Georgics — Book 3 — Gadsden Classics

Te quoque, magna Pales, et te memorande canemus

Thee too, great Pales, will I hymn, and thee,

pastor ab Amphryso, vos, silvae amnesque Lycaei.

Amphrysian shepherd, worthy to be sung,

Cetera, quae vacuas tenuissent carmine mentes,

You, woods and waves Lycaean. All themes beside,

omnia iam volgata: quis aut Eurysthea durum

Which else had charmed the vacant mind with song,

5 aut inlaudati nescit Busiridis aras?

Are now waxed common. Of harsh Eurystheus who

Cui non dictus Hylas puer et Latonia Delos

The story knows not, or that praiseless king

Hippodameque umeroque Pelops insignis eburno,

Busiris, and his altars? or by whom

acer equis? Temptanda via est, qua me quoque possim

Hath not the tale been told of Hylas young,

tollere humo victorque virum volitare per ora.

Latonian Delos and Hippodame,

10 Primus ego in patriam mecum, modo vita supersit,

And Pelops for his ivory shoulder famed,

Aonio rediens deducam vertice Musas;

Keen charioteer? Needs must a path be tried,

primus Idumaeas referam tibi, Mantua, palmas,

By which I too may lift me from the dust,

et viridi in campo templum de marmore ponam

And float triumphant through the mouths of men.

propter aquam. Tardis ingens ubi flexibus errat

Yea, I shall be the first, so life endure,

15 Mincius et tenera praetexit arundine ripas.

To lead the Muses with me, as I pass

In medio mihi Caesar erit templumque tenebit:

To mine own country from the Aonian height;

illi victor ego et Tyrio conspectus in ostro

I, Mantua, first will bring thee back the palms

centum quadriiugos agitabo ad flumina currus.

Of Idumaea, and raise a marble shrine

Cuncta mihi Alpheum linquens lucosque Molorchi

On thy green plain fast by the water-side,

20 cursibus et crudo decernet Graecia caestu.

Where Mincius winds more vast in lazy coils,

Ipse caput tonsae foliis ornatus olivae

And rims his margent with the tender reed.

dona feram. Iam nunc sollemnis ducere pompas

Amid my shrine shall Caesar's godhead dwell.

ad delubra iuvat caesosque videre iuvencos,

To him will I, as victor, bravely dight

vel scaena ut versis discedat frontibus utque

In Tyrian purple, drive along the bank

25 purpurea intexti tollant aulaea Britanni.

A hundred four-horse cars. All Greece for me,

In foribus pugnam ex auro solidoque elephanto

Leaving Alpheus and Molorchus' grove,

Gangaridum faciam victorisque arma Quirini,

On foot shall strive, or with the raw-hide glove;

atque hic undantem bello magnumque fluentem

Whilst I, my head with stripped green olive crowned,

Nilum ac navali surgentis aere columnas.

Will offer gifts. Even 'tis present joy

30 Addam urbes Asiae domitas pulsumque Niphaten

To lead the high processions to the fane,

fidentemque fuga Parthum versisque sagittis,

And view the victims felled; or how the scene

et duo rapta manu diverso ex hoste tropaea

Sunders with shifted face, and Britain's sons

bisque triumphatas utroque ab litore gentes.

Inwoven thereon with those proud curtains rise.

Stabunt et Parii lapides, spirantia signa,

Of gold and massive ivory on the doors

35 Assaraci proles demissaeque ab Iove gentis

I'll trace the battle of the Gangarides,

nomina, Trosque parens et Troiae Cynthius auctor.

And our Quirinus' conquering arms, and there

Invidia infelix Furias amnemque severum

Surging with war, and hugely flowing, the Nile,

Cocyti metuet tortosque Ixionis anguis

And columns heaped on high with naval brass.

immanemque rotam et non exsuperabile saxum.

And Asia's vanquished cities I will add,

40 Interea Dryadum silvas saltusque sequamur

And quelled Niphates, and the Parthian foe,

intactos, tua, Maecenas, haud mollia iussa.

Who trusts in flight and backward-volleying darts,

Te sine nil altum mens incohat; en age segnis

And trophies torn with twice triumphant hand

rumpe moras; vocat ingenti clamore Cithaeron

From empires twain on ocean's either shore.

Taygetique canes domitrixque Epidaurus equorum

And breathing forms of Parian marble there

45 et vox adsensu nemorum ingeminata remugit.

Shall stand, the offspring of Assaracus,

Mox tamen ardentis accingar dicere pugnas

And great names of the Jove-descended folk,

Caesaris et nomen fama tot ferre per annos,

And father Tros, and Troy's first founder, lord

Tithoni prima quot abest ab origine Caesar.

Of Cynthus. And accursed Envy there

Seu quis Olympiacae miratus praemia palmae

Shall dread the Furies, and thy ruthless flood,

50 pascit equos seu quis fortis ad aratra iuvencos,

Cocytus, and Ixion's twisted snakes,

corpora praecipue matrum legat. Optuma torvae

And that vast wheel and ever-baffling stone.

forma bovis, cui turpe caput, cui plurima cervix,

Meanwhile the Dryad-haunted woods and lawns

et crurum tenus a mento palearia pendent;

Unsullied seek we; 'tis thy hard behest,

tum longo nullus lateri modus; omnia magna,

Maecenas. Without thee no lofty task

55 pes etiam; et camuris hirtae sub cornibus aures.

My mind essays. Up! break the sluggish bonds

Nec mihi displiceat maculis insignis et albo,

Of tarriance; with loud din Cithaeron calls,

aut iuga detractans interdumque aspera cornu

Steed-taming Epidaurus, and thy hounds,

et faciem tauro propior, quaeque ardua tota,

Taygete; and hark! the assenting groves

et gradiens ima verrit vestigia cauda,

With peal on peal reverberate the roar.

60 Aetas Lucinam iustosque pati hymenaeos

Yet must I gird me to rehearse ere long

desinit ante decem, post quattuor incipit annos;

The fiery fights of Caesar, speed his name

cetera nec feturae habilis nec fortis aratris.

Through ages, countless as to Caesar's self

Interea, superat gregibus dum laeta iuventas,

From the first birth-dawn of Tithonus old.

solve mares; mitte in Venerem pecuaria primus,

If eager for the prized Olympian palm

65 atque aliam ex alia generando suffice prolem.

One breed the horse, or bullock strong to plough,

Optuma quaeque dies miseris mortalibus aevi

Be his prime care a shapely dam to choose.

prima fugit; subeunt morbi tristisque senectus

Of kine grim-faced is goodliest, with coarse head

et labor, et durae rapit inclementia mortis.

