  
It was a Day, when to commemorate  
The King's Nativity, th' Ephesian State  
With annual Rites their Loyal Joys expressed.  
The King (as Custom was) a Stately Feast  
Prepares: the Nobles all, invited, come,  
And there the Fates of Carthage, and of Rome  
(Scipio, and Hannibal) the Banquet grace,  
And now meet, not to Fight, but to Embrace.  
So when Aenéas fled from Ruined Troy,  
And sought a fore in Conquest to enjoy,  
Met by Tydîdes on th' Oenotrian Shore,  
They laid aside that Fury, which before  
Reigned in their Breasts, which Xanthus Yellow Flood,  
And the Dardanian Plains had stained with Blood,  
And, with new Friendship, what they both had done  
In Arms, repeat, since that sad War begun.  
They now are glad each others Face to know:  
Each counts the other Worthy such a Fo:  
Whose constant Courage nothing of Success  
In War could heighten, nor of Loss depress.  
Whose Virtue in all Fortunes was the same,  
And owed its Titles to no other Name.  
Who, in pursuit of Honour, sought not to  
Destroy a Noble Foe, but to subdue.  
And, when in Arms, would do what Man could dare  
T' attempt, and after Victory would spare  
The Conquered Blood: nor vainly sought to praise  
His own brave Deeds, and blast another's Bays.  
Such in th' Ephesian Court these Heroes shined,  
And with as free, and strict Embraces, joined  
Their Valiant hands, as if nor Trebia's Flood,  
Nor Cannae had been stained with Roman Blood  
By Carthaginian Swords; Nor Hannibal  
So lately had beheld his country's Fall  
In Zama's Wounds. Nor Scipio his Fate  
Depressed upbraids: nor Hannibal his Hate,  
At Stygian Altars sworn, discovers now.  
But Sacred Concord on each Heroe's Brow  
Sits, as Enthroned, and over all the rest  
Her Wings displays, t' inaugurate the Feast.  
And now the Face of Mirth appears through all  
The Court. Th'invited in a spacious Hall  
At Ivory Tables sit, and richly there  
Their Senses feed, with whatsoever Rare  
The Asian World affords. The Seas, the Earth,  
And Air, to gratulate so high a Birth,  
Their choicest Tribute send, and all, that Art  
To heighten Nature's Bounty could impart,  
Was liberally employed. Amazed to see  
The strange Excess of Syrian Luxury,  
Soon cloyed with different Thoughts, the Heroes are  
Affected, and perpend the future War.  
The Romans, pleased to think how weak in Fight  
Those Arms will prove, which softened with Delight,  
All Virtue so disarmed: How easily  
The Roman Swords, their Way to Victory  
Would find, where Honour led them on, and Spoils  
So wealthy, were the Trophies of their Toils.  
But Hannibal, more sadly thoughtful, calls  
To Mind the Fate of Capua, and the falls  
Of those brave Libyan Bands, that had so far  
Advanced his Name, till a more cruel War  
Of Ease, and Riot, at effeminate Board's,  
Unnerved their Valour, dulled their Conquering Swords,  
Blasted those Laurels, that before had crowned  
Their warlike Brows, and, as in Lethé, drowned  
All Memory of themselves, in these soft Charms  
So lost, they quite forgot the Use of Arms.  
As thus they ruminate, Eumolpus brings  
His Ivory Lute, and to the warbling Strings  
Accords his Voice, and chants, in smoothest Lays,  
The King's Descent, and Alexander's Praise.  
How first the Horned God his Libyan Grove,  
And Sacred Springs, for fair Olympia's Love,  
Forfook, and how, from that Divine Embrace,  
Small Pella was by a Celestial Race  
Renowned, and while descending to the Earth  
'Mong other Powers Divine, t' assist his Birth,  
Th' Ephesian Goddess, busyed wholly there,  
Kept not her Famous Temple in her Care,  

(m) In that Night, when Alexander was born, the Temple of Ephesus was fired by Herostratus; who, upon the Wrack, confessed He did it to make himself Famous) whereupon Timaeus (as Cicero) or Magnesius (as Plutarch affirms) said, that the Goddess (called Lucina, when She acts the Mid-wife's part) was so busy to bring Alexander into the World, that She could not have time to save her Temple. Cic. de Nat. Dear. lib. 2. Plut. Alexander.  An Impious Hand, to build itself a Name,  
With Sacrilegious Flames th' admired Frame  
Destroyed. But, when Lucina's Care had given  
To Earth a mighty Conqueror, to Heaven  

(n) In that Night, when Alexander was born, the Temple of Ephesus was fired by Herostratus; who, upon the Wrack, confessed He did it to make himself Famous) whereupon Timaeus (as Cicero) or Magnesius (as Plutarch affirms) said, that the Goddess (called Lucina, when She acts the Mid-wife's part) was so busy to bring Alexander into the World, that She could not have time to save her Temple. Cic. de Nat. Dear. lib. 2. Plut. Alexander.  A future Deity, and he began  
To show the World, that he was more than Man,  
By his great Deeds, to his Immortal Name  
As humbly prostrate, as to the bright Flame  
Of rising Day, th' admiring Persian bowed.  
To him Sabaeans, and Arabians vowed  
Their richest Gums: to him the Parthians brought  
Their Bows un-bent, and conque'rd Quivers, fraught  
With fatal Shafts: him all, from Ganges Shore,  
To those, that Nile's mysterious Streams adore,  
Their Lord obeyed, and, next the God of Wine,  
For Wonders done acknowlegded as Divine.  
But when he was for Earth too mighty grown,  
And summoned hence to a Celestial Throne,  
Heaven, that the Syrian Monarchy might stand  
For ever firm, into Sele●cus Hand  
The sacred Sceptre gave. Since none, but he  
Was worthy to succeed a Deity,  
Who could Himself subdue. An act that far  
Transcends whatever can be done in War,  
And Man Immortal makes. For, who the Force  
Of Beauty can withstand, or can divorce  
Love from his wounded Breast, may justly more  
Of Conquest boast, than Gods have done before.  
Yet He, when by expiring Sighs he found  
Those very Eyes his Pious Son did wound,  
That his own Souls surprised, and that the Name  

