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

235
730-748] SCOTI GRAMEIDOS LIB. V.
Quae nunc causa morae ? patiarne impune Sicambri
Insultare equitem, et peditem volitare per Alpes
Grampiacas ? Nunquam, me vivo, a stirpe Stuarto
Ad Batavum Hectorei transibunt sceptra Britanni.’
Tunc gemitum de corde ciens, ‘ O Jupiter,’ inquit
‘Maxime caelicolum rector, me exaudi1 precan tern,
Tollentemque manus ad lati lumina caeli.
Cernere da pulsi victricia Caesaris ora,
Et reducem patriis gnatum consistere terris
Ante meum nigris quam mors caput occulet umbris.
Da, precor, et nostris infandum dedecus armis
Fortiter ulcisci, atque abolere ignobile nomen.
Victricique manu, et valido da sternere ferro
Auriaci praedonis opes, inimicaque castra
Armaque presbyteri da rumpere saeva nefandi,
Et conjuratas Oreo detrudere turmas.’
Dixerat, atque polo nox roscida labitur alto,
Invitantque leves surgentia sidera somnos,
Languida turn placidae cesserunt membra quieti.
TjIBRI quinti finis.
shall move in battle array, and troops of horse sprung from the
soil shall arise in arms. What now is the cause of delay ? Shall I
suffer with impunity the German horse to prance, the German
infantry to speed over the Grampian Hills ? Never, while I live,
shall the sceptre of heroic Britain pass from the Stuart race to the
Dutchman.’ Then drawing a groan from his heart he says, ‘ O
Jupiter, highest ruler of heaven, hear me as I pray and lift my
hands to the lights of the wide sky. Grant me to behold the face
of the exiled Caesar bringing victory, and to place his son restored
upon his native land, before death cover my head with his black
shadow. Grant too, I pray, that we may avenge by our arms the
foul disgrace and clear off the name of dishonour. Grant that
with conquering hand and strong sword I may scatter the strength
of the Dutch robber, and make me the destroyer of the hostile
camp and the savage arms of the vile presbyter, and may I hurl his
covenanting squadrons to Orcus ! ’ He spoke, and now the dewy
night is gliding over the pole, and the rising stars are inviting to
light slumber. Then wearied limbs yielded themselves to peace¬
ful repose.
END OF BOOK V.
‘ di ’ in ‘ exaudi ’ false quantity.