And burly neck, whose hanging dewlaps reach

Semper erunt, quarum mutari corpora malis:

From chin to knee; of boundless length her flank;

70 semper enim refice ac, ne post amissa requiras,

Large every way she is, large-footed even,

ante veni et subolem armento sortire quotannis.

With incurved horns and shaggy ears beneath.

Nec non et pecori est idem dilectus equino.

Nor let mislike me one with spots of white

Tu modo, quos in spem statues submittere gentis,

Conspicuous, or that spurns the yoke, whose horn

praecipuum iam inde a teneris impende laborem.

At times hath vice in't: liker bull-faced she,

75 Continuo pecoris generosi pullus in arvis

And tall-limbed wholly, and with tip of tail

altius ingreditur et mollia crura reponit;

Brushing her footsteps as she walks along.

primus et ire viam et fluvios temptare minaces

The age for Hymen's rites, Lucina's pangs,

audet et ignoto sese committere ponti

Ere ten years ended, after four begins;

nec vanos horret strepitus. Illi ardua cervix

Their residue of days nor apt to teem,

80 argutumque caput, brevis alvus obesaque terga,

Nor strong for ploughing. Meantime, while youth's delight

luxuriatque toris animosum pectus. Honesti

Survives within them, loose the males: be first

spadices glaucique, color deterrimus albis

To speed thy herds of cattle to their loves,

et gilvo. Tum, si qua sonum procul arma dedere

Breed stock with stock, and keep the race supplied.

stare loco nescit, micat auribus et tremit artus

Ah! life's best hours are ever first to fly

85 collectumque premens volvit sub naribus ignem.

From hapless mortals; in their place succeed

Densa iuba, et dextro iactata recumbit in armo;

Disease and dolorous eld; till travail sore

at duplex agitur per lumbos spina, cavatque

And death unpitying sweep them from the scene.

tellurem et solido graviter sonat ungula cornu.

Still will be some, whose form thou fain wouldst change;

Talis Amyclaei domitus Pollucis habenis

Renew them still; with yearly choice of young

90 Cyllarus et, quorum Grai meminere poetae,

Preventing losses, lest too late thou rue.

Martis equi biiuges et magni currus Achilli.

Nor steeds crave less selection; but on those

Talis et ipse iubam cervice effundit equina

Thou think'st to rear, the promise of their line,

coniugis adventu pernix Saturnus et altum

From earliest youth thy chiefest pains bestow.

Pelion hinnitu fugiens implevit acuto.

See from the first yon high-bred colt afield,

95 Hunc quoque, ubi aut morbo gravis aut iam segnior annis

His lofty step, his limbs' elastic tread:

deficit, abde domo nec turpi ignosce senectae.

Dauntless he leads the herd, still first to try

frigidus in Venerem senior, frustraque laborem

The threatening flood, or brave the unknown bridge,

ingratum trahit, et, si quando ad proelia ventum est,

By no vain noise affrighted; lofty-necked,

ut quondam in stipulis magnus sine viribus ignis,

With clean-cut head, short belly, and stout back;

100 incassum furit. Ergo animos aevumque notabis

His sprightly breast exuberant with brawn.

praecipue; hinc alias artis prolemque parentum

Chestnut and grey are good; the worst-hued white

et quis cuique dolor victo, quae gloria palmae.

And sorrel. Then lo! if arms are clashed afar,

Nonne vides, cum praecipiti certamine campum

Bide still he cannot: ears stiffen and limbs quake;

corripuere ruuntque effusi carcere currus,

His nostrils snort and roll out wreaths of fire.

105 cum spes arrectae iuvenum, exsultantiaque haurit

Dense is his mane, that when uplifted falls

corda pavor pulsans? Illi instant verbere torto

On his right shoulder; betwixt either loin

et proni dant lora, volat vi fervidus axis;

The spine runs double; his earth-dinting hoof

iamque humiles, iamque elati sublime videntur

Rings with the ponderous beat of solid horn.

aera per vacuum ferri atque adsurgere in auras;

Even such a horse was Cyllarus, reined and tamed

110 nec mora nec requies; at fulvae nimbus harenae

By Pollux of Amyclae; such the pair

tollitur, umescunt spumis flatuque sequentum:

In Grecian song renowned, those steeds of Mars,

tantus amor laudum, tantae est victoria curae.

And famed Achilles' team: in such-like form

Primus Erichthonius currus et quattuor ausus

Great Saturn's self with mane flung loose on neck

iungere equos rapidusque rotis insistere victor

Sped at his wife's approach, and flying filled

115 Frena Pelethronii Lapithae gyrosque dedere

The heights of Pelion with his piercing neigh.

impositi dorso atque equitem docuere sub armis

Even him, when sore disease or sluggish eld

insultare solo et gressus glomerare superbos.

Now saps his strength, pen fast at home, and spare

Aequus uterque labor, aeque iuvenemque magistri

His not inglorious age. A horse grown old

exquirunt calidumque animis et cursibus acrem,

Slow kindling unto love in vain prolongs

120 quamvis saepe fuga versos ille egerit hostis

The fruitless task, and, to the encounter come,

et patriam Epirum referat fortisque Mycenas

As fire in stubble blusters without strength,

Neptunique ipsa deducat origine gentem.

He rages idly. Therefore mark thou first

His animadversis instant sub tempus et omnis

Their age and mettle, other points anon,

impendunt curas denso distendere pingui,

As breed and lineage, or what pain was theirs

125 quem legere ducem et pecori dixere maritum;

To lose the race, what pride the palm to win.

florentisque secant herbas fluviosque ministrant

Seest how the chariots in mad rivalry

farraque, ne blando nequeat superesse labori

Poured from the barrier grip the course and go,

invalidique patrum referant ieiunia nati.

When youthful hope is highest, and every heart

Ipsa autem macie tenuant armenta volentes,

Drained with each wild pulsation? How they ply

130 atque, ubi concubitus primos iam nota voluptas

The circling lash, and reaching forward let

sollicitat, frondesque negant et fontibus arcent.

The reins hang free! Swift spins the glowing wheel;

Saepe etiam cursu quatiunt et sole fatigant,

And now they stoop, and now erect in air

cum graviter tunsis gemit area frugibus et cum

Seem borne through space and towering to the sky:

surgentem ad Zephyrum paleae iactantur inanes.

No stop, no stay; the dun sand whirls aloft;

135 Hoc faciunt, nimio ne luxu obtunsior usus

They reek with foam-flakes and pursuing breath;

sit genitali arvo et sulcos oblimet inertis,

So sweet is fame, so prized the victor's palm.

sed rapiat sitiens Venerem interiusque recondat.

'Twas Ericthonius first took heart to yoke

Rursus cura patrum cadere et succedere matrum

Four horses to his car, and rode above

incipit. Exactis gravidae cum mensibus errant,

The whirling wheels to victory: but the ring

140 non illas gravibus quisquam iuga ducere plaustris,

And bridle-reins, mounted on horses' backs,

non saltu superare viam sit passus et acri

The Pelethronian Lapithae bequeathed,

carpere prata fuga fluviosque innare rapacis.

