foes his valour tried
    Yet he survived his fame.  But luckier far
    Was one that follow’d next, whose golden star
    To better fortune led, and mark’d his name
    Among the first in deeds of martial fame: 
    But cruel was his rage, and dipp’d in gore
    By civil slaughter was the wreath he wore. 
    A less-ensanguined laurel graced the head
    Of him that next advanced with lofty tread,
    In martial conduct and in active might
    Of equal honour in the fields of fight. 
    Then great Volumnius, who expell’d the pest
    Whose spreading ills the Romans long distress’d. 
    Rutilius Cassus, Philo next in sight
    Appear’d, like twinkling stars that gild the night. 
    Three men I saw advancing up the vale,
    Mangled with ghastly wounds through plate and mail;
    Dentatus, long in standing fight renown’d,
    Sergius and Scaeva oft with conquest crown’d;
    The triple terror of the hostile train,
    On whom the storm of battle broke in vain. 
    Another Sergius near with deep disgrace
    Marr’d the long glories of his ancient race,
    Marius, then, the Cimbrians who repell’d
    From fearful Rome, and Lybia’s tyrant quell’d. 
    And Fulvius, who Campania’s traitors slew,
    And paid ingratitude with vengeance due. 
    Another nobler Fulvius next appear’d;
    And there the Father of the Gracchi rear’d
    A solitary crest.  The following form
    Was he that often raised the factious storm—­
    Bold Catulus, and he whom fortune’s ray
    Illumined still with beams of cloudless day;
    Yet fail’d to chase the darkness of the mind,
    That brooded still on loftier hopes behind. 
    From him a nobler line in two degrees
    Reduced Numidia to reluctant peace. 
    Crete, Spain, and Macedonia’s conquer’d lord
    Adorn’d their triumphs and their treasures stored. 
    Vespasian, with his son, I next survey’d,
    An angel soul in angel form array’d;
    Nor less his brother seem’d in outward grace,
    But hell within belied a beauteous face. 
    Then Nerva, who retrieved the falling throne,
    And Trajan, by his conquering eagles known. 
    Adrian, and Antonine the just and good,
    He, with his son, the golden age renew’d;
    And ere they ruled the world, themselves subdued. 
    Then, as I turn’d my roving eyes around,
    Quirinus I beheld with laurel crown’d,
    And five succeeding kings.  The sixth was lost,
    By vice degraded from his regal post;
    A sentence just, whatever pride may claim,
    For virtue only finds eternal Fame.

    BOYD.

PART II.

Pien d’ infinita e nobil maraviglia.