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MESSIAH.

A

Sacred ECLOGUE,

In Imitation of

VIRGIL's POLLIO.

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N reading feveral paffages of the Prophet Ifaiah, which

I foretell the coming of Chrift and the felicities attending it,

I could not but obferve a remarkable parity between many of the thoughts, and thofe in the Pollio of Virgil. This will not seem furprifing, when we reflect, that the Eclogue was taken from a Sibylline prophecy on the fame fubject. One may judge that Virgil did not copy it line by line, but selected such ideas as beft agreed with the nature of pastoral poetry, and disposed them in that manner which served most to beautify his piece. I have endeavoured the fame in this imitation of him, though without admitting any thing of my own; fince it was written with this particular view, that the reader, by comparing the feveral thoughts, might fee how far the images and defcriptions of the Prophet are fuperior to those of the Poet. But as I fear I have prejudiced them by my management, I fhall fubjoin the paffages of Ifaiah, and those of Virgil, under the fame difadvantage of a literal tranflation. P.

MESSI A H.

A

SACRED ECLOGUE,

In Imitation of VIRGIL'S POLLIO.

E Nymphs of Solyma! begin the fong:

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To heav'nly themes fublimer ftrains belong.
The mofly fountains, and the fylvan fhades,
The dreams of Pindus and th' Aonian maids,
Delight no more-O thou my voice inspire
Who touch'd Ifaiah's hallow'd lips with fire!

Rapt into future times, the Bard begun:
A Virgin fhall conceive, A Virgin bear a Son!

IMITATIONS.

5

VER. 8. A Virgin fhall conceive-All crimes fhall cease, etc.] VIRG. E. iv. ✯ 6.

Jam redit et Virgo, redeunt Saturnia regna;
Jam nova progenies cœlo demittitur alto.
Te duce, fi qua manent fceleris veftigia noftri,
Irrita perpetua folvent formidine terras➡

Pacatumque reget patriis virtutibus orbem.

"Now the Virgin returns, now the kingdom of Saturn "returns, now a new progeny is fent down from high heaven, 66 By means of thee, whatever reliques of our crimes remain, <fhall be wiped away, and free the world from perpetual fears. "He shall govern the earth in peace, with the virtues of his "Father.

II

From a Jeffe's root behold a branch arise,
Whofe facred flow'r with fragrance fills the skies:
Th' Ætherial spirit o'er its leaves thall move,
And on its top defcends the mystic Dove.
Ye Heav'ns! from high the dewy nectar pour,
And in soft silence fhed the kindly show'r!
The fick and weak the healing plant fhall aid, 15-
From ftorms a fhelter, and from heat a fhade.
All crimes fhall cease, and ancient fraud fhall fail;
Returning Juftice lift aloft her scale;
Peace o'er the world her olive wand extend,
And white-rob'd Innocence from heav'n defcend.
Swift fly the years, and rife th' expected morn!
Oh spring to light, aufpicious Babe, be born!
See Nature haftes her earliest wreaths to bring,
With all the incenfe of the breathing fpring;

IMITATIONS.

21

ISAIAH, Ch. vii. † 14. "Behold a Virgin fhall conceive and "bear a Son.-Chap. ix. 6, 7. Unto us a Child is born, "unto us a Son is given; the Prince of Peace: of the increase " of his government, and of his peace, there fhall be no end; "Upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order ❝ and to stablish it, with judgment, and with justice, for ever << and ever.

VER. 23. See Nature baftes, etc.]

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At tibi prima, puer, nullo munuscula cultu,
Errantes hederas paffim cum baccare tellus,

a Ifai. xi. 1. Ch. xlv. 8.

c Ch, xxv.

4. Ch. ix. 7.

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