And taught the knight in arms to spurn the ground,

Saltibus in vacuis pascunt et plena secundum

And arch the upgathered footsteps of his pride.

flumina, muscus ubi et viridissima gramine ripa,

Each task alike is arduous, and for each

145 speluncaeque tegant et saxea procubet umbra.

A horse young, fiery, swift of foot, they seek;

Est lucos Silari circa ilicibusque; virentem

How oft so-e'er yon rival may have chased

plurimus Alburnum volitans, cui nomen asilo

The flying foe, or boast his native plain

Romanum est, oestrum Grai vertere vocantes,

Epirus, or Mycenae's stubborn hold,

asper, acerba sonans, quo tota exterrita silvis

And trace his lineage back to Neptune's birth.

150 diffugiunt armenta; furit mugitibus aether

These points regarded, as the time draws nigh,

concussus silvaeque et sicci ripa Tanagri.

With instant zeal they lavish all their care

Hoc quondam monstro horribilis exercuit iras

To plump with solid fat the chosen chief

Inachiae Iuno pestem meditata iuvencae.

And designated husband of the herd:

Hunc quoque, nam mediis fervoribus acrior instat,

And flowery herbs they cut, and serve him well

155 arcebis gravido pecori, armentaque pasces

With corn and running water, that his strength

sole recens orto aut noctem ducentibus astris.

Not fail him for that labour of delight,

Post partum cura in vitulos traducitur omnis,

Nor puny colts betray the feeble sire.

continuoque notas et nomina gentis inurunt

The herd itself of purpose they reduce

et quos aut pecori malint submittere habendo

To leanness, and when love's sweet longing first

160 aut aris servare sacros aut scindere terram

Provokes them, they forbid the leafy food,

et campum horrentem fractis invertere glaebis.

And pen them from the springs, and oft beside

Cetera pascuntur viridis armenta per herbas:

With running shake, and tire them in the sun,

Tu quos ad studium atque usum formabis agrestem,

What time the threshing-floor groans heavily

iam vitulos hortare viamque insiste domandi,

With pounding of the corn-ears, and light chaff

165 dum faciles animi iuvenum, dum mobilis aetas.

Is whirled on high to catch the rising west.

Ac primum laxos tenui de vimine circlos

This do they that the soil's prolific powers

cervici subnecte; dehinc, ubi libera colla

May not be dulled by surfeiting, nor choke

servitio adsuerint, ipsis e torquibus aptos

The sluggish furrows, but eagerly absorb

iunge pares et coge gradum conferre iuvencos;

Their fill of love, and deeply entertain.

170 atque illis iam saepe rotae ducantur inanes

To care of sire the mother's care succeeds.

per terram et summo vestigia pulvere signent;

When great with young they wander nigh their time,

post valido nitens sub pondere faginus axis

Let no man suffer them to drag the yoke

instrepat et iunctos temo trahat aereus orbes.

In heavy wains, nor leap across the way,

Interea pubi indomitae non gramina tantum

Nor scour the meads, nor swim the rushing flood.

175 nec vescas salicum frondes ulvamque palustrem,

In lonely lawns they feed them, by the course

sed frumenta manu carpes sata; nec tibi fetae

Of brimming streams, where moss is, and the banks

more patrum nivea implebunt mulctraria vaccae,

With grass are greenest, where are sheltering caves,

sed tota in dulcis consument ubera natos.

And far outstretched the rock-flung shadow lies.

Sin ad bella magis studium turmasque ferocis,

Round wooded Silarus and the ilex-bowers

180 aut Alphea rotis praelabi flumina Pisae

Of green Alburnus swarms a winged pest—

et Iovis in luco currus agitare volantis:

Its Roman name Asilus, by the Greeks

primus equi labor est, animos atque arma videre

Termed Oestros—fierce it is, and harshly hums,

bellantum lituosque pati tractuque gementem

Driving whole herds in terror through the groves,

ferre rotam et stabulo frenos audire sonantis;

Till heaven is madded by their bellowing din,

185 tum magis atque magis blandis gaudere magistri

And Tanager's dry bed and forest-banks.

laudibus et plausae sonitum cervicis amare.

With this same scourge did Juno wreak of old

Atque haec iam primo depulsus ab ubere matris

The terrors of her wrath, a plague devised

audeat, inque vicem det mollibus ora capistris

Against the heifer sprung from Inachus.

invalidus etiamque tremens, etiam inscius aevi.

From this too thou, since in the noontide heats

190 At tribus exactis ubi quarta accesserit aestas,

'Tis most persistent, fend thy teeming herds,

carpere mox gyrum incipiat gradibusque sonare

And feed them when the sun is newly risen,

compositis sinuetque alterna volumina crurum

Or the first stars are ushering in the night.

sitque laboranti similis; tum cursibus auras,

But, yeaning ended, all their tender care

tum vocet, ac per aperta volans ceu liber habenis

Is to the calves transferred; at once with marks

195 aequora vix summa vestigia ponat harena;

They brand them, both to designate their race,

qualis Hyperboreis Aquilo cum densus ab oris

And which to rear for breeding, or devote

incubuit, Scythiaeque hiemes atque arida differt

As altar-victims, or to cleave the ground

nubila: tum segetes altae campique natantes

And into ridges tear and turn the sod.

lenibus horrescunt flabris summaeque sonorem

The rest along the greensward graze at will.

200 dant silvae longique urgent ad litora fluctus;

Those that to rustic uses thou wouldst mould,

ille volat simul arva fuga, simul aequora verrens

As calves encourage and take steps to tame,

Hinc vel ad Elei metas et maxuma campi

While pliant wills and plastic youth allow.

sudabit spatia et spumas aget ore cruentas,

And first of slender withies round the throat

Belgica vel molli melius feret esseda collo.

Loose collars hang, then when their free-born necks

205 Tum demum crassa magnum farragine corpus

Are used to service, with the self-same bands

crescere iam domitis sinito: namque ante domandum

Yoke them in pairs, and steer by steer compel

ingentis tollent animos prensique negabunt

Keep pace together. And time it is that oft

verbera lenta pati et duris parere lupatis.

Unfreighted wheels be drawn along the ground

Sed non ulla magis viris industria firmat,

Behind them, as to dint the surface-dust;

210 quam Venerem et caeci stimulos avertere amoris,

Then let the beechen axle strain and creak

sive boum sive est cui gratior usus equorum.

'Neath some stout burden, whilst a brazen pole

Atque ideo tauros procul atque in sola relegant

Drags on the wheels made fast thereto. Meanwhile

pascua post montem oppositum et trans flumina lata,

For their unbroken youth not grass alone,

aut intus clausos satura ad praesepia servant.