(o) Antiochus, the Son of Seleucus, fell in Love with his Mother in Law, Stratonica, and ashamed to reveal his Passion, fell desperately Sick. Erasistratus, the Physician, finding it a Disease rather of the Mind then Body, and observing that while Stratonica was present, his Pulse, and Sp●●its were stronger, discovered the Cause of his Malady to his Father, who readily assented to his Desires, and from them came the race of this Antiochus.  Of Stratonîca had the hidden Flame  
Revealed (to show how much a Noble Mind  
'Bove Cupidinean Shafts prevails) resigned  
Into his Arms his Love, and rescued from  
The hand of Fate, a Race of Kings to come.  
Hence to our Royal Line this solemn Day  
We consecrate, and grateful Honours pay.  
Thus the Iönian sung; and as among  
The rest, the lofty Subject of His Song  
The Libyan applauds: the Roman thus  
To him began. Though 'twixt the Gods, and Us,  
Great is the difference, yet Virtue may  
Raise Men, to those Felicities, which they  
In Heaven enjoy, and none so worthy are  
Of that high Bliss, as those whose Name in War  
Hath placed them here, on Earth, above the rest  
Of Humane Race. Fate cannot such divest  
Of Immortality. For, with Applause,  
The World adores them, and obeys their Laws.  
From these all Arts, and Virtues, that the Mind  
Of Man enrich, at first took Birth, and find  
Their just Rewards. For when Immortal jove  
Had framed the World, though all the Stars above  
In Order placed, and struggling Nature saw  
All things created here, her certain Law,  
And Times obey; yet, guided by their Will,  
Mankind among themselves a Chaos still  
Retained. No Bounds of Justice to repress  
The Hand of Rapine: Vices in, Excess,  
Reigned in all Minds, the Names of Right, and Wrong  
Unknown to all; the Virtuous were the Strong.  
Nor then did Man to greater Good aspire,  
Than what seemed such, suggested by Desire.  
But, lest a Custom, in Licentious Deeds,  
The use of Reason, and Celestial Seeds  
Should quite deprave; that true (Promethean Fire,  
The Breasts of some Brave Heroes did inspire  
Those Monsters to subdue, and to compel  
The too Licentious under Laws to dwell:  
The Ill to punish, and the Good to Crown  
With due Rewards. Hence Honour, and Renown  
The Minds of Mortals, first, from base Earth  
Raised towards Heaven, from whence they took their Birth.  
But since Lyaeus, and Alcides' Wars  
The World with Trophies, and the Heaven with Stars  
Adorned, who (tell me) hath the greatest Name  
In Arms deserved, and an Immortal Fame?  
If such their Praise, if such their Merits are,  
The Libyan replies: No Hand in War,  
So worthy Fame, so mighty things hath done,  
As the Pellaean Youth: whose Valour won  
More Victories, than Time had Years to Crown  
His Life allowed: The Force of whose Renown  
His Laws on farthest Nations did obtrude,  
And Kingdoms, which he never saw, subdued.  
For who, that heard, how great his Conquests were,  
How small his Force, would not, with Reason, fear compassed round  
Those Arms, which Persia's 
(p) When some of Alexander's Captains saw the vast Number of his Enemies, they adviseth him to fall upon them by Night: but He replied, he scorned to steal a Victory. Quintus Curtius.  Monarch  
With Troops, so numerous, that all the Ground  
'Twixt Tigris, and Euphrates, scarce could yield  
Them room to stand) subdued in open Field.  
Scorning to Fortune, or to Night to owe  
A Victory, He, in full Day, the Foe  
Assails, while God, and Men together stand  
Spectators of the Wonders of his Hand,  
And see each Macedonian Soldiers bring  
A Nation captivated to their King.  
But, not to speak of Battles, where his Skill,  
And Conduct, all subjected to his Will,  
No Town, no City (though the Sea, and Land  
Conspired against his Force) could Him withstand;  

(q) The City of Tyre was so obstinate in holding out against Alexander's whole Force, that he resolved once to raise the Siege; but, fearing it might slain the Glory of his former Victories, after seven months' Siege, and many terrible Attacks (wherein He lost a great part of his Army) He took it. See Quintus Curtius in his Fourth Book.  Our Tyrian Walls alone the Glory have  
To have resisted well: and that They gave  
A longer Stand to th' Torrent of his Rage,  
Then all the Persian Powers, that did engage  
Against his Arms. No Object was above  
His Courage; whose Example would remove  
All Obstacles, that others might deter:  
And though in great Designs he would confer,  
The Best, he followed his own Thoughts alone,  
And so made all his Victories his Own.  
And may He have the Praise: for none hath more  
In Arms deserved, perhaps no God before.  
Next him that Noble Epirot, that came  
To the Tarentines Aid, the Crown may claim.  
His Courage, when a Youth, Pantauchus found  
Above his Strength, though for his Strength renowned.  
While in two Armies View (as once before  
His mighty Ancestor, on Xanthus' Shore,  
Great Hector slew) He, his proud Foe subdued,  
And, to the wondering Macedonians, showed  
All things, that they had seen in former Times  

(r) Pyrrhus was invited into Italy, by the Tarentines, to assist them against the Romans. He was a Prince, eminent for his Valour, and Esteemed by the Macedonians, as the likest Alexander of any of his Successors. He slew Pantauchus, Demetrius his Lieutenant, in single Combat. See Plutarch in the Life of Pyrrhus.  In their so glorious Prince, except his Crimes.  
Nor were his Victories by Arms alone,  
Where Fortune more, than Virtue oft is known  
To give the Bays. His Wisdom Conquest finds,  
Where his Sword could not reach, and o'er the Minds  
Of Men his Triumph gains; and thus he drew  
From Roman Leagues Italian People to  
His side. They thought themselves more Safe within  
His Camp, than they in fenced Towns had been  
Under the Roman Laws. For he first taught  
That Art, and Camps to their Perfection brought.  
But if a Third you Seek, who hath no less,  
Then these deserved (though Envious God's Success  
Denied) Me here, Me Hannibal behold,  
Who with as early Courage, and as bold  
Attempts, a War against the Roman Name  
Pursued, and from the farthest Gades came,  
To seek a Foe, which future Times might call  
Most Worthy, to contend with Hannibal.  
Not soft Sabaeans, or Arabians, or  
A People, that the Rites, and Toils of War  
So little knew, that charged with rich Perfume,  
More than with Sweat, or Dust, did more presume  
On Numbers, than their Arms; or such, whose Ease  
And Lusts, must prove the Conquerour's Disease,  
And future Ruin. I through Nations born  
In War, and nurtured in it, with a Scorn  
Of Fate, and Fortune, o'er Pyrene, o'er  
The dreadful Alps, Victorious Ensigns bore.  
And found that Foe, with whom I might contend  
With greater Fame, who boast, that they descend  
From Man's himself, and to the World no less  
Appear; by their great Valour, and Success.  

