THE SIXTH SATIRE OF PERSIUS TO CESIUS BASSUS, a Lyric Poet. The ARGUMENT. HE Studious among the Romans, ufually retired from THE Rome, about the Beginning of Winter, to apply themfelves with the greater Attention to their Lucubrations. For this Purpose, both Perfius and Baffus feem now to have retreated to their respective Country-Houfes: the first to his, at the Port of Luna, in Liguria; the latter to his, in the Territories of the Sabines. Thither Perfius addresses this Epiftolary Satire: beginning with fome Inquiries concerning his Friend's present manner of Life, and then pro ceeding ceeding to an Account of his own. He defcribes himself in bis Retirement, as quite undifquieted, with regard to Cares or Paffions: and with Respect to Expence, not profufe, nor yet parfimonious. Thence he advises others, to make a free Ufe of their Fortunes, likewife: deeming nothing fo abfurd as the Folly of thofe Wretches, who ftarve themselves, to enrich their Succeffors. AS Winter drawn thee, fay, Poetic Friend, HA To seek that Warmth thy Sabine Chimnies lend? Wakes, to thy folemn Quill, th'obedient Lyre, And vibrates into Life each warbling Wire? Say, mighty Mafter! Thou whofe Art alone, Could teach the Roman String a manlier Tone! Majeftic, now, thy towering Numbers foar, And all Creation's wondrous Works explore: Next, the gay Theme thy sprightlier Notes employs, And sportive Lyrics paint our youthful Joys: Strait, hoary Chiefs thy honouring Hand engage, And the chang'd Song recounts the Praise of Age. 5 10 Ver. 3. Quill &c.] They played upon the Harp with a Quill or Stick, as we do upon the Dulcimer, Mean Mean-time, I winter on the shelter'd Shores, Where my Liguria's Sea, tempeftuous, roars: Where rifing Cliffs on either Side are seen, While Sands extend their level Vales, between. O LUNA, lovely Port! thy Fame remains Recorded erft, in Ennius' deathless Strains, Strains! in the Mould of fober Reason cast, When all his tranfmigrating Dreams were past. Whether the Mob applaud me, or decry, In this Retreat, alike regardless I: Regardless I, though Aufter's fultry Breath, 15 20 To thin my Folds, prepare infectious Death: Though my next Neighbour boast a richer Spot, 25 Regardless I, behold his luckier Lot. Nay, and though others too, as well as he, Exchange for Fortune's Heights, their low Degree; Yet will not I breath one repining Wish, Nor baulk my Table of a single Dish: 30 Ver. 14. Where my Liguria's Sea, &c,] See Monf. Bayle's Life of the Author hereto prefixed. Nor Nor to my Nofe, one dreggy Flaggon thrust, No, no, not I-I will not Health impair, Nor haften shriveling Age, by carking Care. My Notion this: but, doubtless, you may find Another Man with quite another Mind. Twins, themselves, differ; on whose natal Hour The fame Afcendant fhed it's equal Power. One, (an Excess, to common Days unknown; Such, as his Birth-day juftifies alone) In a small Cup, a paltry Pickle buys, And dips each wither'd Herb with anxious Eyes: His facred Pepper-box, none else may touch; 35 40 Not fo his Brother: HE, a jovial Soul, HE guttles down luxuriously his whole. 45 I, I will ufe, will ufe my Fortune too; Ne'er shall my Tongue be taught by costly Use, Who fquander, or who hoard, alike mistake: Mark thou thy Income; that, thy Measure make. Live to thine utmost Sheaf; grind, never spare; Drain every Barn-for, why should'ft thou forbear? 'Tis but to plough, to harrow, as before; Up comes another Crop, as much or more. 6 But if I, thus, each annual Income spend, 50 55 How fhall I, then, relieve the Ship-wreck'd Friend? Ver. 52. Thrush's Sex.] Thefe Birds (in Latin called Turdi, and in English commonly translated Thrushes) were in great Reputation as Delicacies. A Man of elegant Difcernment would tell, at firft Tafte, whether the Bird he was eating, was of the Male or of the Female Kind: but the Juices of the latter, were judged to be rather the more exquifite, • See |