Ovids festivalls, or, Romane calendar translated into English verse equinumerally, by John Gower ...

OVIDS FESTIVALLS; OR, ROMANE CALENDAR. The first Book; or, JANUARIE.

The Argument.

TH' old Romane yeare. The severall sorts of dayes. Discourse with Janus. Th' Astrosophi's praise. The feast Agonia. Whence the Altar's fill'd With bloud of birds and beasts. Why th' Asse is kill'd To lustfull Priap. Queen Carmentis rite With her predictions. Great Tyrinthius fight With fire-mouth'd Cacus. The Augustian name Assum'd by Cesar. In Carmentis fame More sacreds pay'd. White Concord in white fane. Mild Peace her altar. And a pray'r for grain.

TImes with their causes to the Romane yeare Dispos'd of old, Star's courses sing we here. Germanick Cesar, O accept our charge: With smooth aspect, and guide my feeble barge. Be Patrone to this piece devote to thee; Let not this gift, though small, rejected be. Here holy rites pickt out of annals old May'st thou read ore: and why each day's enroll'd. Here may you your domestick feasts adjoynd, And here your father and grandfather find;

And how throughout the Calendar renown'd, Thy brother Drusus fame with thine shall sound. Some Caesars arms, we Caesars altars sing; What dayes were hallow'd by that sacred king. The whiles the glory of thy house I chaunt, Do thou but smile, no fear our Muse shall daunt. Your grace gives vigour to my verses poore, Our fansie at your eye doth flag or soat. The censure of so learn'd a majesty Our Muse doth fear more then Apollo's eye. For we did tast those sweets your lips let fall, When you did plead in causes criminall. But when Apollo thee inspir'd, O then What streams of learning glided from thy pen! O Poet, deigne a Poets rain to guide, That so our yeare a sweeter course may slide.

WHen Romulus the times did first dispose, Ten months to number out his yeare he chose. (Forsooth, thou hadst more skill in signes of warres To curb thy neighbours, then in signes of starres) Yet he by reasons was to this induc'd: His errour, Caesar, may be well excus'd. What time the mother in her womb doth bear Her breeding child, just that he made his yeare. That time the widow from the fatall burning Of her dead mate did wear the signes of mourning. These arguments did Romulus regard When he the seasons to his peasants shar'd. Mars had the first, the next was Venus place; He father, and she mother of his race: The third from Eld, the fourth from Yongth is nam'd: The number titles for the rest hath fram'd. But Numa willing Janus to adore, And dead mens ghosts, prepos'd a couple more.

Now you the duties of each day must know: For every day did not the like allow. That was Non-leet-day which the three words scap't, That Leet-day was wherein the courts were kept. These offices were not all day performing: 'Tis Leet at noon, but 'twas a Non-leet morning. Before the Praetour pleading then begun, And suits of law when sacrifice was done. Some dayes the people in the rails include, Some on the ninth day still their course renew'd. Queen Juno's care our Romane Calends shield: A fat white lamb in th' Ides to Jove is kill'd. The Nones are blank, and want a sacrifice: Take heed, I pray, the next a black day is. The reason's from th'events: In them, they say, Our Romane host have often lost the day. But once of these it shall suffice to speak In all our book, lest I my order break.

GErmanick, lo! our Janus thee doth bring A happy yeare: he is the first I sing. Tway-faced Janus, our still-pac't yeares guide, Who onely of the gods seest thy back-side. Come gracious to our captains, by whose care Both sea and land secure of tumult are. Come gracious to our Romane lords and states, And in good will unlock thy temple-gates. A good day comes; let tongues from hearts salute: Good words and greetings this good day do suit. Let idle wranglings not molest the eare: Ye brawling people now your suits deferre. See how the heavens with spicy fires do shine, And spikenard crackles on the hearths divine. Transplendent flames do lash the temples gold, A twinkling lustre to the roof extoll'd.