(s) As when Tarentum, Capua, and other Cities contended for Superiority with Rome, and gave Opportunity to foreign Enemies to enter Italy, when Hannibal came against them, all parts of Italy, with Sicily, Sardinia, etc. united under the Roman Laws.  Nor was it, when some other city's Pride  
With Rome for Empire strove, and did divide  
Their scattered Force: but when all Italy  
Her Strength united to encounter Me.  
I shall not open those deep Wounds again,  
Which then (an Enemy) I gave, or slain  
Our Sacred Mirth with mention of each Flood,  
Whose Streams ennobled were with Latian Blood,  
Shed there by Me (and still perhaps, when I  
Am named, affrighted to their Fountains fly)  
I'll only say, more than three Lustra there  
(In spite of all the Arts, and Arms, that were  
Employed against Me) I Victorious stayed,  
And, (after many Towns, and Cities made  
My Vassals, and three Valiant Consuls Fall)  
Shook jove Himself within the Capitol  
With Terror of my Arms, and, had not Rome,  
By a base Envy of my Deeds at Home,  
More than by her Own Valour, been relieved,  
Our Carthaginian Mothers had not grieved,  
To see their Sons in Chains, but had by Me  
Been made, what Romans are, at least, been Freevill  
To this the Roman, with a Smile, replies.  
If Thee the Glory of thy Victories,  
With these Immortal Heroes, thus hath joined,  
I prithee say: what Place shall be assigned  
To Me, who after I through Spain had fought  
My Way, and, Conquering, into Libya brought  
The War, the Greatest of Numidian Kings  
Subdued, and Captive made, and, on the Wings  
Of that fresh Victory, towards Carthage (where  
But by thy Hand alone they did Despair  
To be secured) marched on, and, in one Day,  
Took all thy former Laurels quite away.  
'Tis true (said Hannibal) but, since the Fate  
Of Virtue is, to want an Advocate,  
If once Depressed, think me not Vain, when I  
Those Merits plead, that are transcended by  
Thy Fortune only. Had I conquered Thee,  
The World no other Conqueror, but me,  
Had known, even Those I named their Place had lost  
In Fame, and Rome the Triumphs She doth boast.  
As thus they mutually their Merits plead,  
The Sun began to hid his Flaming Head  
In the Hesperian Main, and the oppressed  
With Mirth and Wine, the Night invites to Rest.  
To which, when all retired, the King (whose Heart  
Was fixed on War) to Hannibal, apart,  
Thus breaks his last resolve. I should forget  
My Honour (Hannibal) if what, as yet,  
I have consulted only, I should now  
Delay. The Prosecution of thy Vow  
Is with my State involved, and Rome shall see,  
'Tis not thy Fortune We Embrace, but Thee.  
That, which, through Servile Fear, hath been denied  
By thine own Carthage, shall be here supplied  
By Me, and since we know how Various are  
The Chances, and Events of Dubious War,  
Why should we think the Fates will Favour more  
The Romans now, than they have Thee before?  
Fortune assists the Bold, and whosoer'e  
Attempteth Coldly, loseth by his Fear.  
'Tis therefore now decreed no more shall Rome  
On Zama's Field, and Nabis Fall presume,  
We Nations, great as any She hath known,  
The Parthians, Medes, admired Babylon  
Already have subdued, and Warlike Thrace  
(Where Mars inhabits) doth our Laws embrace.  
My better Fortune, what thy Fate hath crossed,  
Shall give thee, and redeem what Thou hast lost.  
This said; t' enjoy the Benefits of Night  
They both withdrew: but nothing could invite  
The Libyan Prince to rest. His thoughts pursue  
His hoped Revenge, and in themselves renew  
The promised War. Impatient of Delay  
He counts the Minutes, and desired Day  
Implores. As promised Nuptials waking keep  
A longing Lover, and quite banish Sleep,  
Until Enjoyment satiates his Desire,  
And both gives Fuel, and abates the Fire.  
The End of the Second Book of the Continuation.   



Perfidiam fugiens Infidi Regis, ad Vmbras  
Festinat Stigias, Invictâ Mente triumphans   

Hannibal: et propriâ gaudens succumbere Dextrâ,  
Anticipat, quos Roma Sibi Speravit, Honours.   
Dignissimo Viro Gulielmo Wentworth de Wentworth-wood-house in Comitatu Ebor: Armig: Tabula Observantiss: D.D.D.  A CONTINUATION OF SILIUS ITALICUS To the DEATH of HANNIBAL. The Third Book.  
THE ARGUMENT.  
The Syrian Rome defies, both Scipio's are,  
By choice, appointed to pursue the War.  
Contagion wastes the Roman Navy, while  
The Syrian Fleet's detained near Venus' Isle,  
By adverse Winds. The Syrian Lords, a Shore  
With Hannibal, the Cyprian Rites explore.  
The Winds again invite both Fleets to Sea.  
They meet, and fight. The Syrians lose the Day.  
The Libyan Captain to Bethynia flies,  
Where, to shun Treason, He by Poison Dies.  
BUT when the Empire of the Night was done,  
And sleep the Sceptre yielded to the Sun,  
The Ephesian Peers, as if the sprightful Wine  
Had raised in every Breast a War, combine  
With Hannibal, to shake off all Delay,  
To hasten on the Fates, and take away  
Their Fears of Peace, and straight the Syrian Kings  

(a) Antiochus, resolving to hold what He had won in Greece, sent to treat with the Roman Ambassador, his Favourite, who (as Livy saith in his Thirty fifth Book) wholly Ignorant of Foreign Affairs, instead of composing Differences, made them wider, by Upbraiding the Romans for intermeddling with his Master's Concerns, and Defying their Power.  Defy proud Minio to the Roman brings.  
Minio, sublime in Syrian Blood, then swayed  
His Master's Counsels; Him the World obeyed:  
Nothing above him, but the Syrian Throne  
He saw, all things, beneath it, were his Own.  
Whate'er was done, whatever was designed,  
Was not the King's, but Haughty Minio's Mind.  
Thus, favoured with High Insolence, He sold  
Rewards of Virtue, all things uncontrolled  
Disposed. His greedy Avarice suppressed  
All Thoughts of Bounty in his Master's Breast:  
The Name of Merit in that Gulf was drowned,  
And, as he pleased, the suffering People found  
Ease, or Oppression, to such Mischiefs may  
A single Favourite Kings, and Crowns betray.  
When He a Period to the Syrian Pride,  
And Hopes of Carthage, as he then defied  
The Power of Rome, had vainly given: with Rage,  
Which nothing, but their Ruin, could assuage,  
The Roman Prince to the Myrtôan Main  
Descends, and seeks Italian Shores again.  
Soon as arrived, the Voice of War through all  
The City flies. The careful Consuls call  
A frequent Senate: Scipio repeats  
Syria's vain Boast of Power, and vainer Threats  
Of a proud Favourite, and how the Name  
Of Hannibal their Courage did inflame;  
What aids by Land, and Sea prepared were;  
What Carthage thence might hope; what Rome might fear:  
All which in Counsel weighed, and War decreed,  
'Twas hard to say, what Shoulders should succeed,  
To bear that Burden: 
(b) Unless employed in some other War, the Consuls were to be Generals; so that Scipio Africanus, not being Consul, could not pretend to that Command.  Scipio was then  
Debarred by Law to take that Charge again;  
A Name that so much Virtue did include,  
That Hannibal could never be subdued  
Without its Influence, nor Carthage cease  
To emulate Rome's Triumphs, and her Peace.  

(c) Laelius, a Person very Eminent for his singular Virtue, next under Scipio, Commanded both in Spain, and afric, and their Friendship was so Great, that it was drawn into Example for such as would contract Inviolable Amity so, that Cicero makes them the Subject of his Discourse De amicitia.  Laelius great Virtues, through the World were famed,  
And, where the Noble Scipio was not named  
Deserved the Bays. The Younger 
(d) The Younger Scipio, called Lucius, though of excellent Endowments, had not yet been renowned (as was Laelius) for any Military Actions, but was then chosen Consul with Laelius.  Scipio known  
More by his Brother's Actions then his Own.  
Desired to do, as He had done before  
To vanquish Kingdoms, and by Conquests more  

