Classic Poem

Translated from Mons r Corneille.

The Persons of the Play.

Tullus King of Rome
Old Horace A Roman Knight.
Horace His Son
Curiace A Gentlem n of Alba in Love w th Camilla.
Valerius A Roman knight in Love w th Camilla.
Sabina Wife of Horace, Sister of Curiace.
Camilla Sister of Horace, & Mistress of Curiace.
Julia A Roman Lady, confident of Sabina, & Camilla.
Flavian An Alban Souldier
Proculus A Roman Souldier

The Scene, in the house of Horace in Rome

Prologue to Horace, spoken by the Dutches of Munmouth at Court .

When Honour flourish'd ere for price 'twas sold
When Rome was poor, and undebauch'd with gold,
That vertue which should to the world give Law
First under Kings, its Infant breath did draw:
And Horace , who, his Soveraigns Champion fought
Its first example to republiques taught.
Honour and Love, the Poets dear delight,
The field in which all Modern Muses fight;
Where gravely Rhyme, debates what's just and fit,
And seeming contradictions pass for witt
Here in their native purity first grew,
Ere they th'Adulterate arts of Stages knew.
This Martial story, which through France did come,
And there was wrought in great Corneille 's loom
Orinda's matchless Muse to Britain brought,
And Forreign Verse, our English Accents taught;
So soft that to our shame, we understand,
They could not fall, but from a Ladies hand.
Thus while a Woman, Horace did translate,
Horace did rise a bove a Roman Fate
And by our Ladies he mounts higher yet,
While he is spoke above, what he is writ
But his triumphant Honours, are to come
When, mighty Prince, he must receive your Doom;
From all besides our Actors have no fear,
Censure, and Witt, are beauties Vassals here.
And should they with Rebellion, tempt their rage,
Our Basilisks, could shout 'em from the Stage!
But that their Fate, would be too great to dye,
By bright Sabina's , or Camillas Eye.

Translated from Mons r. Corneille.

The Persons of the Play.

Tullus King of Rome.
Old Horace A Roman Knight.
Horace His Son.
Curiace A Gentlem n of Alba in Love w th Camilla.
Valerius A Roman knight in Love w th Camilla.
Sabina Wife of Horace, Sister of Curiace.
Camilla Sister of Horace, & Mistress of Curiace.
Julia A Roman Lady, confident of Sabina, & Camilla.
Flavian An Alban Souldier.
Proculus A Roman Souldier.

The Scene, in the house of Horace in Rome

Prologue to Horace, spoken by the Dutches of Munmouth at Court .

When Honour flourish'd ere for price 'twas sold
When Rome was poor, and undebauch'd with gold,
That vertue which should to the world give Law
First under Kings, its Infant breath did draw:
And Horace , who, his Soveraigns Champion fought
Its first example to republiques taught.
Honour and Love, the Poets dear delight,
The field in which all Modern Muses fight;
Where gravely Rhyme, debates what's just and fit,
And seeming contradictions pass for witt.
Here in their native purity first grew,
Ere they th'Adulterate arts of Stages knew,
This Martial story, which through France did come,
And there was wrought in great Corneille 's loom
Orinda's matchless Muse to Britain brought,
And Forreign Verse, our English Accents taught;
So soft that to our shame, we understand,
They could not fall, but from a Ladies hand.
Thus while a Woman, Horace did translate,
Horace did rise a bove a Roman Fate.
And by our Ladies he mounts higher yet,
While he is spoke above, what he is writ.
But his triumphant Honours, are to come
When, mighty Prince, he must receive your Doom;
From all besides our Actors have no fear,
Censure, and Witt, are beauties Vassals here.
And should they with Rebellion, tempt their rage,
Our Basilisks, could shout 'em from the Stage!
But that their Fate, would be too great to dye,
By bright Sabina's , or Camillas Eye.