SYLLA.

899

'Gainst all the glittering weapons he can wield,
Reason scarce deigns to lift her seven-fold shield;
Their shining impotence at once disclos'd,
The reeds fall shiver'd, ere their point's oppos'd.
O had a worthier theme his flight sustain'd,
What wreaths unfading had his numbers gain'd!
How critick skill had smooth'd the vigorous lays,
Cast back on blood-stain❜d men, and iron days!
Even in his robe of vain illusive die,

Sage Maro views him with a reverent eye;

905

And well might own, with Rome's consenting voice, Himself but greatest by his subject's choice.

L. C. S Y LL A.

A. U. C. 665.

Whether caprice or reason sway'd his mind,
Sylla at once the sovereign power resign'd;
In all things singular. His deeds were such

910

Fame could not praise him, or degrade too much.3

3

quem neque laudare neque vituperare quisquam satis digne potest. VAL. Max, 1, ix. c. 2.

His

1

His youth shone out with no conspicuous worth,*
Till publick favour brought his talents forth;
That, like the golden sun's enlivening ray, 915
Matur'd his genius to its full display;

Then serpent-like, by kindly warmth improv'd,
More bright and dangerous at once he mov’d.
Pleasure he lov'd, yet the cool statesman's eye
Let not one serious care unmark'd go by ;
Nor could the wanton song, or circling bowl,

6

Dissolve the native hardness of his soul;
Cold as the stone beneath the flowery shade,
The impenetrable inmate was o'erlaid:

920

In the flush'd midnight hour's licentious glee 925 He hatch'd deep crimes, and drown'd their memory.'

His

―eum honorem [consulatum] undequinquagesimo ætatis suæ anno assecutus est. [A. U. C. 665.] VEL. PAT. 1. ii. c. 17. 5- animo ingenti, cupidus voluptatum, sed gloriæ cupidior: otio luxurioso esse; tamen ab negotiis nunquam voluptas remorata.

SAL. Bel. Jug.

-ut L. Sulla, vir tanti nominis, optime cantasse dicatur. MACROB. 1. ii. c. 10.

7 Montesquieu says, "Dans toute la vie de Sylla, au milieu de ses

violences

His wisdom, like his cruelty, sedate,

O'er his rash rivals made him fortunate.

Whene'er to sooth or terrify intent,

His craft or valour won the accomplishment; 930
For with a grac'd address his sinuous tongue
Could vindicate the right, and gild the wrong;

violences, on voit un esprit républicain." Though I think the greatest deference is due to the opinions of this enlightened writer in all matters connected with Roman policy, I am at a loss to discover where this republican spirit is discernible in the government of Sylla. He declared himself perpetual Dictator, that is, absolute master, by his own authority. By the same power he abrogated all former laws, the existence of which he found to be inconsistent with his tyranny; he made at his pleasure new laws, without suffering them to be disputed, or even canvassed by the people; he gave away to his creatures all the elective offices of the state, without permitting any election. Lucretius Offella, who persevered in petitioning for the consulship, without having all the qualifications required by one of his regulations, he ordered to be put to death upon the spot by his executioners, who constantly attended him. He proscribed the persons, and confiscated the property, of the citizens who had not espoused his cause in the contest with Marius. He did not indeed abolish the titles of the magistracies, but he nominated the persons. The names subsisted even in the time of the Emperors; and there were Consuls, Prætors, and Tribunes, under Tiberius and Nero, as under the Dictator Sylla.

While by his side a keen, experienc'd sword

Hung, the stern voucher for each flattering word.
Awhile, indeed, he fairly earn'd applause,
When mad sedition bow'd to rescu'd laws;

935

When Marius, and his ravening vultures, fed
With noble carnage, from his eagles fled;
Then had his curtain drop'd, the woes of Rome
Had left no curse on his devoted tomb.
Thou, who thy harmless thoughts secure would'st

keep

940

From haggard shapes that ride the midnight sleep; Whose dreams the page perus'd by day may clog, Avert the eye;-'tis Até's catalogue.

With pious horrour mangled Rome records

The ruthless ravage of his ruffians' swords;
Promiscuous death for all alike prepar'd,

No age, no sex,' no sanctity was spar'd.

Ces murs, dont le destin fut autrefois si beau,
N'en sont que la prison, ou plûtôt le tombeau.

8

945

SERTOR. de Corneille.

9 Adversus mulieres quoque gladios distrinxit. VAL. Max. 1. ix. c. 2.