The Works of Virgil (Dryden)/Georgics (Dryden)/Book 3

by Virgil

Illustration of Georgic 3, line 1, "Thy Fields, propitious Pales, I reherse"

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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 Mecænas, 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 Cattle; and ends with the Description of a fatal Murrain that formerly rag'd among the Alps.

HY Fields, propitious Pales, I reherse;
And sing thy Pastures in no vulgar Verse,
Amphrysian Shepherd; the Lycæan Woods;
Arcadia's flow'ry Plains, and pleasing Floods.
All other Themes, that careless Minds invite,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 Pelops Iv'ry Shoulder, and his Toil10
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 come15
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 Valley strays:20
Where cooling Streams invite the Flocks to drink:
And Reeds defend the winding Waters Brink.
Full in the midst shall mighty Cæsar stand:
Hold the chief Honours; and the Dome command.
Then I, conspicuous in my Tyrian Gown,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;$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$
The Whorlbat, and the rapid Race, shall be30
Reserv'd for Cæsar, and ordain'd by me.
My self, with Olive crown'd, the Gifts will bear:$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$
Ev'n now methinks the publick shouts I hear:
The passing Pageants, and the Pomps appear.
I, to the Temple will conduct the Crew: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.40
High o'er the Gate, in Elephant and Gold,
The Crowd shall Cæsar'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,$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$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 Cæsar's Brows;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 seem to move,
In breathing Statues, not unworthy Jove.55
Resembling Heroes, whose Etherial Root,
Is Jove himself, and Cæsar 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,60
(By Cæsar 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;$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$
And Sisyphus that labours up the Hill65
The rowling Rock in vain; and curst Ixion's Wheel.
Mean time we must pursue the Sylvan Lands;$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$
(Th' abode of Nymphs,) untouch'd by former Hands:
For such, Mecænas, are thy hard Commands.
Without thee nothing lofty can I sing;70
Come then, and with thy self thy Genius bring:
With which inspir'd, I brook no dull delay.$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$
Cytheron loudly calls me to my way;
Thy Hounds, Taygetus, open and pursue their Prey.
High Epidaurus urges on my speed,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 Cæsar's Wars, a Nobler Theme shall chuse.80
And through more Ages bear my Soveraign's Praise;
Than have from Tithon past to Cæsar's Days.
The Generous Youth, who studious of the Prize,
The Race of running Coursers multiplies;
Or to the Plough the sturdy Bullock breeds,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.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;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.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,$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$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 Labour come,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.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,$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$
By sure Presages shows his generous Kind,
Of able Body, sound of Limb and Wind. 120
Upright he walks, on Pasterns firm and straight;
His Motions easie; 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; 125
Sharp headed, Barrel belly'd, broadly back'd.
Brawny his Chest, and deep, his Colour gray;$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$
For Beauty dappled, or the brightest Bay:
Faint white and dun will scarce the Rearing pay.
The fiery Courser, when he hears from far, 130
The sprightly Trumpets, 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. 135
His horny Hoofs are jetty black, and round;$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$
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. 140
Such was the Steed in Græcian Poets fam'd,
Proud Cyllarus, by Spartan Pollux 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 restrain 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 Neigbouring Plain.
But worn with Years, when dire Diseases come, 151
Then hide his not Ignoble Age, at Home:
In Peace t'enjoy his former Palms and Pains;
And gratefully be kind to his Remains.
For when his Blood no Youthful Spirits move, 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 hasty Stubble Fires;
And in himself his former self requires.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,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:170
And now a-low; and now aloft they fly,
As born through Air, and seem 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: 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'er the dusty Wheels presiding sate;
The Lapythæ to Chariots, add the State 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; 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. 190
Though Famous in his Youth for force and speed, $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$
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; 195
With Food inable him, to make his Court;
Distend his Chine, and pamper him for sport.
Feed him with Herbs, whatever thou canst find,
Of generous warmth; and of salacious kind.

