The works of Virgil containing his Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis : adorn'd with a hundred sculptures / translated into English verse by Mr. Dryden.

Virgil's Georgics.

The First Book of the Georgics.

The Argument.

The Poet, in the beginning of this Book, propounds the general Design of each Georgic: And after a solemn Invocation of all the Gods who are any way related to his Subject, he addresses himself in particu∣lar to Augustus, whom he complements with Divinity; and after strikes into his Business. He shews the different kinds of Tillage proper to different Soils, traces out the Original of Agriculture, gives a Catalogue of the Husbandman's Tools, specifies the Employ∣ments pecultar to each Season, describes the changes of the Weather, with the Signs in Heaven and Earth that fore-bode them. Instan∣ces many of the Prodigies that happen'd near the time of Julius Caesar's Death. And shuts up all with a Supplication to the Gods for the Safety of Augustus, and the Prefervation of Rome.

[illustration]

To S^r Thomas Trevor of the Inner Temple Knight His Majestys Attorny Generall.

Geor: 1 L. 1▪

WHat makes a plenteous Harvest, when to turn The fruitful Soil, and when to sowe the Corn; The Care of Sheep, of Oxen, and of Kine; And how to raise on Elms the teeming Vine: The Birth and Genius of the frugal Bee,Line 5 I sing, Mecaenas, and I sing to thee.

Ye Deities! who Fields and Plains protect, Who rule the Seasons, and the Year direct; Bacchus and fost'ring Ceres, Pow'rs Divine, Who gave us Corn for Mast, for Water Wine.Line 10 Ye Fawns, propitious to the Rural Swains, Ye Nymphs that haunt the Mountains and the Plains, Join in my Work, and to my Numbers bring Your needful Succour, for your Gifts I sing. Line 15

And thou, whose Trident struck the teeming Earth,Line 15 And made a Passage for the Coursers Birth. And thou, for whom the Caean Shore sustains Thy Milky Herds, that graze the Flow'ry Plains. And thou, the Shepherds tutelary God, Leave, for a while, O Pan! thy lov'd Abode:Line 20 And, if Arcadian Fleeces be thy Care, From Fields and Mountains to my Song repair. Inventor, Pallas, of the fat'ning Oyl, Thou Founder of the Plough and Plough-man's Toyl; And thou, whose Hands the Shrowd-like Cypress rear;Line 25 Come all ye Gods and Goddesses, that wear The rural Honours, and increase the Year. You, who supply the Ground with Seeds of Grain; And you, who swell those Seeds with kindly Rain: And chiefly thou, whose undetermin'd StateLine 30 Is yet the Business of the Gods Debate: Whether in after Times to be declar'd The Patron of the World, and Rome's peculiar Guard, Or o're the Fruits and Seasons to preside, And the round Circuit of the Year to guide.Line 35 Pow'rful of Blessings, which thou strew'st around, And with thy Goddess Mother's Myrtle crown'd. Or wilt thou, Caesar, chuse the watry Reign, To smooth the Surges, and correct the Main? Then Mariners, in Storms, to thee shall pray,Line 40 Ev'n utmost Thule shall thy Pow'r obey; And Neptune shall resign the Fasces of the Sea. The wat'ry Virgins for thy Bed shall strive, And Tethys all her Waves in Dowry give. Or wilt thou bless our Summers with thy Rays,Line 45 And seated near the Ballance, poise the Days: Where in the Void of Heav'n a Space is free, Betwixt the Scorpion and the Maid for thee.

The Scorpion ready to receive thy Laws, Yields half his Region, and contracts his Claws.Line 50 Whatever part of Heav'n thou shalt obtain, For let not Hell presume of such a Reign; Nor let so dire a Thirst of Empire move Thy Mind, to leave thy Kindred Gods above. Tho' Greece admires Elysium's blest Retreat,Line 55 Tho' Proserpine affects her silent Seat, And importun'd by Ceres to remove, Prefers the Fields below to those above. But thou, propitious Caesar, guide my Course, And to my bold Endeavours add thy Force.Line 60 Pity the Poet's and the Ploughman's Cares, Int'rest thy Greatness in our mean Affairs, And use thy self betimes to hear our Pray'rs.

While yet the Spring is young, while Earth unbinds Her frozen Bosom to the Western Winds;Line 65 While Mountain Snows dissolve against the Sun, And Streams, yet new, from Precipices run. Ev'n in this early Dawning of the Year, Produce the Plough, and yoke the sturdy Steer, And goad him till he groans beneath his Toil,Line 70 'Till the bright Share is bury'd in the Soil. That Crop rewards the greedy Peasant's Pains, Which twice the Sun, and twice the Cold sustains, And bursts the crowded Barns, with more than promis'd Gains. But e're we stir the yet unbroken Ground,Line 75 The various Course of Seasons must be found; The Weather, and the setting of the Winds, The Culture suiting to the sev'ral Kinds Of Seeds and Plants; and what will thrive and rise, And what the Genius of the Soil denies.Line 80 This Ground with Bacchus, that with Ceres suits: That other loads the Trees with happy Fruits.

A fourth with Grass, unbidden, decks the Ground: Thus Tmolus is with yellow Saffron crown'd: India, black Ebon and white Ivory bears:Line 85 And soft Idume weeps her od'rous Tears. Thus Pontus sends her Beaver Stones from far; And naked Spanyards temper Steel for War. Epirus for th' Elean Chariot breeds, (In hopes of Palms,) a Race of running Steeds.Line 90 This is the Orig'nal Contract; these the Laws Impos'd by Nature, and by Nature's Cause, On sundry Places, when Deucalion hurl'd his Mother's Entrails on the desart World: Whence Men, a hard laborious Kind, were born.Line 95 Then borrow part of Winter for thy Corn; And early with thy Team the Gleeb in Furrows turn. That while the Turf lies open, and unbound, Succeeding Suns may bake the Mellow Ground. But if the Soil be barren, only scarLine 100 The Surface, and but lightly print the Share, When cold Arcturus rises with the Sun: Lest wicked Weeds the Corn shou'd over-run In watry Soils; or lest the barren Sand Shou'd suck the Moisture from the thirsty Land.Line 105 Both these unhappy Soils the Swain forbears, And keeps a Sabbath of alternate Years: That the spent Earth may gather heart again; And, better'd by Cessation, bear the Grain. At least where Vetches, Pulse, and Tares have stood,Line 110 And Stalks of Lupines grew (a stubborn Wood:) Th' ensuing Season, in return, may bear The bearded product of the Golden Year. For Flax and Oats will burn the tender Field, And sleepy Poppies harmful Harvests yield.Line 115

But sweet Vicissitudes of Rest and Toyl Make easy Labour, and renew the Soil. Yet sprinkle sordid Ashes all around, And load with fat'ning Dung thy fallow Ground. Thus change of Seeds for meagre Soils is best;Line 120 And Earth manur'd, not idle, though at rest.

Long Practice has a sure Improvement found, With kindled Fires to burn the barren Ground; When the light Stubble, to the Flames resign'd, Is driv'n along, and crackles in the Wind.Line 125 Whether from hence the hollow Womb of Earth Is warm'd with secret Strength for better Birth, Or when the latent Vice is cur'd by Fire, Redundant Humours thro' the Pores expire; Or that the Warmth distends the Chinks, and makesLine 130 New Breathings, whence new Nourishment she takes; Or that the Heat the gaping Ground constrains, New Knits the Surface, and new Strings the Veins; Lest soaking Show'rs shou'd pierce her secret Seat, Or freezing Boreas chill her genial Heat;Line 135 Or scorching Suns too violently beat.

Nor is the Profit small, the Peasant makes; Who smooths with Harrows, or who pounds with Rakes The crumbling Clods: Nor Ceres from on high Regards his Labours with a grudging Eye;Line 140 Nor his, who plows across the furrow'd Grounds, And on the Back of Earth inflicts new Wounds: For he with frequent Exercise Commands Th' unwilling Soil, and tames the stubborn Lands.

Ye Swains, invoke the Pow'rs who rule the Sky,Line 145 For a moist Summer, and a Winter dry: For Winter drout rewards the Peasant's Pain, And broods indulgent on the bury'd Grain.

Hence Mysia boasts her Harvests, and the tops Of Gargarus admire their happy Crops.Line 150 When first the Soil receives the fruitful Seed, Make no delay, but cover it with speed: So fenc'd from Cold; the plyant Furrows break, Before the surly Clod resists the Rake. And call the Floods from high, to rush amainLine 155 With pregnant Streams, to swell the teeming Grain. Then when the fiery Suns too fiercely play, And shrivell'd Herbs on with'ring Stems decay, The wary Ploughman, on the Mountain's Brow, Undams his watry Stores, huge Torrents flow;Line 160 And, ratling down the Rocks, large moisture yield, Temp'ring the thirsty Fever of the Field. And lest the Stem, too feeble for the freight, Shou'd scarce sustain the head's unweildy weight, Sends in his feeding Flocks betimes t'invadeLine 165 The rising bulk of the luxuriant Blade; E're yet th'aspiring Off-spring of the Grain O'retops the ridges of the furrow'd Plain: And drains the standing Waters, when they yield Too large a Bev'rage to the drunken Field.Line 170 But most in Autumn, and the show'ry Spring, When dubious Months uncertain weather bring; When Fountains open, when impetuous Rain Swells hasty Brooks, and pours upon the Plain; When Earth with Slime and Mud is cover'd o're,Line 175 Or hollow places spue their wat'ry Store. Nor yet the Ploughman, nor the lab'ring Steer, Sustain alone the hazards of the Year: But glutton Geese, and the Strymonian Crane, With foreign Troops, invade the tender Grain:Line 081 And tow'ring Weeds malignant Shadows yield; And spreading Succ'ry choaks the rising Field.

The Sire of Gods and Men, with hard Decrees, Forbids our Plenty to be bought with Ease: And wills that Mortal Men, inur'd to toil,Line 185 Shou'd exercise, with pains, the grudging Soil. Himself invented first the shining Share, And whetted Humane Industry by Care: Himself did Handy-Crafts and Arts ordain; Nor suffer'd Sloath to rust his active Reign.Line 190 E're this, no Peasant vex'd the peaceful Ground; Which only Turfs and Greens for Altars found: No Fences parted Fields, nor Marks nor Bounds Distinguish'd Acres of litigious Grounds: But all was common, and the fruitful EarthLine 195 Was free to give her unexacted Birth. Jove added Venom to the Viper's Brood, And swell'd, with raging Storms, the peaceful Flood: Commission'd hungry Wolves t' infest the Fold, And shook from Oaken Leaves the liquid Gold.Line 200 Remov'd from Humane reach the chearful Fire, And from the Rivers bade the Wine retire: That studious Need might useful Arts explore; From furrow'd Fields to reap the foodful Store: And force the Veins of clashing Flints t' expireLine 205 The lurking Seeds of their Coelestial Fire. Then first on Seas the hollow'd Alder swam; Then Sailers quarter'd Heav'n, and found a Name For ev'ry fix'd and ev'ry wandring Star: The Pleiads, Hyads, and the Northern Car.Line 210 Then Toils for Beasts, and Lime for Birds were found, And deep-mouth Dogs did Forrest Walks surround: And casting Nets were spread in shallow Brooks, Drags in the Deep, and Baits were hung on Hooks. Then Saws were tooth'd, and sounding Axes made;Line 215 (For Wedges first did yielding Wood invade.)

And various Arts in order did succeed, (What cannot endless Labour urg'd by need?)

First Ceres taught, the Ground with Grain to sow, And arm'd with Iron Shares the crooked Plough;Line 220 When now Dodonian Oaks no more supply'd Their Mast, and Trees their Forrest-fruit deny'd. Soon was his Labour doubl'd to the Swain, And blasting Mildews blackned all his Grain. Tough Thistles choak'd the Fields, and kill'd the Corn,Line 225 And an unthrifty Crop of Weeds was born. Then Burrs and Brambles, an unbidden Crew Of graceless Guests, th' unhappy Field subdue: And Oats unblest, and Darnel domineers, And shoots its head above the shining Ears.Line 230 So that unless the Land with daily Care Is exercis'd, and with an Iron War, Of Rakes and Harrows, the proud Foes expell'd, And Birds with clamours frighted from the Field; Unless the Boughs are lopp'd that shade the Plain,Line 235 And Heav'n invok'd with Vows for fruitful Rain, On other Crops you may with envy look, And shake for Food the long abandon'd Oak. Nor must we pass untold what Arms they wield, Who labour Tillage and the furrow'd Field:Line 240 Without whose aid the Ground her Corn denys, And nothing can be sown, and nothing rise. The crooked Plough, the Share, the towr'ing height Of Waggons, and the Cart's unweildy weight; The Sled, the Tumbril, Hurdles and the Flail,Line 245 The Fan of Bacchus, with the flying Sail. These all must be prepar'd, if Plowmen hope The promis'd Blessing of a Bounteous Crop. Young Elms with early force in Copses bow, Fit for the Figure of the crooked Plough.Line 250

[illustration]

To S^r Iohn Hawles▪ of Lincolns Inn in the County of Midlesex Kn^t: His Majestyes Solicitor Gen^ll:

Geor. 1. L. 240.

Of eight Foot long a fastned Beam prepare, On either side the Head produce an Ear, And sink a Socket for the shining Share. Of Beech the Plough-tail, and the bending Yoke; Or softer Linden harden'd in the Smoke.Line 255 I cou'd be long in Precepts, but I fear So mean a Subject might offend your Ear. Delve of convenient Depth your thrashing Floor; With temper'd Clay, then fill and face it o're: And let the weighty Rowler run the round,Line 260 To smooth the Surface of th' unequal Ground; Lest crack'd with Summer Heats the flooring flies, Or sinks, and thro' the Crannies Weeds arise. For sundry Foes the Rural Realm surround: The Field Mouse builds her Garner under ground,Line 265 For gather'd Grain the blind laborious Mole, In winding Mazes works her hidden Hole. In hollow Caverns Vermine make abode, The hissing Serpent, and the swelling Toad: The Corn devouring Weezel here abides,Line 270 And the wise Ant her wintry Store provides.

Mark well the flowring Almonds in the Wood; If od'rous Blooms the bearing Branches load, The Glebe will answer to the Sylvan Reign, Great Heats will follow, and large Crops of Grain.Line 275 But if a Wood of Leaves o're-shade the Tree, Such and so barren will thy Harvest be: In vain the Hind shall vex the thrashing Floor, For empty Chaff and Straw will be thy Store. Some steep their Seed, and some in Cauldrons boilLine 280 With vigorous Nitre, and with Lees of Oyl, O're gentle Fires; th' exuberant Juice to drain, And swell the flatt'ring Husks with fruitful Grain.

Yet is not the Success for Years assur'd, Tho chosen is the Seed, and fully cur'd;Line 285 Unless the Peasant, with his Annual Pain, Renews his Choice, and culls the largest Grain. Thus all below, whether by Nature's Curse, Or Fates Decree, degen'rate still to worse. So the Boats brawny Crew the Current stem,Line 290 And, slow advancing, struggle with the Stream: But if they slack their hands, or cease to strive, Then down the Flood with headlong haste they drive.

Nor must the Ploughman less observe the Skies, When the Kidds, Dragon, and Arcturus rise,Line 295 Than Saylors homeward bent, who cut their Way Thro' Helle's stormy Streights, and Oyster-breeding Sea. But when Astrea's Ballance, hung on high, Betwixt the Nights and Days divides the Sky, Then Yoke your Oxen, sow your Winter Grain;Line 300 'Till cold December comes with driving Rain. Lineseed and fruitful Poppy bury warm, In a dry Season, and prevent the Storm. Sow Beans and Clover in a rotten Soyl, And Millet rising from your Annual Toyl;Line 305 When with his Golden Horns, in full Cariere, The Bull beats down the Barriers of the Year; And Arg••s and the Dog forsake the Northern Sphere.

But if your Care to Wheat alone extend, Let Maja with her Sisters first descend,Line 310 And the bright Gnosian Diadem downward bend: Before you trust in Earth your future Hope; Or else expect a listless lazy Crop. Some Swains have sown before, but most have found A husky Harvest, from the grudging Ground.Line 315 Vile Vetches wou'd you sow, or Lentils lean, The Growth of Egypt, or the Kidney-bean?

Begin when the slow Waggoner descends, Nor cease your sowing till Mid-winter ends: For this, thro' twelve bright Signs Apollo guidesLine 320 The Year, and Earth in sev'ral Climes divides. Five Girdles bind the Skies, the torrid Zone Glows with the passing and repassing Sun. Far on the right and left, th' extreams of Heav'n, To Frosts and Snows, and bitter Blasts are giv'n.Line 325 Betwixt the midst and these, the Gods assign'd Two habitable Seats for Humane Kind: And cross their limits cut a sloping way, Which the twelve Signs in beauteous order sway. Two Poles turn round the Globe; one seen to riseLine 330 O're Scythian Hills, and one in Lybian Skies. The first sublime in Heav'n, the last is whirl'd Below the Regions of the nether World. Around our Pole the spiry Dragon glides, And like a winding Stream the Bears divides;Line 335 The less and greater, who by Fates Decree Abhor to dive beneath the Southern Sea: There, as they say, perpetual Night is found In silence brooding on th' unhappy ground: Or when Aurora leaves our Northern Sphere,Line 340 She lights the downward Heav'n, and rises there. And when on us she breaths the living Light, Red Vesper kindles there the Tapers of the Night. From hence uncertain Seasons we may know; And when to reap the Grain, and when to sow:Line 345 Or when to fell the Furzes, when 'tis meet To spread the flying Canvass for the Fleet. Observe what Stars arise or disappear; And the four Quarters of the rolling Year. But when cold Weather and continu'd Rain,Line 350 The lab'ring Husband in his House restrain:

Let him forecast his Work with timely care, Which else is huddl'd, when the Skies are fair: Then let him mark the Sheep, or whet the shining Share. Or hollow Trees for Boats, or number o'reLine 355 His Sacks, or measure his increasing Store: Or sharpen Stakes, or head the Forks, or twine The Sallow Twigs to tye the stragling Vine: Or wicker Baskets weave, or aire the Corn, Or grinded Grain betwixt two Marbles turn.Line 360 No Laws, Divine or Human, can restrain From necessary Works, the lab'ring Swain. Ev'n Holy-days and Feasts permission yield, The Meads to water, and to fence the Field, To Fire the Brambles, snare the Birds, and steepLine 365 In wholsom Water-falls the woolly Sheep. And oft the drudging Ass is driv'n, with Toyl, To neighb'ring Towns with Apples and with Oyl: Returning late, and loaden home with Gain Of barter'd Pitch, and Hand-mills for the Grain.Line 370

The lucky Days, in each revolving Moon, For Labour chuse: The Fifth be sure to shun; That gave the Furies and pale Pluto Birth, And arm'd, against the Skies, the Sons of Earth. With Mountains pil'd on Mountains, thrice they stroveLine 375 To scale the steepy Battlements of Jove: And thrice his Lightning and red Thunder play'd, And their demolish'd Works in Ruin laid. The Sev'nth is, next the Tenth, the best to joyn Young Oxen to the Yoke, and plant the Vine.Line 380 Then Weavers stretch your Stays upon the Weft: The Ninth is good for Travel, bad for Theft. Some Works in dead of Night are better done; Or when the Morning Dew prevents the Sun.