White robes now walk to our Tarpeian wall: The people's deckt in gaytie festivall. New purple shines: new rods now stalk in state: The ivory'd benches bear another weight. The fair fat ox, whose neck ne're felt the yoke, Now yields it to the sacrificing stroke. Jove when he views the world from towring skies Hath nought but Romane to imploy his eyes. Hail holy-day; come alwayes fortunate: Deserving worship of a world-great state. But, Janus, now what god shall I thee call? For Greece hath nere a god like thee at all. Rehearse the reason why thou hast such ods Of looking both wayes, more then all the gods. I walkt, my note-book in mine hand, I mus'd: The temple brighter shines then earst it us'd. Majestick Janus turns immediately His double visage to my wondring eye. Amazement makes my hairs upright to start: A sudden terrour chills me to the heart. His staff in's right hand, in his left his key; From former face he thus replies to me: Time's studious prophet, cast aside all fear, And from my mouth what thou desirest heare. Old times did call me Chaos (I'm a thing Of deepest eld) mark what old acts I sing. All these foure elements, the Aire so clear, Fire, Earth, and Water, one whole bodie were. When strife they ceas'd, and this laborious masse To severall houses separated was, Fire mounted heaven; the next the Aire possess'd; The Earth and Water in the midst were press'd. Then I, who was a rude and shapelesse load, Came to the true proportion of a god. Because my badge of that rude lump is small, My fore and back parts differ not at all.

The other reason of my shape I'le show, Which with my office thou shalt also know. What-ere thou seest, heaven, aire, and sea, and land, Are all lockt up, and open'd by mine hand: This vast worlds guard is in my onely power: The wheeling of the hinge of heaven is our. When peace I please into calm courts to send, She in safe paths about doth freely wend. With fatall bloud the world would drenched be, Should I not curb stern warre with this my key. I with the gentle Houres heavens portalls guard: Jove's self goes in and out too by my ward: Thence Janus call'd. And when the priest doth make A wafer for me, and a salt-meal-cake, The name doth seem ridiculous: some whiles He me Patusius, and then Clusius, styles. My double office rude antiquitie By this alternate name would signifie. Thou seest my office, now will I make known My figure's ground, in part alreadie shown: Two fronts (thou know'st) belong to every gate: This tow'rds the people, tow'rds the houshold that▪ And as the porter at his gate with you Does both the ingresse and the egresse view: So I the porter or heavens court survey Just at a wink the East and Western bay. See Hecate, her faces three wayes bends, And so she eas'ly three-leet wayes defends: So without motion I two wayes can see, Lest losse of time there should in moving be. This said, he promis'd with a courteous eye, If more I askt, he would not me denie. I courage took, and thankt S^r Janus then, And casting down mine eye thus spake again. Why doth the New yeare in the cold begin? The gentle spring a fitter time had bin.

Times age renews then, and renews all things: On swelling twigs the pearly vine-bud springs. Leaves deck the trees in summer-green attire: Both grasse and grain above the ground doth spire. Birds descants warble in the calmed aire, Both birds and beasts do sport about and pair. The sun shines warm. Then comes the vagrant swallow, And on a beam her morter-work doth follow. The farmers ploughes his fallow grounds manure: This should have been the yeares beginning sure. I largely ask't, he made no large replies, But in two verses doth his speech comprize. Sols first and last day doth in winter fall, The yeare the same beginning hath with Sol. Then marvell'd I why with some suits of laws This day is kept: Sayes Janus, Learn the cause. Upon the first day some affairs we raise, Lest from the Omen all the yeare should laze. Each in his art for that some businesse does, And by those acts his yearly studies shews. But why (said I) do we bring myrrh and wine To thee before the other powers divine? That you (sayes he) by me who keep the doore, May have accesse to any other power. And why (said I) on this first day such greetings, And hearty wishes do we use at meetings? Replies he, leaning on his staff in's hand, In their beginnings do all Omens stand. Your jealous eares you turn to each first word: The watchfull Augur marks the first-spy'd bird. Gods eares and temples all stand ope: no tongue Makes idle pray'rs, but every word is strong. Thus answer'd he. I was not silent much, For his last word I with my first did touch. What means dry figs and palm-fruit I wot not, And honey offer'd in a fine-white pot.

