Littell's Living Age/Volume 133/Issue 1712/Eight Lines from Propertius

by Propertius

EIGHT LINES FROM PROPERTIUS.

[Book v., El. xi.]

Tend thou our children, Paulus, take this care
⁠That stirs my charrèd bones with lingering pain
Thy hands, unwont, must learn a mother's arts,
⁠Thy neck must bend to burthens once in twain.

And when - for all the house will look to thee -
⁠From thine embrace the children comfort seek,
Add to thy kisses mine; thine own grief hide,
⁠As fain to cheat their lips with tearless cheek.

⁠Spectator.E. Welsh.