[illustration]

To Joseph Jekyll of the middle Temple Esq

Geo: 1. l. 390

Parch'd Meads and Stubble mow, by Phoebe's Light;Line 385 Which both require the Coolness of the Night: For Moisture then abounds, and Pearly Rains Descend in Silence to refresh the Plains. The Wife and Husband equally conspire, To work by Night, and rake the Winter Fire:Line 390 He sharpens Torches in the glim'ring Room, She shoots the flying Shuttle through the Loom: Or boils in Kettles Must of Wine, and Skins With Leaves, the Dregs that overflow the Brims. And till the watchful Cock awakes the Day,Line 395 She sings to drive the tedious hours away. But in warm Weather, when the Skies are clear, By Daylight reap the Product of the Year: And in the Sun your golden Grain display, And thrash it out, and winnow it by Day.Line 400 Plough naked, Swain, and naked sow the Land, For lazy Winter numbs the lab'ring Hand. In Genial Winter, Swains enjoy their Store, Forget their Hardships, and recruit for more. The Farmer to full Bowls invites his Friends,Line 405 And what he got with Pains, with Pleasure spends. So Saylors, when escap'd from stormy Seas, First crown their Vessels, then indulge their Ease. Yet that's the proper Time to thrash the Wood For Mast of Oak, your Father's homely Food.Line 410 To gather Laurel-berries, and the Spoil Of bloody Myrtles, and to press your Oyl. For stalking Cranes to set the guileful Snare, T' inclose the Stags in Toyls, and hunt the Hare. With Balearick Slings, or Gnossian Bow,Line 415 To persecute from far the flying Doe. Then, when the Fleecy Skies new cloath the Wood, And cakes of rustling Ice come rolling down the Flood.

Now sing we stormy Stars, when Autumn weighs The Year, and adds to Nights, and shortens Days;Line 420 And Suns declining shine with feeble Rays: What Cares must then attend the toiling Swain; Or when the low'ring Spring, with lavish Rain, Beats down the slender Stem and bearded Grain: While yet the Head is green, or lightly swell'dLine 425 With Milky-moisture, over-looks the Field. Ev'n when the Farmer, now secure of Fear, Sends in the Swains to spoil the finish'd Year: Ev'n while the Reaper fills his greedy hands, And binds the golden Sheafs in brittle bands:Line 430 Oft have I seen a sudden Storm arise, From all the warring Winds that sweep the Skies: The heavy Harvest from the Root is torn, And whirl'd aloft the lighter Stubble born; With such a force the flying rack is driv'n;Line 435 And such a Winter wears the face of Heav'n: And oft whole sheets descend of slucy Rain, Suck'd by the spongy Clouds from off the Main: The lofty Skies at once come pouring down, The promis'd Crop and golden Labours drown.Line 440 The Dykes are fill'd, and with a roaring sound The rising Rivers float the nether ground; And Rocks the bellowing Voice of boiling Seas rebound. The Father of the Gods his Glory shrowds, Involv'd in Tempests, and a Night of Clouds.Line 445 And from the middle Darkness flashing out, By fits he deals his fiery Bolts about. Earth feels the Motions of her angry God, Her Entrails tremble, and her Mountains nod; And flying Beasts in Forests seek abode:Line 450 Deep horrour seizes ev'ry Humane Breast, Their Pride is humbled, and their Fear confess'd:

[illustration]

To Thomas Vernon of Hanbury in Worcester - Shire Esq

Geo: 1 L 475

While he from high his rowling Thunder throws, And fires the Mountains with repeated blows: The Rocks are from their old Foundations rent;Line 455 The Winds redouble, and the Rains augment: The Waves on heaps are dash'd against the Shoar, And now the Woods, and now the Billows roar.

In fear of this, observe the starry Signs, Where Saturn houses, and where Hermes joins.Line 460 But first to Heav'n thy due Devotions pay, And Annual Gifts on Ceres Altars lay. When Winter's rage abates, when chearful Hours Awake the Spring, and Spring awakes the Flow'rs, On the green Turf thy careless Limbs display,Line 465 And celebrate the mighty Mother's day. For then the Hills with pleasing Shades are crown'd, And Sleeps are sweeter on the silken Ground: With milder Beams the Sun securely shines; Fat are the Lambs, and luscious are the Wines.Line 470 Let ev'ry Swain adore her Pow'r Divine, And Milk and Honey mix with sparkling Wine: Let all the Quire of Clowns attend the Show, In long Procession, shouting as they go; Invoking her to bless their yearly Stores,Line 475 Inviting Plenty to their crowded Floors. Thus in the Spring, and thus in Summer's Heat, Before the Sickles touch the ripening Wheat, On Ceres call; and let the lab'ring Hind With Oaken Wreaths his hollow Temples bind:Line 480 On Ceres let him call, and Ceres praise, With uncouth Dances, and with Country Lays.

And that by certain signs we may presage Of Heats and Rains, and Wind's impetuous rage, The Sov'reign of the Heav'ns has set on highLine 485 The Moon, to mark the Changes of the Skye:

When Southern blasts shou'd cease, and when the Swain Shou'd near their Folds his feeding Flocks restrain. For e're the rising Winds begin to roar, The working Seas advance to wash the Shoar:Line 490 Soft whispers run along the leavy Woods, And Mountains whistle to the murm'ring Floods: Ev'n then the doubtful Billows scarce abstain From the toss'd Vessel on the troubled Main: When crying Cormorants forsake the Sea,Line 495 And stretching to the Covert wing their way: When sportful Coots run skimming o're the Strand; When watchful Herons leave their watry Stand, And mounting upward, with erected flight, Gain on the Skyes, and soar above the sight.Line 500 And oft before tempest'our Winds arise, The seeming Stars fall headlong from the Skies; And, shooting through the darkness, guild the Night With sweeping Glories, and long trails of Light: And Chaff with eddy Winds is whirl'd around,Line 505 And dancing Leaves are lifted from the Ground; And floating Feathers on the Waters play. But when the winged Thunder takes his way From the cold North, and East and West ingage, And at their Frontiers meet with equal rage,Line 510 The Clouds are crush'd, a glut of gather'd Rain The hollow Ditches fills, and floats the Plain, And Sailors furl their dropping Sheets amain. Wet weather seldom hurts the most unwise, So plain the Signs, such Prophets are the Skies:Line 515 The wary Crane foresees it first, and sails Above the Storm, and leaves the lowly Vales: The Cow looks up, and from afar can find The change of Heav'n, and snuffs it in the Wind. Line 520

The Swallow skims the River's watry Face,Line 520 The Frogs renew the Croaks of their loquacious Race. The careful Ant her secret Cell forsakes, And drags her Egs along the narrow Tracks. At either Horn the Rainbow drinks the Flood, Huge Flocks of rising Rooks sorsake their Food,Line 525 And, crying, seek the Shelter of the Wood. Besides, the sev'ral sorts of watry Fowls, That swim the Seas, or haunt the standing Pools: The Swans that sail along the Silver Flood, And dive with stretching Necks to search their Food.Line 530 Then lave their Backs with sprinkling Dews in vain, And stem tke Stream to meet the promis'd Rain. The Crow with clam'rous Cries the Show'r demands, And single stalks along the Desart Sands. The nightly Virgin, while her Wheel she plies,Line 535 Foresees the Storm impending in the Skies, When sparkling Lamps their sputt'ring Light advance, And in the Sockets Oyly Bubbles dance.

Then after Show'rs, 'tis easie to descry Returning Suns, and a serener Sky:Line 540 The Stars shine smarter, and the Moon adorns, As with unborrow'd Beams, her sharpen'd Horns. The filmy Gossamer now flitts no more, Nor Halcyons bask on the short Sunny Shoar: Their Litter is not toss'd by Sows unclean,Line 545 But a blue droughty Mist descends upon the Plain. And Owls, that mark the setting Sun, declare A Star-light Evening, and a Morning fair. Tow'ring aloft, avenging Nisus flies, While dar'd below the guilty Scylla lies.Line 550 Where-ever frighted Scylla flies away, Swift Nisus follows, and pursues his Prey.

Where injur'd Nisus takes his Airy Course, Thence trembling Scylla flies and shuns his Force. This punishment pursues th' unhappy Maid,Line 555 And thus the purple Hair is dearly paid. Then, thrice the Ravens rend the liquid Air, And croaking Notes proclaim the settled fair. Then, round their Airy Palaces they fly, To greet the Sun; and seis'd with secret Joy,Line 560 When Storms are over-blown, with Food repair To their forsaken Nests, and callow Care. Not that I think their Breasts with Heav'nly Souls Inspir'd, as Man, who Destiny controls. But with the changeful Temper of the Skies,Line 565 As Rams condense, and Sun-shine rarifies; So turn the Species in their alter'd Minds, Compos'd by Calms, and disoompos'd by Winds. From hence proceeds the Birds harmonious Voice: From hence the Cows exult, and frisking Lambs rejoice.Line 570 Observe the daily Circle of the Sun, And the short Year of each revolving Moon: By them thou shalt foresee the following day; Nor shall a starry Night thy Hopes betray. When first the Moon appears, if then she shroudsLine 575 Her silver Crescent, tip'd with sable Clouds; Conclude she bodes a Tempest on the Main, And brews for Fields impetuous Floods of Rain. Or if her Face with fiery Flushing glow, Expect the ratling Winds aloft to blow.Line 580 But four Nights old, (for that's the surest Sign,) With sharpen'd Horns if glorious then she shine: Next Day, nor only that, but all the Moon, Till her revolving Race be wholly run; Are void of Tempests, both by Land and Sea,Line 585 And Saylors in the Port their promis'd Vow shall pay.

Above the rest, the Sun, who never lies; Foretels the change of Weather in the Skies: For if he rise, unwilling to his Race, Clouds on his Brows, and Spots upon his Face;Line 590 Or if thro' Mists he shoots his sullen Beams, Frugal of Light, in loose and stragling Streams: Suspect a drisling Day, with Southern Rain, Fatal to Fruits, and Flocks, and promis'd Grain. Or if Aurora, with half open'd Eyes,Line 595 And a pale sickly Cheek, salute the Skies; How shall the Vine, with tender Leaves, defend Her teeming Clusters, when the Storms descend? When ridgy Roofs and Tiles can scarce avail, To barr the Ruin of the ratling Hail.Line 600 But more than all, the setting Sun survey, When down the Steep of Heav'n he drives the Day. For oft we find him finishing his Race, With various Colours erring on his Face; If fiery red his glowing Globe descends,Line 605 High Winds and furious Tempests he portends. But if his Cheeks are swoln with livid blue, He bodes wet Weather by his watry Hue. If dusky Spots are vary'd on his Brow, And, streak'd with red, a troubl'd Colour show;Line 610 That sullen Mixture shall at once declare Winds, Rain, and Storms, and Elemental War: What desp'rate Madman then wou'd venture o're The Frith, or haul his Cables from the Shoar? But if with Purple Rays he brings the Light,Line 615 And a pure Heav'n resigns to quiet Night: No rising Winds, or falling Storms, are nigh: But Northern Breezes through the Forrest fly: And drive the rack, and purge the ruffl'd Sky. Line 620

Th' unerring Sun by certain Signs declares,Line 620 What the late Ev'n, or early Morn prepares: And when the South projects a stormy Day, And when the clearing North will puff the Clouds away.

The Sun reveals the Secrets of the Sky; And who dares give the Source of Light the Lye?Line 625 The change of Empires often he declares, Fierce Tumults, hidden Treasons, open Wars. He first the Fate of Caesar did foretel, And pity'd Rome, when Rome in Caesar fell. In Iron Clouds conceal'd the Publick Light:Line 630 And Impious Mortals fear'd Eternal Night.

Nor was the Fact foretold by him alone: Nature her self stood forth, and seconded the Sun. Earth, Air, and Seas, with Prodigies were sign'd, And Birds obscene, and howling Dogs divin'd.Line 635 What Rocks did Aetna's bellowing Mouth expire From her torn Entrails! and what Floods of Fire! What Clanks were heard, in German Skies afar, Of Arms and Armies, rushing to the War! Dire Earthquakes rent the solid Alps below,Line 640 And from their Summets shook th' Eternal Snow. Pale Specters in the close of Night were seen; And Voices heard of more than Mortal Men. In silent Groves, dumb Sheep and Oxen spoke; And Streams ran backward, and their Beds forsook:Line 645 The yawning Earth disclos'd th' Abyss of Hell: The weeping Statues did the Wars foretel; And Holy Sweat from Brazen Idols fell. Then rising in his Might, the King of Floods, Rusht thro' the Forrests, tore the lofty Woods;Line 650 And rolling onward, with a sweepy Sway, Bore Houses, Herds, and lab'ring Hinds away.

[illustration]

To William Dobyns of Lincolns Inn Esq.

Geo 1: 625.

Blood sprang from Wells, Wolfs howl'd in Towns by Night, And boding Victims did the Priests affright. Such Peals of Thunder never pour'd from high;Line 655 Nor Light'ning flash'd from so serene a Sky. Red Meteors ran along th' Etherial Space; Stars disappear'd, and Comets took their place. For this, th' Emathian Plains once more were strow'd With Roman Bodies, and just Heav'n thought goodLine 660 To fatten twice those Fields with Roman Blood. Then, after length of Time, the lab'ring Swains, Who turn the Turfs of those unhappy Plains, Shall rusty Piles from the plough'd Furrows take, And over empty Helmets pass the Rake.Line 665 Amaz'd at Antick Titles on the Stones, And mighty Relicks of Gygantick Bones.

Ye home-born Deities, of Mortal Birth! Thou Father Romulus, and Mother Earth, Goddess unmov'd! whose Guardian Arms extendLine 670 O're Thuscan Tiber's Course, and Roman Tow'rs defend; With youthful Caesar your joint Pow'rs ingage, Nor hinder him to save the sinking Age. O! let the Blood, already spilt, atone For the past Crimes of curst Laomedon!Line 675 Heav'n wants thee there, and long the Gods, we know, Have grudg'd thee, Caesar, to the World below. Where Fraud and Rapine, Right and Wrong confound; Where impious Arms from ev'ry part resound, And monstrous Crimes in ev'ry Shape are crown'd.Line 680 The peaceful Peasant to the Wars is prest; The Fields lye fallow in inglorious Rest. The Plain no Pasture to the Flock affords, The crooked Scythes are streightned into Swords: And there Euphrates her soft Off-spring Arms,Line 685 And here the Rhine rebellows with Alarms:

The neighb'ring Cities range on sev'ral sides, Perfidious Mars long plighted Leagues divides, And o're the wasted World in Triumph rides. So four fierce Coursers starting to the Race,Line 690 Scow'r thro' the Plain, and lengthen ev'ry Pace: Nor Reigns, nor Curbs, nor threat'ning Cries they fear, But force along the trembling Charioteer.

The Second Book of the Georgics.

The Argument.

The Subject of the following Book is Planting. In handling of which Argument, the Poet shews all the different Methods of raising Trees: Describes their Variety; and gives Rules for the management of each in particular. He then points out the Soils in which the several Plants thrive best: And thence takes oc∣casion to run out into the Praises of Italy. After which he gives some Directions for discovering the Nature of every Soil; pre∣scribes Rules for the Dressing of Vines, Olives, &c. And con∣cludes the Georgic with a Panegyric on a Country Life.

[illustration]

To S^r: William Bowyer Baronet of Denham Court in the County of Bucks.

Geor: 2. L. 1.

THus far of Tillage, and of Heav'nly Signs; Now sing my Muse the growth of gen'rous Vines: The shady Groves, the Woodland Progeny, And the slow Product of Minerva's Tree.

Great Father Bacchus! to my Song repair;Line 5 For clustring Grapes are thy peculiar Care: For thee large Bunches load the bending Vine, And the last Blessings of the Year are thine. To thee his Joys the jolly Autumn owes, When the fermenting Juice the Vat o'reflows.Line 10 Come strip with me, my God, come drench all o're Thy Limbs in Must of Wine, and drink at ev'ry Pore.

Some Trees their birth to bounteous Nature owe: For some without the pains of Planting grow. With Osiers thus the Banks of Brooks abound,Line 15 Sprung from the watry Genius of the Ground: From the same Principles grey Willows come; Herculean Poplar, and the tender Broom. But some from Seeds inclos'd in Earth arise: For thus the mastful Chesnut mates the Skies.Line 20

Hence rise the branching Beech and vocal Oke, Where Jove of old Oraculously spoke. Some from the Root a rising Wood disclose; Thus Elms, and thus the salvage Cherry grows. Thus the green Bays, that binds the Poet's Brows,Line 25 Shoots and is shelter'd by the Mother's Boughs.

These ways of Planting, Nature did ordain, For Trees and Shrubs, and all the Sylvan Reign. Others there are, by late Experience found: Some cut the Shoots, and plant in furrow'd ground:Line 30 Some cover rooted Stalks in deeper Mold: Some cloven Stakes, and (wond'rous to behold,) Their sharpen'd ends in Earth their footing place, And the dry Poles produce a living Race. Some bowe their Vines, which bury'd in the Plain,Line 35 Their tops in distant Arches rise again. Others no Root require, the Lab'rer cuts Young Slips, and in the Soil securely puts. Ev'n Stumps of Olives, bar'd of Leaves, and dead, Revive, and oft redeem their wither'd head.Line 40 'Tis usual now, an Inmate Graff to see, With Insolence invade a Foreign Tree: Thus Pears and Quinces from the Crabtree come; And thus the ruddy Cornel bears the Plum.

Then let the Learned Gard'ner mark with careLine 45 The Kinds of Stocks, and what those Kinds will bear: Explore the Nature of each sev'ral Tree; And known, improve with artful Industry: And let no spot of idle Earth be found, But cultivate the Genius of the Ground.Line 50 For open Ismarus will Bacchus please; Taburnus loves the shade of Olive Trees.

The Virtues of the sev'ral Soils I sing, Mecaenas, now thy needful Succour bring! Line 55

O thou! the better part of my Renown,Line 55 Inspire thy Poet, and thy Poem crown: Embarque with me, while I new Tracts explore, With flying sails and breezes from the shore: Not that my song, in such a scanty space, So large a Subject fully can embrace:Line 60 Not tho I were supply'd with Iron Lungs, A hundred Mouths, fill'd with as many Tongues: But steer my Vessel with a steady hand, And coast along the Shore in sight of Land. Nor will I tire thy Patience with a trainLine 65 Of Preface, or what ancient Poets feign. The Trees, which of themselves advance in Air, Are barren kinds, but strongly built and fair: Because the vigour of the Native Earth Maintains the Plant, and makes a Manly Birth.Line 70 Yet these, receiving Graffs of other Kind, Or thence transplanted, change their salvage Mind: Their Wildness lose, and quitting Nature's part, Obey the Rules and Discipline of Art. The same do Trees, that, sprung from barren RootsLine 75 In open fields, transplanted bear their Fruits. For where they grow the Native Energy Turns all into the Substance of the Tree, Starves and destroys the Fruit, is only made For brawny bulk, and for a barren shade.Line 80 The Plant that shoots from Seed, a sullen Tree At leisure grows, for late Posterity; The gen'rous flavour lost, the Fruits decay, And salvage Grapes are made the Birds ignoble prey. Much labour is requir'd in Trees, to tameLine 85 Their wild disorder, and in ranks reclaim. Well must the ground be dig'd, and better dress'd, New Soil to make, and meliorate the rest.

