Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 1.pdf/159

Past. V. The Trees and Floods were witness to their Tears: At length the rumour reach'd his Mother's Ears. The wretched Parent, with a pious haste, Came running, and his lifeless Limbs embrac'd. She sigh'd, she sob'd, and, furious with despair, She rent her Garments, and she tore her Hair: Accusing all the Gods and every Star. The Swains forgot their Sheep, nor near the brink Of running Waters brought their Herds to drink. The thirsty Cattle, of themselves, abstain'd From Water, and their grassy Fare disdain'd. The death of Daphnis Woods and Hills deplore, They cast the sound to Lybia's desart Shore; The Lybian Lyons hear, and hearing roar. Fierce Tygers Daphnis taught the Yoke to bear; And first with curling Ivy dress'd the Spear: Daphnis did Rites to Bacchus first ordain; And holy Revels for his reeling Train. As Vines the Trees, as Grapes the Vines adorn, As Bulls the Herds, and Fields the Yellow Corn; So bright a Splendor, so divine a Grace, The glorious Daphnis cast on his illustrious Race. When envious Fate the Godlike Daphnis took, Our guardian Gods the Fields and Plains forsook: Pales no longer swell'd the teeming Grain, Nor Phœbus fed his Oxen on the Plain: No fruitful Crop the sickly Fields return; But Oats and Darnel choak the rising Corn.