Curiosities & wonders > Titus Livius' Roman history

x',i THE TRANSLATOR, kc.
We shall conclude the character of this great Histo¬
rian, with an extract from a modern Author*, who,
having done justice toother Roman historians, does Livy
the noblest homage, in the following elegant encomium:
OF mightier spirit, of majestic fame,
With powers proportion’d to the Roman name :
When Rome’s fierce Eagle his broad wings unfurl’d,
And shadow’d with them all the subject world.
In bright pre-eminence, that Greece might own,
Sublimer Livy claims th’ historic throne:
With that rich eloquence, whose golden light
Brings the full scene distinctly to the sight:
That zeal of truth which interest chnnot bend;
That fire, which freedom ever gives her friend.
Immortal artist of a work supreme !
Delighted Rofne beheld with proud esteem.
Her own bright image, of Colossal size.
From thy long toils in purest marble rise.
But envious time, with a malignant stroke.
This sacred statue into fragments broke;
In Lethe’s stream its nobler portions sunk.
Arid left futurity the wounded trunk.
Vet, like the matchless, mutilated frame,
To Which great Angelo bequeath’d his ftame.
This glorious ruin, in whose strength We find
The splendid vigour of the sculptor’s mind ;
In the fond eye of admiration still.
Rivals the finish’d forms of modern skill.
* Hay ley’s poetical Essay on History.
Academy, Glasgow, }
16/A January, 1783. f