likewise called Pallene, and gave occasion to the Fable of the Gyants fight, from the wickedness of the Inhabitants. 8. According to Homers ordinary Epithete of Apollo, 'Apyvpótožos, Silverbow'd. 9. I. Αὐτὸν μὲν ἐν εἰρήνᾳ τὸν ἅπαντα χρόνον σχερῷ Ησυχίαν καμάτων μεγάλων ποινὰν λαχόντα ἐξαίροντα Ολβίοις ἐν δώμασι δεξάμενον θαλερὰν Ηβαν ἄκοιτιν Καὶ γάμον δαίσαντα πὰρ Διὶ Κρονίδᾳ Σεμνὸν αἰνήσειν δόμον. Ipsum vero in pace omne tempus deinceps acturum, tranquillitatem magnorum laborum præmium eximium consequutum, receptâ in beatis ædibus Hebe conjuge florente, & nuptiis celebratis in domo Jovis venerandi quam ipse admiratione videret. 2. The Names of Constellations, so called first by the Poets, and since retained by the Astronomers. They might be frighted by Hercules, because he was the famous Monster-Killer. I The Praise of Pindar. In Imitation of Horace his second Ode, B. 4. Pindarum quisquis studet æmulari, &c. I. Indar is imitable by none; The Phoenix Pindar is a vast Species alone. Who e're but Dedalus with waxen wings could fly And neither sink too low, nor soar too high? What could he who follow'd claim, But of vain boldness the unhappy fame, And by his fall a Sea to name ? Like a swoln Flood from some steep Mountain pours along, From his enlarged Mouth, as drowns the Oceans noise. 2. So Pindar does new Words and Figures roul 2 Whether th' Immortal Gods he sings 3 Or the great Acts of God-descended Kings, Which their triumphant Brows around, 4 Does all their starry Diadems outshine. 3. Whether at Pisa's race he please 1 To carve in polisht Verse the Conquerors Images, 4 Such mournful, and such pleasing words, As joy to his Mothers and his Mistress grief affords : He bids him Live and Grow in fame, Among the Stars he sticks his Name: The Grave can but the Dross of him devour, So small is Deaths, so great the Poets power. [1] 4. Lo, how th'obsequious Wind, and swelling Ayr Does with weak unballast wings, About the Gardens painted Beds, Like the laborious Bee, And there with Humble Sweets contents her Industrie. NOTES. I. I. Indar was incredibly admired and honoured among the Ancients, even to that degree that we may believe, they saw more in him than we do now: Insomuch, that long after his death, when Thebes was quite burnt and destroyed (by the Lacedemonians and by Alexander the Great) both times the House wherein he had lived was alone preserved by publick Authority, as a place sacred and inviolable. Among the very many Elogies of him, I will only cite that of Quinctilian (than whom no man perhaps ever living was a better Judge) L. 1o. c. I. Novem Lyricorum longe Pindarus princeps, spiritus magnificentiâ, sententiis, figuris beatissimus, rerum verborúmq; copia & velut quodam eloquentiæ flumine, propter quæ Horatius nemini credit eum imitabilem. Where he applys Horace his similitudes of a River to his Wit; but it is such a River, as when Poetical Fury, Tanquam fera diluvies quietum And like the rest of that description of the River, Nunc pace delabentis Hetruscum Clamore vicinaq; silvæ. For which reason, I term his Song Unnavigable; for it is able to drown any Head that is not strong built and well ballasted. Horace in another place calls it a Fountain; from the unexhausted abundance of his Invention. 2. I. There are none of Pindars Dithyrambiques extant. Dithyrambiques were Hymns made in honour of Bacchus, who did, dis eis Oúpav åvaßaivew, c[o]me into the world through two Doors, his Mother Semeles Womb, and his Father Jupiters Thigh. Others think, that Dithyrambus was the name of a Theban Poet, who invented that kind of Verse, which others also attribute to Arion. Pindar himself in the 13. Olymp. seems to give the Invention to the Corinthians. Ταὶ Διονύσου πόθεν ἐξεφάναν σὺν βοηλάτα χάριτες Διθυράμβῳ. Unde Bacchi exortæ sunt venustates cum Boves agente Dithyrambo. For it seems an Ox was given in reward to the Poet; but others interpret Bonλárv Tapà Thν ẞony, from the loud