Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 1.pdf/257

Geor. I. Now sing we stormy Stars, when Autumn weighs The Year, and adds to Nights, and shortens Days; And Suns declining shine with feeble Rays: What Cares must then attend the toiling Swain; Or when the low'ring Spring, with lavish Rain, Beats down the slender Stem and bearded Grain: While yet the Head is green, or lightly swell'd With Milky-moisture, over-looks the Field. Ev'n when the Farmer, now secure of Fear, Sends in the Swains to spoil the finish'd Year: Ev'n while the Reaper fills his greedy hands, And binds the golden Sheafs in brittle bands: Oft have I seen a sudden Storm arise, From all the warring Winds that sweep the Skies: The heavy Harvest from the root is torn, And whirl'd aloft the lighter Stubble born; With such a force the flying rack is driv'n; And such a Winter wears the face of Heav'n: And oft whole sheets descend of slucy Rain, Suck'd by the spongy Clouds from off the Main: The lofty Skies at once come pouring down, The promis'd Crop and golden Labours drown. The Dykes are fill'd, and with a roaring sound The rising Rivers float the nether ground; And Rocks the bellowing Voice of boiling Seas rebound. The Father of the Gods his Glory shrowds, Involv'd in Tempests, and a Night of Clouds.