Old Stakes of Olive Trees in Plants revive; By the same Methods Paphian Myrtles live:Line 90 But nobler Vines by Propagation thrive. From Roots hard Hazles, and from Cyens rise Tall Ash, and taller Oak that mates the Skies: Palm, Poplar, Firr, descending from the Steep Of Hills, to try the dangers of the Deep.Line 95 The thin-leav'd Arbute Hazle, graffs receives, And Planes huge Apples bear, that bore but Leaves. Thus Mastful Beech the bristly Chesnut bears, And the wild Ash is white with blooming Pears. And greedy Swine from grafted Elms are fed,Line 100 With falling Acorns, that on Oaks are bred.

But various are the ways to change the state Of Plants, to Bud, to Graff, t' Inoculate. For where the tender Rinds of Trees disclose Their shooting Gems, a swelling Knot there grows;Line 105 Just in that space a narrow Slit we make, Then other Buds from bearing Trees we take: Inserted thus, the wounded Rind we close, In whose moist Womb th' admitted Infant grows. But when the smoother Bole from Knots is free,Line 110 We make a deep Incision in the Tree; And in the solid Wood the Slip inclose, The bat'ning Bastard shoots again and grows: And in short space the laden Boughs arise, With happy Fruit advancing to the Skies.Line 115 The Mother Plant admires the Leaves unknown, Of Alien Trees, and Apples not her own.

Of vegetable Woods are various Kinds, And the same Species are of sev'ral Minds. Lotes, Willows, Elms, have diff'rent Forms allow'd,Line 120 So fun'ral Cypress rising like a Shrowd.

[illustration]

To Gilbert Dolbin of Thindon in Northampton-Shire Esq

Geo: 2 L▪ 145.

Fat Olive Trees of sundry Sorts appear: Of sundry Shapes their unctuous Berries bear. Radij long Olives, Orchit's round produce, And bitter Pausia, pounded for the Juice.Line 125 Alcinous Orchard various Apples bears: Unlike are Bergamotes and pounder Pears. Nor our Italian Vines produce the Shape, Or Tast, or Flavour of the Lesbian Grape. The Thasian Vines in richer Soils abound,Line 130 The Mareotique grow in barren Ground. The Psythian Grape we dry: Lagaean Juice, Will stamm'ring Tongues, and stagg'ring Feet produce. Rathe ripe are some, and some of later kind, Of Golden some, and some of Purple Rind.Line 135 How shall I praise the Raethean Grape divine, Which yet contends not with Falernian Wine! Th' Aminean many a Consulship survives, And longer than the Lydian Vintage lives? Or high Phanaeus King of Chian growth:Line 140 But for large quantities, and lasting both, The less Argitis bears the Prize away. The Rhodian, sacred to the Solemn Day, In second Services is pour'd to Jove; And best accepted by the Gods above.Line 145 Nor must Bumastus his old Honours lose, In length and largeness like the Dugs of Cows. I pass the rest, whose ev'ry Race and Name, And Kinds, are less material to my Theme. Which who wou'd learn, as soon may tell the Sands,Line 150 Driv'n by the Western Wind on Lybian Lands. Or number, when the blust'ring Eurus roars, The Billows beating on Ionian Shoars.

Nor ev'ry Plant on ev'ry Soil will grow; The Sallow loves the watry Ground, and low.Line 155

The Marshes, Alders; Nature seems t'ordain The rocky Cliff for the wild Ashe's reign: The baleful Yeugh to Northern Blasts assigns; To Shores the Myrtles, and to Mounts the Vines.

Regard th' extremest cultivated Coast,Line 160 From hot Arabia to the Scythian Frost: All sort of Trees their sev'ral Countries know; Black Ebon only will in India grow: And od'rous Frankincense on the Sabaean Bough. Balm slowly trickles through the bleeding VeinsLine 165 Of happy Shrubs, in Idumaean Plains. The green Egyptian Thorn, for Med'cine good; With Ethiops hoary Trees and woolly Wood, Let others tell: and how the Seres spin Their fleecy Forests in a slender Twine.Line 170 With mighty Trunks of Trees on Indian shoars, Whose height above the feather'd Arrow soars, Shot from the toughest Bow; and by the Brawn Of expert Archers, with vast Vigour drawn. Sharp tasted Citrons Median Climes produce:Line 175 Bitter the Rind, but gen'rous is the Juice: A cordial Fruit, a present Antidote Against the direful Stepdam's deadly Draught: Who mixing wicked Weeds with Words impure, The Fate of envy'd Orphans wou'd procure.Line 180 Large is the Plant, and like a Laurel grows, And did it not a diff'rent Scent disclose, A Laurel were: the fragrant Flow'rs contemn The stormy Winds, tenacious of their Stem. With this the Medes, to lab'ring Age, bequeathLine 185 New Lungs, and cure the sourness of the Breath.

But neither Median Woods, (a plenteous Land,) Fair Ganges, Hermus rolling Golden Sand,

Nor Bactria, nor the richer Indian Fields, Nor all the Gummy Stores Arabia yields;Line 190 Nor any foreign Earth of greater Name, Can with sweet Italy contend in Fame. No Bulls, whose Nostrils breath a living Flame, Have turn'd our Turf, no Teeth of Serpents here Were sown, an armed Host, and Iron Crop to bear.Line 195 But fruitful Vines, and the fat Olives fraight, And Harvests heavy with their fruitful weight, Adorn our Fields; and on the chearful Green, The grazing Flocks and lowing Herds are seen. The Warrior Horse, here bred, is taught to train,Line 200 There flows Clitumnus thro' the flow'ry Plain; Whose Waves, for Triumphs after prosp'rous Wars, The Victim Ox, and snowy Sheep prepares. Perpetual Spring our happy Climate sees, Twice breed the Cattle, and twice bear the Trees;Line 205 And Summer Suns recede by slow degrees.

Our Land is from the Rage of Tygers freed, Nor nourishes the Lyon's angry Seed; Nor pois'nous Aconite is here produc'd, Or grows unknown, or is, when known, refus'd.Line 210 Nor in so vast a length our Serpents glide, Or rais'd on such a spiry Volume ride.

Next add our Cities of Illustrious Name, Their costly Labour and stupend'ous Frame: Our Forts on steepy Hills, that far belowLine 215 See wanton Streams, in winding Valleys flow. Our twofold Seas, that washing either side, A rich Recruit of Foreign Stores provide. Our spacious Lakes; thee, Larius, first; and next Benacus, with tempest'ous Billows vext.Line 220 Or shall I praise thy Ports, or mention make Of the vast Mound, that binds the Lucrine Lake.

Or the disdainful Sea, that, shut from thence, Roars round the Structure, and invades the Fence. There, where secure the Julian Waters glide,Line 225 Or where Avernus Jaws admit the Tyrrhene Tide. Our Quarries deep in Earth, were fam'd of old, For Veins of Silver, and for Ore of Gold. Th' Inhabitants themselves, their Country grace; Hence rose the Marsian and Sabellian Race:Line 230 Strong limb'd and stout, and to the Wars inclin'd, And hard Ligurians, a laborious Kind. And Volscians arm'd with Iron-headed Darts. Besides an Off-spring of undaunted Hearts, The Decij, Marij, great Camillus cameLine 235 From hence, and greater Scipio's double Name: And mighty Caesar, whose victorious Arms, To farthest Asia, carry fierce Alarms: Avert unwarlike Indians from his Rome; Triumph abroad, secure our Peace at home.Line 240

Hail, sweet Saturnian Soil! of fruitful Grain Great Parent, greater of Illustrious Men. For thee my tuneful Accents will I raise, And treat of Arts disclos'd in Ancient Days: Once more unlock for thee the sacred Spring,Line 245 And old Ascraean Verse in Roman Cities sing.

The Nature of their sev'ral Soils now see, Their Strength, their Colour, their Fertility: And first for Heath, and barren hilly Ground, Where meagre Clay and flinty Stones abound;Line 250 Where the poor Soil all Succour seems to want, Yet this suffices the Palladian Plant. Undoubted Signs of such a Soil are found, For here wild Olive-shoots o'respread the ground, And heaps of Berries strew the Fields around.

But where the Soil, with fat'ning Moisture fill'd, Is cloath'd with Grass, and fruitful to be till'd: Such as in chearful Vales we view from high; Which dripping Rocks with rowling Streams supply, And feed with Ooze; where rising Hillocks runLine 260 In length, and open to the Southern Sun; Where Fern succeeds, ungrateful to the Plough, That gentle ground to gen'rous Grapes allow. Strong Stocks of Vines it will in time produce, And overflow the Vats with friendly Juice.Line 265 Such as our Priests in golden Goblets pour To Gods, the Givers of the chearful hour. Then when the bloated Thuscan blows his Horn, And reeking Entrails are in Chargers born.

If Herds or fleecy Flocks be more thy Care,Line 270 Or Goats that graze the Field, and burn it bare: Then seek Tarentum's Lawns, and farthest Coast, Or such a Field as hapless Mantua lost: Where Silver Swans sail down the wat'ry Rode, And graze the floating Herbage of the Flood.Line 275 There Crystal Streams perpetual tenour keep, Nor Food nor Springs are wanting to thy Sheep. For what the Day devours, the nightly Dew Shall to the Morn in Perly Drops renew. Fat crumbling Earth is fitter for the Plough,Line 280 Putrid and loose above, and black below: For Ploughing is an imitative Toil, Resembling Nature in an easie Soil. No Land for Seed like this, no Fields afford So large an Income to the Village Lord:Line 285 No toiling Teams from Harvest-labour come So late at Night, so heavy laden home.

The like of Forest Land is understood, From whence the spleenful Ploughman grubs the Wood, Which had for length of Ages idle stood.Line 290 Then Birds forsake the Ruines of their Seat, And flying from their Nests their Callow Young forget. The course lean Gravel, on the Mountain sides, Scarce dewy Bev'rage for the Bees provides: Nor Chalk nor crumbling Stones, the food of Snakes,Line 295 That work in hollow Earth their winding Tracts. The Soil exhaling Clouds of subtile Dews, Imbibing moisture which with ease she spews; Which rusts not Iron, and whose Mold is clean, Well cloath'd with chearful Grass, and ever green,Line 300 Is good for Olives and aspiring Vines; Embracing Husband Elms in am'rous twines, Is fit for feeding Cattle, fit to sowe, And equal to the Pasture and the Plough. Such is the Soil of fat Campanian Fields,Line 305 Such large increase Vesuvian Nola yields: And such a Country cou'd Acerra boast, Till Clanius overflow'd th' unhappy Coast.

I teach thee next the diff'ring Soils to know; The light for Vines, the heavyer for the Plough.Line 310 Chuse first a place for such a purpose fit, There dig the solid Earth, and sink a Pit: Next fill the hole with its own Earth agen, And trample with thy Feet, and tread it in: Then if it rise not to the former heightLine 315 Of superfice, conclude that Soil is light; A proper Ground for Pasturage and Vines. But if the sullen Earth, so press'd, repines Within its native Mansion to retire, And stays without, a heap of heavy Mire;Line 320

[illustration]

To George London of his ma^ties: Royall Garden in S^t James^'^s Park Gent.

Geo▪ 2 L 〈…〉〈…〉

'Tis good for Arable, a Glebe that asks Tough Teams of Oxen, and laborious Tasks.

Salt Earth and bitter are not fit to sow, Nor will be tam'd or mended with the Plough. Sweet Grapes degen'rate there, and Fruits declin'dLine 325 From their first flav'rous Taste, renounce their Kind. This Truth by sure Experiment is try'd; For first an Ofier Colendar provide Of Twigs thick wrought, (such toiling Peasants twine, When thro' streight Passages they strein their Wine;)Line 330 In this close Vessel place that Earth accurs'd, But fill'd brimful with wholsom Water first; Then run it through, the Drops will rope around, And by the bitter Taste disclose the Ground. The fatter Earth by handling we may find,Line 335 With Ease distinguish'd from the meagre Kind: Poor Soil will crumble into Dust, the Rich will to the Fingers cleave like clammy Pitch: Moist Earth produces Corn and Grass, but both Too rank and too luxuriant in their Growth.Line 340 Let not my Land so large a Promise boast, Lest the lank Ears in length of Stem be lost. The heavier Earth is by her Weight betray'd, The lighter in the poising Hand is weigh'd: 'Tis easy to distinguish by the SightLine 345 The Colour of the Soil, and black from white. But the cold Ground is difficult to know, Yet this the Plants that prosper there, will show; Black Ivy, Pitch Trees, and the baleful Yeugh. These Rules consider'd well, with early Care,Line 350 The Vineyard destin'd for thy Vines prepare: But, long before the Planting, dig the Ground, With Furrows deep that cast a rising Mound:

The Clods, expos'd to Winter Winds, will bake: For putrid Earth will best in Vineyards take,Line 355 And hoary Frosts, after the painful Toyl Of delving Hinds, will rot the Mellow Soil.

Some Peasants, not t' omit the nicest Care, Of the same Soil their Nursery prepare, With that of their Plantation; lest the TreeLine 360 Translated, should not with the Soil agree. Beside, to plant it as it was, they mark The Heav'ns four Quarters on the tender Bark; And to the North or South restore the Side, Which at their Birth did Heat or Cold abide.Line 365 So strong is Custom; such Effects can Use In tender Souls of pliant Plants produce.

Chuse next a Province, for thy Vineyards Reign, On Hills above, or in the lowly Plain: If fertile Fields or Valleys be thy Choice,Line 370 Plant thick, for bounteous Bacchus will rejoice In close Plantations there: But if the Vine On rising Ground be plac'd, or Hills supine, Extend thy loose Battalions largely wide, Opening thy Ranks and Files on either Side:Line 375 But marshall'd all in order as they Stand, And let no Souldier straggle from his Band. As Legions in the Field their Front display, To try the Fortune of some doubtful Day, And move to meet their Foes with sober Pace,Line 380 Strict to their Figure, tho' in wider Space; Before the Battel joins, while from afar The Field yet glitters with the Pomp of War, And equal Mars, like an impartial Lord, Leaves all to Fortune, and the dint of Sword;Line 385 So let thy Vines in Intervals be set, But not their Rural Discipline forget:

Indulge their Width, and add a roomy Space, That their extreamest Lines may scarce embrace: Nor this alone t'indulge a vain Delight,Line 390 And make a pleasing Prospect for the Sight: But, for the Ground it self this only Way, Can equal Vigour to the Plants convey; Which crowded, want the room, their Branches to display.

How deep they must be planted, woud'st thou know?Line 395 In shallow Furrows Vines securely grow. Not so the rest of Plants; for Joves own Tree, That holds the Woods in awful Sov'raignty, Requires a depth of Lodging in the Ground; And, next the lower Skies, a Bed profound:Line 400 High as his topmost Boughs to Heav'n ascend, So low his Roots to Hell's Dominion tend. Therefore, nor Winds, nor Winters Rage o'rethrows His bulky Body, but unmov'd he grows. For length of Ages lasts his happy Reign,Line 405 And Lives of Mortal Man contend in vain. Full in the midst of his own Strength he stands, Stretching his brawny Arms, and leafy Hands; His Shade protects the Plains, his Head the Hills commands

The hurtful Hazle in thy Vineyard shun;Line 410 Nor plant it to receive the setting Sun: Nor break the topmost Branches from the Tree; Nor prune, with blunted Knife, the Progeny. Root up wild Olives from thy labour'd Lands: For sparkling Fire, from Hinds unwary Hands,Line 415 Is often scatter'd o're their unctuous rinds, And after spread abroad by raging Winds. For first the smouldring Flame the Trunk receives, Ascending thence, it crackles in the Leaves: At length victorious to the Top aspires,Line 420 Involving all the Wood with smoky Fires,

But most, when driv'n by Winds, the flaming Storm, Of the long Files destroys the beauteous Form. In Ashes then th' unhappy Vineyard lies, Nor will the blasted Plants from Ruin rise:Line 425 Nor will the wither'd Stock be green again, But the wild Olive shoots, and shades th' ungrateful Plain. Be not seduc'd with Wisdom's empty Shows, To stir the peaceful Ground when Boreas blows. When Winter Frosts constrain the Field with Cold,Line 430 The fainty Root can take no steady hold. But when the Golden Spring reveals the Year, And the white Bird returns, whom Serpents fear: That Season deem the best to plant thy Vines. Next that, is when Autumnal Warmth declines:Line 435 E're Heat is quite decay'd, or Cold begun, Or Capricorn admits the Winter Sun.

The Spring adorns the Woods, renews the Leaves; The Womb of Earth the genial Seed receives. For then Almighty Jove descends, and poursLine 440 Into his buxom Bride his fruitful Show'rs. And mixing his large Limbs with hers, he feeds Her Births with kindly Juice, and fosters teeming Seeds. Then joyous Birds frequent the lonely Grove, And Beasts, by Nature stung, renew their Love.Line 445 Then Fields the Blades of bury'd Corn disclose, And while the balmy Western Spirit blows, Earth to the Breath her Bosom dares expose. With kindly Moisture then the Plants abound, The Grass securely springs above the Ground;Line 450 The tender Twig shoots upward to the Skies, And on the Faith of the new Sun relies. The swerving Vines on the tall Elms prevail, Unhurt by Southern Show'rs or Northern Hail. Line 455

They spread their Gems the genial Warmth to share:Line 455 And boldly trust their Buds in open Air. In this soft Season (so sweet Poets sing) The World was hatch'd by Heav'ns Imperial King: In prime of all the Year, and Holydays of Spring. Earth knew no Season then, but Spring alone:Line 460 On the moist Ground the Sun serenely shone: Then Winter Winds their blustring Rage forbear, And in a silent Pomp proceeds the mighty Year. Sheep soon were sent to people flow'ry Fields, And salvage Beasts were banish'd into Wilds.Line 465 Then Heav'n was lighted up with Stars; and Man, A hard relentless Race, from Stones began. Nor cou'd the tender, new Creation, bear Th' excessive Heats or Coldness of the Year: But chill'd by Winter, or by Summer fir'd,Line 470 The middle Temper of the Spring requir'd. When Infant Nature was with Quiet crown'd, And Heav'ns Indulgence brooded on the Ground.

