The plague of Athens, which hapned [sic] in the second year of the Peloponnesian war / First described in Greek by Thucydides; then in Latine by Lucretius. Now attempted in English by Tho. Sprat.

  • Sprat, Thomas, 1635-1713.
Date:
1683
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The plague of Athens, which hapned [sic] in the second year of the Peloponnesian war / First described in Greek by Thucydides; then in Latine by Lucretius. Now attempted in English by Tho. Sprat. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    [ 13'] Learning and flrength did thee compofe, As foul and body us: But yet thou onely thence art made A nobler-prey for Fates t’ invade. Thofe mighty numbers that within thee breath, Do onely ferve to make a fatter feaft for Death. Death in the moft frequented places lives, Mott tribute from the croud receives ; And though it bears a figh, and feems to own A ruftick life alone : It loves no Wildernefs, No {catter’d Villages, But mighty populous Palaces, The Throng, the Tumult, and the Town ; What ftrange unheard-of Conquerour is this, Which by the Forces that refift it doth increafe ! When other Conquerours are Obliged to make a flower War, Nay fometimes for themfelves may fear, And muft proceed with watchfull care, When thicker troops of enemies appear ; This ftronger ftill, and more fuccefstull grows, Down fooner all before it throws, If greater multitudes of men do it oppofe. VIT. The Tyrant firft the Heaven did fubdue, . Lately the Athenzans (it knew )