Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 1.pdf/246

102 Then Burrs and Brambles, an unbidden Crew Of graceless Guests, th' unhappy Field subdue: And Oats unblest, and Darnel domineers, And shoots its head above the shining Ears. So that unless the Land with daily Care Is exercis'd, and with an Iron War, Of Rakes and Harrows, the proud Foes expell'd, And Birds with clamours frighted from the Field; Unless the Boughs are lopp'd that shade the Plain, And Heav'n invok'd with Vows for fruitful Rain, On other Crops you may with envy look, And shake for Food the long abandon'd Oak. Nor must we pass untold what Arms they wield, Who labour Tillage and the furrow'd Field: Without whose aid the Ground her Corn denys, And nothing can be sown, and nothing rise. The crooked Plough, the Share, the towr'ing height Of Waggons, and the Cart's unweildy weight; The Sled, the Tumbril, Hurdles and the Flail, The Fan of Bacchus, with the flying Sail. These all must be prepar'd, if Ploughmen hope The promis'd Blessing of a Bounteous Crop. Young Elms with early force in Copses bow, Fit for the Figure of the crooked Plough. Of eight Foot long a fastned Beam prepare, On either side the Head produce an Ear, And sink a Socket for the shining Share.