(e) Scipio Africanus, was but twenty four Years old, when he took New-Carthage, in Spain.  Than Years to count his Age. But some, whom fear  
Of Syria's Force, and (what cost Rome so dear)  
The Name of Hannibal, then moved, did stand  
For a more knowing, and experienced Hand.  
One whose great Virtues by his Deeds were known.  
Supported by no Merits, but his Own.  
And, such was Laelius held by Land, and Sea,  
For whom Acilius, this Important Plea  
Assumes. If We Rome's Safety seek, and more  
Than Private Names, the public Peace adore,  
Whence Fathers this Dispute? whence this Delay?  
Why should we leave to Fortune what we may  
Prevent with Reason? when Distempers are  
Grown Great, the Wise strong Remedies prepare.  
Let not those Seeds of Virtue that appear  
In Younger Breasts, be valued at the Fear  
Of Public Ruin 
(f) The Temerity of Flaminius, and Minutius. See the Fifth, and the Eight Books of Silius.  We've already found  
What Mischief Youth (not by a single Wound)  
May through their Heat produce, and still do feel  
The Anguish of those Wounds, the Libyan steel,  
Through them inflicted: which, if now again  
Torn open, will ingeminate the Pain.  
One Error all our former Ills recals,  
And brings the World against Us to our Walls.  
For Rome (alas) can boast no Strength of Friends  
Abroad, but what on her Success depends.  
Her Virtue only must her Wealth defend,  
Her Wisdom to employ it, her Best Friend.  
Then let not Favour to a Private Name  
Anticipate your Reason. I disclaim  
All Envy to those honoured Heads, that have  
Enriched Us with their Trophies, and that gave  
New Titles to our Fasti. May they live  
Still glorious in them, and all Time survive.  
But let not Us heavens Blessings so confine,  
As if Entailed upon a single Line.  
Our Laws have so ordained, that all, that are  
Deserving, may in Public Honour's share.  
Hence Libyan some; some gallic wreaths have crowned:  
By several Lands, are several Names renowned.  
Our Fathers still the Burden of the State  
Imposed on Shoulders, equal to the Weight.  
The Greatest Heroes ever would contend,  
When Prudence, more than Fortune, might commend  
Their Deeds. For, though the great Alcides killed  
Serpents in's Cradle, yet till he was Skilled  
Through many Labours, how his Strength to guide,  
He never with the 
(g) Antaeus.  Libyan Monster tried  
His Godlike Courage. Let such Honours be  
Bestowed, when Dangers, in a less Degree,  
Shall threaten Us, and when these Foreign Storms  
Cannot resist, but exercise your Arms.  
What skilful Pilot, by late Tempest tossed,  
His Vessel torn, some Sails, and Tackle lost,  
While still the rude Wind's rage, the Billows roar  
(Though now he hath in view his Native Shore)  
Will Idle, too secure of Safety, stand,  
And trust the Helm to a less Skilful Hand?  
No; let this Senate's Wisdom so provide,  
That what We want of Strength, may be supplied  
By Conduct: then, if't be decreed the State  
Shall suffer, We may not be blamed, but Fate.  
This said; his Silence a deep Silence through  
The Senate struck, and on great Scipio drew  
The Eyes of all. In him it lay to turn  
Their Choice to Votes, or Fortune of the 
(h) The Box, into which they put their Lots, was so called.  Urn.  
This did Young Scipio, Laelius that desire:  

(i) Laelius, confident of his Party in the Senate, was desirous to put it to the Vote, Lucius Scipio to draw Lots (which were the two ways of choosing Officers) till encouraged by his Brother Africanus to le●ve it 〈◊〉 the Senate's Choice, resolving to offer himself to be his Lieu-tenant, which determined the Dispute.  As confident, the Senate would require  
A Man, whose former Actions might commend  
Their Choice, and Rome upon his Care depend.  
After some Pause, and struggling 'twixt the Names  
Of dearest Friend, and Brother, while each claims  
In his divided Soul an equal Share,  
Thus Africanus doth himself declare.  
I should forbear to speak, did I not see  
(Grave Fathers) that your Eyes are fixed on Me;  
On whom a Province lies more Weighty far,  
Then was the Burden of the Africa War:  
For there Rome's Fortune with mine own did join;  
But this Intestine Conflicts wholly mine;  
While, for my Blood, l'gainst my Soul contend;  
Distinguished 'twixt a Brother, and a Friend.  
A Friend, whom Rome may boast, that he was born  
In her Embrace: whose Virtues do adorn  
The Present, and the future Age will bless.  
Whom, as my better Genius (I confess)  
I ever entertained: his Counsels still  
Pursued as Oracles, and never will  
My Laelius from my Soul divide. But now  
Even what Acilius pleads will not allow,  
That to his Conduct we this War assign.  
This, only, to our Name, the Powers Divine  
Reserve. If greater Wars shall threaten Rome,  
The Honour of Command will best become  
My Noble Laelius; and, when War shall cease,  
he'll be her Chiefest Ornament in Peace.  
Though now the Title, GREAT, the Syrian King  
Assumes, and to his Aid all Asia bring,  
Yet, if the Libyan Captain be not there,  
Too mean a Province that for Laelius were.  
The Gods their Blessings, as the Stars bestow  
Their Influence on Men, and Things below,  
Do sev'rally dispense. Some Fatal are  
To those, that be the most renowned in War,  
Yet by less Warlike fall. Not to repeat  
Foreign Examples, or to tell how Great  
In Arms, even by a Woman, Cyrus fell.  
Things nearer to Us (Fathers) may compel  
Your Wonder. After our best Captains slain,  
Your Scipio undertook the War in Spain,  
When scarce five Lustra old, and all those Lands  
Subdued, where Hannibal those dreadful Bands  
Amassed, that shook your Walls. What since I've done  
Becomes not Me to speak, whater'e I won  
Under Your Auspicies, was the Decree  
Of Heaven, should only be achieved by Me.  
Nor censure me as Vain, who arrogate  
So great a Partage in the Roman Fate,  
To say, that, where the Libyans are your Foes,  
You must a Scipio to their Arms oppose.  
Carthage will ever threaten these our Walls,  
Till Heaven our 
(k) Scipio Nasica, in the last Punic War, took Carthage, Sacked it, and razed the Walls.  Name unto her Ruin calls.  
Then 'tis not, that I emulate my Friend,  
But for Rome's Safety (Fathers) I contend:  
And, if the Arguments of Youth dissuade  
Your Choice, let my maturer Age be made  
The Balance of your Doubts, my Brother's Years  
Mine own exceed, when I your greater Fears  
Allayed, with Victory; and, that again  
You may the same assurance entertain,  
Me his Lieu-tenant make, and fear no more  
Those Arms, which I subdued for you before.  
This said, loud Clamours, with a full Assent,  
The Temple shook, and through the City went.  
Thence through all Italy the swift alarms  
Of War excite the active Youth to Arms.  
No Region from those Hills, whose frozen Heads  
The Stars invade, to where blue Neptune spreads  
His frothy Arms about the Rhegian Walls,  
Their Aid denies. The Name of Scipio calls  
The most Luxurious from their Choice Delights,  
And to meet Dangers, under Him invites.  
All, who their Country; all, who Honour love,  
His Ensigns seek to follow, and to prove  
What Fortune, and the Gods for them ordain.  
And now with numerous Ships the Neighbouring Main  
Oppressed, groans under their vast Weight, and feels  
The Fate of Carthage from their brazen Keels.  
Which, oft as the rebellious Billows rise,  
Dash them to pieces: while the Wind supplies  
With favourable Blasts their swelling Wings,  
And to the Asian Coast the Army brings.  
While Rome for future Triumphs thus provides,  
Envy, (the Plague of Courts) not Reason guides  
The Syrian Counsels. What the Wise persuade,  
The Ignorant reject. The Courtier's made  
The Soldiers Judg. What he concludes doth find  
Its Influence upon the Prince's Mind.  
Not all the Mighty things, which Hannibal  
Had done, which Rome even trembled to recall  
To Memory, could make his Sense prevail  

(l) The Envy of the Syrian Nobility traduced Hannibal to the King, as if his Counsel to invade Italy proceeded from his Ambition, once more to see himself, at the Head of an Army there. So that they wholly diverted him from that Advise, and Hannibal was ordered to go with the Navy, while the King went in Person with the Army towards Greece.  To quit the Syrian Kingdoms, and assail  
The Foe at Home. Though whosoever so  
Invaded is, lends Courage to his Foe,  
And Strength to vanquish him. But strangely Blind  
To his own Fall, the Syrian King's inclined,  
Rather on his own People, all those Ills  
To bring, with which Invasive Fury fills  
A miserable Land. And straight his Fleet  
Is ordered under Hannibal to meet  
The Roman, where 
(m) Crete.  Iônian Billows move  
About that Island, where the Wife of jove  
Was born, and by the Careful Nymphs was bred,  
Till called by Hymen to her Brother's Bed.  

