PALESTRA MUSARUM. I. TRAGIC IAMBIC AND TROCHAIC METRES. 1. A GAIN more precious than a friend is none. Many are table friends, not friends of truth. Shun not a friend who lies in evil case. Friend to thyself too much, thou'lt have no friend. 2. Time is the test of friends, as fire of gold. For wife and friend must toil be undergone. The praise of friends speak rather than thine own. 3. Fortune bestows on some, and takes from others. Consider all misfortunes common stock. Good reputation choose rather than wealth. A lucky chance is living without sorrow. 4. Human affairs have many transmutations. How easily do splendid fortunes fall! Trample not on the helpless: fortune's common. The prosperous man has need to think on God. 5. Deem gain a gain, provided it be just; Dishonest gains produce calamities. Life's noblest property is education; Who knows not letters sees not when he sees. 6. 'Tis time alone displays the righteous man. Virtue is the most powerful arm to mortals. 7. In anger no man safely counselleth. Thou art mortal, cherish not immortal wrath. 8. An upright nature knows not to do wrong. To men right-minded, heavenly things are awful. 10. Earth beareth all things and again receiveth. Ease will not feed poor men that do not work. 12. An inconsiderate man is caught by pleasure. Twice to commit the same fault marks the unwise. God doth not close his ear to righteous prayer. 13. The man who is not scourged will not be taught. Sweet are the uses of adversity. The master is the one slave of the house. 14. Facient malorum te malum consortia. Hominem malignum ne viæ comitem cape. 15. As cold water to the thirsty, So is good news from a far country. As a bird that wanders from its nest, So is a man that wanders from his home. 16. As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honour is not becoming to a fool. A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, 17. A battle-axe, and a sword, and a sharp arrow is he But who is able to stand before jealousy? 18. Boast not thyself of to-morrow : For thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. 19. Oil and perfume gladden the heart: Sweet too is a friend by hearty counsel. 20. Consider well where thy foot is going; Turn not to the right hand, nor to the left: 21. Old man to old man hath the sweetest tongue, Boy suiteth boy, and woman chimes with woman, The sick man soothes the sick man, and the ill-fortuned Assuageth him who struggles with misfortune. 22. O Palinurus, whence this strange desire? Would'st thou unburied see The fearful river where the Furies bide, And pass unbidden o'er the Stygian pool? 23. Because I hold the laws in due respect, And fear to be unjust, am I a coward? Meek let me be to all the friends of truth, And only terrible among its foes. 24. When to his home the husband leads the wife, 'Tis not alone a woman that he brings; But with her doth he take within his doors 25. Wouldst thou have me forget the sea's calm look 26. Flowers, wherefore do ye bloom? To light thy spirit to the skies. 27. What's beauty? Call you that your own, 28. I have seen the ungodly in his pride of power, And the longest liver dies; 30. Alas, thou fearest him: Immortal as thou art, thou fearest him. I thought that death had saved me from his power. 31. Consider, man; weigh well thy frame; The king, the beggar, is the same. Dust form'd us all; each breathes his day, 32. Whoe'er thou be, that comest hither arm'd, The abode Of Shades, and Sleep, and drowsy Night, is here. 33. Whoso, in this our evil day, Will not his dearest friend betray, That gods and men should honour'd deem. 35. Fair moon, why dost thou wane? O sun, what makes thy beams so bright? The Word that said, 'Let there be light.' 36. Ye Powers of ocean, whose domain I sweep, I to your altars victor on this beach Will bring a snow-white bull, his entrails lay Of tyrants mother, daughter, sister, wife, 38. The mind of man is such as Jove Ordains by his immortal will, Who moulds it in the courts above His heav'nly purpose to fulfil. 39. An ancient forest, the wild beast's domain, With stroke of axe and sound of falling beams Is made to groan; the sturdy oak is riven, Pine and broad ash upon the mountain roll. 40. F. Can human sorrows be delights to the gods? B. Our sorrows are not, but our troubles may : A great man vanquishing his destiny Is a great spectacle worthy of the gods. |