Jerusalme Delivered; An Heroick Poem Tr. by J. Hoole (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1802. Excerpt: ... JERUSALEM DELIVERED. BOOK I. Arms, and the chief I fing, whose righteous hands Redeem'd the tomb of Christ from impious bands; Who much in council, much in field fustain'd, Till just success his glorious labours gain'd: In rain the powers of hell oppos'd his course, And Asia's arms, and Lybia's mingled force; Heaven bless'd his standards, and beneath his care Reduc'd his wandering partners of the war. O sacred Muse2 who ne'er, in Ida's shade, With fading laurels deck'st thy radiant head; "O sacred Muses-- Some Italian commentators suppose the poet intends the Virgin Mary; thus likewise mentioned by Petrarch, Coronata di Jlefle, --but it probably means no more than a general appeal to some celestial being, in opposition to the Pagan theology. But sitt'st enthron'd, with stars immortal crown'd n Where blissful choirs their hallow'd strains resound; Do thou inflame me with celestial fire, Assist my labours, and my song inspire: Forgive me, if with truth I fiction join, And grace the verse with other charms than thine. Thou know'st, the world with eager transport throng Where sweet Parnassus breathes the tuneful song; That truth can oft, in pleasing strains convey'd, . Allure the fancy, and the mind persuade. Thus the sick infant's tasteb disguis'd to meet, We tinge the vessel's brim with juices sweet; The bitter draught his willing lip receives; He drinks deceiv'd, and so deceiv'd he lives. Thus Milton: Descend from heaven, Urania, by that name If rightly thou art call'd, whose voice divine Following, above th' Olympian hill I soar, Above the flight of Fegasean wing. The meaning, not the name, I call: for thou Nor of the Muses nine, nor on the top Of old Olympian dwell'ft Paradise Lost, Book vii. v. I. h Thus the Jick infant's taste--- This admired simile is ...