Nor meagre willow-leaves and marish-sedge,

215 Carpit enim viris paulatim uritque videndo

But corn-ears with thy hand pluck from the crops.

femina nec nemorum patitur meminisse nec herbae

Nor shall the brood-kine, as of yore, for thee

dulcibus illa quidem inlecebris, et saepe superbos

Brim high the snowy milking-pail, but spend

cornibus inter se subigit decernere amantis.

Their udders' fullness on their own sweet young.

Pascitur in magna Sila formosa iuvenca:

But if fierce squadrons and the ranks of war

220 illi alternantes multa vi proelia miscent

Delight thee rather, or on wheels to glide

volneribus crebris, lavit ater corpora sanguis,

At Pisa, with Alpheus fleeting by,

versaque in obnixos urguentur cornua vasto

And in the grove of Jupiter urge on

cum gemitu, reboant silvaeque et longus Olympus

The flying chariot, be your steed's first task

Nec mos bellantis una stabulare, sed alter

To face the warrior's armed rage, and brook

225 victus abit longeque ignotis exulat oris,

The trumpet, and long roar of rumbling wheels,

multa gemens ignominiam plagasque superbi

And clink of chiming bridles in the stall;

victoris, tum, quos amisit inultus, amores;

Then more and more to love his master's voice

et stabula aspectans regnis excessit avitis.

Caressing, or loud hand that claps his neck.

Ergo omni cura viris exercet et inter

Ay, thus far let him learn to dare, when first

230 dura iacet pernix instrato saxa cubili

Weaned from his mother, and his mouth at times

frondibus hirsutis et carice pastus acuta,

Yield to the supple halter, even while yet

et temptat sese atque irasci in cornua discit

Weak, tottering-limbed, and ignorant of life.

arboris obnixus trunco ventosque lacessit

But, three years ended, when the fourth arrives,

ictibus et sparsa ad pugnam proludit harena.

Now let him tarry not to run the ring

235 Post ubi collectum robur viresque refectae

With rhythmic hoof-beat echoing, and now learn

signa movet praecepsque oblitum fertur in hostem:

Alternately to curve each bending leg,

fluctus uti medio coepit cum albescere ponto

And be like one that struggleth; then at last

longius ex altoque sinum trahit, utque volutus

Challenge the winds to race him, and at speed

ad terras immane sonat per saxa neque ipso

Launched through the open, like a reinless thing,

240 monte minor procumbit, at ima exaestuat unda

Scarce print his footsteps on the surface-sand.

verticibus nigramque alte subiectat harenam.

As when with power from Hyperborean climes

Omne adeo genus in terris hominumque ferarumque,

The north wind stoops, and scatters from his path

et genus aequoreum, pecudes pictaeque volucres,

Dry clouds and storms of Scythia; the tall corn

in furias. ignemque ruunt. Amor omnibus idem.

And rippling plains 'gin shiver with light gusts;

245 Tempore non alio catulorum oblita leaena

A sound is heard among the forest-tops;

saevior erravit campis, nec funera volgo

Long waves come racing shoreward: fast he flies,

tam multa informes ursi stragemque dedere

With instant pinion sweeping earth and main.

per silvas; tum saevus aper, tum pessima tigris;

A steed like this or on the mighty course

heu male tum Libyae solis erratur in agris.

Of Elis at the goal will sweat, and shower

250 Nonne vides, ut tota tremor pertemptet equorum

Red foam-flakes from his mouth, or, kindlier task,

corpora, si tantum notas odor attulit auras?

With patient neck support the Belgian car.

Ac neque eos iam frena virum neque verbera saeva

Then, broken at last, let swell their burly frame

non scopuli rupesque cavae atque obiecta retardant

With fattening corn-mash, for, unbroke, they will

flumina correptosque unda torquentia montis.

With pride wax wanton, and, when caught, refuse

255 Ipse ruit dentesque Sabellicus exacuit sus

Tough lash to brook or jagged curb obey.

et pede prosubigit terram, fricat arbore costas

But no device so fortifies their power

atque hinc atque illinc umeros ad volnera durat.

As love's blind stings of passion to forefend,

Quid iuvenis, magnum cui versat in ossibus ignem

Whether on steed or steer thy choice be set.

durus amor? Nempe abruptis turbata procellis

Ay, therefore 'tis they banish bulls afar

260 nocte natat caeca serus freta; quem super ingens

To solitary pastures, or behind

porta tonat caeli et scopulis inlisa reclamant

Some mountain-barrier, or broad streams beyond,

aequora; nec miseri possunt revocare parentes

Or else in plenteous stalls pen fast at home.

nec moritura super crudeli funere virgo.

For, even through sight of her, the female wastes

Quid lynces Bacchi variae et genus acre luporum

His strength with smouldering fire, till he forget

265 atque canum? Quid, quae imbelles dant proelia cervi?

Both grass and woodland. She indeed full oft

Scilicet ante omnis furor est insignis equarum;

With her sweet charms can lovers proud compel

et mentem Venus ipsa dedit, quo tempore Glauci

To battle for the conquest horn to horn.

Potniades malis membra absumpsere quadrigae.

In Sila's forest feeds the heifer fair,

Illas ducit amor trans Gargara transque sonantem

While each on each the furious rivals run;

270 Ascanium; superant montis et flumina tranant.

Wound follows wound; the black blood laves their limbs;

Continuoque avidis ubi subdita flamma medullis,

Horns push and strive against opposing horns,

vere magis, quia vere calor redit ossibus: illae

With mighty groaning; all the forest-side

ore omnes versae in Zephyrum stant rupibus altis,

And far Olympus bellow back the roar.

exceptantque levis auras et saepe sine ullis

Nor wont the champions in one stall to couch;

275 coniugiis vento gravidae, mirabile dictu,

But he that's worsted hies him to strange climes

saxa per et scopulos et depressas convallis

Far off, an exile, moaning much the shame,

diffugiunt, non, Eure, tuos, neque solis ad ortus,

The blows of that proud conqueror, then love's loss

in Borean caurumque, aut unde nigerrimus auster

Avenged not; with one glance toward the byre,

nascitur et pluvio contristat frigore caelum.

His ancient royalties behind him lie.

280 Hic demum, hippomanes vero quod nomine dicunt

So with all heed his strength he practiseth,

pastores, lentum destillat ab inguine virus,

And nightlong makes the hard bare stones his bed,

hippomanes, quod saepe malae legere novercae

And feeds on prickly leaf and pointed rush,

miscueruntque herbas et non innoxia verba.

And proves himself, and butting at a tree

Sed fugit interea, fugit inreparabile tempus,

Learns to fling wrath into his horns, with blows

285 singula dum capti circumvectamur amore.

