And grant that 3 Appius would reject my Plea, Since from a Father fprung, who was not free; (And justly, fince 4 I chose not to remain In my own Sphere) yet Glory in her Chain Drags both the noble and the vulgar Crew Behind her fhining Chariot---What to you, 5 Tillius, avail'd it, that again you wore Your Robe, and Tribunitial Honours bore? Hence Envy rofe, which in a private State Was lefs---When one is chosen to the Weight Of Senatorial Duty, all enquire
Who is this Senator, and what his Sire?" For as the Fop, who ftudies to compare With beauteous 6 Barrus, and be thought as fair, Will hear the Girls enquire, in every Place, What are his Teeth, his Hair, his Legs, his Face; So, if you fwear to guard, with watchful Eye, The Roman People, City, Italy,
And Temples of the Gods, all seek to know If you your Birth to vulgar Parents owe. Shall a Slave's Son from the Tarpeian Hill Presume to throw, or bid the Lictor kill A free-born Roman? But you fay,' To Me Novius, my Collegue, yields by one Degree: He and my Sire are just as mean by Birth.' This then, you think, will give you equal Worth With nobleft 7 Senators---But in the Street Should Cars two hundred, and three Funerals meet, Novius,
Novius, you know, would raise his Voice more loud Than Trumpets, Horns, and all the jarring Crowd. This by the Vulgar high Renown is deem'd, And no Accomplishment is more esteem'd. To my own Story now again attend, Whom all, because Mecenas is my Friend, Now view with Looks of Envy, as before, Because a 8 Roman Tribune's Charge I bore. Far different this. My Station might, indeed, With fpecious Plea the Flame of Envy feed; Not fo your Friendship. You with that, 'tis known, (Such is your Care) the worthless never crown, And scorn Intruders---No one can pretend, That Fortune's Favour gave me such a Friend. Virgil long fince, then Varius too declar'd My Character---And when I first appear'd Before you, short and faultering was my Speech, (For Modesty an Infant's Part will teach,) I never faid that round my Fields I rode
On ambling Steed, and no great Lineage show'd; But told who I was. you You little faid, As usual---I departed---But obey'd,
In nine Months time, your Summons to attend, From thence diftinguish'd by the Name of Friend: Proud that difcerning Judgment to delight, Which nicely marks the Bounds of Wrong and Not by a noble Birth, but worthy Mind. [Right, If, fave fome leffer Faults, you in me find.
No grand Defects, (as, in the fairest Face, Some Moles, fome Pimples, we perchance may If I with Justice can the Charge deny
Of fordid Manners, Luft, Debauchery; And if, (to praise myself,) by many a Friend I live belov'd, nor knowingly offend, Thanks to the Prudence of my Sire I owe: Though fmall his Farm, he chofe not I should go To Flavius' School, where great Centurions fent Their Sons, who with their Slates and Pencils went, And Satchel cramm'd with Books, and could ac-
How high would Intereft every Month amount. To Rome itself he boldly brought his Boy, Such Studies to purfue, as might employ The Sons of Knights or Senators; and those, Who faw my Drefs and Servants, might fuppofe That from an ancient Family Estate,
I drew Supplies for an Expence fo great. Himself, the best of Tutors, kept his Eye O'er all my Teachers, and was ever nigh. Hence Modefty I learn'd, the very Grace Of Virtue: Hence I learn'd, of all that's base To be in Thought no less than Action clear: Nor did he from the World Reproaches fear, Because he taught his Son no gainful Trade, Nor, like himself, a Tax-Collector made.
Hence from my Tongue (Complaints apart) must The grateful 10 Praises I fo juftly owe; [flow Nor fhall I, while my Mind is found, lament My Birth, though mean, or of my Sire repent, Or urge in my Behalf that vulgar Plea,
That though my Parents were not rich or free, 'Twas not my Fault---Opinions I retain, Quite the reverse: For could paft Years again Return, and might we other Parents chuse, Contented with my own, I would refuse Those whom the Confulfhip and Ivory Seat Adorn; fure from each vulgar Tongue to meet Reproach; but not from yours, that I a State So high decline, unequal to the Weight. Far greater Riches I should then require, Muft make more Friends, and more Attendants hire; Never must move without a servile Train; Chariots must purchase, Slaves and Steeds maintain. Now to 11 Tarentum, when I please, I ride On a cropp'd Mule; 12 my Spurs indent her Side, My Wallet galls her Back; yet I disclaim Avarice, like that, which all. in Tillius blame, When he, though Prator, on the Road five Boys, To bear his Wine and Utenfils, employs.
Hence, noble Senator, I tafte more Ease Than you and thoufands more-Where'er I please Alone I walk; the Price of Barley know, Or Herbs; 13 to the deceitful Circus go
At Evening Hours, or through the Forum roam, And hear the Augurs; then returning home, Sup on Leek-Broth, and with delicious 14 Beet Regale; three Boys attend me while I eat. My Marble Slab a Beaker and a Brace Of Glaffes holds: Next stands a vulgar Vase, A Bafon and a Cup, Campanian Ware. I then to Bed retire, devoid of Care, Since in the Morn I need not early rife
To vifit 15 Marfyas, whofe difdainful Eyes Scarce bear the younger Novius in their Sight. 16 'Till ten I lie. When dress'd, walk forth, or write,
Or with a Book my leisure Hours beguile. Then for the Games anoint; not with that Oyl Of which the Lamps vile 17 Natta us'd to cheat---7 The Martian Field, or Tennis, forc'd by Heat, 18 Glad I forfake, and to the Bath retreat. I with a flight Repaft my Stomach stay, Trifling at Home the Afternoon away.
19 Such are the idle Comforts that I fhare; But free from all the Weight of public Care, More happy am I in this humble State,
Than if my Sire had fill'd the 20 Quæftor's Seat.
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