Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 1.pdf/152

22 O chast Lucina speed the Mother's pains, And haste the glorious Birth; thy own Apollo reigns! The lovely Boy, with his auspicious Face, Shall Pollio's Consulship and Triumph grace; Majestick Months set out with him to their appointed Race. The Father banish'd Virtue shall restore, And Crimes shall threat the guilty world no more. The Son shall lead the life of Gods, and be By Gods and Heroes seen, and Gods and Heroes see. The jarring Nations he in peace shall bind, And with paternal Virtues rule Mankind. Unbidden Earth shall wreathing Ivy bring, And fragrant Herbs (the promises of Spring) As her first Off'rings to her Infant King. The Goats with strutting Dugs shall homeward speed, And lowing Herds, secure from Lyons feed. His Cradle shall with rising Flow'rs be crown'd; The Serpents Brood shall die: the sacred ground Shall Weeds and pois'nous Plants refuse to bear, Each common Bush shall Syrian Roses wear. But when Heroick Verse his Youth shall raise, And form it to Hereditary Praise; Unlabour'd Harvests shall the Fields adorn, And cluster'd Grapes shall blush on every Thorn. The knotted Oaks shall show'rs of Honey weep, And through the Matted Grass the liquid Cold shall creep.