(n) juno.  She, although Conscious of the Fates to come,  
Retaining still her Ancient Hate to Rome,  
Her Empire of the Air with 
(o) As the Roman Navy, came near Phaselis (a Promontory on the Coast of Pamphylia) a Disease siezed them, and destroyed many of their men; while the Syrians were detained in their Course towards them by contrary Winds.  Mischief fills,  
And on the neighbouring Isles sad Plagues distils.  
Th' unhappy Season with her Wrath conspires,  
'Twas when the Dog breathed his Contagious Fires  
On fainting Men, depriving Beasts of Food,  
And turning into Poison purest Blood.  
The attracted Air their Entrails scorcheth, fills  
Their Veins with Flames, and, e'er expired, kills,  
Such hasty Fates, that Time doth scarce know how  
'Twixt Life, and Death, his Minutes to allow.  
While some, whom decent Piety invites  
T'interr their Friends, for their own Funeral's Rites  
Prepare, and straight from their departing Breath  
Infected fall, and share a sudden Death.  
The Roman Soldier, whose great Valour scorned  
To stoop to Foes, whose Trophies had adorned  
His Native House, who ne'er before had known  
To yield his Arms, now weak, and feeble grown,  
Let's fall his Shield, and Conquering Sword, and dies,  
Even in his Arms, disarmed. This Plague's Surprise  
So sudden is, that, as the Master stands  
To time, with his loud Voice, the Seamen's Hands,  
On his half-Deck he prostrate falls, before  
The Word's expressed. Extended at the Oar,  
The Seaman, in a labouring Posture, dies,  
Not known, if Dead, or rowing, as he lies.  
From this so fatal Coast, that did afford  
To Death far greater Triumphs, than the Sword,  
The Roman Navy, flying the Disease,  
Retires, and trusts their Safety to the Seas.  
But Venus, fearing lest Saturnia's Hate  
From this might greater Mischief propagate,  
If then the Syrian Fleet should on them fall,  
Thus to her Aid the God of Winds doth call.  
Great Aeolus, whose mighty Empire lies  
O'er all the vast Extent, beneath the Skies,  
Assist Me now. I ask not, That thou make  
Earth tremble, and the World's firm Fabric shake;  
Nor that her Stony Entrails thou so wide  
Shouldst rend, that Ghosts below may be descried;  
Nor that the Seas (as in the Giant's Wars)  
Thou hurl in wat'ry Mountains against the Stars.  
juno for such Revenge perhaps may call  
Against Us, t'exalt her single Hannibal.  
I only covet to preserve mine Own,  
And to effect the rest, let Fates alone.  
She when nor Arms, nor Valour can prevail,  
My Race with Hell, and Furies will assail.  
Can She infect the Place I hold above,  
She'd bring Her Plagues into the Court of jove:  
What's mine on Earth her Malice doth surround.  
Thou see'st what gloomy Vapours, from the Ground,  
She draws, Death hatching, in their pregnant Wombs,  
And threatening Mischief to all's Mine, and Rome's.  
Scarce can my Power, my sacred Isles defend.  