For what remains, in depth of Earth secure Thy cover'd Plants, and dung with hot Manure;Line 475 And Shells and Gravel in the Ground inclose; For thro' their hollow Chinks the Water flows: Which, thus imbib'd, returns in misty Dews, And steeming up, the rising Plant renews. Some Husbandmen, of late, have found the Way,Line 480 A hilly Heap of Stones above to lay, And press the Plants with Sherds of Potters Clay. This Fence against immod'rate Rain they found: Or when the Dog-star cleaves the thirsty Ground. Be mindful when thou hast intomb'd the Shoot,Line 485 With Store of Earth around to feed the Root; With Iron Teeth of Rakes and Prongs, to move The crusted Earth, and loosen it above.

Then exercise thy strugling Steers to plough Betwixt thy Vines, and teach thy feeble RowLine 490 To mount on Reeds, and Wands, and, upward led, On Ashen Poles to raise their forky Head. On these new Crutches let them learn to walk, Till swerving upwards, with a stronger Stalk, They brave the Winds, and, clinging to their GuLine 495 On tops of Elms at length triumphant ride. But in their tender Nonage, while they spread Their Springing Leafs, and lift their Infant Head, And upward while they shoot in open Air, Indulge their Child-hood, and the Nurseling spare.Line 500 Nor exercise thy Rage on new-born Life, But let thy Hand supply the Pruning-knife; And crop luxuriant Straglers, nor be loath To strip the Branches of their leafy Growth: But when the rooted Vines, with steady Hold,Line 505 Can clasp their Elms, then Husbandman be bold To lop the disobedient Boughs, that stray'd Beyond their Ranks: let crooked Steel invade The lawless Troops, which Discipline disclaim, And their superfluous Growth with Rigour tame.Line 510 Next, fenc'd with Hedges and deep Ditches round, Exclude th' incroaching Cattle from thy Ground, While yet the tender Gems but just appear, Unable to sustain th' uncertain Year; Whose Leaves are not alone foul Winter's Prey,Line 515 But oft by Summer Suns are scorch'd away; And worse than both, become th' unworthy Browze Of Buffal'os, salt Goats, and hungry Cows. For not December's Frost that burns the Boughs, Nor Dog-days parching Heat that splits the Rocks,Line 520 Are half so harmful as the greedy Flocks: Their venom'd Bite, and Scars indented on the Stocks.

[illustration]

To John Loving Esq of Little Ealing in the County of Middlesex.

Geor. 2. l. 530.

For this the Malefactor Goat was laid On Bacchus's Altar, and his forfeit paid. At Athens thus old Comedy began,Line 525 When round the Streets the reeling Actors ran; In Country Villages, and crossing ways, Contending for the Prizes of their Plays: And glad, with Bacchus, on the grassie soil, Leapt o're the Skins of Goats besmear'd with Oyl.Line 530 Thus Roman Youth deriv'd from ruin'd Troy, In rude Saturnian Rhymes express their Joy: With Taunts, and Laughter loud, their Audience please, Deform'd with Vizards, cut from Barks of Trees: In jolly Hymns they praise the God of Wine,Line 535 Whose Earthen Images adorn the Pine; And there are hung on high, in honour of the Vine: A madness so devout the Vineyards fills. In hollow Valleys and on rising Hills; On what e're side he turns his honest face,Line 540 And dances in the Wind, those Fields are in his grace. To Bacchus therefore let us tune our Lays, And in our Mother Tongue resound his Praise. Thin Cakes in Chargers, and a Guilty Goat, Dragg'd by the Horns, be to his Altars brought;Line 545 Whose offer'd Entrails shall his Crime reproach, And drip their Fatness from the Hazle Broach. To dress thy Vines new labour is requir'd, Nor must the painful Husbandman be tir'd: For thrice, at least, in Compass of the Year,Line 500 Thy Vineyard must employ the sturdy Steer, To turn the Glebe; besides thy daily pain To break the Clods, and make the Surface plain: T'unload the Branches or the Leaves to thin, That suck the Vital Moisture of the Vine.Line 555

Thus in a Circle runs the Peasant's Pain, And the Year rowls within it self again. Ev'n in the lowest Months, when Storms have shed From Vines the hairy Honours of their Head; Not then the drudging Hind his Labour ends;Line 560 But to the coming Year his Care extends: Ev'n then the naked Vine he persecutes; His Pruning Knife at once Reforms and Cuts. Be first to dig the Ground, be first to burn The Branches lopt, and first the Props returnLine 565 Into thy House, that bore the burden'd Vines; But last to reap the Vintage of thy Wines. Twice in the Year luxuriant Leaves o'reshade The incumber'd Vine; rough Brambles twice invade: Hard Labour both! commend the large excessLine 570 Of spacious Vineyards; cultivate the less. Besides, in Woods the Shrubs of prickly Thorn, Sallows and Reeds, on Banks of Rivers born, Remain to cut; for Vineyards useful found, To stay thy Vines, and fence thy fruitful Ground.Line 575 Nor when thy tender Trees at length are bound; When peaceful Vines from Pruning Hooks are free, When Husbands have survey'd the last degree, And utmost Files of Plants, and order'd ev'ry Tree; Ev'n when they sing at ease in full Content,Line 580 Insulting o're the Toils they underwent; Yet still they find a future Task remain; To turn the Soil, and break the Clods again: And after all, their Joys are unsincere, While falling Rains on ripening Grapes they fear.Line 585 Quite opposite to these are Olives found, No dressing they require, and dread no wound; Nor Rakes nor Harrows need, but fix'd below, Rejoyce in open Air, and unconcerndly grow. Line 590

The Soil it self due Nourishment supplies:Line 590 Plough but the Furrows, and the Fruits arise: Content with small Endeavours, 'till they spring. Soft Peace they figure, and sweet Plenty bring: Then Olives plant, and Hymns to Pallas sing.

Thus Apple Trees, whose Trunks are strong to bearLine 595 Their spreading Boughs, exert themselves in Air: Want no supply, but stand secure alone, Not trusting foreign Forces, but their own: 'Till with the ruddy freight the bending Branches groan. Thus Trees of Nature, and each common Bush,Line 600 Uncultivated thrive, and with red Berries blush. Vile Shrubs are shorn for Browze: the tow'ring hight Of unctuous Trees, are Torches for the Night. And shall we doubt, (indulging easie Sloath,) To sow, to set, and to reform their growth?Line 605 To leave the lofty Plants; the lowly kind, Are for the Shepherd, or the Sheep design'd. Ev'n humble Broom and Osiers have their use, And Shade for Sleep, and Food for Flocks produce; Hedges for Corn, and Honey for the Bees:Line 610 Besides the pleasing Prospect of the Trees. How goodly looks Cytorus, ever green With Boxen Groves, with what delight are seen Narycian Woods of Pitch, whose gloomy shade, Seems for retreat of thoughtful Muses made!Line 615 But much more pleasing are those Fields to see, That need not Ploughs, nor Human Industry. Ev'n cold Caucasean Rocks with Trees are spread, And wear green Forests on their hilly Head. Tho' bending from the blast of Eastern Storms,Line 620 Tho' shent their Leaves, and shatter'd are their Arms; Yet Heav'n their various Plants for use designs: For Houses Cedars, and for Shipping Pines.

Cypress provides for Spokes, and Wheels of Wains: And all for Keels of Ships, that scour the watry Plains.Line 625 Willows in Twigs are fruitful, Elms in Leaves, The War, from stubborn Myrtle Shafts receives: From Cornels Jav'lins, and the tougher Yeugh Receives the bending Figure of a Bow. Nor Box, nor Limes, without their use are made,Line 630 Smooth-grain'd, and proper for the Turner's Trade: Which curious Hands may kerve, and Steel with Ease invade. Light Alder stems the Po's impetuous Tide, And Bees in hollow Oaks their Hony hide. Now ballance, with these Gifts, the fumy JoysLine 635 Of Wine, attended with eternal Noise. Wine urg'd to lawless Lust the Centaurs Train, Thro' Wine they quarrell'd, and thro' Wine were slain.

Oh happy, if he knew his happy State! The Swain, who, free from Business and Debate;Line 640 Receives his easy Food from Nature's Hand, And just Returns of cultivated Land! No Palace, with a lofty Gate, he wants, T' admit the Tydes of early Visitants. With eager Eyes devouring, as they pass,Line 645 The breathing Figures of Corinthian Brass. No Statues threaten, from high Pedestals; No Persian Arras hides his homely Walls, With Antick Vests; which thro' their shady fold, Betray the Streaks of ill dissembl'd Gold.Line 650 He boasts no Wool, whose native white is dy'd With Purple Poyson of Assyrian Pride. No costly Drugs of Araby defile, With foreign Scents, the Sweetness of his Oyl. But easie Quiet, a secure Retreat,Line 655 A harmless Life that knows not how to cheat,

With homebred Plenty the rich Owner bless, And rural Pleasures crown his Happiness. Unvex'd with Quarrels, undisturb'd with Noise, The Country King his peaceful Realm enjoys:Line 660 Cool Grots, and living Lakes, the Flow'ry Pride Of Meads, and Streams that thro' the Valley glide; And shady Groves that easie Sleep invite, And after toilsome Days, a sweet repose at Night. Wild Beasts of Nature in his Woods abound;Line 665 And Youth, of Labour patient, plow the Ground, Inur'd to Hardship, and to homely Fare. Nor venerable Age is wanting there, In great Examples to the Youthful Train: Nor are the Gods ador'd with Rites prophane.Line 670 From hence Astrea took her Flight, and here the Prints of her departing Steps appear.

Ye sacred Muses, with whose Beauty fir'd, My Soul is ravish'd, and my Brain inspir'd: Whose Priest I am, whose holy Fillets wear;Line 675 Wou'd you your Virgil's first Petition hear, Give me the Ways of wandring Stars to know: The Depths of Heav'n above, and Earth below. Teach me the various Labours of the Moon, And whence proceed th' Eclipses of the Sun.Line 680 Why flowing Tides prevail upon the Main, And in what dark Recess they shrink again. What shakes the solid Earth, what Cause delays The Summer Nights, and shortens Winter Days. But if my heavy Blood restrain the FlightLine 685 Of my free Soul, aspiring to the Height Of Nature, and unclouded Fields of Light: My next Desire is, void of Care and Strife, To lead a soft, secure, inglorious Life. Line 690

A Country Cottage near a Crystal Flood,Line 690 A winding Vally, and a lofty Wood. Some God conduct me to the sacred Shades, Where Bacchanals are sung by Spartan Maids. Or lift me high to Hemus hilly Crown; Or in the Plains of Tempe lay me down:Line 695 Or lead me to some solitary Place, And cover my Retreat from Human Race.

Happy the Man, who, studying Nature's Laws, Thro' known Effects can trace the secret Cause. His Mind possessing, in a quiet state,Line 700 Fearless of Fortune, and resign'd to Fate. And happy too is he, who decks the Bow'rs Of Sylvans, and adores the Rural Pow'rs: Whose Mind, unmov'd, the Bribes of Courts can see; Their glitt'ring Baits, and Purple Slavery.Line 705 Nor hopes the People's Praise, nor fears their Frown, Nor, when contending Kindred tear the Crown, Will set up one, or pull another down.

Without Concern he hears, but hears from far, Of Tumults and Descents, and distant War:Line 710 Nor with a Superstitious Fear is aw'd, For what befals at home, or what abroad. Nor envies he the Rich their heapy Store, Nor with a helpless Hand condoles the Poor. He feeds on Fruits, which, of their own accord,Line 715 The willing Ground, and laden Trees afford. From his lov'd Home no Lucre him can draw; The Senates mad Decrees he never saw; Nor heard, at bawling Bars, corrupted Law. Some to the Seas, and some to Camps resort,Line 720 And some with Impudence invade the Court. In foreign Countries others seek Renown, With Wars and Taxes others waste their own.

And Houses burn, and houshold Gods deface, To drink in Bowls which glitt'ring Gems enchase:Line 725 To loll on Couches, rich with Cytron Steds, And lay their guilty Limbs in Tyrian Beds. This Wretch in Earth intombs his Golden Ore, Hov'ring and brooding on his bury'd Store. Some Patriot Fools to pop'lar Praise aspire,Line 730 By Publick Speeches, which worse Fools admire. While from both Benches, with redoubl'd Sounds, Th' Applause of Lords and Commoners abounds. Some through Ambition, or thro' Thirst of Gold; Have slain their Brothers, or their Country sold:Line 735 And leaving their sweet Homes, in Exile run To Lands that lye beneath another Sun.

The Peasant, innocent of all these Ills, With crooked Ploughs the fertile Fallows tills; And the round Year with daily Labour fills.Line 740 From hence the Country Markets are supply'd: Enough remains for houshold Charge beside; His Wife, and tender Children to sustain, And gratefully to feed his dumb deserving Train. Nor cease his Labours, till the Yellow FieldLine 745 A full return of bearded Harvest yield: A Crop so plenteous, as the Land to load, O'recome the crowded Barns, and lodge on Ricks abroad. Thus ev'ry sev'ral Season is employ'd: Some spent in Toyl, and some in Ease enjoy'd.Line 750 The yeaning Ewes prevent the springing Year; The laded Boughs their Fruits in Autumn bear. 'Tis then the Vine her liquid Harvest yields, Bak'd in the Sun-shine of ascending Fields. The Winter comes, and then the falling Mast,Line 755 For greedy Swine, provides a full repast.

Then Olives, ground in Mills, their fatness boast, And Winter Fruits are mellow'd by the Frost. His Cares are eas'd with Intervals of bliss, His little Children climbing for a Kiss,Line 760 Welcome their Father's late return at Night; His faithful Bed is crown'd with chast delight. His Kine with swelling Udders ready stand, And, lowing for the Pail, invite the Milker's hand. His wanton Kids, with budding Horns prepar'd,Line 765 Fight harmless Battels in his homely Yard: Himself in Rustick Pomp, on Holy-days, To Rural Pow'rs a just Oblation pays; And on the Green his careless Limbs displays. The Hearth is in the midst; the Herdsmen roundLine 770 The chearful Fire, provoke his health in Goblets crown'd. He calls on Bacchus, and propounds the Prize; The Groom his Fellow Groom at Buts defies; And bends his Bow, and levels with his Eyes. Or stript for Wrestling, smears his Limbs with Oyl,Line 775 And watches with a trip his Foe to foil. Such was the life the frugal Sabines led; So Remus and his Brother God were bred: From whom th' austere Etrurian Virtue rose, And this rude life our homely Fathers chose.Line 780 Old Rome from such a Race deriv'd her birth, (The Seat of Empire, and the conquer'd Earth:) Which now on sev'n high Hills triumphant reigns, And in that compass all the World contains. E're Saturn's Rebel Son usurp'd the Skies,Line 785 When Beasts were only slain for Sacrifice: While peaceful Crete enjoy'd her ancient Lord, E're sounding Hammers forg'd th' inhumane Sword:

[illustration]

To William Walsh of Abberley in Worcester-shire Esq

Geo: 2. l. 760.

E're hollow Drums were beat, before the Breath Of brazen Trumpets rung the Peals of Death;Line 790 The good old God his Hunger did asswage With Roots and Herbs, and gave the Golden Age. But over labour'd with so long a Course, Tis time to set at ease the smoaking Horse.

The Third Book of the Georgics.

The Argument.

This Book begins with an Invocation of some Rural Deities, and a Compliment to Augustus: After which Virgil directs himself to Mecaenas, and enters on his Subject. He lays down Rules for the Breeding and Management of Horses, Oxen, Sheep, Goats, and Dogs: And interweaves several pleasant Descriptions of a Chariot-Race, of the Battel of the Bulls, of the Force of Love, and of the Scythian Winter. In the latter part of the Book he relates the Diseases incident to Cattel; and ends with the Description of a fatal Murrain that formerly rag'd among the Alps.

THY Fields, propitious Pales, I reherse; And sing thy Pastures in no vulgar Verse, Amphrysian Shepherd; the Lycaean Woods; Arcadia's flow'ry Plains, and pleasing Floods.

5 All other Themes, that careless Minds invite,Line 5 Are worn with use; unworthy me to write. Busiri's Altars, and the dire Decrees Of hard Euristheus, ev'ry Reader sees: Hylas the Boy, Latona's erring Isle, And Pelop's Iv'ry Shoulder, and his ToilLine 10 For fair Hippodamé, with all the rest Of Grecian Tales, by Poets are exprest: New ways I must attempt, my groveling Name To raise aloft, and wing my flight to Fame.

I, first of Romans shall in Triumph comeLine 15 From conquer'd Greece, and bring her Trophies home: With Foreign Spoils adorn my native place; And with Idume's Palms, my Mantua grace. Of Parian Stone a Temple will I raise, Where the slow Mincius through the Vally strays:Line 20

[illustration]

To the most Noble and Illustrious Prince Charles Duke of Richmond and Lenox Earl of Marsh and Darnley Baron of Siterington Knight of the most noble Order of the Garter.

Geo▪ 3 l 1

Where cooling Streams invite the Flocks to drink: And Reeds defend the winding Waters Brink. Full in the midst shall mighty Caesar stand: Hold the chief Honours; and the Dome command. Then I, conspicuous in my Tyrian Gown,Line 25 (Submitting to his Godhead my Renown) A hundred Coursers from the Goal will drive; The rival Chariots in the Race shall strive. All Greece shall flock from far, my Games to see; The Whorlbat, and the rapid Race, shall beLine 30 Reserv'd for Caesar, and ordain'd by me. My self, with Olive crown'd, the Gifts will bear: Ev'n now methinks the publick shouts I hear: The passing Pageants, and the Pomps appear. I, to the Temple will conduct the Crew:Line 35 The Sacrifice and Sacrificers view; From thence return, attended with my Train, Where the proud Theatres disclose the Scene: Which interwoven Britains seem to raise, And shew the Triumph which their Shame displays.Line 40 High o're the Gate, in Elephant and Gold, The Crowd shall Caesar's Indian War behold; The Nile shall flow beneath; and on the side, His shatter'd Ships on Brazen Pillars ride. Next him Niphates with inverted Urn,Line 45 And dropping Sedge, shall his Armenia mourn; And Asian Cities in our Triumph born. With backward Bows the Parthians shall be there; And, spurring from the Fight confess their Fear. A double Wreath shall crown our Caesar's Brows;Line 50 Two differing Trophies, from two different Foes. Europe with Africk in his Fame shall join; But neither Shoar his Conquest shall confine.

The Parian Marble, there, shall feem to move, In breathing Statues, not unworthy Jove.Line 55 Resembling Heroes, whose Etherial Root, Is Jove himself, and Caesar is the Fruit. Tros and his Race the Sculptor shall employ; And he the God, who built the Walls of Troy. Envy her self at last, grown pale and dumb;Line 60 (By Caesar combated and overcome) Shall give her Hands; and fear the curling Snakes Of lashing Furies, and the burning Lakes: The Pains of famisht Tantalus shall feel; And Sisyphus that labours up the HillLine 65 The rowling Rock in vain; and curst Ixion's Wheel.