repeating or singing of them. It was a bold, free, enthusiastical kind of Poetry, as of men inspired by Bacchus, that is, Half-Drunk, from whence came the Greek Proverb. And another, Διθυραμβοποιῶν νοῦν ἔχεις ἐλάττονα. You are as mad as a Dithyrambique Poet. Οὐκ ἐστὶ Διθύραμβος ἂν ὕδωρ πίνῃ. There are no Dithyrambiques made by drinking water. Something like this kind (but I believe with less Liberty) is Horace his 19. Ode of the 2. B. Bacchum in remotis carmina rupibus Vidi docentem, &c. And neerer yet to it comes his 25. Ode of the 4. B. Quo me Bacche rapis tui plenum? quæ nemora, aut quos agor in specus, Velox mente nová? For he is presently half-mad, and promises I know not what, Dicam insigne recens, Indictum ore alio. And, And then he ends like a man ranting in his drink, that falls suddenly asleep. [2.] Banks, natural; Dikes, artificial. It will neither be bounded and circumscribed by Nature, nor by Art. 3. Almost all the ancient Kings to make themselves more venerable to their subjects, derived their pedigree from some God, but at last that would not content them, and they made themselves Gods, as some of the Roman Emperours. 4. Diadems (which were used by the ancient Kings, as Crowns are now, for the Mark of Royalty, and were much more convenient) were bindings of white Ribban about the head, set and adorned with precious stones; which is the reason I call them Starry Diadems. The word comes and Toû diadeîv, To bind about. I. 3. The Conquerours in the Olympique Games, were not only Crowned with a Garland of Wild-Olive, but also had a Statue erected to them. 2. The chief Exercises there were Running, Leaping, Wrestling, the Discus, which was the casting of a great round Stone, or Ball, made of Iron or Brass; The Cestus, or Whorle-bats, Horse-Races, and Chariot-Races. 3. For he wrote Threni; or Funeral Elegies: but they are all lost, as well as his Hymns, Tragedies, Encomia, and several other works. 4. So Hor. 1. 4. Od. 25. Stellis inserere, & concilio Jovis. I. From the Fabulous, but universally received Tradition of Swans singing most sweetly before their Death (though the truth is Geese and They are alike melodious) the Poets have assumed to themselves the title of Swans, Hor. 1. 2. Od. 20. would be believed to be Metamorphosed into one, Jam, jam, residunt cruribus aspera Pelles, & album mutor in alitem Supernè (or Superna) nascunturq; leves Per digitos humerósq; pluma. The Anthologie gives the same name to Pindar, Θήβης ὠγυγίης Ελικώνιος ἵστατο κύκνος, Πίνδαρος ἱμερόpwvos. Sweet-tongued Pindar the Heliconian Swan of Thebes. So Virgil is called, Mantuanus olor, The Swan of Mantua; Theocritus terms the Poets, Mover oprites, The Birds of the Muses; which the Commentators say, is in allusion to Swans; to which Callimachus gives the name of Movσáwv oproes; and in another place calls them, 'Aπ6\\wvos wapédpoɩ. A bold word, which Í know not how to render: but they were consecrated to Apollo, and consequently beloved by the Muses and Poets. The Resurrection. I. Ot Winds to Voyagers at Sea, No Nor Showers to Earth more necessary be, And when it dyes, with comely pride Till Heaven it self shall melt away, 2. Begin the Song, and strike the Living Lyre; Lo how the Years to come, a numerous and well-fitted Quire, All hand in hand do decently advance, And to my Song with smooth and equal measures dance. [1] Whilst the dance lasts, how long so e're it be, My Musicks voyce shall bear it companie. Till all gentle Notes be drown'd In the last Trumpets dreadful sound. [2] That to the Spheres themselves shall silence bring, Untune the Universal String. Then all the wide extended Sky, And all th'harmonious Worlds on high, And Virgils sacred work shall dy. 3 And he himself shall see in one Fire shine I Rich Natures ancient Troy, though built by Hands Divine. 3. Whom Thunders dismal noise, And all that Prophets and Apostles louder spake, When Dead t'arise, And open Tombs, and open Eyes |