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Journey of Honorious
Translated by Joseph Addison
THEY leave Ravenna, and the mouths of Po, | |
| That all the borders of the town o’erflow; | |
| And, spreading round in one continued lake, | |
| A spacious, hospitable harbor make. | |
| Hither the seas at stated times resort, | 5 |
| And shove the loaden vessels into port; | |
| Then with a gentle ebb retire again, | |
| And render back their cargo to the main. | |
| So the pale moon the restless ocean guides, | |
| Driven to and fro by such submissive tides. | 10 |
| Fair Fortune next, with looks serene and kind, | |
| Receives them in her ancient fane enshrined; | |
| Then the high hills they cross, and from below | |
| In distant murmurs hear Metaurus flow; | |
| Till to Clitumno’s sacred streams they come, | 15 |
| That send white victims to almighty Rome, | |
| When her triumphant sons in war succeed, | |
| And slaughtered hecatombs around them bleed. | |
| At Narni’s lofty seats arrived, from far | |
| They view the windings of the hoary Nar; | 20 |
| Through rocks and woods impetuously he glides, | |
| While froth and foam the fretting surface hides. | |
| And now the royal guest, all dangers passed, | |
| Old Tiber and his nymphs salutes at last; | |
| The long laborious pavement here he treads, | 25 |
| That to proud Rome the admiring nations leads; | |
| While stately vaults and towering piles appear, | |
| And show the world’s metropolis is near. | |
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