Provokes the air, and scattering clouds of sand

Hoc satis armentis: superat pars altera curae,

Makes prelude of the battle; afterward,

lanigeros agitare greges hirtasque capellas.

With strength repaired and gathered might breaks camp,

Hic labor, hinc laudem fortes sperate coloni.

And hurls him headlong on the unthinking foe:

Nec sum animi dubius, verbis ea vincere magnum

As in mid ocean when a wave far of

290 quam sit, et angustis hunc addere rebus honorem;

Begins to whiten, mustering from the main

sed me Parnasi deserta per ardua dulcis

Its rounded breast, and, onward rolled to land

raptat amor; iuvat ire iugis, qua nulla priorum

Falls with prodigious roar among the rocks,

Castaliam molli devertitur orbita clivo.

Huge as a very mountain: but the depths

Nunc, veneranda Pales, magno nunc ore sonandum

Upseethe in swirling eddies, and disgorge

295 Incipiens stabulis edico in mollibus herbam

The murky sand-lees from their sunken bed.

carpere ovis, dum mox frondosa reducitur aestas,

Nay, every race on earth of men, and beasts,

et multa duram stipula filicumque maniplis

And ocean-folk, and flocks, and painted birds,

sternere subter humum, glacies ne frigida laedat

Rush to the raging fire: love sways them all.

molle pecus scabiemque ferat turpisque podagras.

Never than then more fiercely o'er the plain

300 Post hinc digressus iubeo frondentia capris

Prowls heedless of her whelps the lioness:

arbuta sufficere et fluvios praebere recentis

Nor monstrous bears such wide-spread havoc-doom

et stabula a ventis hiberno opponere soli

Deal through the forests; then the boar is fierce,

ad medium conversa diem, cum frigidus olim

Most deadly then the tigress: then, alack!

iam cadit extremoque inrorat Aquarius anno.

Ill roaming is it on Libya's lonely plains.

305 Haec quoque non cura nobis leviore tuendae,

Mark you what shivering thrills the horse's frame,

nec minor usus erit, quamvis Milesia magno

If but a waft the well-known gust conveys?

vellera mutentur Tyrios incocta rubores:

Nor curb can check them then, nor lash severe,

densior hinc suboles, hinc largi copia lactis;

Nor rocks and caverned crags, nor barrier-floods,

quam magis exhausto spumaverit ubere mulctra,

That rend and whirl and wash the hills away.

310 laeta magis pressis manabunt flumina mammis.

Then speeds amain the great Sabellian boar,

Nec minus interea barbas incanaque menta

His tushes whets, with forefoot tears the ground,

Cinyphii tondent hirci saetasque comantis

Rubs 'gainst a tree his flanks, and to and fro

usum in castrorum et miseris velamina nautis.

Hardens each wallowing shoulder to the wound.

Pascuntur vero silvas et summa Lycaei

What of the youth, when love's relentless might

315 horrentisque rubos et amantis ardua dumos:

Stirs the fierce fire within his veins? Behold!

atque ipsae memores redeunt in tecta suosque

In blindest midnight how he swims the gulf

ducunt et gravido superant vix ubere limen.

Convulsed with bursting storm-clouds! Over him

Ergo omni studio glaciem ventosque nivalis

Heaven's huge gate thunders; the rock-shattered main

quo minor est illis curae mortalis egestas,

Utters a warning cry; nor parents' tears

320 avertes victumque feres et virgea laetus

Can backward call him, nor the maid he loves,

pabula, nec tota claudes faenilia bruma.

Too soon to die on his untimely pyre.

At vero Zephyris cum laeta vocantibus aestas

What of the spotted ounce to Bacchus dear,

in saltus utrumque gregem atque in pascua mittet,

Or warlike wolf-kin or the breed of dogs?

Luciferi primo cum sidere frigida rura

Why tell how timorous stags the battle join?

325 carpamus, dum mane novum, dum gramina canent,

O'er all conspicuous is the rage of mares,

et ros in tenera pecori gratissimus herba.

By Venus' self inspired of old, what time

Inde ubi quarta sitim caeli collegerit hora

The Potnian four with rending jaws devoured

et cantu querulae rumpent arbusta cicadae,

The limbs of Glaucus. Love-constrained they roam

ad puteos aut alta greges ad stagna iubebo

Past Gargarus, past the loud Ascanian flood;

330 currentem ilignis potare canalibus undam;

They climb the mountains, and the torrents swim;

aestibus at mediis umbrosam exquirere vallem,

And when their eager marrow first conceives

sicubi magna Iovis antiquo robore quercus

The fire, in Spring-tide chiefly, for with Spring

ingentis tendat ramos, aut sicubi nigrum

Warmth doth their frames revisit, then they stand

ilicibus crebris sacra nemus accubet umbra;

All facing westward on the rocky heights,

335 tum tenuis dare rursus aquas et pascere rursus

And of the gentle breezes take their fill;

solis ad occasum, cum frigidus aera vesper

And oft unmated, marvellous to tell,

temperat et saltus reficit iam roscida luna

But of the wind impregnate, far and wide

litoraque alcyonem resonant, acalanthida dumi.

O'er craggy height and lowly vale they scud,

Quid tibi pastores Libyae, quid pascua versu

Not toward thy rising, Eurus, or the sun's,

340 prosequar et raris habitata mapalia tectis?

But westward and north-west, or whence up-springs

Saepe diem noctemque et totum ex ordine mensem

Black Auster, that glooms heaven with rainy cold.

pascitur itque pecus longa in deserta sine ullis

Hence from their groin slow drips a poisonous juice,

hospitiis: tantum campi iacet. Omnia secum

By shepherds truly named hippomanes,

armentarius Afer agit, tectumque laremque

Hippomanes, fell stepdames oft have culled,

345 armaque Amyclaeumque canem Cressamque pharetram;

And mixed with herbs and spells of baneful bode.

non secus ac patriis acer Romanus in armis

Fast flies meanwhile the irreparable hour,

iniusto sub fasce viam cum carpit et hosti

As point to point our charmed round we trace.

ante expectatum positis stat in agmine castris.

Enough of herds. This second task remains,

At non, qua Scythiae gentes Maeotiaque unda,

The wool-clad flocks and shaggy goats to treat.

350 turbidus et torquens flaventis Hister harenas,

Here lies a labour; hence for glory look,

quaque redit medium Rhodope porrecta sub axem.

Brave husbandmen. Nor doubtfully know

Illic clausa tenent stabulis armenta, neque ullae

How hard it is for words to triumph here,

aut herbae campo apparent aut arbore frondes;

And shed their lustre on a theme so slight:

sed iacet aggeribus niveis informis et alto

But I am caught by ravishing desire

355 terra gelu late septemque adsurgit in ulnas.

