Nor let the monster Calumny shoot forth my fire TO SALSILLUS, A ROMAN POET, The original is written in a measure called Scazon, which fignifies limping, and the measure is so denominated, because, though in other respects Iambic, it terminates with a Spondee, and has, confequently, a more tardy movement. The reader will immediately fee that this property of the Latin verse cannot be imitated in English. Y halting Muse, that dragg'st by choice along Thy flow, flow step, in melancholy fong, And likeft that pace, expreffive of thy cares, When in the dance fhe beats with measured tread Prefers, with partial love, fuch lays as mine. Thus writes that Milton, then, who, wafted o'er From his own neft on Albion's stormy fhore, Where Eurus, fierceft of the Æolian band, Sweeps with ungovern'd rage the blasted land, Of late to more ferene Aufonia came To view her cities of illuftrious name, Το prove, himself a witness of the truth, How wife her elders, and how learn'd her youth. Much good, Salfillus! and a body free From all disease, that Milton asks for thee, Who now endureft the languor and the pains By thy fweet Roman voice and Lesbian air! Amid the shade of dark embowering trees, His loved Ægeria, fhall that strain admire : TO GIOVANNI BATTISTA MANSO, MARQUIS OF VILLA. Milton's Account of Manso. Giovanni Battista Manfo, Marquis of Villa, is an Italian nobleman of the highest estimation among his countrymen, for genius, literature, and military accomplishments. To him Torquato Taffo addressed his Dialogues on Friendship, for he was much the friend of Taffo, who has alfo celebrated him among the other princes of his country, in his poem entitled, Gerusalemme Conquistata, book xx. Fra cavalieri magnanimi, e cortefi, During the Author's stay at Naples he received at the hands of the Marquis a thousand kind offices and civilities, and, defirous not to appear ungrateful, fent him this poem a short time before his departure from that city. HESE verses also to thy praise, the Nine, Oh Manfo! happy in that theme, defign, For, Gallus and Mæcenas gone, they fee None fuch befides, or whom they love as thee ; And if my verse may give the meed of fame, Thine too fhall prove an everlasting name. Already fuch, it fhines in Taffo's page (For thou waft Taffo's friend) from age to age, And, next, the Mufe confign'd (not unaware How high the charge) Marino to thy care, Who, finging to the nymphs Adonis' praise, Boafts thee the patron of his copious lays. To thee alone the poet would entrust I, therefore, though a stranger youth, who come Chill'd by rude blasts that freeze my northern home, Thee dear to Clio, confident proclaim, And thine, for Phoebus' fake, a deathlefs name. We too, where Thames with his unfullied waves Who trod, a welcome gueft, your happy fhore. Yes, dreary as we own our northern clime, |