That's for good luck, that things may savour so, And that our yeare a pleasant race may go. This have I learn'd; but shew the reason now Of new-yeares gifts, that I may all parts know. He smil'd: O how doth thy age thee deceive! Honey more sweet than money to believe! I scarce saw any in old Saturns reign That was not taken with the sweets of gain. In tract of time the Having love did grow: 'Tis now at height, and can no further go. Wealth now is farre more set by then of yore, Rome being a novice, and her people poore. When Mars-got Romulus in mean stalls liv'd, And little beds of river-reeds were weav'd, In narrow court Jove scarce upright could stand, And held an earthen thunderbolt in's hand. Then leaves for gold the Capitol adorn'd: To keep his flocks the Senatour nere scorn'd, Nor sham'd to sleep upon a lock of hay, Or on a pad of straw his head to lay. The Praetour kept his court new come from plow: A plate of silver as a shame did show. But when proud Fate this places head had rear'd, And Romes top-gallant neare the gods appear'd, Then wealth encreas'd, and wealths unglut desire, Men much possessing still much more require. To spend what's gotten, and to get what's spent, The very course is vices nourishment. So they whose bodies swelling dropsies have, The more they drink the more they liquour crave. Coin has the count, wealth gets the honour still: Wealth gets the friends, the poore shifts where he will▪ But if thou ask why new-yeares gifts are sent, And why old moneyes us so well content: Yerst brasse was given; now better 'tis in gold: The newer coin hath taken place of old.

Gold-temples please us, though the old w'approve: The majestie a god doth most behove. We praise old times, but yet make use of new; To both their customes like observance due. He made an end: When conging courteously Key-keeping Janus thus accosted I; Much have I learn'd: but why one side the brasse Is stampt a ship, and then a double face? Seest thou, quoth he, that double picture in't? It is my face, but time hath blurr'd the print. The Ships cause learn. A ship old Saturn brought On Tuscan stream, the whole world roam'd about. I well remember since He pitcht upon These coasts; when Jove the throne of heaven had won. The name Saturnia thence this land did bear, And Latium too: because he sheltred here. But after ages, as a mindfull signe Of his arrivall, stampt a ship in coyn. I then manur'd that ground on whose left side Sand-guilded Tiber's courteous stream doth glide. Where Rome now stands there grew a loftie wood; This mightie masse was then but pasture-food. Mine altar stood upon you hill, which from My name this age doth all Janiculum. Then reigned I, when gods did dwell on ground, And pow'rs divine in humane seats were found. Mans crimes from earth yet had not Justice driven: She last of gods withdrew her self to heaven. Without constraint shame rul'd the hearts of men, Not fear: small pains to judge the Commons then. I knew no warres, but kept my Peace and Doore, These arms, quoth he, his key advanc'd, I wore. His lips he closing, mine then open'd I, My question still provoking his reply: Since thou hast many temples, why dost stand In this alone, with markets twain at hand.

He, coaxing then his grave and bushy beard Down to his wast, the Tatian warres declar'd. How that light guard entic'd with Sabine chains Led into towre king Tatius and his trains. From thence, as now, where you, quoth he, descend, A hill through markets to the vales doth bend. Now stole they to the gate, whose fastned lock Malignant Juno off the bolts did knock. I, loth to thwart it with so high a power, Did slily help them with a feat of our, And op'd the spring-heads (which my art can do) And suddenly let flouds of water go. First in the veins I sulphur threw about, That scalding streams might force the Tatians out. By which, the Sabines almost scallt and slain, The place its former nature did regain. For this good turn they me a Chapell raise, Where cakes and barley on my altars blaze. But why in warres unbolted are thy gates, And lockt in peace? The reason he relates: In time of warre I set my doores wide ope, To make retreat for every marcht forth troop. In peace I'm barr'd, lest forth stern warre should flee: And long in Cesars empire barr'd I'le be. This said, he lifts his all-way-looking eyes, And views what ever in the broad world lies. 'Twas peace, O Cesar, and subdued Rhene, To raise thy triumphs, paid his tribute then. Peace and peace-makers, Janus, death-lesse make: Let not the authour e're that work forsake. Now let me tell what registers do say; Our fathers gave two temples on this day. The isle where Tiber in two parts doth runne, Did welcome Aesculapius Phebus sonne. Jove hath a part: one place them both conteins: The grandchild's temple to the grandsire's joyns.

