Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 1.pdf/265

Geor. I. Are void of Tempests, both by Land and Sea, And Saylors in the Port their promis'd Vow shall pay. Above the rest, the Sun, who never lies; Foretels the change of Weather in the Skies: For if he rise, unwilling to his Race, Clouds on his Brows, and Spots upon his Face; Or if thro' Mists he shoots his sullen Beams, Frugal of Light, in loose and stragling Streams: Suspect a drisling Day, with Southern Rain, Fatal to Fruits, and Flocks, and promis'd Grain. Or if Aurora, with half open'd Eyes, And a pale sickly Cheek, salute the Skies; How shall the Vine, with tender Leaves, defend Her teeming Clusters, when the Storms descend? When ridgy Roofs and Tiles can scarce avail, To barr the Ruin of the ratling Hail. But more than all, the setting Sun survey, When down the Steep of Heav'n he drives the Day. For oft we find him finishing his Race, With various Colours erring on his Face; If fiery red his glowing Globe descends, High Winds and furious Tempests he portends. But if his Cheeks are swoln with livid blue, He bodes wet Weather by his watry Hue. If dusky Spots are vary'd on his Brow, And, streak'd with red, a troubl'd Colour show; That sullen Mixture shall at once declare Winds, Rain, and Storms, and Elemental War. Rh