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Which fprang to birth, what time, thro' luft of fway, 

 Imperial Latium bad the world obey: 330 



Fierce from the north the headlong Demons flew, 

 The wreaths of Science wither'd at their view, 

 Plagues were their harbingers, an.d War accurft, 

 And Luxury of every fiend the worft ; 

 Then did each Mufe behold her triumphs fade, 335 

 Then penfive Painting droop'd the languifh'd head; 

 And forrowing Sculpture, while the ruthlefs flame 

 Involved each trophy of her filler's fame,. 

 Fled to fepulchral cells her own to fave, 

 And lurk'd a patient inmate of the grave. 340 

 Meanwhile beneath the frown of angry Heav'n, 

 Unworthy ev'ry boon its fmile had given, 



Queis ubi Bella, famem, & peftem, difcordia, luxus,, 

 Et Romanorum res grandior intulit orbi, 

 Ingenue periere artes, periere fuperbae 

 Artificum moles; fua tune miracula vidit 

 Ignibus abfumi Pidura, latere coada 

 Fornicibus, fortem & reliouam confidere cryptis; 

 Marmoribufque diu Sculptura jacere fepultis. 

 Imperium interea, fcelerum gravitate fatifcens, 