(l) Besides that, Venus is said to have been born in that Sea, the Island, Luxurious in its extraordinary Fertility, the Inhabitants were more prone to Venus then any other. Their Women before Marriage exposing themselves on the Shore to all Strangers that arrived there. See justine in his Eighteenth Book.  My Cyprian, my dear Paphian Temples tend  
To Ruin, and our Votaries, for fear,  
Of dire Contagion, all our Shrines forbear.  
No Innocence is spared: my Birds, that from  
Aurora's bosom to my Lap would come,  
And the Refreshments of the choicest Springs,  
Would, billing, scatter from their Silver Wings,  
As to our sacred Groves they would repair,  
Fall flying Victims, in the poisoned Air.  
But this thy Power great Aeölus can cure,  
And, what is now corrupted, render pure.  
Then purge Infection from this Ambient Air,  
Make it Serene, and the lost Health repair  
Of this once Happy Clime, and Neighbouring Isles,  
And thy Reward (with that, She sweetly smiles)  
Shall be the fairest Nymph of all my Train.  
No sooner said (for who can aught refrain  
When Venus pleads) but Aeölus unbindes  
From their dark Prisons, the Etesian Winds,  
Whose Active Force, not only chased away  
All noxious Clouds, and Mists, and gave the Day  
A wholesome Face; but, with a constant Gale,  
Against all Labour of the Oars prevail,  
To keep the Syrian Fleet (the more to please  
The 
(*) Cyprus.  Cyprian Goddess) in her Neighbouring Seas.  
Twice twenty Days, the Idle Ships, before  
The Island lay, and Anchored near the Shore.  
When a Desire to see the famed Delights  
Of Cyprian Groves, the Syrian Lord's invites,  
And Hannibal to Land. No place did more  
Indulge to Love, or Venus' Power adore.  
The Goddess this to all the World prefers,  
And is best pleased, when Mortals calls it Hers,  
All Deities, that can Earth's Wealth improve,  
Here pay their Tribute to the Queen of Love.  
The Meadows Flora, the Fields Ceres fills  
With her rich Plenty, Bacchus crowns the Hills.  
The greedy Swains no wealthy Orchards rear:  
For Nature choicest Fruits doth, every where,  
Largely bestow, the Bounty of the Soil  
Gives all they can desire, without their Toil.  
All other Pleasures, which Affection moves,  
They find most ample in their Sacred Groves.  
Eternal Shades of Trees, whose Arms above  
Embrace, and Roots beneath are making Love:  
No Birds of Prey upon the Branches dwell;  
Or, if they there frequent, 'tis strange to tell,  
How soon their cruel Nature they forego,  
And Kindness to all other Creatures show.  
All in their Kind's are paired; no Bird alone:  
No Turtles, by their Mates deserted, Moan.  
Nothing, that Mischief breeds, can there be found.  
Love only hath the Power t' inflict a Wound.  
From Native Grottoes, that all Art exceed,  
Their Crystal Fountains several Channels feed  
With cooling Streams, which, as they murmuring pass,  
Still Verdant keep the Lover's Seats of Grass.  
All this surveyed, their Temple's sacred Rites  
To Wonder, and Devotion them invites.  
The Chief was Paphos, which their Senses Charms  
Above Belief. The Goddess there her Arms,  
Her Chariot, harnessed Doves, and whatsoever  
On Earth she values, keeps. Her Trophies here  
Of such, as against her Power rebelled, the Gates  
Adorn; their Names, and Fate the Priest relates:  
A Priest, who yet five Lustra had not seen,  
Yet, since he three had told, her Priest had been:  
But must no longer at her Altar stand,  
Or take the sacred Censer in his Hand,  
When from his Birth twice twenty Years expired;  
For Youth is by the Goddess most desired:  
Such all her Votaries, and Clients are;  
The Aged seldom at her Shrines appear.  
These viewed, and past; to a fair Porch they came,  
Where Miracles the Deity proclaim.  
Bodies to other things transformed by Love,  
Whose strange Originals their Change did prove:  
Some, whose Obdurate Hearts had made them Stone;  
Some, Beasts; some, Birds; some, Trees; their Figures none  
Had lost, but, as when changed, their Shapes retain,  
And Monuments of her great Power remain.  
Above the rest, an Ivory Statue stands,  
Fair even to Wonder. Hannibal demands,  
What Nymph it was of that Celestial Form?  
To whom the Priest replies. A Soul did warm  
This Ivory once. The story's very strange,  
Yet this fair City, and these Walls the Change  
Attest. When first Pygmalion in this Isle  
Arrived, a Votary to Venus, while  
Our Cyprian Virgins such a Freedom used,  
That jealous Lovers thought themselves abused,  
He, flying Hymen, to his House retires.  
But still retaining in his Breast the Fires  
Of Love, his troubled Fancy to divert,  
This Statue, with more than Promethean Art,  
He frames, and, as all Parts he, wondering, views,  
Desires of Hymen in his Breast renews,  
And Venus thus invokes. Give Me (He said)  
For Wife, as Beautiful, and chaste a Maid,  
Great Goddess, and, if thou my Prayer wilt hear,  
A Temple to thy Name my Race shall rear.  
No sooner said, but th' Object of his Love  
Receives a Soul, and straight began to move.  
Her Eyes no more are fixed; but lively Rays  
Eject, and first on her kind Maker gaze.  
Then on her polished Limbs, which purple Veins  
Now warm, and soften with their beauteous stains.  
In brief; She lives Pygmalion's dearest Flame,  
And from their Nuptial Bed great Paphos came.  
Who, when the Fates the borrowed Soul again  
Required, his Ivory Mother, in this Fane  
Vowed to the Goddess, placed, and we still here,  
With holy Incense, Honour, once a Year.  
When this, with other Wonders, they had seen,  
The 
(q) The most secret Place of the Temple.  Adyta they enter, which within  
No Images adorn. But Venus stood  
Alone, and kept her Altars free from 
(r) See Tacitus in his Eighteenth Book.  Blood.  
They Tears of Myrrah, only, offer there,  
And Sighs of Lovers. The included Air  
Is ever warm, and wheresoever they turn,  
They meet soft Kisses, but no Lips discern.  
Amazed the Strangers stand, though strangely pleased:  
When them from Wonder thus the Priest released.  
The Goddess, for this secret Place alone, 
The Birth of Kisses.   
This Miracle reserves, thus made her Own.  
When She her dear Ascanius had conveyed  
Up to Cythêra, and on Violets laid  
The sleeping Boy; Her Aromatic Showers  
Of sweetest Roses, round about She powers.  
Then gazing on his Face, her former Flame,  
Her loved Adonis to her Fancy came.  
Scarce could She, then, withstand his beauty's Charms,  
Scarce from his dear Embrace refrain her Arms.  
But fearing to disturb the Boy's sweet Rest,  
Her Lips upon the Neighbouring Roses pressed.  
They straight grow Warm, and, ri●ing from the place,  
Turned into Kisses, fly about her Face.  
The Goddess, willing that the World should share,  
So sweet a Pleasure, scatters through the Air,  
With a large Hand, the new-created Seed,  
Which, as from fertile Glebe arising, breed.  
But the first Born She placed within this Fane,  
Which warm, as now you feel them, still remain.  
This said, a sudden Noise permits no more,  
But summons them abruptly to the Shore,  
The Wind came fair: the busy Seamen weigh  
Their barbed Anchors, and stand off to Sea.  
The Time no longer stay will now afford,  
The churlish Masters hasten all aboard.  
Torn from Delight, the Syrian Nobles are  
Displeased, and rather wish another War.  
But Hannibal, whose great Heroic Breast,  
A Nobler Flame, then that of Love possessed;  
With as much Joy the Fetters of those Charms  
Shakes off, as Towns besieged, from Hostile Arms  
Themselves by Sallies free, and all the Woes  
That threatened them, revert upon their Foes.  
Honour, which Noble Deeds in War attends,  
Exciting his great Soul, he first ascends  
His Ship, and offers to the God of Seas  
Warm Entrails, then at large his Sails displays.  
Loud Clamours from his high Example, through  
The Fleet are spread, whilst all his Course pursue.  
And now the Land retires, the Cyprian Shore  
Is lost, and all the Flames which they before  
Cherished, are quite extinct in every Breast,  
Wholly with Thoughts of future War possessed.  
A War, wherein Rome's Fortune stood alone  
Against the World: and were there more than One,  
Might with them all contend. So Great was She,  
Till lessened by her Crims of Victory.  
Twice had the Sun descended to the Sea;  
Twice the winged Hours had raised again the Day.  
When they that Coast, where Sida doth obtrude  
High Rocks (Her strong Defence) against the rude  
Assaults of Raging Billows made: and there  
Beheld what both their Wonder, and their Fear  
At once creates. The Seamen think they've lost  
Their Course, and touch upon some un-known Coast.  
Or Nature, from the Bowels of the Main,  
Some Cyclas thrusts, or floating Grove again.  
But as they nearer came, within that Wood  
They saw for Fight prepared, an Army stood,  
So numerous they were, that what before  
Their Wonder was, is now their Terror more.  
Their Order such, as when her borrowed Rays  
With growing Horns the Silver Moon displays.  
But her full Glory, their Gild, brazen Prows  
Surpassed, and gave the Morning, as it risen,  
A brighter Face; and, where they made their Way,  
With a new Light anticipate the Day.  
The Syrian 
(s) A Sea-fight between Hannibal, and the Romans.  Navy, whether clogged with Fear,  
Or their vast Bulk, though still they forward steer.  
Went slowly on, till Hannibal so far  
Advanced before, that he provoked the War.  
At his Approach, the Roman Soldiers fill  
The Air with Shouts, that seem the Winds to still,  
And fright Pamphylian Nymphs, while he goes on  
Fearless, as if his Valour could alone,  
With all their Force contend. When a Disdain  
To see him dare so much, a Rage more vain  
Creates in a brave Rhodian, who forsakes  
His Station, and the Combat undertakes.  
Both ply their Oars; both seek to gain the Wind.  
While Fortune, that, in this alone, inclined  
To favour Hannibal, extends his Sails  
With following Gusts so, that his speed prevails,  
And bears his Galley on against his Foe,  
With so great Violence, the barbed Proe  
Strikes through his Side, and with the furious Shock  
Shakes his whole Bulk, as bruised against a Rock.  
As from some Engine shot, the Splinters fly,  
Through all the Ship, and One the Captain's Eye  
So deeply wounds, it sinks into his Brain,  
And leaves upon the Deck his Body slain.  
With him the Courage of the rest doth die,  
And a base Fear persuades them straight to fly.  
While Hannibal pursues, with Storms of Fire  
From Pitchy Lamps, and Darts, as they retire.  
Black waves of Smoak the flying Vessel hid;  
And her sad Fate invites from either side.  
Fresh Squadrons to the Fight. These to maintain  
Their Conquest; those to take Revenge. The Main  
Foams with their active Oars, and the Sea-Gods,  
Affrighted, seek their most remote Abodes.  
Fearing the future Horror of the Day,  
And bloody Seas, their safety might betray.  
Both Navies now are met, Proes against Proes;  
Sides against Sides they strike, and, grappling close,  
So firmly, that, as Foot to Foot they stand,  
And, with their Swords, deal Wounds, as if on Land.  
But where the swelling Surges interpose,  
Or Winds so, that the Galleys cannot close,  
Darts, Arrows, javelins, flaming Lamps they throw,  
And Death, and Wounds, in several Shapes, bestow:  
The Romans now; the Syrians now give Way:  
Yet neither fly, but equally the Day  
Are confident to gain, and their Retreat,  
Like Rams, doth greater Force, and Rage beget.  
Till Scipio, to whose Fortune Syria's Fate  
Must yield, and thence her future Ruin date,  
A Squadron of Italian Galleys brought  
Against Apollonius, who too rashly sought  
So brave a Fo. Like Thunder, tearing Clouds,  
Their meeting Vessels crack: th'▪ entangled Shrouds  
Some, that would sink, above the Waves retain;  
While others to the Bottom of the Main  
Descend, and in their Arms the Soldiers drowned  
Find a sad Fate without Revenge, or Wound.  
But some, whose present Courage stood above  
Surprise of Danger, against such Fortune, strove  
To die among their Foes, and leaping on  
Their Decks, there, fighting, fall. Some backward thrown  
Are lost in the Assault: others, whose Skill  
In Swimming, and their Rage kept floating still,  
Attempt to Board again. Eumenes' late  
A Captain, who his Tyrian Gallie's Fate  
A while survived, first seized a Romane's Oar,  
By which he nimbly climbing up (before  
Perceived) the Deck had gained; when straight, one Hand  
Lop'd off, the other still his Hold maintained,  
Until a second Wound took that away:  
Yet this sad Loss could not his Mind betray  
To want of Courage, but his Teeth supplied  
Their Room, until a Falchion did divide  
His Body from his Head, which still did keep  
Its Hold: the Trunk fell back into the Deep.  
Th' Example of his Death made some to burn  
With Rage: some, I'll with Fear, their Proes to turn.  
And fly. While Hannibal their Flight, in vain,  
Upbraids, and hales them to the Fight again.  
But, when they saw Pamphilius possessed  
With so great Terror, that he first the rest  
Forsook: no Sense of Honour could restrain  
Their Flight. But, scattered over all the Main,  
The base Cilicians spread their Sails to Fear,  
Scarce knowing to what Land, or Coast they steer.  

