The load oppress'd your shoulders. Who shall speak Their irksome toil, and suffering? but, in truth, They sprang from blood immortal, and sustain'd, . Thus fate-compell'd, the task of agony. Cleanthes. CLEANTHES. Bef. Ch. 240. HYMN TO JUPITER. ENGLISH TRANSLATOR: WEST. CLEANTHES was born at Vassus, in the Troad, in Lesser Asia. He was originally a wrestler; but conceiving an ardour of knowledge, he provided for his sustenance by drawing water during the night, that he might devote the day to study. He applied himself to the stoical philosophy of Zeno; and, after his death, succeeded him in the portico. It is said that he starved himself at the age of ninety. Of the hymn of Cleanthes, West justly remarks it as extraordinary, that such correct sentiments of duty should be found in a heathen, and so much poetry in a philosopher. CLEANTHES. HYMN TO JUPITER. Most glorious of th' immortal Powers above! E'en mortal creatures may address thy name; Thee will I sing, thy strength for aye resound: And, with the various mass of breathing souls Thou curb'st th' excess; confusion to thy sight prize, The law of God eludes their ears and eyes. Life then were virtue, did they this obey; But wide from life's chief good they headlong stray. Now glory's arduous toils the breast inflame; Now avarice thirsts, insensible of shame; |