Short Poems

M OLLIS erat facilisque uiris Poeantius heros:
Uolnera sic Paridis dicitur ulta Venus.
Cur lingat cunnum Siculus Sertorius, hoc est:
Ab hoc occisus, Rufe, uidetur Eryx.

A THING , I am told, happened yesterday night,
Which I cannot approve, for I don't think it right
I'm informed you received such a tempest of knocks
As the pantaloon gets when they play Box and Cox.
And, what's more surprising, folk now are repeating
'Twas Caecilius gave you that most unkind beating.
You declare it's not true; and I hope it as well,
But the fellow has witnesses, so people tell.

O BATHING man, I like your plan
Of counting, for I heard
Stout Spatale was charged as three,
And paid without a word.

S UBDOLA famosae moneo fuge retia moechae,
Leuior o conchis, Galle, Cytheriacis.
Confidis natibus? Non est pedico maritus:
Quae faciat duo sunt: irrumat aut futuit.

Paul reads as his own all the poems he buys.
Well, all that he pays for is his, I surmise.

The Day has come:
Prophets and seers foretold it, — greatest day;
All secrets of this life to be exposed,
All prisoners and slaves to be released,
All darkness banished and all discord healed, —
Old time is ripe for this, and earth and Heaven
Wait with expectant ear and eye the call.

REST ON SWORD .

Rejected , — H E who came to save,
Despised , — the Lord of all,
Embittered in H IS very grave
With wormwood and with gall:
A man of sorrows, and acquaint
With grief's most agonizing plaint.

SIR KNIGHT, KNEEL .

Knee , in worship at the throne
Where E MMANUEL rules alone,
And the service of the tongue ,
By celestial chorus sung, —
" Glory in the highest be,
Peace, good will eternally! "

ENVOI

O daring travelers of the blast,
Saw ye the heavenly band
That bade their Italy stand fast?
Shall they not to her hand
Send all the strength of all the Past
To save your Holy Land?

A wit most worthy in tryed Gold to shine,
Immortal Gold! had he sung the divine
Praise of his Maker: to whom he preferr'd
Obscene, vile fancies, and prophanely marr'd
A rich, rare stile with sinful, lewd contents;
No otherwise, then if with Instruments
Of polish'd Ivory, some drudge should stir
A dirty sink, & c . —