Then Water him, and (drinking what he can) 200
Encourage him to thirst again, with Bran.
Instructed thus, produce him to the Faire;
And join 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: 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 keen 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. 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 destroy 220
Of Genial Lust; and dull the Seat of Joy.
But let 'em suck the Seed with greedy force;
And close involve the Vigour of the Horse.
The Male has done; thy care must now proceed
To teeming Females; and the promis'd breed. 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'er the Meads; or cross the Wood.
But range the Forrest, by the silver side230
Of some cool Stream, where Nature shall provide
Green Grass and fat'ning Clover for their fare!$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$
And Mossy Caverns for their Evening lare:
With Rocks above to shield the sharp Nocturnal air.
About th' Alburnian Groves, with Holly green,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.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 ordains245
In Summer's Sultry Heats (for then it reigns)
To feed the Females, e'er 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.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;

Or whom thou shalt to turn thy Glebe allow;255
To smooth the 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.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;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,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'er the licentious Youth be thus restrain'd,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.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,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:
Inur'd the groaning Axle-tree to bear;291
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;295
And then betimes in a soft Snaffle wrought:
Before his tender Joints with Nerves are knit;
Untry'd in 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;
And (rightly manag'd) equal time to beat;301
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;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: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'er th' Elean Plains, thy well-breath'd Horse315
Impels the flying Carr, 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.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 improve,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: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,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 Warriors, aiming Head to Head, 340
Engage their clashing Horns; with dreadful Sound
The Forrest 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; 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;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.
And therefore to repair his Strength he tries: $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$355
Hardning his Limbs with painful Exercise,
And rough upon the flinty Rock he lyes.
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:360
And meditates his absent Enemy.
He snuffs the Wind, his heels the Sand excite; $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$
But, when he stands collected in his might,
He roars, and promises a more successful Fight.

Illustration of Georgic 3, line 340, "The stooping Warriors, aiming head to head"

Then, to redeem his Honour at a blow,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.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,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.380
Tis with this rage, the Mother Lion stung,
Scours o'er 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;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'er the burning Sand.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'er Mountains, and contemns395
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: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;405
About him, and above, the Billows broke:
The Sluces of the Skie were open spread;
And rowling Thunder rattl'd o'er his Head.
The raging Tempest call'd him back in vain;
And every boding Omen of the Main.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 make415
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.420

For when her pouting Vent declares her pain,
She tears the Harness, and she rends the Rein;
For this; (when Venus gave them rage and pow'r)$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$
Their Masters mangl'd Members they devour;
Of Love defrauded in their longing Hour.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,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;
Nor to the North, nor to the Rising Sun,436
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 shed
A slimy Juice, by false Conception bred.441
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,
Dire Stepdames in the Magick Bowl infuse;446
And mix, for deadly Draughts, the pois'nous Juice.

But time is lost, which never will renew,$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$
While we too far the pleasing Path pursue;
Surveying Nature, with too nice a view.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,455
T'embellish with Magnificence of Words.
But the commanding Muse my Chariot guides;
Which o'er the dubious Cliff securely rides:
And pleas'd I am, no beaten Road to take:
But first the way to new Discov'ries make.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;
With Fern beneath, to fend the bitter Cold.466
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.
Feed 'em with Winter-brouze, and for their lare471
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.

Illustration of Georgic 3, line 465, "Then spread with Straw, the bedding of thy Fold"

This during Winter's drisly Reign be done: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: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;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.490
Attended with their Family they come$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$
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: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'r500
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 tears505
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,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: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;520
And the cool Evening-breeze the Meads renews:
When Linnets fill the Woods with tuneful sound,
And hollow shoars the Halcions Voice rebound.
Why shou'd my Muse enlarge on Lybian Swains;
Their scatter'd Cottages, and ample Plains?525
Where oft the Flocks, without a Leader stray;$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$
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.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,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.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 there545
No Grass the Fields, no Leaves the Forests wear.
The frozen Earth lies buried there, below$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$
A hilly heap, sev'n Cubits deep in Snow:
And all the Weste Allies of stormy Boreas blow.
The Sun from far, peeps with a sickly face;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.555

An Hostry now for Waggons; which before
Tall Ships of burthen, on its Bosom bore.
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 thence560
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.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,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;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,
Nor tempt th' inclemency of Heav'n abroad.581
Their jovial Nights, in frollicks and in play
They pass, to drive the tedious Hours away.