What lets to sing the starres ascent and set? This is a piece on which our Muse must treat. Blest souls who first did this rare science love, And striv'd to climb those crystall courts above! From worldly vices and all baser toyes They (doubtlesse) their diviner thoughts did raise. Nor wine, nor love, nor warres, nor court-affairs Did break those lofty-towring minds of theirs: Nor varnish't glory, nor ambition light, Nor thirst of riches did distract their spright. They drew the starres familiar to our eyes, And to their knowledge did submit the skies. So heaven is scal'd, not as Olympus yerst Did Ossa bear, the clouds with Pelion pierc'd. We by those guides will meet those heavenly lines, And point each day to his associate signes. The third night come before the Nones ensue, When earth is dabbled with the morning dew, To seek eight-footed Cancers arms were vain, He headlong falls into the western main. Much rain doth threat from hovering clouds to flow: The Nones, the Harp arising, signes will show. Let foure dayes from the Nones be past, then shall Old Janus have his service Agonall. The girt-up priest, who at the altar slayes The beast to him, may be the titles cause: Who being about to drench his knife in bloud, Agóne cryes, nor strikes till he's allow'd. This feast Agnalia they did term (some say) In ancient times, one letter ta'n away. Some think, because the beasts are driven, they call This day from cattle-driving, Agonal. Or else, because knives laid in water scare The wary beast, 'tis call'd so from that fear. Some hold that from those games the Greeks did make In former times this day the name did take.

Which games old language did Agonia call: And in my mind this ground is best of all. How-ere 'tis doubtfull. But the great King-priest With sacred ram to Janus now must feast. By hands victorious victima doth fall: From slaughtred host the beast we hostia call. In times of eld men pleas'd the pow'rs of heaven With crummes of salt, and meal of barley given. No forrain vessel through the swelling seas Brought in sweet myrrh wept from the rinds of trees. Euphrates incense, Ind no cost did send: None did the strings of tawny saffron tend. From Sabine weeds the altars fumes did rise, And bay-boughs burning with a crackling noise. If any in his flow'r-prank't chaplets than Could violets put, he was a wealthy man. The knife that now the oxes flesh doth slice, Then had no office in a sacrifice. First Ceres in the greedy swines bloud joy'd, Him well requiting who her wealth destroy'd. For in the spring her tender juicy corn She found up-rooted by the swine and torn. He punish't was. Sir goat, you might have learn'd To keep from vines by his example warn'd: Whom one beholding on the vine-tree feeding, Did vent these words from no still grief proceeding; Well goat gnaw on, yet when at th' altar thou Dost stand for death the wine shall wash thy brow. Truth proves his speech: to thee that foe of thine Sir Bacchus, given, his horns are dash't with wine. The swines fault wrong'd him & the goats: yee flocks What did ye merit? or the usefull ox? The shepherd Aristaeus mourn'd and pin'd His bees all dead and combs decay'd to find. Whom his blue mother comforted in grief, And in the end did give him this relief;

Sonne, stay these sorrows: Proteus thee will shew Thy losse to cure, and thy dead stock renew: But bind him sure in fetters strong, lest he With his transformed shapes should coosen thee. The young man to the Ocean Sage makes hast, And fast asleep his arms he shackles fast. His shape he changes, and transforms by charm; Straight tam'd with shackles comes to his own form, And raising his drencht face with his blue beard, Do'st seek, quoth he, to have thy stock repair'd? An oxes carcase bury in the field, And thy desire that buried ox shall yield. This did the youth: The putrid corps doth glow With swarms; from one life do a thousand flow. The saucie sheep cropt vervine in the spring, Which good old wives to countrey-gods did bring. What beast's secure, when profitable flocks Are slain at altars, and the toilsome ox? Beam-girt Hyperion Persians please with horse: No dull beast suits a god so swift in course. The hart that did to triple Dian fall Once for a maid, now dies for none at all. Sabeans and chill Aemus have I seen Dogs entrails offer to the Trivian queen. The asse unto the Garden-god is kill'd: The cause obscene, yet such this god doth yield. To ivi'd Bacchus Greece a feast did make, Which each third yeare a constant course doth take. The gods that kept about Lyceus side And all the neighbours to the banquet ply'd; The Fauns and Satyrs with obscenenesse fir'd, The Nymphs that haunt fresh springs and shades retir'd: Silenus sage on bow-backt asse was there, And he whose red flank frightfull birds doth scare. Who choosing in a grove a fitting place For such a feast, sate down on turfs of grasse.

