Page:The Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets, Volume 2.djvu/193

Rh THE invocation before the Georgicks is here inserted from Mr. Milbourne's version, that, according to his own proposal, his verses may be compared with those which he censures. What makes the richest tilth, beneath what signs To plough, and when to match your elms and vines; What care with flocks, and what with herds agrees, And all the management of frugal bees; I sing, Mæcenas! Ye immensely clear, Vast orbs of light, which guide the rolling year; Bacchus, and mother Ceres, if by you We fatt'ning corn for hungry mast pursue, If, taught by you, we first the cluster prest, And thin cold streams with spritely juice refresht; Ye fawns, the present numens of the field, Wood-nymphs and fawns, your kind assistance yield; Your gifts I sing; and thou, at whose fear'd stroke From rending earth the fiery courser broke, Great Neptune, O assist my artful song, And thou to whom the woods and groves belong, Whose snowy heifers on her flow'ry plains In mighty herds the Cæan Isle maintains! Rh