Above the lone Parnassian steep; I love

Semper hiemps, semper spirantes frigora cauri.

To walk the heights, from whence no earlier track

Tum Sol pallentis haud umquam discutit umbras,

Slopes gently downward to Castalia's spring.

nec cum invectus equis altum petit aethera, nec cum

Now, awful Pales, strike a louder tone.

praecipitem Oceani rubro lavit aequore currum.

First, for the sheep soft pencotes I decree

360 Concrescunt subitae currenti in flumine crustae

To browse in, till green summer's swift return;

undaque iam tergo ferratos sustinet orbis,

And that the hard earth under them with straw

puppibus illa prius, patulis nunc hospita plaustris;

And handfuls of the fern be littered deep,

aeraque dissiliunt vulgo vestesque rigescunt

Lest chill of ice such tender cattle harm

indutae caeduntque securibus umida vina

With scab and loathly foot-rot. Passing thence

365 et totae solidam in glaciem vertere lacunae

I bid the goats with arbute-leaves be stored,

stiriaque impexis induruit horrida barbis.

And served with fresh spring-water, and their pens

Interea toto non setius aere ninguit:

Turned southward from the blast, to face the suns

intereunt pecudes, stant circumfusa pruinis

Of winter, when Aquarius' icy beam

corpora magna boum, confertoque agmine cervi

Now sinks in showers upon the parting year.

370 torpent mole nova et summis vix cornibus extant.

These too no lightlier our protection claim,

Hos non immissis canibus, non cassibus ullis

Nor prove of poorer service, howsoe'er

puniceaeve agitant pavidos formidine pennae,

Milesian fleeces dipped in Tyrian reds

sed frustra oppositum trudentis pectore montem

Repay the barterer; these with offspring teem

comminus obtruncant ferro graviterque rudentis

More numerous; these yield plenteous store of milk:

375 caedunt et magno laeti clamore reportant.

The more each dry-wrung udder froths the pail,

Ipsi in defossis specubus secura sub alta

More copious soon the teat-pressed torrents flow.

otia agunt terra congestaque robora totasque

Ay, and on Cinyps' bank the he-goats too

advolvere focis ulmos ignique dedere.

Their beards and grizzled chins and bristling hair

Hic noctem ludo ducunt et pocula laeti

Let clip for camp-use, or as rugs to wrap

380 fermento atque acidis imitantur vitea sorbis.

Seafaring wretches. But they browse the woods

Talis Hyperboreo septem subiecta trioni

And summits of Lycaeus, and rough briers,

gens effrena virum Rhiphaeo tunditur euro

And brakes that love the highland: of themselves

et pecudum fulvis velatur corpora saetis.

Right heedfully the she-goats homeward troop

Si tibi lanitium curae, primum aspera silva,

Before their kids, and with plump udders clogged

385 lappaeque tribolique, absint; fuge pabula laeta;

Scarce cross the threshold. Wherefore rather ye,

Continuoque greges villis lege mollibus albos.

The less they crave man's vigilance, be fain

Illum autem, quamvis aries sit candidus ipse,

From ice to fend them and from snowy winds;

nigra subest udo tantum cui lingua palato,

Bring food and feast them with their branchy fare,

reice, ne maculis infuscet vellera pullis

Nor lock your hay-loft all the winter long.

390 nascentum, plenoque alium circumspice campo.

But when glad summer at the west wind's call

Munere sic niveo lanae, si credere dignum est,

Sends either flock to pasture in the glades,

Pan deus Arcadiae captam te, Luna, fefellit

Soon as the day-star shineth, hie we then

in nemora alta vocans; nec tu aspernata vocantem.

To the cool meadows, while the dawn is young,

At cui lactis amor, cytisum lotosque frequentis

The grass yet hoary, and to browsing herds

395 ipse manu salsasque ferat praesepibus herbas.

The dew tastes sweetest on the tender sward.

Hinc et amant fluvios magis et magis ubera tendunt

When heaven's fourth hour draws on the thickening drought,

et salis occultum referunt in lacte saporem.

And shrill cicalas pierce the brake with song,

Multi iam excretos prohibent a matribus haedos

Then at the well-springs bid them, or deep pools,

primaque ferratis praefigunt ora capistris.

From troughs of holm-oak quaff the running wave:

400 Quod surgente die mulsere horisque diurnis,

But at day's hottest seek a shadowy vale,

nocte premunt; quod iam tenebris et sole cadente,

Where some vast ancient-timbered oak of Jove

sub lucem exportant calathis adit oppida pastor;

Spreads his huge branches, or where huddling black

aut parco sale contingunt hiemique reponunt.

Ilex on ilex cowers in awful shade.

Nec tibi cura canum fuerit postrema, sed una

Then once more give them water sparingly,

405 velocis Spartae catulos acremque Molossum

And feed once more, till sunset, when cool eve

pasce sero pingui. Numquam custodibus illis

Allays the air, and dewy moonbeams slake

nocturnum stabulis furem incursusque luporum

The forest glades, with halcyon's song the shore,

aut impacatos a tergo horrebis Hiberos.

And every thicket with the goldfinch rings.

Saepe etiam cursu timidos agitabis onagros

Of Libya's shepherds why the tale pursue?

410 et canibus leporem, canibus venabere dammas,

Why sing their pastures and the scattered huts

saepe volutabris pulsos silvestribus apros

They house in? Oft their cattle day and night

latratu turbabis agens montisque per altos

Graze the whole month together, and go forth

ingentem clamore premes ad retia cervum.

Into far deserts where no shelter is,

Disce et odoratam stabulis accendere cedrum

So flat the plain and boundless. All his goods

415 galbaneoque agitare gravis nidore chelydros.

The Afric swain bears with him, house and home,

saepe sub immotis praesepibus aut mala tactu

Arms, Cretan quiver, and Amyclaean dog;

vipera delituit caelumque exterrita fugit,

As some keen Roman in his country's arms

aut tecto adsuetus coluber succedere et umbrae,

Plies the swift march beneath a cruel load;

pestis acerba boum, pecorique aspergere virus,

Soon with tents pitched and at his post he stands,

420 fovit humum. Cape saxa manu, cape robora, pastor,

Ere looked for by the foe.

tollentemque minas et sibila colla tumentem

Not thus the tribes

deice. Iamque fuga timidum caput abdidit alte,

Of Scythia by the far Maeotic wave,

cum medii nexus extremaeque agmina caudae

Where turbid Ister whirls his yellow sands,

solvuntur, tardosque trahit sinus ultimus orbis.

