The Poetical Works of Thomas Gray

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1853. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... TRANSLATIONS AND IMITATIONS. STATIUS. THEB. ilB. VI. VER. 704--724. Third in the labours of the disc came on, With sturdy step and slow, Hippomedon; Artful and strong he poised the well-known weight By Phlegyas warn'd, and fired by Mnestheus' fate, That to avoid, and this to emulate. His vigorous arm he tried before he flung, Braced all his nerves, and every sinew strung; Then, with a tempest's whirl, and wary eye, Pursued his cast, and hurl'd the orb on high: The orb on high tenacious of its course, True to the mighty arm that gave it force, 24* 281 Far overleaps all bound, and joys to see Its ancient lord secure of victory. The theatre's green height and woody wall Tremble ere it precipitates its fall; The ponderous mass sinks in the cleaving ground, While vales and woods and echoing hills rebound. As when from .ZEtna's smoking summit broke, The eyeless Cyclops heaved the craggy rock; Where Ocean frets beneath the dashing oar. And parting surges round the vessel roar; 'Twas there he aim'd the meditated harm, And scarce Ulysses scaped his giant arm. A tiger's pride the victor bore away, With native spots and artful labour gay, A shining border round the margin roll'd, And calm'd the terrors of his claws in gold. Cambridge, May 8, 1736. .- TASSO GERUS. LIB. CANT. XIV. ST. 32. " Preser commiato, e si '1 desio gli sprona," &c. Dismiss'd at length, they break through all delay To tempt the dangers of the doubtful way; And first to Ascalon their steps they bend, Whose walls along the neighbouring sea extend, Nor yet in prospect rose the distant shore; Scarce the hoarse waves from far were heard to roar, When thwart the road a river roll'd its flood Tempestuous, and all further course withstood; The torrent stream his ancient bounds disdains, ...