| Citation |
RAG.781.034
1 Nov 1781:12,21,22 (7/422)
THE ART OF WAR; a poem in six books; translated from the
French of the King of Prussia: With a critque on the poem,
by the Compte Algarotti, translated from the Italian. [A
description follows]
Not content with being the greatest Prince, warrior, and
statesman now upon earth, he cultivates the polite arts, is
an excellent scholar, understands music scientifically, is
himself a good performer on several instruments; and besides
all this, as appears by the piece before us, no contemptible
poet. . . [description continues]
The following address to Mars, in the beginning, is
spirited and agreeable.
Fierce God of War! to thee I tune the lay,
Direct my steps, and point the arduous way,
And you, Aonian maids, assist my choice,
To gentle accents melt my rougher voice,
Temper with softer strains my warlike fire,
And tune my trumpet to your peaceful lyre!
. . . [8 lines]
Let Pontus' bard sing Cupid's silken sway,
While list'ning Graces love the tender lay,
. . . [8 lines]
[second and third cantos]
Beneath the porch enrich'd with burnish'd gold,
Tuning their silver lyres the Nine behold. [12 more lines,
then:]
But who is that by Glory's side who sings
The various fate of warriors and of Kings!
Calliope! the list'ning youth around
Catch from her dulcet breath th' enliv'ning sound,
And by th' examples of her song are taught
The worth to copy, and avoid the fault.
. . . [30 lines, 3 more examples follow]
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