POETRY.
I.
FAIN would I, Censorinus, send Rich cups and bronzes to each friend, Or tripods such as Grecians gave To athlete strong or warrior brave, Were such things mine,—the best to you That Scopas carved, Parrhasins drew, Skilful from stone or liquid dye To image man or deity.
Thou lack'st not such : thine ample store, And simple wishes, crave no more :— Thou lovest Song : that gift receive, And learn the worth of what I give.
Not legends sculptured on the urn By grateful nations, words that barn A new-born spirit., a second life, Through the dead victors of the strife ;— Not Hannibal's swift flight, not all His threats hurled back 'neath Zama's wall ;— Not impious Carthage robed in flame,— More loudly sound that hero's fame Who won from Africa a name Than strains our Roman Ennius sung Calabria's crags and peaks among.
III..
Unguerdoned in the silent tomb The Just would sleep if scrolls were dumb, Great Romulus forgotten lie Unsung by sacred Poesy.
A virtuous life, a People's praise, A Poet's consecrating lays, Gave CEacus a hallowed rest In the rich islands of the blest.
iv.
The loving Muse wills not to die A soul of true nobility ; From death she bids the Hero rise, And crowns him in eternal skies.
Thus Hercules 'mid realms above Quaffs nectar at the feasts of Jove : Thus Leda's sons, a double star Glittering benignant from afar, Command the troubled waves to sleep And snatch the drowned ship from the deep : Thus Bacchus with vine-circled brow Propitious speeds the suppliant's vow.
STEPHEN E. DE VERE.
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