And Rhodope stretched out beneath the pole

425 Est etiam ille malus Calabris in saltibus anguis,

Comes trending backward. There the herds they keep

squamea convolvens sublato pectore terga

Close-pent in byres, nor any grass is seen

atque notis longam maculosus grandibus alvum

Upon the plain, nor leaves upon the tree:

qui, dum amnes ulli rumpuntur fontibus et dum

But with snow-ridges and deep frost afar

vere madent udo terrae ac pluvialibus austris

Heaped seven ells high the earth lies featureless:

430 stagna colit, ripisque habitans hic piscibus atram

Still winter? still the north wind's icy breath!

improbus ingluviem ranisque loquacibus explet;

Nay, never sun disparts the shadows pale,

postquam exusta palus, terraeque ardore dehiscunt,

Or as he rides the steep of heaven, or dips

exsilit in siccum et flammantia lumina torquens

In ocean's fiery bath his plunging car.

saevit agris asperque siti atque exterritus aestu.

Quick ice-crusts curdle on the running stream,

435 Ne mihi tum mollis sub divo carpere somnos

And iron-hooped wheels the water's back now bears,

neu dorso nemoris libeat iacuisse per herbas,

To broad wains opened, as erewhile to ships;

cum positis novus exuviis nitidusque iuventa

Brass vessels oft asunder burst, and clothes

volvitur, aut catulos tectis aut ova relinquens

Stiffen upon the wearers; juicy wines

arduus ad solem et linguis micat ore trisulcis.

They cleave with axes; to one frozen mass

440 Morborum quoque te causas et signa docebo.

Whole pools are turned; and on their untrimmed beards

Turpis ovis temptat scabies, ubi frigidus imber

Stiff clings the jagged icicle. Meanwhile

altius ad vivum persedit et horrida cano

All heaven no less is filled with falling snow;

bruma gelu, vel cum tonsis inlotus adhaesit

The cattle perish: oxen's mighty frames

sudor et hirsuti secuerunt corpora vepres.

Stand island-like amid the frost, and stags

445 Dulcibus idcirco fluviis pecus omne magistri

In huddling herds, by that strange weight benumbed,

perfundunt, udisque aries in gurgite villis

Scarce top the surface with their antler-points.

mersatur missusque secundo defluit amni;

These with no hounds they hunt, nor net with toils,

aut tonsum tristi contingunt corpus amurca

Nor scare with terror of the crimson plume;

et spumas miscent argenti et sulfura viva

But, as in vain they breast the opposing block,

450 Idaeasque pices et pinguis unguine ceras

Butcher them, knife in hand, and so dispatch

scillamque elleborosque gravis nigrumque bitumen.

Loud-bellowing, and with glad shouts hale them home.

Non tamen ulla magis praesens fortuna laborum est,

Themselves in deep-dug caverns underground

quam si quis ferro potuit rescindere summum

Dwell free and careless; to their hearths they heave

ulceris os: alitur vitium vivitque tegendo,

Oak-logs and elm-trees whole, and fire them there,

455 dum medicas adhibere manus ad volnera pastor

There play the night out, and in festive glee

abnegat et meliora deos sedet omnia poscens.

With barm and service sour the wine-cup mock.

Quin etiam, ima dolor balantum lapsus ad ossa

So 'neath the seven-starred Hyperborean wain

cum furit atque artus depascitur arida febris,

The folk live tameless, buffeted with blasts

profuit incensos aestus avertere et inter

Of Eurus from Rhipaean hills, and wrap

460 ima ferire pedis salientem sanguine venam,

Their bodies in the tawny fells of beasts.

Bisaltae quo more solent acerque Gelonus;

If wool delight thee, first, be far removed

cum fugit in Rhodopen atque in deserta Getarum

All prickly boskage, burrs and caltrops; shun

et lac concretum cum sanguine potat equino.

Luxuriant pastures; at the outset choose

Quam procul aut molli succedere saepius umbrae

White flocks with downy fleeces. For the ram,

465 videris aut summas carpentem ignavius herbas

How white soe'er himself, be but the tongue

extremamque sequi aut medio procumbere campo

'Neath his moist palate black, reject him, lest

pascentem et serae solam decedere nocti:

He sully with dark spots his offspring's fleece,

continuo culpam ferro compesce, prius quam

And seek some other o'er the teeming plain.

dira per incautum serpant contagia volgus.

Even with such snowy bribe of wool, if ear

470 Non tam creber agens hiemem ruit aequore turbo,

May trust the tale, Pan, God of Arcady,

quam multae pecudum pestes. Nec singula morbi

Snared and beguiled thee, Luna, calling thee

corpora corripiunt, sed tota aestiva repente,

To the deep woods; nor thou didst spurn his call.

spemque gregemque simul cunctamque ab origine gentem.

But who for milk hath longing, must himself

Tum sciat, aerias Alpis et Norica si quis

Carry lucerne and lotus-leaves enow

475 castella in tumulis et Iapydis arva Timavi

With salt herbs to the cote, whence more they love

nunc quoque post tanto videat desertaque regna

The streams, more stretch their udders, and give back

pastorum et longe saltus lateque vacantis.

A subtle taste of saltness in the milk.

Hic quondam morbo caeli miseranda coorta est

Many there be who from their mothers keep

tempestas totoque autumni incanduit aestu

The new-born kids, and straightway bind their mouths

480 et genus omne neci pecudum dedit, omne ferarum,

With iron-tipped muzzles. What they milk at dawn,

corrupitque lacus, infecit pabula tabo.

Or in the daylight hours, at night they press;

Nec via mortis erat simplex, sed ubi ignea venis

What darkling or at sunset, this ere morn

omnibus acta sitis miseros adduxerat artus,

They bear away in baskets—for to town

rursus abundabat fluidus liquor omniaque in se

The shepherd hies him—or with dash of salt

485 ossa minutatim morbo collapsa trahebat.

Just sprinkle, and lay by for winter use.

Saepe in honore deum medio stans hostia ad aram

Nor be thy dogs last cared for; but alike

lanea dum nivea circumdatur infula vitta,

Swift Spartan hounds and fierce Molossian feed

inter cunctantis cecidit moribunda ministros.

On fattening whey. Never, with these to watch,

Aut si quam ferro mactaverat ante sacerdos

Dread nightly thief afold and ravening wolves,

490 inde neque impositis ardent altaria fibris

Or Spanish desperadoes in the rear.

nec responsa potest consultus reddere vates,

And oft the shy wild asses thou wilt chase,

ac vix suppositi tinguntur sanguine cultri

With hounds, too, hunt the hare, with hounds the doe;

summaque ieiuna sanie infuscatur harena.

Oft from his woodland wallowing-den uprouse

Hinc laetis vituli volgo moriuntur in herbis

The boar, and scare him with their baying, and drive,

495 et dulcis animas plena ad praesepia reddunt;

And o'er the mountains urge into the toils

hinc canibus blandis rabies venit et quatit aegros

Some antlered monster to their chiming cry.

tussis anhela sues ac faucibus angit obesis.

