Kitap 1
0, were my numbers equal to your arms,
Then would I sing the Parthians' overthrow;
Their shot averse sent from a flying bow
The Parthians, who already flying fight,
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Already give an omen of their flight.
0, when will come the day, by heaven designed,
When thou, the best and fairest of mankind,
Drawn by white horses, shalt in triumph ride,He alludes to the triumphs of the Roman conquerors: they were wonderfully magnificent, accompanied with rich spoils and pictures of rivers, mountains, cities, and provinces conquered by them: not to speak of the captive kings and great captains that followed the victor's car in chains: but there is so much insolence in this custom, that, with all its magnificence, we cannot in our own times relish it.
With conquer'd slaves attending on thy side;
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Slaves that no longer can be safe in flight:
O glorious object, O surprising sight,
O day of public joy, too good to end in night!
On such a day, if thou, and next to thee,
Some beauty sits the spectacle to see;
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If she enquires the names of conquer'd kings,
Of mountains, rivers, and of hidden springs,
Answer to all thou know'st; and if need be,
Of things unknown seem to speak knowingly:
This is Euphrates, crown'd with reeds; and there
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Flows the swift Tigris, with his sea-green hair.
