Page:Address on the opening of the Free Public Library of Ballarat East, on Friday, 1st. January, 1869.djvu/32

 26 The gates were opened in time of war, and shut in time of peace. This latter event occurred three times during 700 years; first in the time of Numa; secondly, B.C. 235; thirdly, in the reign of Augustus.— Macrobius Sat: 1, 9.

The following sprightly poem, on the subject of "Nothing," (written by John Passerat, an ingenious Frenchman, born A.D. 1534,) is a tribute, or New Year's Day offering to Janus. It is not very commonly known, a translation—executed many years since—is given:—

POEMA C. L. V. JOHANNIS PASSERATII

''Regii in Academia Parisiensi Professoris, ad ornatissimum virum Henricum Memmium.''

Janus adest, festæ poscunt sua dona Kalendæ Munus abest festis quod possim offerre Kalendis. Siccine Castalius nobis exaruit humor? Usque adeo ingenii nostri est exhausta facultas, Immunem ut videat redeuntis janitor anni? Quod nusquam est, potius nova per vestigia quæram.

Ecce autem partes dum sese versat in omnes Invenit mea Musa Nihil, ne despice munus. Nam Nihil est gemmis, Nihil est pretiosius auro. Huc animum, huc igitur vultus adverte beniguos: Res nova narratur quæ nulli audita priorum, Ausonii et Graii dixerunt coetera vates, Ausoniæ indictum Nihil est Græcæque Camœnæ.

E cælo quacunque Ceres sua prospicit arva, Aut genitor liquidis orbem complectitur ulnis Oceanus, Nihil interitus et originis expers. Immortale Nihil, Nihil omni parte beatum. Quod si hine majestas et vis divina probatur, Num quid honore Deum, num quid dignabimur aris? Conspictu lucis Nihil est jacundius almæ, Vere Nihil, Nihil irriguo formosius horto, Floridius pratis, Zephyri clementius aura; In bello sanctum Nihil est, Martisque tumultu: Justum in pace Nihil, Nihil est in fœedere tutum. 