Classic Poem

O Muse who willingly drags along with a limping step
and is pleased with a halting gait like Vulcan's,
and who perceives that in its fitting place it is no less gratifying
than when the flaxen-haired Deiope with well-formed calves
dances before the golden couch of Juno, come hither,
if it pleases you, and carry back these few words to Salzilli,
by whom our poetry is prized so cordially,
and who preferred it, undeservedly, before that of the divine poets.
These things, therefore, that same Milton, brought up in London,
speaks forth, who lately forsaking his nest
and that region of the northern skies (where the worst of the winds,
with raging and violent lungs,
the one that is so brisk, lets forth his gasping blasts beneath the heavens)
came alone to the fertile soil of Italy
to see its cities known to proud fame
and its men and the talents of its learned youth,
to you that same Milton, Salzilli, wishes many blessings
and a healthy constitution deep within for your weakened body;
whose reins now an excessive bile impairs
and, firmly settled, emits its poison from its seat beneath your heart.
Nor has the accursed thing had mercy although you,
so very cultivated, fashion Lesbian melody with your Roman mouth.
O sweet gift of the gods, O health, Hebe's
sister! And you, Phoebus, terror of diseases
as a result of slain Python, or Paean if you more
willingly give ear, this man is your priest.
Oak forests of Faunus, and yon hills rich
with wine-tasting dew, the seats of kindly Evander,
if any healthful plant grows in your valleys,
let it eagerly speed relief to the ailing poet.
Thus restored anew to his dear Muses he
will delight the neighboring meadows with his sweet song.
Numa himself will marvel among the gloomy woods
where he spends blessed, eternal leisure,
leaning backwards, gazing always at his Egeria.
And the swelling Tiber itself, from this time calmed,
will favor the annual hope of the farmers:
nor will it run, slackened on its left rein
in excess filled, rushing over kings in their tombs;
but it will better control the bridle of its waves
even to the salt realms of curving Portumnus.