Learn also scented cedar-wood to burn

Labitur infelix studiorum atque immemor herbae

Within the stalls, and snakes of noxious smell

victor equus fontisque avertitur et pede terram

With fumes of galbanum to drive away.

500 crebra ferit; demissae aures, incertus ibidem

Oft under long-neglected cribs, or lurks

sudor et ille quidem morituris frigidus, aret

A viper ill to handle, that hath fled

pellis et ad tactum tractanti dura resistit.

The light in terror, or some snake, that wont

Haec ante exitium primis dant signa diebus;

'Neath shade and sheltering roof to creep, and shower

sin in processu coepit crudescere morbus,

Its bane among the cattle, hugs the ground,

505 tum vero ardentes oculi atque attractus ab alto

Fell scourge of kine. Shepherd, seize stakes, seize stones!

spiritus, interdum gemitu gravis, imaque longo

And as he rears defiance, and puffs out

ilia singultu tendunt, it naribus ater

A hissing throat, down with him! see how low

sanguis et obsessas fauces premit aspera lingua.

That cowering crest is vailed in flight, the while,

Profuit inserto latices infundere cornu

His midmost coils and final sweep of tail

510 Lenaeos; ea visa salus morientibus una;

Relaxing, the last fold drags lingering spires.

mox erat hoc ipsum exitio, furiisque refecti

Then that vile worm that in Calabrian glades

ardebant ipsique suos iam morte sub aegra,

Uprears his breast, and wreathes a scaly back,

di meliora piis erroremque hostibus illum,

His length of belly pied with mighty spots—

discissos nudis laniabant dentibus artus.

While from their founts gush any streams, while yet

515 Ecce autem duro fumans sub vomere taurus

With showers of Spring and rainy south-winds earth

concidit et mixtum spumis vomit ore cruorem

Is moistened, lo! he haunts the pools, and here

extremosque ciet gemitus. It tristis arator

Housed in the banks, with fish and chattering frogs

maerentem abiungens fraterna morte iuvencum,

Crams the black void of his insatiate maw.

atque opere in medio defixa relinquit aratra.

Soon as the fens are parched, and earth with heat

520 Non umbrae altorum nemorum, non mollia possunt

Is gaping, forth he darts into the dry,

prata movere animum, non qui per saxa volutus

Rolls eyes of fire and rages through the fields,

purior electro campum petit amnis; at ima

Furious from thirst and by the drought dismayed.

solvuntur latera atque oculos stupor urguet inertis

Me list not then beneath the open heaven

ad terramque fluit devexo pondere cervix.

To snatch soft slumber, nor on forest-ridge

525 Quid labor aut benefacta iuvant? Quid vomere terras

Lie stretched along the grass, when, slipped his slough,

invertisse gravis? Atqui non Massica Bacchi

To glittering youth transformed he winds his spires,

munera, non illis epulae nocuere repostae:

And eggs or younglings leaving in his lair,

frondibus et victu pascuntur simplicis herbae,

Towers sunward, lightening with three-forked tongue.

pocula sunt fontes liquidi atque exercita cursu

Of sickness, too, the causes and the signs

530 flumina, nec somnos abrumpit cura salubris.

I'll teach thee. Loathly scab assails the sheep,

Tempore non alio dicunt regionibus illis

When chilly showers have probed them to the quick,

quaesitas ad sacra boves Iunonis et uris

And winter stark with hoar-frost, or when sweat

imparibus ductos alta ad donaria currus.

Unpurged cleaves to them after shearing done,

Ergo aegre rastris terram rimantur et ipsis

And rough thorns rend their bodies. Hence it is

535 unguibus infodiunt fruges montisque per altos

Shepherds their whole flock steep in running streams,

contenta cervice trahunt stridentia plaustra.

While, plunged beneath the flood, with drenched fell,

Non lupus insidias explorat ovilia circum

The ram, launched free, goes drifting down the tide.

nec gregibus nocturnus obambulat; acrior illum

Else, having shorn, they smear their bodies o'er

cura domat; timidi dammae cervique fugaces

With acrid oil-lees, and mix silver-scum

540 nunc interque canes et circum tecta vagantur.

And native sulphur and Idaean pitch,

Iam maris immensi prolem et genus omne natantum

Wax mollified with ointment, and therewith

litore in extremo, ceu naufraga corpora, fluctus

Sea-leek, strong hellebores, bitumen black.

proluit; insolitae fugiunt in flumina phocae.

Yet ne'er doth kindlier fortune crown his toil,

Interit et curvis frustra defensa latebris

Than if with blade of iron a man dare lance

545 vipera et attoniti squamis adstantibus hydri.

The ulcer's mouth ope: for the taint is fed

Ipsis est aer avibus non aequus et illae

And quickened by confinement; while the swain

praecipites alta vitam sub nube relinquunt.

His hand of healing from the wound withholds,

Praeterea iam nec mutari pabula refert

Or sits for happier signs imploring heaven.

artes nocent quaesitaeque; cessere magistri

Aye, and when inward to the bleater's bones

550 Phillyrides Chiron Amythaoniusque Melampus.

The pain hath sunk and rages, and their limbs

Saevit et in lucem Stygiis emissa tenebris

By thirsty fever are consumed, 'tis good

pallida Tisiphone Morbos agit ante Metumque,

To draw the enkindled heat therefrom, and pierce

inque dies avidum surgens caput altius effert:

Within the hoof-clefts a blood-bounding vein.

Balatu pecorum et crebris mugitibus amnes

Of tribes Bisaltic such the wonted use,

555 arentesque sonant ripae collesque supini:

And keen Gelonian, when to Rhodope

Iamque catervatim dat stragem atque aggerat ipsis

He flies, or Getic desert, and quaffs milk

in stabulis turpi dilapsa cadavera tabo

With horse-blood curdled. Seest one far afield

donec humo tegere ac foveis abscondere discunt.

Oft to the shade's mild covert win, or pull

Nam neque erat coriis usus nec viscera quisquam

The grass tops listlessly, or hindmost lag,

560 aut undis abolere potest aut vincere flamma;

Or, browsing, cast her down amid the plain,

ne tondere quidem morbo inluvieque peresa

At night retire belated and alone;

vellera nec telas possunt attingere putris;

With quick knife check the mischief, ere it creep

verum etiam invisos si quis temptarat amictus,

With dire contagion through the unwary herd.

ardentes papulae atque immundus olentia sudor

Less thick and fast the whirlwind scours the main

565 membra sequebatur nec longo deinde moranti

With tempest in its wake, than swarm the plagues

tempore contactos artus sacer ignis edebat.

Of cattle; nor seize they single lives alone,