Mean time we must pursue the Sylvan Lands; (Th' abode of Nymphs,) untouch'd by former Hands: For such, Maecenas, are thy hard Commands. Without thee nothing lofty can I sing;Line 70 Come then, and with thy self thy Genius bring: With which inspir'd, I brook no dull delay. Cytheron loudly calls me to my way; Thy Hounds, Taygetus, open and pursue their Prey. High Epidaurus urges on my speed,Line 75 Fam'd for his Hills, and for his Horses breed: From Hills and Dales the chearful Cries rebound: For Echo hunts along; and propagates the sound.

A time will come, when my maturer Muse, In Caesar's Wars, a Nobler Theme shall chuse.Line 80 And through more Ages bear my Soveraign's Praise; Than have from Tithon past to Caesar's Days.

The Generous Youth, who studious of the Prize, The Race of running Coursers multiplies; Or to the Plough the sturdy Bullock breeds,Line 85 May know that from the Dam the worth of each proceeds:

The Mother Cow must wear a low'ring look, Sour headed, strongly neck'd, to bear the Yoke. Her double Dew-lap from her Chin descends: And at her Thighs the pondrous burthen ends.Line 90 Long are her sides and large, her Limbs are great; Rough are her Ears, and broad her horny Feet. Her Colour shining Black, but fleck'd with white; She tosses from the Yoke; provokes the Fight: She rises in her Gate, is free from Fears;Line 95 And in her Face a Bull's Resemblance bears: Her ample Forehead with a Star is crown'd; And with her length of Tail she sweeps the Ground. The Bull's Insult at Four she may sustain; But, after Ten, from Nuptial Rites refrain.Line 100 Six Seasons use; but then release the Cow, Unfit for Love, and for the lab'ring Plough.

Now while their Youth is fill'd with kindly Fire, Submit thy Females to the lusty Sire: Watch the quick motions of the frisking Tail,Line 105 Then serve their fury with the rushing Male, Indulging Pleasure lest the Breed shou'd fail.

In Youth alone, unhappy Mortals live; But, ah! the mighty Bliss is fugitive; Discolour'd Sickness, anxious Labours come,Line 110 And Age, and Death's inexorable Doom.

Yearly thy Herds in vigour will impair; Recruit and mend 'em with thy Yearly care: Still propagate, for still they fall away, 'Tis Prudence to prevent th' entire decay.Line 115

Like Diligence requires the Courser's Race; In early Choice; and for a longer space. The Colt, that for a Stallion is design'd, By sure Presages shows his generous Kind, Of able Body, sound of Limb and Wind.Line 120

Upright he walks, on Pasterns firm and straight; His Motions easy; prancing in his Gate. The first to lead the Way, to tempt the Flood; To pass the Bridge unknown, nor fear the trembling Wood. Dauntless at empty Noises; lofty neck'd;Line 125 Sharp headed, Barrel belly'd, broadly back'd. Brawny his Chest, and deep, his Colour gray; For Beauty dappled, or the brightest Bay: Faint white and Dun will scarce the Rearing pay.

The fiery Courser, when he hears from far,Line 130 The sprightly Trumpet, and the shouts of War, Pricks up his Ears; and trembling with Delight, Shifts place, and paws; and hopes the promis'd Fight. On his right Shoulder his thick Mane reclin'd, Ruffles at speed; and dances in the Wind.Line 135 His horny Hoofs are jetty black, and round; His Chine is double; starting, with a bound He turns the Turf, and shakes the solid Ground. Fire from his Eyes, Clouds from his Nostrils flow: He bears his Rider headlong on the Foe.Line 140

Such was the Steed in Graecian Poets fam'd, Proud Cyllarus, by Spartan Castor tam'd: Such Coursers bore to Fight the God of Thrace; And such, Achilles, was thy warlike Race. In such a Shape, old Saturn did restrainLine 145 His Heav'nly Limbs, and flow'd with such a Mane. When, half surpriz'd, and fearing to be seen, The Leacher gallop'd from his Jealous Queen: Ran up the ridges of the Rocks amain; And with shrill Neighings fill'd the Neigb'ring Plain.Line 150

But worn with Years, when dire Diseases come, Then hide his not Ignoble Age, at Home: In Peace t' enjoy his former Palms and Pains; And gratefully be kind to his Remains. Line 155

For when his Blood no Youthful Spirits move,Line 155 He languishes and labours in his Love. And when the sprightly Seed shou'd swiftly come, Dribling he drudges, and defrauds the Womb. In vain he burns, like fainty Stubble Fires; And in himself his former self requires.Line 160

His Age and Courage weigh: Nor those alone, But note his Father's Virtues with his own; Observe if he disdains to yield the Prize; Of Loss impatient, proud of Victories.

Hast thou beheld, when from the Goal they start,Line 165 The Youthful Charioteers with beating Heart, Rush to the Race; and panting, scarcely bear Th' extreams of feaverish hope, and chilling Fear; Stoop to the Reins, and lash with all their force; The flying Chariot kindles in the Course:Line 170 And now aloft; and now alow they fly, Now seem to sink in Earth, and now to touch the Sky; No stop, no stay, but Clouds of Sand arise; Spurn'd, and cast backward on the Follower's Eyes. The hindmost blows the foam upon the first:Line 175 Such is the love of Praise, an Honourable Thirst.

Bold Ericthonius was the first, who join'd Four Horses for the rapid Race design'd; And o're the dusty Wheels presiding sate; The Lapythae to Chariots, added StateLine 180 Of Bits and Bridles; taught the Steed to bound; To run the Ring, and trace the mazy round. To stop, to fly, the Rules of War to know: T' obey the Rider; and to dare the Foe.

To chuse a Youthful Steed, with Courage fir'd;Line 185 To breed him, break him, back him, are requir'd Experienc'd Masters; and in sundry Ways: Their Labours equal, and alike their Praise.

But once again the batter'd Horse beware, The weak old Stallion will deceive thy care.Line 190 Though Famous in his Youth for force and speed, Or was of Argos or Epirian breed, Or did from Neptune's Race, or from himself proceed.

These things premis'd, when now the Nuptial time Approaches for the stately Steed to climb;Line 195 With Food inable him, to make his Court; Distend his Chine, and pamper him for sport. Feed him with Herbs, whatever thou can'st find, Of generous warmth; and of salacious kind. Then Water him, and (drinking what he can)Line 200 Encourage him to thirst again, with Bran. Instructed thus, produce him to the Faire; And joyn in Wedlock to the longing Mare. For if the Sire be faint, or out of case, He will be copied in his famish'd Race:Line 205 And sink beneath the pleasing Task assign'd; (For all's too little for the craving Kind.)

As for the Females, with industrious care Take down their Mettle, keep 'em lean and bare; When conscious of their past delight, and keenLine 210 To take the leap, and prove the sport agen; With scanty measure then supply their food; And, when athirst, restrain 'em from the flood: Their Bodies harrass, sink 'em when they run; And fry their melting Marrow in the Sun.Line 215 Starve 'em, when Barns beneath their burthen groan, And winnow'd Chaff, by western winds is blown. For Fear the rankness of the swelling Womb Shou'd scant the passage, and confine the room. Lest the Fat Furrows shou'd the sense destroyLine 220 Of Genial Lust; and dull the Seat of Joy.

But let 'em suck the Seed with greedy force; And there enclose the Vigour of the Horse.

No more of Coursers yet: We now proceed To teeming Kine; and their laborious breed.Line 225 First let 'em run at large; and never know The taming Yoak, or draw the crooked Plough. Let 'em not leap the Ditch, or swim the Flood; Or lumber o're the Meads; or cross the Wood. But range the Forrest, by the silver sideLine 230 Of some cool Stream, where Nature shall provide Green Grass and fat'ning Clover for their fare! And Mossy Caverns for their Evening lare: With Rocks above, to shield the sharp Nocturnal air. About th' Alburnian Groves, with Holly green,Line 235 Of winged Insects mighty swarms are seen: This flying Plague (to mark its quality;) Oestros the Grecians call: Asylus, we: A fierce loud buzzing Breez; their stings draw blood; And drive the Cattel gadding through the Wood.Line 240 Seiz'd with unusual pains, they loudly cry, Tanagrus hastens thence; and leaves his Channel dry. This Curse the jealous Juno did invent; And first imploy'd for Io's Punishment. To shun this Ill, the cunning Leach ordainsLine 245 In Summer's Sultry Heats (for then it reigns) To feed the Females, e're the Sun arise, Or late at Night, when Stars adorn the Skies. When she has calv'd, then set the Dam aside; And for the tender Progeny provide.Line 250 Distinguish all betimes, with branding Fire; To note the Tribe, the Lineage, and The Sire. Whom to reserve for Husband of the Herd; Or who shall be to Sacrifice preferr'd; Line 255

Or whom thou shalt to turn thy Glebe allow;Line 255 To harrow Furrows, and sustain the Plough: The rest, for whom no Lot is yet decreed, May run in Pastures, and at pleasure feed. The Calf, by Nature and by Genius made To turn the Glebe, breed to the Rural Trade.Line 260 Set him betimes to School; and let him be Instructed there in Rules of Husbandry: While yet his youth is flexible and green; Nor bad Examples of the World has seen. Early begin the stubborn Child to break;Line 265 For his soft Neck, a supple Collar make Of bending Osiers; and (with time and care Enur'd that easie Servitude to bear) Thy flattering Method on the Youth pursue: Join'd with his School-Fellows, by two and two,Line 270 Perswade 'em first to lead an empty Wheel, That scarce the dust can raise; or they can feel: In length of Time produce the lab'ring Yoke And shining Shares, that make the Furrow smoak. E're the licentious Youth be thus restrain'd,Line 275 Or Moral Precepts on their Minds have gain'd; Their wanton appetites not only feed With delicates of Leaves, and marshy Weed, But with thy Sickle reap the rankest land: And minister the blade, with bounteous hand.Line 280 Nor be with harmful parsimony won To follow what our homely Sires have done; Who fill'd the Pail with Beestings of the Cow: But all her Udder to the Calf allow.

If to the Warlike Steed thy Studies bend,Line 285 Or for the Prize in Chariots to contend; Near Pisa's Flood the rapid Wheels to guide, Or in Olympian Groves aloft to ride,

The generous Labours of the Courser, first Must be with sight of Arms and sounds of Trumpets nurst:Line 290 Inur'd the groaning Axle-tree to bear; And let him clashing Whips in Stables hear. Sooth him with Praise, and make him understand The loud Applauses of his Master's Hand: This from his Weaning, let him well be taught;Line 295 And then betimes in a soft Snaffle wrought: Before his tender Joints with Nerves are knit; Guiltless of Arms, and trembling at the Bit. But when to four full Springs his years advance, Teach him to run the round, with Pride to prance;Line 300 And (rightly manag'd) equal time to beat; To turn, to bound in measure; and Curvet. Let him, to this, with easie pains be brought: And seem to labour, when he labours not. Thus, form'd for speed, he challenges the Wind;Line 305 And leaves the Scythian Arrow far behind: He scours along the Field, with loosen'd Reins; And treads so light, he scarcely prints the Plains. Like Boreas in his Race, when rushing forth, He sweeps the Skies, and clears the cloudy North:Line 310 The waving Harvest bends beneath his blast; The Forest shakes, the Groves their Honours cast; He flies aloft, and with impetuous roar Pursues the foaming Surges to the Shoar. Thus o're th' Elean Plains, thy well-breath'd HorseLine 315 Sustains the goring Spurs, and wins the Course. Or, bred to Belgian Waggons, leads the Way; Untir'd at night, and chearful all the Day.

When once he's broken, feed him full and high: Indulge his Growth, and his gaunt sides supply.Line 320 Before his Training, keep him poor and low; For his stout Stomach with his Food will grow;

The pamper'd Colt will Discipline disdain, Impatient of the Lash, and restiff to the Rein.

Wou'dst thou their Courage and their Strength im∣prove,Line 325 Too soon they must not feel the stings of Love. Whether the Bull or Courser be thy Care, Let him not leap the Cow, nor mount the Mare. The youthful Bull must wander in the Wood; Behind the Mountain, or beyond the Flood:Line 330 Or, in the Stall at home his Fodder find; Far from the Charms of that alluring Kind. With two fair Eyes his Mistress burns his Breast; He looks, and languishes, and leaves his Rest; Forsakes his Food, and pining for the Lass,Line 335 Is joyless of the Grove, and spurns the growing grass. The soft Seducer, with enticing Looks, The bellowing Rivals to the Fight provokes.

A beauteous Heifer in the Woods is bred; The stooping Warriours, aiming Head to Head,Line 340 Engage their clashing Horns; with dreadful Sound The Forest rattles, and the Rocks rebound. They fence, they push, and pushing loudly roar; Their Dewlaps and their Sides are bath'd in Gore. Nor when the War is over, is it Peace;Line 345 Nor will the vanquish'd Bull his Claim release: But feeding in his Breast his ancient Fires, And cursing Fate, from his proud Foe retires. Driv'n from his Native Land, to foreign Grounds, He with a gen'rous Rage resents his Wounds;Line 350 His ignominious Flight, the Victor's boast, And more than both, the Loves, which unreveng'd he lost. Often he turns his Eyes, and, with a Groan, Surveys the pleasing Kingdoms, once his own.

[illustration]

To S^r Iustinian Isham of Lamport in Northampton Shire Barronet

Geo 3. L 340.

And therefore to repair his Strength he tries:Line 355 Hardning his Limbs with painful Exercise, And rough upon the flinty Rock he lies. On prickly Leaves, and on sharp Herbs he feeds, Then to the Prelude of a War proceeds. His Horns, yet sore, he tries against a Tree:Line 360 And meditates his absent Enemy. He snuffs the Wind, his heels the Sand excite; But, when he stands collected in his might, He roars, and promises a more successful Fight. Then, to redeem his Honour at a blow,Line 365 He moves his Camp, to meet his careless Foe. Not with more Madness, rolling from afar, The spumy Waves proclaim the watry War. And mounting upwards, with a mighty Roar, March onwards, and insult the rocky shoar.Line 370 They mate the middle Region with their height; And fall no less, than with a Mountain's weight; The Waters boil, and belching from below Black Sands, as from a forceful Engine throw.

Thus every Creature, and of every Kind,Line 375 The secret Joys of sweet Coition find: Not only Man's Imperial Race; but they That wing the liquid Air; or swim the Sea, Or haunt the Desart, rush into the flame: For Love is Lord of all; and is in all the same.Line 380

'Tis with this rage, the Mother Lion stung, Scours o're the Plain; regardless of her young: Demanding Rites of Love; she sternly stalks; And hunts her Lover in his lonely Walks. 'Tis then the shapeless Bear his Den forsakes;Line 385 In Woods and Fields a wild destruction makes. Boars whet their Tusks; to battel Tygers move; Enrag'd with Hunger, more enrag'd with Love.

Then wo to him, that in the desart Land Of Lybia travels, o're the burning Sand.Line 390 The Stallion snuffs the well-known Scent afar; And snorts and trembles for the distant Mare: Nor Bits nor Bridles can his Rage restrain; And rugged Rocks are interpos'd in vain: He makes his way o're Mountains, and contemnsLine 395 Unruly Torrents, and unfoorded Streams. The bristled Boar, who feels the pleasing Wound, New grinds his arming Tusks, and digs the Ground. The sleepy Leacher shuts his little Eyes; About his churning Chaps the frothy bubbles rise:Line 400 He rubs his sides against a Tree; prepares And hardens both his Shoulders for the Wars. What did the Youth, when Love's unerring Dart Transfixt his Liver; and inflam'd his heart? Alone, by night, his watry way he took;Line 405 About him, and above, the Billows broke: The Sluces of the Skie were open spread; And rowling Thunder rattl'd o're his Head. The raging Tempest call'd him back in vain; And every boding Omen of the Main.Line 410 Nor cou'd his Kindred; nor the kindly Force Of weeping Parents, change his fatal Course. No, not the dying Maid who must deplore His floating Carcass on the Sestian shore.

I pass the Wars that spotted Linx's makeLine 415 With their fierce Rivals, for the Females sake: The howling Wolves, the Mastiffs amorous rage; When ev'n the fearsul Stag dares for his Hind engage. But far above the rest, the furious Mare, Barr'd from the Male, is frantick with despair.Line 420 For when her pouting Vent declares her pain, She tears the Harness, and she rends the Reyn;

For this; (when Venus gave them rage and pow'r) Their Masters mangl'd Members they devour; Of Love defrauded in their longing Hour.Line 425 For Love they force thro' Thickets of the Wood, They climb the steepy Hills, and stem the Flood.

When at the Spring's approach their Marrow burns, (For with the Spring their genial Warmth returns) The Mares to Cliffs of rugged Rocks repair,Line 430 And with wide Nostrils snuff the Western Air: When (wondrous to relate) the Parent Wind, Without the Stallion, propagates the Kind. Then fir'd with amorous rage, they take their Flight Through Plains, and mount the Hills unequal height;Line 435 Nor to the North, nor to the Rising Sun, Nor Southward to the Rainy Regions run, But boring to the West, and hov'ring there, With gaping Mouths, they draw prolifick air: With which impregnate, from their Groins they shedLine 440 A slimy Juice, by false Conception bred. The Shepherd knows it well; and calls by Name Hippomanes, to note the Mother's Flame. This, gather'd in the Planetary Hour, With noxious Weeds, and spell'd with Words of pow'r▪Line 445 Dire Stepdames in the Magick Bowl infuse; And mix, for deadly Draughts, the poys'nous Juice. But time is lost, which never will renew, While we too far the pleasing Path pursue; Surveying Nature, with too nice a view.Line 450

Let this suffice for Herds: our following Care Shall woolly Flocks, and shaggy Goats declare. Nor can I doubt what Oyl I must bestow, To raise my Subject from a Ground so low: And the mean Matter which my Theme affords,Line 455 T'embellish with Magnificence of Words.

But the commanding Muse my Chariot guides; Which o're the dubious Cliff securely rides: And pleas'd I am, no beaten Road to take: But first the way to new Discov'ries make.Line 460

Now, sacred Pales, in a lofty strain, I sing the Rural Honours of thy Reign. First with assiduous care, from Winter keep Well fodder'd in the Stalls, thy tender, Sheep. Then spread with Straw, the bedding of thy Fold;Line 465 With Fern beneath, to fend the bitter Gold. That free from Gouts thou may'st preserve thy Care: And clear from Scabs, produc'd by freezing Air. Next let thy Goats officiously be nurs'd; And led to living Streams; to quench their Thirst.Line 470 Feed 'em with Winter-brouze, and for their lare A Cot that opens to the South prepare: Where basking in the Sun-shine they may lye, And the short Remnants of his Heat enjoy. This during Winter's drisly Reign be done:Line 475 'Till the new Ram receives th' exalted Sun: For hairy Goats of equal profit are With woolly Sheep, and ask an equal Care. 'Tis true, the Fleece, when drunk with Tyrian Juice, Is dearly sold; but not for needful use:Line 480 For the sallacious Goat encreases more; And twice as largely yields her milky Store. The still distended Udders never fail; But when they seem exhausted swell the Pail. Mean time the Pastor shears their hoary Beards;Line 485 And eases of their Hair, the loaden Herds. Their Camelots, warm in Tents, the Souldier hold; And shield the wretched Mariner from Cold.