Hannibal's Valour.  But the brave Libyan, who as much to fly  
Abhorred, as those base Cowards feared to die,  
With three stout Tyrian Galleys, makes through all  
The Latian Ships t'attaque their Admiral:  
Thinking, that Act alone would best become  
His Valour, when he seemed t'assault even Rome  
Herself; and from his Conquest, or his Fall,  
The World might say, 'Twas done like Hannibal.  
But Fortune the Success denied, and brought  
A furious War upon him, where he fought.  
Where e'er he turns, their Numbers him surround,  
So, as besieged he stands. No place is found,  
Where a brave Deed a single Arm may boast.  
All Valour in their Multitudes is lost.  
This Face of Danger his last Fury wakes.  
As, when too close pursued, a Tiger takes  
His Stand, resolved to die revenged; he views  
His Foes, all Wounds receives; at length doth chose  
Against that Hand to spend his Stock of Rage,  
That against his Life most forward doth engage.  

Hannibal's Stratagem.  So a Praetorian Ship, that 'bove the rest,  
With Showers of Piles, and Darts did him infest,  
With a Prodigious Storm he lays aboard,  
And all the Plagues, that Libya could afford,  
(To which her thirsty Sands do give a Birth)  
Upon it throws, enclosed in Pots of Earth.  
From which (when fallen, and broken on the Decks)  
Myriad of Serpents raised their marble Necks.  
The Soldiers, in the Fight, with Wonder are  
Surprised, as if Medusa made the War.  
Their dreadful Hiss suppressed all warlike Sounds,  
And when their Stings, or Teeth inflict their Wounds,  
Strange kinds of sudden Death ensue; while some,  
Whose Nerves the deadly Poison doth benumb,  
Like Statues fixed stand: Others beheld  
Their well-shaped Limbs above Proportion swelled,  
Till their increasing Bow'ls their Bellies burst:  
Some seem t'have swallowed Flames, and a dire Thirst  
Firing their bloodless Entrails, to allay  
Its Rage, they headlong leap into the Sea.  
This through one Wound sees all his blood to flow,  
His Veins soon empty made; That doth not know  
he's hurt, nor feels a Wound, when Death straight creeps  
Into his Heart, and he for ever sleeps.  
But, though each Serpent thus a several kind  
Of Death inflicts, yet, to one Ship confined  
Free from their Venomous Assault, the rest,  
The Libyan with all sorts of Arms oppressed,  
Till juno, struggling still with Fate (resolved  
No Roman Hand should boast his Fall) involved  
The Day in Horror; chased the Light away  
Before its Time; and over all the Sea  
The Wings of Night extends: the Pregnant Clouds  
Discharge their Cataracts, and from the Shrouds  
The roaring Winds the swelling Canvas tore  
The Roman Ships, as if in Civil War,  
Against one another strike, and now contend  
How from themselves they may themselves defend.  
At length dispersed o'er all the Main they flee,  
And, by this Danger, from a greater free,  
Safe to the Lycian Shore the Libyan came,  
Reserved by Fate to be Bithynia's Shame.  

Antiochus' overthrown at Land.  But Fortune had not thus her Aid denied  
By Sea alone unto the Syrian Side,  
But, where by Land the King his Armies led,  
His Ensigns from the Roman Eagles fled.  
His Thracian Kingdoms now no more his Law  
Obeyed, but the Ausonian Fasces saw  
In Triumph, through their Conquered Cities, go,  
And Him, of late their Lord, esteemed their Fo.  
His Grecian Friends the Leagues, that they had sworn,  
Reject, and now his weaker Friendship scorn,  
Scarce would the Syrian Cities entertain  
Their flying King, at his return. So vain  
The People's Favour, and their Faith, when crossed  
By Fortune, and his Power a King hath lost!  

