E Nihilo Nihil; or an Epigram Bewitched
Lines:36Movement:Romanticism
OF rhymes I printed seven volumes--The list concludes John Murray's columns:Of these there have been few translationsFor Gallic or Italian nations;And one or two perhaps in German--But in this last I can't determine.But then I only sung of passionsThat do not suit with modern fashions;Of Incest and such like diversionsPermitted only to the Persians,Or Greeks to bring upon their stages--But that was in the earlier agesBesides my style is the romantic,Which some call fine, and some call frantic;While others are or would seem _as_ sickOf repetitions nicknamed Classic.For my part all men must allowWhatever I was, I'm classic now.I saw and left my fault in time,And chose a topic all sublime--Wondrous as antient war or hero--Then played and sung away like Nero,Who sang of Rome, and I of Rizzo:The subject has improved my wit so,The first four lines the poet seesStart forth in fourteen languages!Though of seven volumes none beforeCould ever reach the fame of four,Henceforth I sacrifice all GloryTo the Rinaldo of my Story:I've sung his health and appetite(The last word's not translated right--He's turned it, God knows how, to vigour)I'll sing them in a book that's bigger.Oh! Muse prepare for thy Ascension!And generous Rizzo! thou my pension.