On Shrubs they brouze, and on the bleaky Top Of rugged Hills, the thorny Bramble crop.Line 490

[illustration]

To the Right Worshipfull S^r. Thomas Mompesson of Bathampton in the County of Wilts, Knight.

Geor: 3. l. 465

Attended with their Family they come At Night unask'd, and mindful of their home; And scarce their swelling Bags the threshold overcome. So much the more thy diligence bestow In depth of Winter, to defend the Snow:Line 495 By how much less the tender helpless Kind, For their own ills, can fit Provision find. Then minister the browze, with bounteous hand; And open let thy Stacks all Winter stand. But when the Western Winds with vital pow'rLine 500 Call forth the tender Grass, and budding Flower; Then, at the last, produce in open Air Both Flocks; and send 'em to their Summer fare. Before the Sun, while Hesperus appears; First let 'em sip from Herbs the pearly tearsLine 505 Of Morning Dews: And after break their Fast On Green-sword Ground; (a cool and grateful taste:) But when the day's fourth hour has drawn the Dews, And the Sun's sultry heat their thirst renews; When creaking Grashoppers on Shrubs complain,Line 510 Then lead 'em to their wat'ring Troughs again. In Summer's heat, some bending Valley find, Clos'd from the Sun, but open to the Wind: Or seek some ancient Oak, whose Arms extend In ample breadth, thy Cattle to defend:Line 515 Or solitary Grove, or gloomy Glade: To shield 'em with its venerable Shade. Once more to wat'ring lead; and feed again When the low Sun is sinking to the Main. When rising Cynthia sheds her silver Dews;Line 520 And the cool Evening-breeze the Meads renews: When Linnets fill the Woods with tunesul sound, And hollow shoars the Halcyons Voice rebound.

Why shou'd my Muse enlarge on Lybian Swains; Their scatter'd Cottages, and ample Plains?Line 525 Where oft the Flocks, without a Leader stray; Or through continu'd Desarts take their way; And, feeding, add the length of Night to day. Whole Months they wander, grazing as they go; Nor Folds, nor hospitable Harbour know.Line 530 Such an extent of Plains, so vast a space Of Wilds unknown, and of untasted Grass Allures their Eyes: The Shepherd last appears, And with him all his Patrimony bears: His House and household Gods! his trade of War,Line 535 His Bow and Quiver; and his trusty Cur. Thus, under heavy Arms, the Youth of Rome Their long laborious Marches overcome; Chearly their tedious Travels undergo: And pitch their sudden Camp before the Foe.Line 540

Not so the Scythian Shepherd tends his Fold; Nor he who bears in Thrace the bitter cold: Nor he, who treads the bleak Meotian Strand; Or where proud Ister rouls his yellow Sand. Early they stall their Flocks and Herds; for thereLine 545 No Grass the Fields, no Leaves the Forests wear. The frozen Earth lies buried there, below A hilly heap, sev'n Cubits deep in Snow: And all the West Allies of stormy Boreas blow.

The Sun from far, peeps with a sickly face;Line 550 Too weak the Clouds, and mighty Fogs to chace; When up the Skies, he shoots his rosie Head; Or in the ruddy Ocean seeks his Bed. Swift Rivers, are with sudden Ice constrain'd; And studded Wheels are on its back sustain'd.Line 555 An Hostry now sor Waggons; which before Tall Ships of burthen, on its Bosom bore.

[illustration]

To John Dormer of Rowshan in the County of Oxford Esq

Geo: 3: L 570.

The brazen Cauldrons, with the Frost are flaw'd; The Garment, stiff with Ice, at Hearths is thaw'd. With Axes first they cleave the Wine, and thenceLine 560 By weight, the solid portions they dispence. From Locks uncomb'd, and from the frozen Beard, Long Isicles depend, and crackling Sounds are heard. Mean time perpetual Sleet, and driving Snow, Obscure the Skies, and hang on Herds below.Line 565 The starving Cattle perish in their Stalls, Huge Oxen stand enclos'd in wint'ry Walls Of Snow congeal'd; whole Herds are bury'd there Of mighty Stags, and scarce their Horns appear. The dext'rous Huntsman wounds not these afar,Line 570 With Shafts, or Darts, or makes a distant War With Dogs; or pitches Toyls to stop their Flight: But close engages in unequal Fight. And while they strive in vain to make their way Through hills of Snow, and pitifully bray;Line 575 Assaults with dint of Sword, or pointed Spears, And homeward, on his Back, the joyful burthen bears. The Men to subterranean Caves retire; Secure from Cold; and crowd the chearful Fire: With Trunks of Elms and Oaks, the Hearth they load,Line 580 Nor tempt th' inclemency of Heav'n abroad. Their jovial Nights, in frollicks and in play They pass, to drive the tedious Hours away. And their cold Stomachs with crown'd Goblets cheer, Of windy Cider, and of barmy Beer.Line 585 Such are the cold Ryphean Race; and such The savage Scythian, and unwarlike Dutch. Where Skins of Beasts, the rude Barbarians wear; The spoils of Foxes, and the furry Bear.

Is Wool thy care? Let not thy Cattle goLine 590 Where Bushes are, where Burs and Thistles grow;

Nor in too rank a Pasture let 'em feed: Then of the purest white select thy Breed. Ev'n though a snowy Ram thou shalt behold, Prefer him not in haste, for Husband to thy Fold.Line 595 But search his Mouth; and if a swarthy Tongue Is underneath his humid Pallat hung; Reject him, lest he darken all the Flock; And substitute another from thy Stock. Twas thus with Fleeces milky white (if weLine 600 May trust report,) Pan God of Arcady Did bribe thee Cynthia; nor didst thou disdain When call'd in woody shades, to cure a Lover's pain.

If Milk be thy design; with plenteous hand Bring Clover-grass; and from the marshy LandLine 605 Salt Herbage for the fodd'ring Rack provide; To fill their Bags, and swell the milky Tide: These raise their Thirst, and to the Taste restore The savour of the Salt, on which they fed before.

Some, when the Kids their Dams too deeply drain,Line 610 With gags and muzzles their soft Mouths restrain. Their morning Milk, the Peasants press at Night: Their Evening Meal, before the rising Light To Market bear: or sparingly they steep With seas'ning Salt, and stor'd, for Winter keep.Line 615

Nor last, forget thy faithful Dogs: but feed With fat'ning Whey the Mastiffs gen'rous breed; And Spartan Race: who for the Folds relief Will prosecute with Cries the Nightly Thief: Repulse the prouling Wolf, and hold at Bay,Line 620 The Mountain Robbers, rushing to the Prey. With cries of Hounds, thou may'st pursue the fear Of flying Hares, and chace the fallow Deer; Rouze from their desart Dens, the brisl'd Rage Of Boars, and beamy Stags in Toyls engage.Line 625

With smoak of burning Cedar scent thy Walls: And fume with stinking Galbanum thy Stalls: With that rank Odour from thy dwelling Place To drive the Viper's brood, and all the venom'd Race. For often under Stalls unmov'd, they lye,Line 630 Obscure in shades, and shunning Heav'ns broad Eye. And Snakes, familiar, to the Hearth succeed, Disclose their Eggs, and near the Chimny breed. Whether, to roofy Houses they repair, Or Sun themselves abroad in open Air,Line 635 In all abodes of pestilential Kind, To Sheep and Oxen, and the painful Hind. Take, Shepherd take, a plant of stubborn Oak; And labour him with many a sturdy stroak: Or with hard Stones, demolish from a-farLine 640 His haughty Crest, the seat of all the War. Invade his hissing Throat, and winding spires; 'Till stretch'd in length, th' unfolded Foe retires. He drags his Tail; and for his Head provides: And in some secret cranny slowly glides;Line 645 But leaves expos'd to blows, his Back and batter'd sides.

In fair Calabria's Woods, a Snake is bred, With curling Crest, and with advancing Head: Waving he rolls, and makes a winding Track; His Belly spotted, burnisht is his Back:Line 650 While Springs are broken, while the Southern Air And dropping Heav'ns, the moisten'd Earth repair, He lives on standing Lakes, and trembling Bogs, And fills his Maw with Fish, or with loquacious Frogs. But when, in muddy Pools, the water sinks;Line 655 And the chapt Earth is furrow'd o're with Chinks; He leaves the Fens, and leaps upon the Ground; And hissing, rowls his glaring Eyes around.

With Thirst inflam'd, impatient of the heats, He rages in the Fields, and wide Destruction threats.Line 660 Oh let not Sleep, my closing Eyes invade, In open Plains, or in the secret Shade, When he, renew'd in all the speckl'd Pride Of pompous Youth, has cast his slough aside: And in his Summer Liv'ry rowls along:Line 665 Erect, and brandishing his forky Tongue, Leaving his Nest, and his imperfect Young; And thoughtless of his Egs, forgets to rear The hopes of Poyson, for the foll'wing Year.

The Causes and the Signs shall next be told,Line 670 Of ev'ry Sickness that infects the Fold. A scabby Tetter on their pelts will stick, When the raw Rain has pierc'd 'em to the quick: Or searching Frosts, have eaten through the Skin, Or burning Isicles are lodg'd within:Line 675 Or when the Fleece is shorn, if sweat remains Unwash'd, and soaks into their empty Veins: When their defenceless Limbs, the Brambles tear; Short of their Wool, and naked from the Sheer.

Good Shepherds after sheering, drench their Sheep,Line 680 And their Flocks Father (forc'd from high to leap) Swims down the Stream, and plunges in the deep. They oint their naked Limbs with mother'd Oyl; Or from the Founts where living Sulphurs boyl, They mix a Med'cine to foment their Limbs;Line 685 With Scum that on the molten Silver swims. Fat Pitch, and black Bitumen, add to these, Besides, the waxen labour of the Bees: And Hellebore, and Squills deep rooted in the Seas, Receits abound; but searching all thy Store,Line 690 The best is still at hand, to launch the Sore:

[illustration]

To Fredrick Filney of Filney Hall in Hant-Shire Esq

Geo 3: L 721

And cut the Head; for till the Core be found, The secret Vice is fed, and gathers Ground: While making fruitless Moan, the Shepherd stands, And, when the launching Knife requires his hands,Line 695 Vain help, with idle Pray'rs from Heav'n demands. Deep in their Bones when Feavers fix their seat, And rack their Limbs; and lick the vital heat; The ready Cure to cool the raging Pain, Is underneath the Foot to breath a Vein.Line 700 This remedy the Scythian Shepherds found: Th' Inhabitants of Thracia's hilly Ground, And Gelons use it; when for Drink and Food They mix their cruddl'd Milk with Horses Blood.

But where thou seest a single Sheep remainLine 705 In shades aloof, or couch'd upon the Plain; Or listlesly to crop the tender Grass; Or late to lag behind, with truant pace; Revenge the Crime; and take the Traytor's head, E're in the faultless Flock the dire Contagion spread.Line 710

On Winter Seas we fewer Storms behold, Than foul Diseases that infect the Fold. Nor do those ills, on single Bodies prey; But oft'ner bring the Nation to decay; And sweep the present Stock, and future Hope away.Line 715

A dire Example of this Truth appears: When, after such a length of rowling Years, We see the naked Alps, and thin Remains Of scatter'd Cotts, and yet unpeopl'd Plains: Once fill'd with grazing Flocks, the Shepherds happy Reigns.Line 720

Here from the vicious Air, and sickly Skies, A Plague did on the dumb Creation rise: During th' Autumnal Heats th' Infection grew, Tame Cattle, and the Beasts of Nature slew. Line 725

Poys'ning the Standing Lakes; and Pools Impure:Line 725 Nor was the foodful Grass in Fields secure. Strange Death! For when the thirsty fire had drunk Their vital Blood, and the dry Nerves were shrunk; When the contracted Limbs were cramp'd, ev'n then A wat'rish Humour swell'd and ooz'd agen:Line 730 Converting into Bane the kindly Juice, Ordain'd by Nature for a better use. The Victim Ox, that was for Altars prest, Trim'd with white Ribbons, and with Garlands drest, Sunk of himself, without the Gods Command:Line 735 Preventing the slow Sacrificer's Hand. Or, by the holy Butcher, if he fell, Th' inspected Entrails, cou'd no Fates foretel. Nor, laid on Altars, did pure Flames arise; But Clouds of smouldring Smoke, forbad the Sacrifice.Line 740 Scarcely the Knife was redden'd with his Gore, Or the black Poyson stain'd the sandy Floor. The thriven Calves in Meads their Food forsake, And render their sweet Souls before the plenteous Rack. The fawning Dog runs mad; the wheasing SwineLine 745 With Coughs is choak'd; and labours from the Chine: The Victor Horse, forgetful of his Food, The Palm renounces, and abhors the Flood. He paws the Ground, and on his hanging Ears A doubtful Sweat in clammy drops appears:Line 750 Parch'd is his Hide, and rugged are his Hairs. Such are the Symptoms of the young Disease; But in time's process, when his pains encrease, He rouls his mournful Eyes, he deeply groans With patient sobbing, and with manly Moans.Line 755 He heaves for Breath: which, from his Lungs supply'd, And fetch'd from far, distends his lab'ring side.

To his rough Palat, his dry Tongue succeeds; And roapy Gore, he from his Nostrils bleeds. A Drench of Wine has with success been us'd;Line 760 And through a Horn, the gen'rous Juice infus'd: Which timely taken op'd his closing Jaws; But, if too late, the Patient's death did cause. For the too vig'rous Dose, too fiercely wrought; And added Fury to the Srength it brought.Line 765 Recruited into Rage, he grinds his Teeth In his own Flesh, and feeds approaching Death. Ye Gods, to better Fate, good Men dispose; And turn that Impious Errour on our Foes!

The Steer, who to the Yoke was bred to bow,Line 770 (Studious of Tillage; and the crooked Plough) Falls down and dies; and dying spews a Flood Of foamy Madness, mix'd with clotted Blood. The Clown, who cursing Providence repines, His Mournful Fellow from the Team disjoyns:Line 775 With many a groan, forsakes his fruitless care; And in th' unfinish'd Furrow, leaves the Share. The pineing Steer, no Shades of lofty Woods, Nor flow'ry Meads can ease; nor Crystal floods Roul'd from the Rock: His flabby Flanks decrease;Line 780 His Eyes are settled in a stupid peace. His bulk too weighty for his Thighs is grown; And his unweildy Neck, hangs drooping down. Now what avails his well-deserving Toil To turn the Glebe; or smooth the rugged Soil!Line 785 And yet he never supt in solemn State, Nor undigested Feasts did urge his Fate; Nor day, to Night, luxuriously did joyn; Nor surfeited on rich Campanian Wine. Simple his Bev'rage; homely was his Food;Line 790 The wholsom Herbage, and the running Flood:

No dreadful Dreams awak'd him with affright; His Pains by Day, secur'd his Rest by Night.

'Twas then that Buffalo's, ill pair'd, were seen To draw the Carr of Jove's Imperial QueenLine 795 For want of Oxen: and the lab'ring Swain Scratch'd with a Rake, a Furrow for his Grain: And cover'd, with his hand, the shallow Seed again. He Yokes himself, and up the Hilly height, With his own Shoulders, draws the Waggon's weight.Line 800

The nightly Wolf, that round th' Enclosure proul'd To leap the Fence; now plots not on the Fold. Tam'd with a sharper Pain. The fearful Doe And flying Stag, amidst the Grey-Hounds go: And round the Dwellings roam of Man, their fiercer Foe.Line 805 The scaly Nations of the Sea profound, Like Shipwreck'd Carcasses are driv'n aground: And mighty Phocae, never seen before In shallow Streams, are stranded on the shore. The Viper dead, within her Hole is found:Line 810 Defenceless was the shelter of the ground. The water-Snake, whom Fish and Paddocks fed, With staring Scales lies poyson'd in his Bed: To Birds their Native Heav'ns contagious prove, From Clouds they fall, and leave their Souls above.Line 815

Besides, to change their Pasture 'tis in vain: Or trust to Physick; Physick is their Bane. The Learned Leaches in despair depart: And shake their Heads, desponding of their Art.

Tisiphone, let loose from under ground,Line 820 Majestically pale, now treads the round: Before her drives Diseases, and affright; And every moment rises to the sight: Aspiring to the Skies; encroaching on the light. Line 825

The Rivers and their Banks, and Hills around,Line 825 With lowings, and with dying Bleats resound. At length, she strikes an Universal Blow; To Death at once whole Herds of Cattle go: Sheep, Oxen, Horses fall; and, heap'd on high, The diff'ring Species in Confusion lie.Line 830 'Till warn'd by frequent ills, the way they found, To lodge their loathsom Carrion underground. For, useless to the Currier were their Hides: Nor cou'd their tainted Flesh with Ocean Tides Be freed from Filth; nor cou'd Vulcanian FlameLine 835 The Stench abolish; or the Savour tame. Nor safely cou'd they shear their fleecy Store; (Made drunk with poys'nous Juice, and stiff with Gore:) Or touch the Web: But if the Vest they wear, Red Blisters rising on their Paps appear,Line 840 And flaming Carbuncles; and noisom Sweat, And clammy Dews, that loathsom Lice beget: 'Till the slow creeping Evil eats his way, Consumes the parching Limbs; and makes the Life his prey.

The Fourth Book of the Georgics.

The Argument.

Virgil has taken care to raise the Subject of each Georgic: In the First he has only dead Matter on which to work. In the second he just steps on the World of Life, and describes that degree of it which is to be found in Vegetables. In the third he advances to Animals. And in the last, singles out the Bee, which may be reckon'd the most sagacious of 'em, for his Subject.

In this Georgic he shews us what Station is most proper for the Bees, and when they begin to gather Honey: how to call 'em home when they swarm; and how to part 'em when they are engag'd in Battel. From hence he takes occasion to discover their different Kinds; and, after an Excursion relates their prudent and politick Admini∣stration of Affairs and the several Diseases that often rage in their Hives, with the proper Symptoms and Remedies of each Disease. In the last place he lays down a method of repairing their Kind, supposing their whole Breed lost; and gives at large the History of its Invention.

THE Gifts of Heav'n my foll'wing Song pursues, Aerial Honey, and Ambrosial Dews. Maecenas, read this other part, that sings Fmbattel'd Sqadrons and advent'rous Kings: A mighty Pomp, tho' made of little Things.Line 5 Their Arms, their Arts, their Manners I disclose, And how they War, and whence the People rose: Slight is the Subject, but the Praise not small, If Heav'n assist, and Phoebus hear my Call.

First, for thy Bees a quiet Station find,Line 10 And lodge 'em under Covert of the Wind: For Winds, when homeward they return, will drive The loaded Carriers from their Ev'ning Hive. Far from the Cows and Goats insulting Crew, That trample down the Flow'rs, and brush the Dew:Line 15 The painted Lizard, and the Birds of Prey, Foes of the frugal Kind, be far away.

[illustration]

To Richard Norton of Southwick in Hant-shire Esq.

