Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TARQUIN'S DREAM, by ANONYMOUS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TARQUIN'S DREAM, by                    
First Line: When repose had come upon me and I yielded
Last Line: "that the old roman state shall flourish, and beyond all states endure"
Subject(s): Dreams;roman Empire;vision; Nightmares


WHEN repose had come upon me and I yielded to its power,
All my weary limbs composing, in the silent midnight hour;
It appeared to me in slumber, that a shepherd drove along
For my choice, it seemed, his hirsel, fair they were, and young, and strong.
Two I marked that kindred seeming, most of all my fancy pleased,
And the comeliest and fairest of the twaine, I straightway seized;
When behold, the other turning, aimed at me his armed brow,
And so fiercely at me butted, that I fell beneath the blow.
There while lying, sorely wounded, to the heaven I cast my eyes,
And there saw I such an omen, as might well my soul surprise.
For the sun's resplendent body seemed towards the east to tend,
Leaving his accustomed orbit -- what may such a sight portend?

Answer of the Interpreter.

Little need we wonder, monarch, if the thoughts our bosoms keep,
If the deeds we fashion waking, should return to us in sleep.
Yet not lightly may such visions in so great a thing be rated,
Therefore, take thou heed lest any whom thou thought'st was fitly mated
With the dull and senseless many, be not wise, and good, and brave,
Lest he drive thee from thy kingdom; for the sign that Phoebus gave,
Shows some swift and sudden changing, something which shall see the light
Well-portending for the people; since that Omen from the right
To the left its course pursuing, is a certain sign and sure,
That the Roman state shall flourish, and beyond all states endure.





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