Funerals.
Mean time, the Trojan Troops with weeping Eyes,
To dead Misenus pay his Obsequies.
First, from the Ground a lofty Pile they rear,
Of Pitch–Trees, Oaks, and Pines, and unctious Fir:
The Fabrick’s Front with Cypress Twigs they strew,
And stick the Sides with Boughs of baleful Yew.
The topmost Part his glitt’ring Arms adorn:
Warm Waters, then, in brazen Cauldrons born,
Are pour’d to wash his Body, Joint by Joint,
And fragrant Oils the stiff’ned Limbs anoint.
With Groans and Cries Misenus they deplore:
Then on a Bier, with Purple cover’d o’er,
The breathless Body, thus bewail’d, they lay,
And fire the Pile, their Faces turn’d away:
(Such rev’rend Rites their Fathers us’d to pay.)
Pure Oyl, and Incense, on the Fire they throw,
And Fat of Victims, which his Friends bestow.
These Gifts, the greedy Flames to Dust devour,
Then, on the living Coals, red Wine they pour:
And last, the Relicks by themselves dispose,
Which in a brazen Urn the Priests inclose.
Old Chorineus compass’d thrice the Crew,
And dip’d an Olive Branch in holy Dew,
Which thrice he sprinkled round; and thrice aloud
Invok’d the Dead, and then dismiss’d the Crowd.–
—
(Henry Baker)
More Poetry from Henry Baker:
Henry Baker Poems based on Topics: Fire, Time, Charity, Body, Greed- The Universe (Henry Baker Poems)
- Medulla Poetarum Romanorum - VOL. I. (Harmony - Hell) (Henry Baker Poems)
- Medulla Poetarum Romanorum - VOL. I. (Hero - Hospitality) (Henry Baker Poems)
- Medulla Poetarum Romanorum - VOL. II. (Philosophy - Place) (Henry Baker Poems)
- Medulla Poetarum Romanorum - VOL. I. (Hunger - Imprecation) (Henry Baker Poems)
- Medulla Poetarum Romanorum - VOL. II. (Love - Lover) (Henry Baker Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Time Poems, Fire Poems, Charity Poems, Body Poems, Greed PoemsBased on Keywords: fabrick, invok, oyl, cauldrons, relicks, unctious