JUVENA L. THE SATIRE VIII. ARGUMENT. In this Satire, the poet proves that nobility does not confift in ftatues and pedigrees, but in honourable and good actions: He lafhes Rubellius Plancus, for being infolent, by reafon of his high birth; and lays down an inftance that we ought to make the like judgment of men, as we do of horses, who are valued rather according to their perfonal qualities, than by the race of whence they come. He advises his noble friend Ponticus (to whom he dedicates the fatire) to lead a virtuous life, dissuading him from debauchery, luxury, oppreffion, cruelty, and other vices, by his fevere cenfures on Lateranus, Damafippus, Gracchus, Nero, Catiline; and in oppofition to thefe, difplays the worth of perfons meanly born, fuch as Cicero, Marius, Servius Tullius, and the Decii. The tranflator of this fatire industriously avoided impofing upon the reader, and perplexing the printer with tedious common-place notes; but finding towards the latter end many examples of noblemen who difgraced their ancestors by vicious practices, and of men meanly born, who ennobled their families by virtuous and brave actions, he thought fome hiftori cal relations were necessary towards rendering those inftances more intelligible; which is all he pretends to to by his remarks. He would gladly have left out the heavy paffage of the Mirmillo and Retiarius, which he honeftly confesses he either does not rightly understand, or cannot fufficiently explain. If he has not confined himself to the ftrict rules of tranflation, but has frequently taken the liberty of imitating, paraphrafing, or reconciling the Roman cuftoms to our modern ufage; he hopes this freedom is pardonable, fince he has not used it but when he found the original flat, obfcure, or defective; and where the humour and connection of the author might naturally allow of fuch a change.. W HAT's the advantage, or the real good, In tracing from the fource our antient blood? To have our ancestors in paint or stone, Preferv'd as relicks, or like monsters fhewn? The brave Æmilii, as in triumph plac'd, The virtuous Curii, half by time defac'd; Corvinus, with a mouldering nose, that bears Injurious fcars, the fad effects of years; And Galba grinning without nofe or ears? Vain are their hopes, who fancy to inherit By trees of pedigrees, or fame, or merit : } Though plodding heralds through each branch may trace And grieve the brass which stands dishonour'd by. Their progeny immortal ftatues raife, Yet Yet (far from that old gallantry) delight Live therefore well: to men and gods appear, A you do; Rome Rome for your fake fhall push her conquests on, And bring new titles home from nations won, To dignify fo eminent a fon. With your bleft name fhall every region found, Loud as mad Egypt, when her priefts have found A new Ofiris for the ox they drown'd. But who will call thofe noble, who deface, Is couch'd in the dead letters of their name? To whom is this advice and cenfure due? "Who know not from what corner of the earth "The obfcure wretch, who got you, ftole his birth: "Mine I derive from Cecrops"-May your Grace Live and enjoy the fplendor of your race!. Yet of these base plebeians we have known The cause of an unlearned noble friend; Great Son of Troy, who ever prais'd a beaft But rather meant his courage, and his force? Who wins moft plates with greatest ease, and first } The |