Th'had wines from Bacchus: each did bring his crown: To cool their cups a brook hard by ran down. The Fairies some in loose and carelesse hair, Some in their artificiall tires, were there. Some with their coats tuckt up unto the knee, Some naked-breasted in the service be. Some with bare shoulders, some in garments side Did sweep the grasse: their feet no sandals ty'd. Hence secretly at some the Satyres glow; And thou who with a pine-wreath bind'st thy brow. And thee, Silenus, quenchlesse lusts still hold: 'Tis lechery that makes thee never old. But Priap's love, the dun-thigh'd garden-guard, 'Mongst all the rest was bent to Lotis-ward: For her he longs, for her he sighs and pines, To her he winks, and sues with nods and signes. Pride fills the fair, and beauty breeds disdain: She laughs at him, and slights his suits but vain. Night came, and sleep by wine provoked: they Each in his place to rest, being drowzy, lay. Beneath a maple Lotis on the grasse, Quite tir'd with sport, on th' outside tumbled was: Her sweet-heart rising holds his breath, and goes Most slily, creeping on his hands and toes. Her private lodging soon as he came nigh, He holds his wind from breathing out too high. His bulk he layes down eas'ly on the ground Close to her side, yet she asleep was sound. Full blith, her coats above her knees he drew, And luckily his businesse gan pursue. When lo! just then from his unpleasing throat Silenus asse brayes out an ugly note. Up starts the nymph affrighted much, and shoves Sir Priap off, and flying wakes the groves. The god too forward with his tool obscene, Was soundly jeer'd at, by the moon-light seen.

This cost the braying asse his life, who is To Lampsacs God a pleasing sacrifice. Wood-haunting birds, the countreys solace, yee (A harmlesse brood) were yet untouch'd and free. That build neat nests, and eggs with tender wing Hatch up, and in melodious accents sing. This nought avails: the Gods your tongues do find Too faulty in discovering their mind. And true it is; with wing and tattling bill You near to heaven disclose their secret will. The kind of birds, long free, at length yet dy'd, And Gods their traitours entrails gratifi'd. Thence on the burning hearths the milk-wing'd dove Is sacrific'd, snatch't from her tender love. Nor can the guarded Capitol release The gooses liver from choise Inachs messe. The cock by night to Nights black Queen they slay, Because his watchfull bill doth wake the day. Mean while the Dolphines glittering snout doth rise From native seas, and scales the azure skies. Next day doth winter equally divide: What past made even to what remains beside. Next dayes Aurora rising views in sight Th' Arcadian Ladies pontificiall rite. This day Juturna to a chapell took, Where Mars his field is girt with maiden broo••. From whence shall I their cause and customes take? My doubtfull barge who guides amid this lake? Tell thou, who from thy verses tak'st thy name, My task assist, lest I should wrong thy fame. Before the Moon Arcadia did derive Her name from Arcas (may we her believe.) Here liv'd Evander honourable in Both pedegrees,, but most in mothers kin. She, when her brest with heavenly fire was fill'd, From full-voic'd mouth true prophesies did yield:

That troubles did herself and sonne pursue, With much more news, which time approved true. For he with his too-skilfull mother, beat From Arcadie, forsook his native seat: And weeping (cryes his mother) Do not mourn, My sonne; these fates must manfully be born. 'Twas thus enroll'd in Fate: from thine abode No crime hath driven thee, but an angry God. Thou sufferest not thy merits, but heavens wrath: Clean innocence in wo much comfort hath. As is the conscience, so the mind doth breed Or hope or fear for every acted deed. Th'art not the first that hath such evils born: These tempests have the greatest worthies torn. This Cadmus banish't from the Tyrian bay Endur'd, then settled in Aonia. This was both Tydeus and Jasons state, And divers more, too many to relate. As seas to fish, to birds as ayre and wind, All lands are native to a noble mind. Nor shall this winter last perpetually: Believe me, sonne, there is a spring for thee. Evander raised by his mothers speech, Plowes up the waves, and Italy doth reach. Then by her guidance to our river came Of Tiber, and so sailed up the stream. The rivers margent on Tarentums side, And scattred stalls on desert plains she ey'd. With hairs about her shoulders pour'd she stands O'th'poop, and scowling stayes the pilots hands. Her arms extended to the right side banks, With frantick feet thrice stampt she on the planks. Scarce could Evander scarce with might and main Her leaping hast'ly on the bank restrain. Hail Gods (cryes she) of this desired place; Hail land, the mother of a heavenly race:

