The Assumption of Romulus.
Now Warrior Mars his burnish'd Helm puts on,
And thus addresses Heav'n's Imperial Throne.
Since the inferior World is now become
One Vassal Globe, and Colony to Rome,
This Grace, O Jove, for Romulus I claim,
Admit him to the Skies, from whence he came.
Long hast thou promis'd an Ætherial State
To Mars's Lineage; and thy Word is Fate.
The Sire, that rules the Thunder, with a Nod,
Declar'd the Fiat, and dismiss'd the God.
Soon as the Pow'r Armipotent survey'd,
The flashing Skies, the Signal he obey'd;
And leaning on his Lance, he mounts his Car,
His fiery Coursers lashing thro' the Air.
Mount Palatine he gains, and finds his Son
Good Laws enacting on a peaceful Throne;
The Scales of heav'nly Justice holding high,
With steady Hand, and a discerning Eye.
Then vaults upon his Carr, and to the Spheres,
Swift, as a flying Shaft, Rome's Founder bears.
The Parts, more pure, in rising are refin'd,
The gross, and perishible lag behind.
His Shrine in purple Vestments stands in view;
He looks a God, and is Quirinus now.
The Assumption of Hersilia.
E'er long the Goddess of the Nuptial Bed,
With Pity mov'd, sends Iris in her Stead
To sad Hersilia—Thus the Meteor Maid:—
Chast Relict! in bright Truth to Heav'n ally'd,
The Sabines Glory, and the Sex's Pride;