Geo 4: L 1

The Titmouse, and the Peckers hungry Brood, And Progne, with her Bosom stain'd in Blood: These rob the trading Citizens, and bearLine 20 The trembling Captives thro' the liquid Air; And for their callow young a cruel Feast prepare. But near a living Stream their Mansion place, Edg'd round with Moss, and tufts of matted Grass: And plant (the Winds impetuous rage to stop,)Line 25 Wild Olive Trees, or Palms, before the buisy Shop: That when the youthful Prince, with loud allarm, Calls out the vent'rous Colony to swarm; When first their way thro' yielding Air they wing, New to the Pleasures of their native Spring;Line 30 The Banks of Brooks may make a cool retreat For the raw Souldiers from the scalding Heat: And neighb'ring Trees, with friendly Shade invite The Troops unus'd to long laborious Flight. Then o're the running Stream, or standing Lake,Line 35 A Passage for thy weary People make; With Osier Floats the standing Water strow; Of massy Stones make Bridges, if it flow: That basking in the Sun thy Bees may lye, And resting there, their flaggy Pinions dry:Line 40 When late returning home, the laden Host, By raging Winds is wreck'd upon the Coast. Wild Thyme and Sav'ry set around their Cell, Sweet to the Taste, and fragrant to the Smell: Set rows of Rosemary with flow'ring Stem,Line 45 And let the purple Vi'lets drink the Stream.

Whether thou build the Palace of thy Bees With twisted Osiers, or with Barks of Trees; Make but a narrow Mouth: for as the Cold Congeals into a Lump the liquid Gold;Line 50

So 'tis again dissolv'd by Summer's heat, And the sweet Labours both Extreams defeat. And therefore, not in vain, th' industrious Kind With dawby Wax and Flow'rs the Chinks have lin'd. And, with their Stores of gather'd Glue, contriveLine 55 To stop the Vents, and Crannies of their Hive. Not Birdlime, or Idean Pitch produce A more tenacious Mass of clammy Juice.

Nor Bees are lodg'd in Hives alone, but found In Chambers of their own, beneath the Ground:Line 60 Their vaulted Roofs are hung in Pumices, And in the rotten Trunks of hollow Trees.

But plaister thou the chinky Hives with Clay, And leafy Branches o're their Lodgings lay. Nor place them where too deep a Water flows,Line 65 Or where the Yeugh their pois'nous Neighbour grows: Nor rost red Crabs t' offend the niceness of their Nose. Nor near the steaming Stench of muddy Ground; Nor hollow Rocks that render back the Sound, And doubled Images of Voice rebound.Line 70

For what remains, when Golden Suns appear, And under Earth have driv'n the Winter Year: The winged Nation wanders thro' the Skies, And o're the Plains, and shady Forrest flies: Then stooping on the Meads and leafy Bow'rs;Line 75 They skim the Floods, and sip the purple Flow'rs. Exalted hence, and drunk with secret Joy, Their young Succession all their Cares employ: They breed, they brood, instruct and educate, And make Provision for the future State:Line 80 They work their waxen Lodgings in their Hives, And labour Honey to sustain their Lives. But when thou seest a swarming Cloud arise, That sweeps aloft, and darkens all the Skies:

[illustration]

To the Right Hon^ble: S^r. William Trumbull K^t. Principall Secretary of State & one of his Mai^ties: Most Hon^ble: Priry Councill.

Geo: 4. l. 85.

The Motions of their hasty Flight attend;Line 85 And know to Floods, or Woods, their airy march they bend. Then Melfoil beat, and Honey-suckles pound, With these alluring Savours strew the Ground; And mix with tinkling Brass, the Cymbals droning Sound. Streight to their ancient Cells, recall'd from Air,Line 90 The reconcil'd Deserters will repair. But if intestine Broils allarm the Hive, (For two Pretenders oft for Empire strive) The Vulgar in divided Factions jar; And murm'ring Sounds proclaim the Civil War.Line 95 Inflam'd with Ire, and trembling with Disdain, Scarce can their Limbs, their mighty Souls contain. With Shouts, the Cowards Courage they excite, And martial Clangors call 'em out to fight: With hoarse Allarms the hollow Camp rebounds,Line 100 That imitates the Trumpets angry Sounds: Then to their common Standard they repair; The nimble Horsemen scour the Fields of Air. In form of Battel drawn, they issue forth, And ev'ry Knight is proud to prove his Worth.Line 105 Prest for their Country's Honour, and their King's, On their sharp Beaks they whet their pointed Stings; And exercise their Arms, and tremble with their Wings. Full in the midst, the haughty Monarchs ride, The trusty Guards come up, and close the Side;Line 110 With Shouts the daring Foe to Battel is defy'd. Thus in the Season of unclouded Spring, To War they follow their undaunted King: Crowd thro'their Gates, and in the Fields of Light, The shocking Squadrons meet in mortal Fight:Line 115 Headlong they fall from high, and wounded wound, And heaps of slaughter'd Souldiers bite the Ground. Hard Hailstones lye not thicker on the Plain; Nor shaken Oaks such Show'rs of Acorns rain. Line 120

With gorgeous Wings the Marks of Sov'raign sway,Line 120 The two contending Princes make their way; Intrepid thro' the midst of danger go; Their friends encourage, and amaze the Foe. With mighty Souls in narrow Bodies prest, They challenge, and encounter Breast to Breast;Line 125 So fix'd on Fame, unknowing how to fly, And obstinately bent to win or dye; That long the doubtful Combat they maintain, Till one prevails (for one can only Reign.) Yet all those dreadful deeds, this deadly fray,Line 130 A cast of scatter'd Dust will soon alay, And undecided leave the Fortune of the day. When both the Chiefs are sund'red from the Fight, Then to the lawful King restore his Right. And let the wastful Prodigal be slain,Line 135 That he, who best deserves, alone may reign. With ease distinguish'd is the Regal Race, One Monarch wears an honest open Face; Large are his Limbs, and Godlike to behold, His Royal Body shines with specks of Gold,Line 140 And ruddy Skales; for Empire he design'd, Is better born, and of a Nobler Kind. That other looks like Nature in disgrace, Gaunt are his sides, and sullen is his face: And like their grizly Prince appears his gloomy Race:Line 145 Grim, ghastly, rugged, like a thirsty train That long have travel'd through a desart plain, And spet from their dry Chaps the gather'd dust again. The better Brood, unlike the Bastard Crew, Are mark'd with Royal streaks of shining hue;Line 150 Glitt'ring and ardent, though in Body less: From these at pointed Seasons hope to press

Huge heavy Honey-Combs, of Golden Juice, Not only sweet, but pure, and fit for use: T'allay the Strength and Hardness of the Wine,Line 155 And with old Bacchus, new Metheglin join.

But when the Swarms are eager of their play, And loath their empty Hives, and idly stray, Restrain the wanton Fugitives, and take A timely Care to bring the Truants back.Line 160 The Task is easy: but to clip the Wings Of their high-flying Arbitrary Kings: At their Command, the People swarm away; Confine the Tyrant, and the Slaves will stay.

Sweet Gardens, full of Saffron Flow'rs, inviteLine 165 The wandring Gluttons, and retard their Flight. Besides, the God obscene, who frights away, With his Lath Sword, the Thiefs and Birds of Prey. With his own hand, the Guardian of the Bees, For Slips of Pines, may search the Mountain Trees:Line 170 And with wild Thyme and Sav'ry, plant the Plain, 'Till his hard horny Fingers ake with Pain: And deck with fruitful Trees the Fields around, And with refreshing Waters drench the Ground.

Now, did I not so near my Labours end,Line 175 Strike Sail, and hast'ning to the Harbour tend; My Song to Flow'ry Gardens might extend. To teach the vegetable Arts, to sing The Paestan Roses, and their double Spring: How Succ'ry drinks the running Streams, and howLine 180 Green Beds of Parsley near the River grow; How Cucumers along the Surface creep, With crooked Bodies, and with Bellies deep. The late Narcissus, and the winding Trail Of Bears-foot, Myrtles green, and Ivy pale.Line 185

For where with stately Tow'rs Tarentum stands, And deep Galesus soaks the yellow Sands, I chanc'd an Old Corycian Swain to know, Lord of few Acres, and those barren too; Unfit for Sheep or Vines, and more unfit to sow:Line 190 Yet lab'ring well his little Spot of Ground, Some scatt'ring Potherbs here and there he found: Which cultivated with his daily Care, And bruis'd with Vervain, were his frugal Fare. Sometimes white Lyllies did their Leaves afford,Line 195 With wholsom Poppy-flow'rs, to mend his homely Board: For late returning home he sup'd at ease, And wisely deem'd the Wealth of Monarchs less: The little of his own, because his own, did please. To quit his Care, he gather'd first of allLine 200 In Spring the Roses, Apples in the Fall: And when cold Winter split the Rocks in twain, And Ice the running Rivers did restrain, He strip'd the Bears-foot of its leafy growth; And, calling Western Winds, accus'd the Spring of sloath.Line 205 He therefore first among the Swains was found, To reap the Product of his labour'd Ground, And squeese the Combs with Golden Liquor Crown'd. His Limes were first in Flow'rs, his lofty Pines, With friendly Shade, secur'd his tender Vines.Line 210 For ev'ry Bloom his Trees in Spring afford, An Autumn Apple was by tale restor'd. He knew to rank his Elms in even rows; For Fruit the grafted Peartree to dispose: And tame to Plums, the sourness of the Sloes.Line 215 With spreading Planes he made a cool retreat, To shade good Fellows from the Summer's heat. But streighten'd in my space, I must forsake This Task; for others afterwards to take.

Describe we next the Nature of the Bees,Line 220 bestow'd by Jove for secret Services: When by the tinkling Sound of Timbrels led, The King of Heav'n in Cretan Caves they fed. Of all the Race of Animals, alone The Bees have common Cities of their own:Line 225 And common Sons, beneath one Law they live, And with one common Stock their Traffick drive. Each has a certain home, a sev'ral Stall: All is the States, the State provides for all. Mindful of coming Cold, they share the Pain:Line 230 And hoard, for Winter's use, the Summer's gain. Some o're the Publick Magazines preside, And some are sent new Forrage to provide: These drudge in Fields abroad, and those at home Lay deep Foundations for the labour'd Comb,Line 235 With dew, Narcissus Leaves, and clammy Gum. To pitch the waxen Flooring some contrive: Some nurse the future Nation of the Hive: Sweet Honey some condense, some purge the Grout; The rest, in Cells apart, the liquid Nectar shut.Line 240 All, with united Force, combine to drive The lazy Drones from the laborious Hive. With Envy stung, they view each others Deeds: With Diligence the fragrant Work proceeds. As when the Cyclops, at th' Almighty Nod,Line 245 New Thunder hasten for their angry God: Subdu'd in Fire the Stubborn Mettal lyes, One brawny Smith the puffing Bellows plyes; And draws, and blows reciprocating Air: Others to quench the hissing Mass prepare:Line 250 With lifted Arms they order ev'ry Blow, And chime their sounding Hammers in a Row; With strokes of Anvils Aetna groans below.

Strongly they strike, huge Flakes of Flames expire, With Tongs they turn the Steel, and vex it in the Fire.Line 255 If little things with great we may compare, Such are the Bees, and such their native Care: Studious of Honey, each in his Degree, The youthful Swain, the grave experienc'd Bee: That in the Field; this in Affairs of State,Line 260 Employ'd at home, abides within the Gate: To fortify the Combs, to build the Wall, To prop the Ruins lest the Fabrick fall: But late at Night, with weary Pinions come The labr'ring Youth, and heavy laden home.Line 265 Plains, Meads, and Orchards all the day he plies, The gleans of yellow Thime distend his Thighs: He spoils the Saffron Flow'rs, he sips the blues Of Vi'lets, wilding Blooms, and Willow Dews. Their Toyl is common, common is their Sleep;Line 270 They shake their Wings when Morn begins to peep; Rush through the City Gates without delay, Nor ends their Work, but with declining Day: Then having spent the last remains of Light, They give thir Bodies due repose at Night:Line 275 When hollow Murmurs of their Ev'ning Bells, Dismiss the sleepy Swains, and toll 'em to their Cells. When once in Beds their weary Limbs they steep, No buzzing Sounds disturb thir Golden Sleep. 'Tis sacred Silence all. Nor dare they stray,Line 280 When Rain is promis'd, or a stormy Day: But near the City Walls their Watring take, Nor Forrage far, but short Excursions make.

And as when empty Barks on Billows float, With sandy Ballast Sailors trim the Boat;Line 285 So Bees bear Gravel Stones, whose poising Weight Steers thro' the whistling Winds their steddy Flight.

But what's more strange, their modest Appetites, Averse from Venus, fly the nuptial Rites. No lust enervates their Heroic Mind,Line 290 Nor wasts their Strength on wanton Woman-Kind. But in their Mouths reside their Genial Pow'rs, They gather Children from the Leaves and Flow'rs. Thus make they Kings to fill the Regal Seat; And thus their little Citizens create:Line 295 And waxen Cities build, and Palaces of State. And oft on Rocks their tender Wings they tear, And sink beneath the Burthens which they bear. Such Rage of Honey in their Bosom beats: And such a Zeal they have for flow'ry Sweets.Line 300

Thus tho' the race of Life they quickly run; Which in the space of seven short Years is done, Th' immortal Line in fure Succession reigns, The Fortune of the Family remains: And Grandsires Grandsons the long List contains.Line 305

Besides, not Egypt, India, Media more With servile Awe, their Idol King adore: While he survives, in Concord and Content The Commons live, by no Divisions rent; But the great Monarch's Death dissolves the Government.Line 310 All goes to Ruin, they themselves contrive To rob the Honey, and subvert the Hive. The King presides, his Subjects Toil surveys; The servile Rout their careful Caesar praise: Him they extol, they worship him alone,Line 315 They crowd his Levees, and support his Throne: They raise him on their shoulders with a Shout: And when their Sov'raigns Quarrel calls 'em out, His Foes to mortal Combat they defy, And think it honour at his feet to die.Line 320

Induc'd by such Examples, some have taught That Bees have Portions of Etherial Thought: Endu'd with Particles of Heavenly Fires: For God the whole created Mass inspires; Thro' Heav'n, and Earth, and Oceans depth he throwsLine 325 His Influence round, and kindles as he goes. Hence Flocks, and Herds, and Men, and Beasts, and Fowls With Breath are quicken'd; and attract their Souls. Hence take the Forms his Prescience did ordain, And into him at length resolve again.Line 330 No room is left for Death, they mount the Sky, And to their own congenial Planets fly.

Now when thou hast decreed to seize their Stores, And by Prerogative to break their Doors: With sprinkl'd Water first the City choak,Line 335 And then pursue the Citizens with Smoak. Two Honey Harvests fall in ev'ry Year: First, when the pleasing Pleiades appear, And springing upward spurn the briny Seas: Again, when their affrighted Quire surveysLine 340 The watry Scorpion mend his Pace behind, With a black Train of Storms, and winter Wind; They plunge into the Deep, and safe Protection find. Prone to Revenge, the Bees, a wrathful Race, When once provok'd assault th' Agressor's Face:Line 345 And through the purple Veins a passage find; There fix their Stings, and leave their Souls behind.

But if a pinching Winter thou foresee, And woud'st preserve thy famish'd Family; With fragant Thyme the City fumigate,Line 350 And break the waxen Walls to save the State. For lurking Lizards often lodge, by Stealth, Within the Suburbs, and purloyn their Wealth.

And Worms that shun the Light, a dark Retreat Have found in Combs, and undermin'd the Seat.Line 355 Or lazy Drones, without their Share of Pain; In Winter Quarters free, devour the Gain: Or Wasps infest the Camp with loud Alarms, And mix in Battel with unequal Arms: Or secret Moaths are there in Silence fed;Line 360 Or Spiders in the Vault, their snary Webs have spred.

The more oppress'd by Foes, or Famine pin'd; The more increase thy Care to save the sinking Kind. With Greens and Flow'rs recruit their empty Hives, And seek fresh Forrage to sustain their Lives.Line 365

But since they share with us one common Fate, In Health and Sickness, and in Turns of State; Observe the Symptoms when they fall away, And languish with insensible Decay. They change their Hue, with hagger'd Eyes they stare,Line 370 Lean are their Looks, and shagged is their Hair: And Crowds of dead, that never must return To their lov'd Hives, in decent Pomp are born: Their Friends attend the Herse, the next Relations Mourn. The sick, for Air before the Portal gasp,Line 375 Their feeble Legs within each other clasp. Or idle in their empty Hives remain, Benum'd with Cold, and listless of their Gain. Soft Whispers then, and broken Sounds are heard, As when the Woods by gentle Winds are stir'd.Line 380 Such stifled noise as the close Furnace hides, Or dying Murmurs of departing Tides. This when thou seest, Galbanean Odours use, And Honey in the sickly Hive infuse. Thro' reeden Pipes convey the Golden Flood,Line 385 T' invite the People to their wonted Food.

Mix it with thicken'd Juice of sodden Wines, And Raisins from the Grapes of Psythian Vines: To these add pounded Galls, and Roses dry, And with Cecropian Thyme, strong scented Centaury.Line 390

A Flow'r there is that grows in Meadow Ground, Amellus call'd, and easy to be found; For from one Root the rising Stem bestows A Wood of Leaves, and vi'let-purple Boughs: The Flow'r it self is glorious to behold,Line 395 And shines on Altars like refulgent Gold: Sharp to the Taste, by Shepherds near the Stream Of Mella found, and thence they gave the Name. Boyl this restoring Root in gen'rous Wine, And set beside the Door, the sickly Stock to dine.Line 400 But if the lab'ring Kind be wholly lost, And not to be retriev'd with Care or Cost; 'Tis time to touch the Precepts of an Art, Th' Arcadian Master did of old impart: And how he stock'd his empty Hives again;Line 405 Renew'd with putrid Gore of Oxen slain. An ancient Legend I prepare to sing, And upward follow Fame's immortal Spring.

For where with sev'n-fold Horns mysterious Nile Surrounds the Skirts of Egypt's fruitful Isle,Line 410 And where in Pomp the Sun-burnt People ride On painted Barges, o're the teeming Tide, Which pouring down from Ethiopian Lands, Makes green the Soyl with Slime, and black prolific Sands; That length of Region, and large Tract of Ground,Line 415 In this one Art a sure relief have found. First, in a place, by Nature closs, they build A narrow Flooring, gutter'd, wall'd, and til'd.

