The CABINET. Or, Verses on Roman Medals. Richard Graves Alexander Huber Editor Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
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Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive
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Oxford This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. T131163 K104099.004 Dodsley, Robert, 1703-1764. A Collection of Poems in Six Volumes. By Several Hands. Vol. IV. London printed by J. Hughs, for R. and J. Dodsley 1763 [1st ed. 1758] pp. 323-326. 6v.: music; 8⁰.

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The CABINET . Or , Verses on Roman Medals . To Mr. W. By Mr. GRAVES . I. LO ! the rich Casket's mimic dome ! Where cells in graceful rows The triumphs of imperial Rome In miniature disclose . II . Less sacred far those tinsel shrines , In which the sainted bones , And relicks , modern Rome confines , Of legendary drones . III . In figur'd brass we here behold From time's wide waste retriev'd , What patriots firm or heroes bold In peace or war atchiev'd . IV . Or silver orbs , in series fair , With titles deck'd around , Present each Caesar's face and air With rays or laurels crown'd . V. Ages to come shall hence be taught , In lasting lines express'd , How mighty Julius spoke or fought , Or Cleopatra dress'd . VI . Augustus here with placid mien , Bids raging discord cease ; The gates of War close-barr'd are seen , And all the world is peace . VII . A race of tyrants then succeeds , Who frown with brow severe ; Yet tho' we shudder at their deeds , Ev'n Nero charms us here . VIII . Thus did the blooming Titus look , Delight of human kind : Great Hadrian thus , whose death bespoke His firm yet gentle mind . IX . Aurelius too ! thy stoic face Indignant we compare With young Faustina's wanton grace , And meretricious air . X. Each passion here and virtue shines In liveliest emblems dress'd : Less strong in Tully's ethic lines , Or Plato's flights express'd . XI . With heighten'd grace in verdant rust , Each work of ancient art , The temple , column , arch or bust Their wonted charms impart . XII . All-glorious Rome , thro' martial toil , Beneath each zone obey'd , Shew'd every province , trophy , spoil , On current gold display'd . XIII . Hence prodigals , that vainly spend , Promote the great design ; And misers aid ambition's end , Who treasure up the coin . XIV . The peasant finds in every clime The scientifick ore ; Whilst on the rich remains of time , The learn'd with rapture pore . XV. Each fading stroke they now retrace , Each legend dark unfold : Then in historic order place , — And copper vies with gold . XVI . Happy the sage ! like you , my friend , The evening of whose days Heav'n grants in that fair vale to spend Where Thames delighted strays . XVII . To medals there and books of taste Those moments you consign , Which barren minds ignobly waste On dogs , or cards , or wine . XVIII . Whilst I 'mid rocks and savage woods Enjoy these golden dreams ; Claverton near Bath , 1750. Where Avon winds to mix her floods With Bladud's healing streams .