Ye springs & rivers of this land hospitious, Ye Fairies feat, and water-nymphs delicious, With good luck of my sonne and me be seen: With happie foot may we all touch this green. I erre, or else these hills huge walls shall see, And to this land all lands shall subject be. The world's engag'd to yonder mountains state: Who'uld think this place should comprehend such fate? Troy's ships now shortly here arriving are: Here shall a woman cause a second warre. Dear Pallas, why do fatall arms array thee? Well, put them on; no common hand shall slay thee. Yet conquer'd Troy shall conquer: fall'n shall rise: Her ruines shall subdue her enemies. Ye conquering flames the Dardane towres devour: Their dust, now small, shall here the world o'repower. Aeneas now his gods and father brings: O Vesta, entertein those holy things! Time comes when one shall Earth with you defend; That god himself shall sacrifices spend. The Cesars then their countrey shall maintein: That noble house must guide the kingdomes reigne. That god-born prince (although himself denie) His fathers weight shall manage piously. As sure as altars me perpetually Shall worship, Julia shall a goddesse be. As with these words she came to these our times, Her tongue prophetick stay'd amid these rhy'mes. A boord on Italy these exuls went: Right blest; to whom that land was banishment! Streight rise new walls. Nor could that clime afford A greater Heroe then th'Arcadian lord. Lo, great Tyrinthius, as he now did rove The world, his Spanish oxen thither drove: And being here entertein'd by king Evander, His beasts unkept about the plains do wander.

The club-arm'd Heros, when the morn appear'd, Arose, and miss'd two oxen in his herd. He search'd, but finds no tract of beasts nor men; Fell Cacus dragg'd them backward to his den: Cacus, the fear of Aventine, and wo; A plague to strangers and to natives too: Stern-look'd, strong-limb'd, a most prodigious masse: Black Vulcane sire of this vast monster was. In stead of house a desert cave, huge, vast And farre retir'd, by which no beast yet pass'd. Mens sculls and limbs were hang'd about his doore: The clottered ground was strew'd with bones all o're. Jove's sonne departing with his ill-kept croud, The oxen stol'n unto their fellows low'd. Oh, I'm recall'd, quoth he: and following then The sound, through woods he rustles to his den. A piece of rock barr'd up his wide-mouth'd gate: Ten yoke of oxen scarce could move the weight. He shoves with shoulders which the heavens could bear, And with the motion up the load doth tear. Which tumbling down, the noise doth heaven affright: The pow'rfull masse the yielding ground doth smite. First Cacus gives the onset with heav'd hands, And fiercely deals with stones and burning brands: Which being but vain, his fathers art to use He strains, and fires from thundring throat he spues: You would have thought 't had bin Typhoeus blast, And clattering volleys out of Aetna cast. Alcides drives on, and with knotty bat Three or foure times doth dash him o're the pate. He falls, and forth fire-mingled bloud doth poure, And, dying, with his huge bulk beats the floor. One of these heads to Jove he offers then, And calls Evander with the Countrey-men; And builds his Altar which is call'd the Great; Here where the street derives the name from Neat.

Nor was Carmentis mute, but said, E're long The gods Alcides should be rank'd among. But this heaven-loved Prophetesse more bless'd This day, engoddess'd, in this month possess'd. In th'Ides the holy Priest for sacrifice In Joves great court a wethers entrails fries. Then to our nation every province came. Then first Augustus was thy grandsires name. Search, reade the statues through the minsters old; So great a title hath no prince extoll'd. One Africks conquest titles: these are nam'd To shew the Cretians, or Isaurians tam'd: Numidians this, and him Messanians raise: From curb'd Numantia hath another praise. Germania was both Drusus death and name: Ah me! how short a vertue was that same! Should Cesars conquests give him appellations, He'd have as many as the world hath nations. From some one action some renowned grow; From bracelets tane, or from a lucky crow. Magnus, thy name's the measure of thy deeds: Yet he that conquer'd name and thee exceeds. Above the Fabii's name there's no degree; For their great acts Great fames that familie. Yet all these humane celebrations are: With Jove himself Augustus name doth share. Old times Augusta call'd all things of state, And temples which the Priest did consecrate. From this words theme is Auguries descent, And whatsoe're Joves bounty doth augment. May he augment our Princes yeares and states, May oaken garlands still protect our gates. Still may this large names heir the cities weight, By heavens ayd, manage in his fathers fate. The third day after that the Ides are gone, Th' Arcadian goddesse hath more sacreds done.