Illustration of Georgic 3, line 570, "The dext'rous Huntsman wounds not these afar"

And their cold Stomachs with crown'd Goblets cheer,
Of windy Cider, and of barmy Beer.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 go590
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.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 we600
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 Land605
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,
With gags and muzzles their soft Mouths restrain.611

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.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,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 Toils engage.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,630
Obscure in shades, and shunning Heav'ns broad Eye.
And Snakes, familiar, to the Hearth succeed,
Disclose their Eggs, and near the Chimney breed.
Whether, to roofy Houses they repair,
Or Sun themselves abroad in open Air,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-far640
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:$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$644
And in some secret cranny slowly glides;
But leaves expos'd to blows, his Back and batter'd Sides.
In fair Calabria's Woods, a Snake is bred,
With curling Crest, and with advancing Head:
Waving he rolls, and makes a winding Track;
His Belly spotted, burnisht is his Back:650
While Springs are broken, while the Southern Air
And dropping Heav'ns, the moisten'd Earth repair,
He lives on standing Lakes, and trembling Bogs,
And fills his Maw with Fish, or with loquacious Frogs.
But when, in muddy Pools, the water sinks;655
And the chapt Earth is furrow'd o'er with Chinks;
He leaves the Fens, and leaps upon the Ground;
And hissing, rowls his glaring Eyes around.
With Thirst inflam'd, impatient of the heats,659
He rages in the Fields, and wide Destruction threats.
Oh let not Sleep, my closing Eyes invade,
In open Plains, or in the secret Shade,
When he, renew'd in all the speckl'd Pride
Of pompous Youth, has cast his slough aside:
And in his Summer Liv'ry rowls along:665$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$
Erect, and brandishing his forky Tongue,
Leaving his Nest, and his imperfect Young;

And thoughtless of his Eggs, forgets to rear
The hopes of Poison, for the following Year.
The Causes and the Signs shall next be told,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: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.679
Good Shepherds after sheering, drench their Sheep,$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$
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 boil,
They mix a Med'cine to foment their Limbs;685
With Scum that on the molten Silver swims.
Fat Pitch, and black Bitumen, add to these,$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$
Besides, the waxen labour of the Bees:
And Hellebore, and Squills deep rooted in the Seas,
Receits abound; but searching all thy Store,690
The best is still at hand, to launch the Sore:
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,$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$
And, when the launching Knife requires his hands,695
Vain help, with idle Pray'rs from Heav'n demands.

Illustration of Georgic 3, line 721, "Here from the vicious Air, and sickly Skies"

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.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 remain705
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'er in the faultless Flock the dire Contagion spread.
On Winter Seas we fewer Storms behold,711
Than foul Diseases that infect the Fold.
Nor do those ills, on single Bodies prey;$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$
But oft'ner bring the Nation to decay;
And sweep the present Stock, and future Hope away.
A dire Example of this Truth appears:716
When, after such a length of rowling Years,
We see the naked Alps, and thin Remains$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$
Of scatter'd Cotts, and yet unpeopl'd Plains:
Once fill'd with grazing Flocks, the Shepherds happy Reigns.
Here from the vicious Air, and sickly Skies,721
A Plague did on the dumb Creation rise:
During th' Autumnal Heats th' Infection grew,
Tame Cattle, and the Beasts of Nature slew.

Pois'ning the Standing Lakes; and Pools Impure: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: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: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;739
But Clouds of smouldring Smoke, forbad the Sacrifice.
Scarcely the Knife was redden'd with his Gore,
Or the black Poison 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 Swine745
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$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$
A doubtful Sweat in clammy drops appears: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.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;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.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,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 disjoins: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;
His Eyes are settled in a stupid peace.781
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!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;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 Queen795
For want of Oxen: and the lab'ring Swain$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$
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,799
With his own Shoulders, draws the Waggon's weight.
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$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$
And flying Stag, amidst the Grey-Hounds go:
And round the Dwellings roam of Man, their fiercer Foe.
The scaly Nations of the Sea profound,806
Like Shipwreck'd Carcasses are driv'n aground:

And mighty Phocæ, never seen before
In shallow Streams, are stranded on the Shore.
The Viper dead, within her Hole is found:810
Defenceless was the shelter of the ground.
The water-Snake, whom Fish and Paddocks fed,
With staring Scales lies poison'd in his Bed:
To Birds their Native Heav'ns contagious prove,
From Clouds they fall, and leave their Souls above.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,820
Majestically pale, now treads the round:
Before her drives Diseases, and affright;$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$
And every moment rises to the sight:
Aspiring to the Skies; encroaching on the light.
The Rivers and their Banks, and Hills around,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 lye.830
Till warn'd by frequent ills, the way they found,
To lodge their loathsom Carrion under ground.
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 Flame835
The Stench abolish; or the Savour tame.
Nor safely cou'd they shear their fleecy Store;
(Made drunk with pois'nous Juice, and stiff with Gore:)
Or touch the Web: But if the Vest they wear,
Red Blisters rising on their Paps appear,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.