The spreading Mass its former Shape depos'd,
Began to shoot, and Arms, and Legs disclos'd,
'Till form'd a perfect Man, the living Mold
Op'd its new Mouth, and future Truths foretold;
And Tages nam'd by Natives of the Place.
Taught Arts prophetic to the Tuscan Race.
Or such as once by Romulus was shown,
Who saw his Launce with sprouting Leaves o'er-grown,
When fix'd in Earth the Point began to shoot,
And growing downward turn'd a fibrous Root;
While spread aloft the branching Arms display'd,
O'er wondring Crowds, an unexpected Shade.
The Story of Cippus.
By Sir Samuel Garth, M. D.
Or as when Cippus in the Current view'd
The shooting Horns that on his Forehead stood,
His Temples first he feels, and with Surprize
His Touch confirms th' Assurance of his Eyes.
Streight to the Skies his horned Front he rears,
And to the Gods directs these pious Pray'rs.
If this Portent be prosp'rous, O decree
To Rome th' Event; if otherwise, to me.
An Altar then of Turf he hastes to raise,
Rich Gums in fragrant Exhalations blaze;
The panting Entrails crackle as they fry,
And boding Fumes pronounce a Mystery.
Soon as the Augur saw the Holy Fire,
And Victims with presaging Signs expire,
To Cippus then he turns his Eyes with speed,
And views the horny Honours of his Head:
Then cry'd, Hail Conqueror! thy Call obey,
Those Omens I behold presage thy Sway.