In carrs at first our wives did ride about: (Th' are call'd so from Carmentis out of doubt.) This privilege tane from them, all agreed No children for such thanklesse men to breed. And, to prevent, her embryon every mother Forc'd from her womb by some close means or other. They chid their wives for this their act abhorr'd; But yet their custome was again restor'd. Then to Carmentis they consent to raise Two sacrifices, both for girls and boyes. No beast self-dead her chappel will endure: Because, unclean, it stains her altars pure. Who e're thou art that lov'st old rites, the prayer Assist; unhear'd-of names you now shall heare: Postverta since, & Porrima w'appease; Carmentis sisters or her mates were these: The first, because she speaks of future things; The last, because of matters past she sings. Next day White Concord in a white church placed, Where tall Moneta on high steps is raised. Now be protectresse of the Latine train, Now sacred hands have rear'd thee up again. The Tuscane conquerour Furius of eld Did vow thee, and his solemn vow fulfill'd. The cause; The commons 'gainst the nobles were In arms, and Rome did her own greatnesse fear. This last is best: Brave Prince thy thundring knocks Made Germany cut short her dangling locks. Then gav'st thou gifts of that triumphed nation; And rais'd'st a church for Concords adoration. This did thy mother, Joves bed-worthy bride, Endow with altars and rich gifts beside. These things thus past, Sol leaving Capricorn, His race-horse to the Water-boy doth turn. The seventh day hence, when Sol his fierie wheels Cools in the sea, the Harp a part conceals.

Next morn to this the bright starre that doth shine In Leo's breast, is quench'd in Neptune's brine. Three or foure times I search'd the Calendar, But could not find a Seed-day any where. My Muse perceiving, said, Seek thou alway For Holy-dayes: that's but a Bidden day. The day's uncertain, certain is the time, When seed-big fields do sprout forth in their prime. Crown'd oxen now at full-stuft mangers feed: The thriving spring more work for you will breed. His well-wrought plow the farmer on a post Hangs up: the ground fears every wound in frost. Farmers, let plowmen and manured soil (Your seed-time finish'd) rest and sport a while. Now plowmen feast, and now surround your corn; And yearly gifts on Countrey-altars burn. Ceres and Terra mothers of your seed Please with big sow and fruits themselves do breed. These two one common benefit maintein; This yields the place, and she the cause of grain. These two co-workers ancient times renew'd; That nobler food condemned akorns rude. Fill up the Farmers gapings with rich crops: Yield some requitall to their pains and hopes. With constant growths encrease you still their corn: Let not chill snows the blade yet tender burn. In sowing seed let smooth gales ope the skies: Rain down soft showr's when underground it lies. Scare grain-devouring flocks of birds away: Because that they our Cereall wealth destroy. Ye toyling pismires, spare the corn new sown: In harvest-time more plenty will be grown. Thus let it thrive from rusty blasting free; Nor by the heav'ns distemper sickly be. Not too too thin, nor yet too rank, whereby To faint through too much prodigality.

Free all the grounds from eye-annoying darnel: Let not an eare bring forth a chaffie kernel. Let fields all yield in huge encrease rich wheat, And rie, and barley, twice enduring heat. Thus I for you, thus for your own affairs Ye Farmers pray: may both Pow'rs heare our prayers! Warres long have vext us; swords were more in course Then shares; the ox gave place to th' haughty horse. Rakes idle lay, and mattocks turn'd to piles; In fire the spade to make a helmet boils. Thanks to the Gods and to thy house, that long Warres under foot have lain in fetters strong. Let th' ox be in his yoke, in soil the seed: Peace, Ceres mother, Ceres still doth feed. The fifth before the Calends first begins, Were temples rais'd to those Ledean twins. Two brother-Gods to brother-Gods did make These fabricks seated neare Juturna lake. To Peace her altar hath our verse us brought, Which is one day before the month goes out. Sweet Peace, approch with Actian garlands crown'd, And through the world continue thou renown'd. Adieu all foes, though here no triumphs be; Peace more then Warre doth Princes magnifie. Let souldiers carry arms, arms to confound: Let blaring trumpets nought but pomp resound. Let Troy's brave race the world with terrour move: Let every land that dreads not Rome, her love. On peacefull flames, ye Priests, sweet incense lay, And cattel with wine-dabbled forelocks slay. Let pious pray'rs the yielding Gods attend, That this calm house in Peace may time transcend. But now the first piece of my task is done: And, with our book, we through this month are run.

The end of the first Book.