(t) Hannibal, fearing to trust himself among the Syrians, in this Decline of his Fortune, retired to Prusias King of Bythinia, and served him with great Success against the Etolians.  This Levity the Libyan Prince revolved  
Much in his troubled Thoughts, at length, resolved  
No more the Dangerous Envy of that Court  
To try, but to Bithynia's King resort;  
A King, who wanted then so brave a Hand  
Against Etolians to defend his Land.  
Prompted to this by his unhappy Fate,  
Thither he speeds, and finds (alas!) too late  
The Malice of his Foes could not extend  
To reach his Death, but by a Treacherous Friend;  
A Friend, who to his Valour owed his Crown,  
And, by that Fatal Victorie's Renown,  
Made Jealous Rome to hasten on his Fall,  
By such an Act, as all the World may call  
Her Infamy. For he, that conquered Foes  
Destroys, when he may spare, doth Honour lose.  
But to the Roman Arms all Asia now  
Submits, and all their Laws imposed allow.  
No King, but basely yields to their Demands:  
No City, where they March, their Power withstand'st  
And wha● did most with Hannibal's sad Fate  
Conspire, his Ruin to accelerate,  
Was, that 
(u) Flaminius, (the Son of that Flaminius whom Hannibal vanquished, and slew near the Lake Thrasimenus) sent Ambassador to Prusias, exceeded (saith Appian) his Commission; demanding Hannibal to be delivered to Him, to which the Perfidious King, fearing the Power of the Romans, assented.  Flaminius, whose rash Sire before  
The Libyan Arms on Thrasimenus Shore  
Renowned, a Legate to Bythinia came,  
And to his base Revenge the Senate's Name  
Usurped. Their Peace, and Amity to all  
Denied, that should protect brave Hannibal.  
The King, consulting with his Fears, forgets  
All Ties of Honour: on his Safety sets  
A greater Value. Those late Trophies gained,  
By which the Libyan Prince his Throne sustained,  
Seem to upbraid him with a Debt, which He  
Cannot discharge, bu● by this Treachery.  
Those Glories, that too near his Crown dilate  
Their Lustre into Crimes, degenerate.  
They Guilty are, whose Merits stand above  
Reward: in lower Spheres Men safest move.  
These Thoughts drew on the Noble Libyan's Fate,  
Whose strong Suspicious made him (but too late)  
T'attempt Escape. The dubious Faith of Kings,  
Which varies with the Face of Humane Things,  
Gave him to fear a Change, and to prepare  

(x) Hannibal, at length, suspecting the Faith of Prusias, had made several Passages under Ground, to escape (if possible) the Guards appointed to beset his House: but, seeing no means to avoid them, he took Poison, which he always wore about him (some say, in the Pommel of his Sword) and died in the seventieth Year of his Age. His Body was buried near Libyssa (which he from the Oracle mistook for Libya) only with this Inscription; HERE LIES HANNIBAL.  Strange labyrinths under Ground, to shun the Snare  
But all in Vain, declining Fortune made  
Traitors of nearest Friends, and he's betrayed  
In all, that he designs. Armed Troops enclose  
His House, and stop his Way wherever he goes.  
But his Resolved Mind 'bove Fortune stands,  
And still reserves his Fate in his Own Hands.  
Though now betrayed He is, and left by all,  
He's still so great, that none can Hannibal,  
But Hannibal, destroy. And, to prevent  
Surprise, into a secret place he went,  
Where, first the Gods accused, and Hanno's Pride,  
(That to his growing Conquests Aid denied)  
The Syrians Folly, and base Prusias last  
Perfidious Act (which all the rest surpassed  
In Infamy) with Execrations blamed,  
The Aid of his Great Father's Spirit he claimed:  
And a dire Poison (without farther Pause)  
More Fierce than that, which, from the raging Jaws  
Of Cerberus, upon Earth's Bosom fell,  
When Great Alcides dragged him chained from Hell,  
He swallows down. This baneful Drug, before  
Prepared by a Massylian Witch, he wore  
Locked on his Sword, which, if that chanced to fail,  
Might, as his surer Destiny, prevail  
Against all Humane Force: and, as he found  
It seized his Vitals by an Inward Wound,  
He these last Words expired. Now lay aside  
Thy Fears (O Rome) no more will I thy Pride  
Oppose, but with this Satisfaction Die,  
That, thus Degenerate, Thyself, will't my  
Revenge effect. Not Arms, but Virtue made  
Thy Father's Great; which since in Thee decayed,  
Thy Ruin must ensue. They, Nobly, scorned  
By Treason to destroy a Foe, and warned  

(y) Fabricius advertized Pyrrhus (after he had given a signal Overthrow to the Romans) of the Treachery of his Physician, who for a sum of Money offered to Poison Him. Plutarch in the Life of Pyrrhus.  The Epirot of Poison, when he stood  
Armed at their Gates, and Triumphed in their Blood.  
But Me, oppressed with Fortune, and my Years,  
Betrayed a feeble Victim to thy Fears,  
A Cons'lar Legate forceth thus to fly  
From Life, against Laws of Hospitality,  
And a King's Faith. But this vile Stain (O Rome)  
More lasting, than thy Trophies, shall become:  
And, when thy Deeds in War, in future Time,  
The World shall read, thy Glories this one Crime  
Shall blast, and all account Thee from my Fall  
Unworthy such a Foe, as Hannibal.  
More He'd have said, but through his swelling Veins  
Death creeps, and binds in Adamantine Chains  
The Spirits of Life, which with this Language ends:  
His Soul to other Heroes Ghosts descends.  
FINIS.   

Errata in Silius Italicus.  
Pag. 2. In the Margin (c) for there sharp Wars, read three sharp. etc. ibid. v. 19 for with a Buls-hide r. which, etc. p. 13. v. 1●, r. Phocaan, ib. Margin (p) r. Phoc●is. p. 24. Margin (a) r. would have it on. etc. ib. Marg. (c) r. Pyrrhus King of Epire. ib. v. 15. r. gins. p. 42, v. 9 r. Quit, p. 44. v. 27. r. Offering with the Infernal Priestess, there. p. 45. v. 11, r. then in for through, etc. p. 85. v. 10. r. Lap. lib. 7. Argument r. Romans, p. 1●6. v. 1●. r. He, p. 191. v. 15. r. Our buisiness, p. 194, v. 9, r. run, p. 201. v. 19 r. with Lies, ib. v. 26, r. then, p. 210. v. 4, r. who, ib. v. 1● r. Him, p. 238, v. 12. r. his Looks, p. 280. v. 2●. r. wild. p. 302, Marg. (f) r. sent two Armies, p. 306, Marg. (g) r. which was the Judgement given against Hora●●u● for killing his Sister, by K. Tullus. p. 323, v. 3, r. sprung, p. 324, v. 29, r. who, I. etc. p. 330. v. 30, r. Rest, p. 336. v. 1. r. thou, p. 348, v. 3. r. r. the Valour● p. 372, Marg. r. Siege, p. 373, Marg. r. as my Bones, p. 385, Marg. (q) r. New games, p. 387. v. 30, r. Is Cesar, p. 416. v. 1. r. then so by Maladies, p. 419, v. 5. r. thy Idèas, p. 426, v. 20, r. winding Creeks, p. 445, v. 22, r. the fierce Cantab. p. 437, v. 21, r. He Gala, p. 446. v. 20. r. whose lofty folds, ib. v. 28, r. Fold, p. 490, v. 33, r. my Flames I, p. 496, v. 23, r. thy Entreaty.   

Errata for t● Continuation.  
Pag. 2. The English Verses are immediately to follow the Latin ●iz. Hinc albi, Clitumne, greges. then follows. But this virtue vanishing, etc. p. 6. v. 14. r. Resentment. p. 10. Marg. K● r. ●0. and 200. p. 33. v. 3. r. Whosoever. p. 36. v. 16. ●r. Flight. p. 39 v. 24. r. Then● p. 40. v. 19 r. Mighty. p. 41. v. 9 ●r. That. p. 44. v. 24. r. a loss p ●. v. 9 r. Gods. p. 72. v. 3. r. Pamphilica●.