In this, four Windows are contriv'd, that strike To the four Winds oppos'd, their Beams oblique.Line 420 A Steer of two Years old they take, whose Head Now first with burnish'd Horns begins to spread: They stop his Nostrils, while he strives in vain To breath free Air, and struggles with his Pain. Knock'd down, he dyes: his Bowels bruis'd within,Line 425 Betray no Wound on his unbroken Skin. Extended thus, in this obscene Abode, They leave the Beast; but first sweet Flow'rs are strow'd Beneath his Body, broken Boughs and Thyme, And pleasing Cassia just renew'd in prime.Line 430 This must be done, e're Spring makes equal Day, When Western Winds on curling Waters play: E're painted Meads produce their Flow'ry Crops, Or Swallows twitter on the Chimney Tops. The tainted Blood, in this close Prison pent,Line 435 Begins to boyl and through the Bones ferment. Then, wondrous to behold, new Creatures rise, A moving Mass at first, and short of Thighs; 'Till shooting out with Legs, and imp'd with Wings, The Grubs proceed to Bees with pointed Stings:Line 440 And more and more affecting Air, they try Their tender Pinions, and begin to fly: At length, like Summer Storms from spreading Clouds, That burst at once, and pour impetuous Floods; Or Flights of Arrows from the Parthian Bows,Line 445 When from afar they gaul embattel'd Foes; With such a Tempest thro' the Skies they Steer; And such a form the winged Squadrons bear.

What God, O Muse! this useful Science taught? Or by what Man's Experience was it brought?Line 450

Sad Aristaeus from fair Tempe fled, His Bees with Famine, or Diseases dead: On Peneus's Banks he stood, and near his holy Head. And while his falling Tears the Stream supply'd, Thus mourning, to his Mother Goddess cry'd.Line 455 Mother Cyrene, Mother, whose abode Is in the depth of this immortal Flood: What boots it, that from Phoebus's Loyns I spring, The third by him and thee, from Heav'ns high King? O! Where is all thy boasted Pity gone,Line 460 And Promise of the Skies to thy deluded Son? Why didst thou me, unhappy me, create? Odious to Gods, and born to bitter Fate. Whom▪ scarce my Sheep, and scarce my painful Plough, The needsul Aids of Human Life allow;Line 465 So wretched is thy Son, so hard a Mother thou. Proceed, inhuman Parent in thy Scorn; Root up my Trees, with Blites destroy my Corn; My Vineyards Ruin, and my Sheepfolds burn. Let loose thy Rage, let all thy Spite be shown,Line 470 Since thus thou hat'st the Praises of thy Son. But from her Mossy Bow'r below the Ground, His careful Mother heard the Plaintive sound; Encompass'd with her Sea-green Sisters round. One common Work they ply'd: their Distaffs fullLine 475 With carded Locks of blue Milesian Wool. Spio with Drymo brown, and Xanthe fair, And sweet Phyllodoce with long dishevel'd Hair: Cydippe with Licorias, one a Maid, And one that once had call'd Lucina's Aid.Line 480 Clio and Beroe, from one Father both, Both girt with Gold, and clad in particolour'd Cloth.

Opis the meek, and Deiopeia proud; Nisaea softly, with Ligaea loud; Thalia joyous, Ephyre the sad,Line 485 And Arethusa once Diana's Maid, But now, her Quiver left, to Love betray'd. To these, Climene the sweet Theft declares, Of Mars and Vulcans unavailing Cares: And all the Rapes of Gods, and ev'ry Love,Line 490 From antient Chaos down to youthful Jove.

Thus while she sings, the Sisters turn the Wheel, Empty the wooly Rock, and fill the Reel. A mournful Sound, agen the Mother hears; Agen the mournful Sound invades the Sister's Ears:Line 495 Starting at once from their green Seats, they rise; Fear in their Heart, Amazement in their Eyes. But Arethusa leaping from her Bed, First lifts above the Waves her beauteous Head; And, crying from afar, thus to Cyrene said.Line 500 O Sister! not with causeless Fear possest, No Stranger Voice disturbs thy tender Breast. 'Tis Aristeus, 'tis thy darling Son, Who to his careless Mother makes his Moan. Near his Paternal Stream he sadly stands,Line 505 With down-cast Eyes, wet Cheeks, and folded Hands: Upbraiding Heav'n from whence his Lineage came, And cruel calls the Gods, and cruel thee, by Name.

Cyrene mov'd with Love, and seiz'd with Fear, Cries out, conduct my Son, conduct him here:Line 510 'Tis lawful for the Youth, deriv'd from Gods, To view the Secrets of our deep Abodes. At once she wav'd her Hand on either side, At once the Ranks of swelling Streams divide. Line 515

Two rising Heaps of liquid Crystal stand,Line 515 And leave a Space betwixt, of empty Sand. Thus safe receiv'd, the downward track he treads, Which to his Mother's watry Palace leads. With wond'ring Eyes he views the secret Store Of Lakes, that pent in hollow Caverns, roar.Line 520 He hears the crackling Sound of Coral Woods, And sees the secret Source of subterranean Floods. And where, distinguish'd in their sev'ral Cells, The Fount of Phasis; and of Lycus dwells; Where swift Enipeus in his Bed appears,Line 525 And Tiber his Majestick Forehead rears. Whence Anio flows, and Hypanis, profound, Breaks through th' opposing Rocks with raging Sound. Where Po first issues from his dark abodes, And, awful in his Cradle, rules the Floods.Line 530 Two Golden Horns on his large Front he wears, And his grim Face a Bull's Resemblance bears. With rapid Course he seeks the sacred Main, And fattens, as he runs, the fruitful Plain.

Now to the Court arriv'd, th' admiring SonLine 535 Beholds the vaulted Roofs of Pory Stone; Now to his Mother Goddess tells his Grief, Which she with Pity hears, and promises Relief. Th' officious Nymphs, attending in a Ring, With Waters drawn from their perpetual Spring,Line 540 From earthly dregs his Body purify, And rub his Temples, with fine Towels, dry: Then load the Tables with a lib'ral Feast, And honour with full Bowls their friendly Guest. The sacred Altars are involv'd in Smoak,Line 545 And the bright Quire their kindred Gods invoke.

[illustration]

To S^r Bartholomen Shower of the Midle Temple. Kn^t.

Go: 4. l. 535.

Two Bowls the Mother fills with Lydian Wine; Then thus, Let these be pour'd, with Rites divine, To the great Authors of our wat'ry Line. To Father Ocean, this; and this, she said,Line 550 Be to the Nymphs his sacred Sisters paid, Who rule the wat'ry Plains, and hold the woodland Shade. She sprinkl'd thrice, with Wine, the Vestal Fire, Thrice to the vaulted Roof the Flames aspire. Rais'd with so blest an Omen, she begun,Line 555 With Words like these, to chear her drooping Son. In the Carpathian Bottom makes abode The Shepherd of the Seas, a Prophet and a God; High o're the Main in wat'ry Pomp he rides, His azure Carr and finny Coursers guides:Line 560 Proteus his Name: to his Pallenian Port, I see from far the weary God resort. Him, not alone, we River Gods adore, But aged Nereus hearkens to his Lore. With sure foresight, and with unerring Doom,Line 565 He sees what is, and was, and is to come. This Neptune gave him, when he gave to keep His scaly Flocks, that graze the wat'ry deep. Implore his Aid, for Proteus onely knows The secret Cause, and Cure of all thy Woes.Line 570 But first the wily Wizard must be caught, For unconstrain'd he nothing tells for naught; Nor is with Pray'rs, or Bribes, or Flatt'ry bought. Surprise him first, and with hard Fetters bind; Then all his Frauds will vanish into Wind.Line 575 I will my self conduct thee on thy Way, When next the Southing Sun inflames the Day: When the dry Herbage thirsts for Dews in vain, And Sheep, in Shades, avoid the parching Plain. Line 580

Then will I lead thee to his secret Seat;Line 580 When weary with his Toyl, and scorch'd with Heat, The wayward Sire frequents his cool Retreat. His Eyes with heavy Slumber overcast; With Force invade his Limbs, and bind him fast: Thus surely bound, yet be not over bold,Line 585 The slipp'ry God will try to loose his hold: And various Forms assume, to cheat thy sight; And with vain Images of Beasts affright. With foamy Tusks he seems a bristly Boar, Or imitates the Lion's angry Roar;Line 590 Breaks out in crackling Flames to shun thy Snares, A Dragon hisses, or a Tyger stares: Or with a Wile, thy Caution to betray, In fleeting Streams attempts to slide away. But thou, the more he varies Forms, bewareLine 595 To strain his Fetters with a stricter Care: 'Till tiring all his Arts, he turns agen To his true Shape, in which he first was seen.

This said, with Nectar she her Son anoints; Infusing Vigour through his mortal Joynts:Line 600 Down from his Head the liquid Odours ran; He breath'd of Heav'n, and look'd above a Man.

Within a Mountain's hollow Womb, there lies A large Recess, conceal'd from Human Eyes; Where heaps of Billows, driv'n by Wind and Tide,Line 605 In Form of War, their wat'ry Ranks divide; And there, like Centries set, without the Mouth abide: A Station safe for Ships, when Tempests roar, A silent Harbour, and a cover'd Shoar. Secure within resides the various God,Line 610 And draws a Rock upon his dark Abode.

[illustration]

To Simon Harcourt of Stanton Harcourt in the County of Oxon Esq..

Geo 4: L: 635.

Hether with silent Steps, secure from Sight, The Goddess guides her Son, and turns him from the Light: Her self, involv'd in Clouds, precipitates her Flight.

'Twas Noon; the sultry Dog-star from the SkyLine 615 Scorch'd Indian Swains, the rivell'd Grass was dry; The Sun with flaming Arrows pierc'd the Flood, And, darting to the bottom, bak'd the Mud: When weary Proteus, from the briny Waves, Retir'd for Shelter to his wonted Caves:Line 620 His finny Flocks about their Shepherd play, And rowling round him, spirt the bitter Sea. Unweildily they wallow first in Ooze, Then in the shady Covert seek Repose. Himself their Herdsman, on the middle Mount,Line 625 Takes of his muster'd Flocks a just Account. So, seated on a Rock, a Shepherd's Groom Surveys his Ev'ning Flocks returning Home: When lowing Calves, and bleating Lambs, from far, Provoke the prouling Wolf to nightly War.Line 630 Th' Occasion offers, and the Youth complies: For scarce the weary God had clos'd his Eyes; When rushing on, with shouts, he binds in Chains The drowzy Prophet, and his Limbs constrains. He, not unmindful of his usual Art,Line 635 First in dissembled Fire attempts to part: Then roaring Beasts, and running Streams he tryes, And wearies all his Miracles of Lies: But having shifted ev'ry Form to scape, Convinc'd of Conquest, he resum'd his shape:Line 640 And thus, at length, in human Accent spoke▪ Audacious Youth, what madness cou'd provoke A Mortal Man t' invade a sleeping God? What Buis'ness brought thee to my dark abode?

To this, th' audacious Youth; Thou know'st full wellLine 645 My Name, and Buis'ness, God, nor need I tell: No Man can Proteus cheat; but Proteus leave Thy fraudful Arts, and do not thou deceive. Foll'wing the Gods Command, I come t'implore Thy Help, my perish'd People to restore.Line 650

The Seer, who could not yet his Wrath asswage, Rowl'd his green Eyes, that sparkl'd with his Rage; And gnash'd his Teeth, and cry'd, No vulgar God Pursues thy Crimes, nor with a Common Rod. Thy great Misdeeds have met a due Reward,Line 655 And Orpheus's dying Pray'rs at length are heard. For Crimes, not his, the Lover lost his Life, And at thy Hands requires his murther'd Wife: Nor (if the Fates assist not) canst thou scape The just Revenge of that intended Rape.Line 660 To shun thy lawless Lust, the dying Bride, Unwary, took along the River's side: Nor, at her Heels perceiv'd the deadly Snake, That kept the Bank, in Covert of the Brake. But all her fellow Nymphs the Mountains tearLine 665 With loud Laments, and break the yielding Air: The Realms of Mars remurmur'd all around, And Echoes to th' Athenian Shoars rebound. Th' unhappy Husband, Husband now no more, Did on his tuneful Harp his Loss deplore,Line 670 And sought, his mournful Mind with Musick to restore. On thee, dear Wife, in Desarts all alone, He call'd, sigh'd, sung, his Griefs with Day begun, Nor were they finish'd with the setting Sun. Ev'n to the dark Dominions of the Night,Line 675 He took his way, thro' Forrests void of Light:

And dar'd amidst the trembling Ghosts to sing, And stood before th' inexorable King. Th' Infernal Troops like passing Shadows glide, And, list'ning, crowd the sweet Musician's side.Line 680 Not flocks of Birds when driv'n by Storms, or Night, Stretch to the Forest with so thick a flight. Men, Matrons, Children, and th' unmarry'd Maid,

The mighty Heroes more Majestic shade; And Youths on Fun'ral Piles before their Parents laid.Line 685 All these Cocytus bounds with squalid Reeds, With Muddy Ditches, and with deadly Weeds: And baleful Styx encompasses around, With Nine slow circling Streams, th' unhappy ground. Ev'n from the depths of Hell the Damn'd advance,Line 690 Th' Infernal Mansions nodding seem to dance; The gaping three-mouth'd Dog forgets to snarl, The Furies harken, and their Snakes uncurl: Ixion seems no more his Pains to feel, But leans attentive on his standing Wheel.Line 695

All Dangers past, at length the lovely Bride, In safety goes, with her Melodious Guide; Longing the common Light again to share, And draw the vital breath of upper Air: He first, and close behind him follow'd she,Line 700 For such was Proserpine's severe Decree. When strong Desires th' impatient Youth invade; By little Caution and much love betray'd: A fault which easy Pardon might receive, Were Lovers Judges, or cou'd Hell forgive.Line 705 For near the Confines of Etherial Light, And longing for the glimm'ring of a sight, Th' unwary Lover cast his Eyes behind, Forgetful of the Law, nor Master of his Mind. Line 710

Straight all his Hopes exhal'd in empty Smoke;Line 710 And his long Toils were forfeit for a Look. Three flashes of blue Light'ning gave the sign Of Cov'nants broke, three peals of Thunder joyn. Then thus the Bride; What fury seiz'd on thee, Unhappy Man! to lose thy self and Me?Line 715 Dragg'd back again by cruel Destinies, An Iron Slumber shuts my swimming Eyes. And now farewel, involv'd in Shades of Night, For ever I am ravish'd from thy sight. In vain I reach my feeble hands, to joynLine 720 In sweet Embraces; ah! no longer thine! She said, and from his Eyes the fleeting Fair Retir'd like subtile Smoke dissolv'd in Air; And left her hopeless Lover in despair. In vain, with folding Arms, the Youth assay'dLine 725 To stop her flight, and strain the flying Shade: He prays, he raves, all Means in vain he tries, With rage inflam'd, astonish'd with surprise; But she return'd no more, to bless his longing Eyes. Nor wou'd th' Infernal Ferry-Man once moreLine 730 Be brib'd, to waft him to the farther shore. What shou'd He do, who twice had lost his Love? What Notes invent, what new Petitions move? Her Soul already was consign'd to Fate, And shiv'ring in the leaky Sculler sate.Line 735 For seven continu'd Months, if Fame say true, The wretched Swain his Sorrows did renew; By Strymon's freezing Streams he sate alone, The Rocks were mov'd to pity with his moan: Trees bent their heads to hear him sing his Wrongs,Line 740 Fierce Tygers couch'd around, and loll'd their fawning Tongues.

So, close in Poplar Shades, her Children gone, The Mother Nightingale laments alone: Whose Nest some prying Churl had found, and thence, By Stealth, convey'd th' unfeather'd Innocence.Line 745 But she supplies the Night with mournful Strains, With one continu'd Tenor still complains; Which fills the Forrest, and the neighb'ring Plains.

Sad Orpheus thus his tedious Hours employs, Averse from Venus, and from nuptial Joys.Line 750 Alone he tempts the frozen Floods, alone Th' unhappy Climes, where Spring was never known: He mourn'd his wretched Wife, in vain restor'd, And Pluto's unavailing Boon deplor'd.

The Thracian Matrons, who the Youth accus'd,Line 755 Of Love disdain'd, and Marriage Rites refus'd: With Furies, and Nocturnal Orgies fir'd, At length, against his sacred Life conspir'd. Whom ev'n the salvage Beasts had spar'd, they kill'd, And strew'd his mangl'd Limbs about the Field.Line 760 Then, when his Head, from his fair Shoulders torn, Wash'd by the Waters, was on Hebrus born; Ev'n then his trembling Tongue invok'd his Bride; With his last Voice, Eurydice, he cry'd, Eurydice, the Rocks and River-banks reply'd.Line 765 This answer Proteus gave, nor more he said, But in the Billows plung'd his hoary Head; And where he leap'd, the Waves in Circles widely spread.

The Nymph return'd, her drooping Son to chear, And bade him banish his superfluous fear:Line 770 For now, said she, the Cause is known, from whence Thy Woe succeeded, and for what Offence: The Nymphs, Companions of th'unhappy Maid, This punishment upon thy Crimes have laid; Line 775

And sent a Plague among thy thriving Bees.Line 775 With Vows and suppliant Pray'rs their Pow'rs appease: The soft Napaean Race will soon repent Their Anger, and remit the Punishment. The secret in an easy Method lies; Select four Brawny Bulls for Sacrifice,Line 780 Which on Lycaeus graze, without a Guide; Add four fair Heifars yet in Yoke untry'd: For these, four Altars in their Temple rear, And then adore the Woodland Pow'rs with Pray'r. From the slain Victims pour the streaming Blood,Line 785 And leave their Bodies in the shady Wood: Nine Mornings thence, Lethean Poppy bring, T' appease the Manes of the Poets King: And to propitiate his offended Bride, A fatted Calf, and a black Ewe provide:Line 790 This finish'd, to the former Woods repair. His Mother's Precepts he performs with care; The Temple visits, and adores with Pray'r. Four Altars raises, from his Herd he culls, For Slaughter, four the fairest of his Bulls;Line 795 Four Heifars from his Female Store he took, All fair, and all unknowing of the Yoke. Nine Mornings thence, with Sacrifice and Pray'rs, The Pow'rs aton'd, he to the Grove repairs. Behold a Prodigy! for from withinLine 800 The broken Bowels, and the bloated Skin, A buzzing noise of Bees their Ears alarms, Straight issue through the Sides assembling Swarms: Dark as a Cloud they make a wheeling Flight, Then on a neighb'ring Tree, descending, light:Line 805 Like a large Cluster of black Grapes they show, And make a large dependance from the Bough.

[illustration]

To the Hon^ble: John Granville second Son to John EARL of BATH one of the Com^•s: appointed by Act of Parliam^t: for Examining Taking & Stating the Publick Accounts of the Kingdome.

Geor: 4: l. 795.

Thus have I sung of Fields, and Flocks, and Trees, And of the waxen Work of lab'ring Bees; While mighty Caesar, thund'ring from afar,Line 810 Seeks on Euphrates Banks the Spoils of War: With conq'ring Arms asserts his Country's Cause, With Arts of Peace the willing People draws: On the glad Earth the Golden Age renews, And his great Father's Path to Heav'n pursues.Line 815 While I at Naples pass my peaceful Days, Affecting Studies of less noisy Praise; And bold, through Youth, beneath the Beechen Shade, The Lays of Shepherds, and their Loves have plaid.

Notes

• This whole Line is taken from the Marquess of Normanby's Translation.