Viewing page 261 of 285

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

212  ANNUAL REGISTER For the YEAR 1772.  213

Self-interest grew, increasing vice prevail'd;
Prosperity her heavy eye-lids seal'd;
And she who rose in arms and virtue great, 
Sunk the vast prey of luxory and fate. 
"Twas then security: --a deadly guest,
First stood beneath her Capital confess'd:
"Romans (she cry'd) enough of war is pass'd, 
"Let peace your happy altars bless at last:
"Commerce and rich Abundance both are mine. 
"I give the Earth to smile, the Sun to shine!
"Safe in my guardian care yourselves repose, 
"Rome is too great to dread the name of foes; 
"Her's be the sweets of riches and of ease! 
"Queen of the Earth and empress of the seas!"
Had Asia's sons such sophistry believ'd,
No wonder if th' impostress had deceiv'd!
But when such sounds deluded Rome could hear, 
Rome! that deriv'd her Majesty from war!
What blushes, Mars, must have obscur'd thy face?
To see the shame of thy degenerate race!

Yet see, how sooth'd by these inchanting arts,
The curs'd contagion spreads thro' Roman hearts!
A feeble frontier show'd her waining pow'r,
Arms were forgot, and Glory was no more!
Her Tribunes in the Senate chose to jar, 
Security awak'd domestic war:
No more her Consuls rose in Virtue great,
wealth nurs'd Ambition; and Ambition State;
To rise to Honours by the purchas'd voice,
Or make some distant Government their choice;
Where the proud Prætor might the nations fleece,
And glean the spoils of Asia and of Greece!
These were the arts the Roman Youth were taught,
To buy, then fell the venal herd they bought:
Those Limbs each manly exercise disdain'd,
Now Vice enfeebled, and Dishonour slain'd;
Then foreign Eunuchs from the Memphian shore,
Imported rites obscene, unknown before.
And Virtue, guardian of the Roman state,
Averse withdrew:--and left the rest to Fate! 

The Veteran, then in arms untaught to yield, 
If pensive as he cross'd the Martian Field;
From the lewd sons of wantonness and ease,
Was forc'd to hear satyric taunts like these:
"Go, useless Warrior! hide that batter'd face,
"Thy looks the Roman elegance disgrace!
"Peace, and her softer arts our manners suit,
"What is the soldier but a fighting Brute?
"War is no more!--we know no hostile land!
"The beardless boy our legions may command;
"With harmless pomp their ensigns now may flow!
"What is an army paid for, but for show?
"Go bear thy murmurs to the Thracian shore,
"Where discord reigns, and waves eternal roar;
"There to the savage natives point thy fears!
"And teach Barbarians all thy boasted wars;
"Recount thy deeds, relate thy tedious fight,
"We want not to be valiant--but polite!
"Or hast thou got a hoard of Punic gold?
"Go buy a Post, --for Posts are to be sold?
"Else--glad obey the Stripling you despise.
"This is no age, my Friend, for you to rise!"

The Roman now, who once with scorn could view
The pomp of Kings, himself as sumptuous grew!
Then first prevail'd Magnificence to Dress.
And Luxury was heighten'd to excess.
To please her Taste, and spread her costly Board,
Each Clime was plundered, and each Sea explor'd;

In early days that bless'd the Roman state,
'Twas virtuous Poverty confirm'd her great:
But now Security has wrought her bane, 
And Wealth and Pride have darken'd all the scene;
As sordid Interest sways, your Passions move,
And Av'rice has expell'd the Public Love!
No Nation now can on your Faith rely, 
When all is sold--your Idol Gold can buy!

If truth a Quintus or a Decius praise, 
You cry, "Such patterns suit not modern days!
"Those simple manners Sabines might become, 
"But ill befit the Majesty of Rome!
"A mere chimera is the Patriot's name,
"Ambition be out guide! and Wealth our aim!
"Riches each happy quality include, 
"Wit, Courage, Learning, Honesty, and Blood. 
"And he whom Lands or Pow'r distinguish great,
"Has all the Virtues useful to the State."
Thus Public Good, by Private Int'rest sway'd,
Neglected pin'd,--and dwindled to a shade;
Corruption as it gain'd the venal post,
Strove of its Bargain still to make the most;
Av'rice the wealthy Province chose her prey,
Exaction, Rapine, liv'd beneath her sway;
And the lax sinews of a feeble state,
Were marks of Rome's inevitable fate.

O Rome! who in the glory's cloudless morn,
Couldst view the Tyrants of the Earth with scorn!

When
P 3

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-05-21 20:17:36 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-05-22 09:29:58