Series 1 > Grameid: an heroic poem descriptive of the campaign of Viscount Dundee in 1689, and other pieces

549-57ij SCOTI GRAMEIDOS LIB. III.
107
Caesaris et vultu patria est caritura sereno,
Oro per superos, et spem crescentis Ephebi,
Exulat ignotis qui nunc vagus hospes in oris,
Det mihi in arma viros, mavortiaque agmina mittat,
Praestet et auxilium, et rebus solamen in arctis.
Jamque vale, et memori sub pectore dicta reconde.’
Ille autem remis, et equi pemice pedum vi
Carpit iter, mora nulla volat perque arva per undas.
Scaurius interea veterano milite cinctus,
Germanisque feris, promptisque in praelia Suevis,
Cimbrisque, Holsatisque, et desertore Britanno,
Undique tot turmis atque auxiliaribus auctus,
Perdomuisse ratus prisci picta agmina Scoti,
Caesareamque aciem campo pepulisse patenti.
Nulla quod horribilem cecinerunt classica Martem,
Credit inexperto magnum certamine Gramum
Cessisse, et dubio vitam concredere ponto.
Et quod in accessis praeclusit rupibus hostem
Otia securis carpebat languida castris.
Ductor ut ignavus longinqui ad littora ponti,
Hoste procul multo distans maris intervallo,
Cum fremit insanis Mavors furibundus in armis,
Credit se aequorei tutum munimine valli.
and if his country is to lose the serene aspect of Caesar, I pray
by the gods, by the hope of his growing son, now in exile, a
stranger guest in foreign lands, that he will send me men-at-arms
and veteran troops, and yield us comfort and aid in our distress.
Now farewell! bury these words in your faithful breast.’ With
oars, swift horse, light foot, he hastens on his way, and speeds
through flood and field.
Meanwhile he of Scourie, surrounded by a veteran soldiery,
fierce Germans and Swabians, prompt to battle, and Cimbrians,
Holsatians, and the British deserters, increased by new levies on
every hand, concluded that he had subdued the tartaned bands of
ancient Albion, and that he had driven the army of the Caesar
from the open plqin. Because no clarion sounded the dread notes
of war, he thought that the Graham had given in without a
struggle, and had betaken himself to the treacherous deep. Be¬
cause his enemy was shut in by inaccessible rocks, he took a slug¬
gish ease in a secure camp. Thus an incapable general, as yet
separated from the war by the wide ocean, believes himself safe,
and though fierce Mars be raging madly, he yet remains inactive,