Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 1.pdf/276

122 But steer my Vessel with a steady hand, And coast along the Shore in sight of Land. Nor will I tire thy Patience with a train Of Preface, or what ancient Poets feign. The Trees, which of themselves advance in Air, Are barren kinds, but strongly built and fair: Because the vigour of the Native Earth Maintains the Plant, and makes a Manly Birth. Yet these, receiving Graffs of other Kind, Or thence transplanted, change their salvage Mind: Their Wildness lose, and quitting Nature's part, Obey the Rules and Discipline of Art. The same do Trees, that, sprung from barren Roots In open fields, transplanted bear their Fruits. For where they grow the Native Energy Turns all into the Substance of the Tree, Starves and destroys the Fruit, is only made For brawny bulk, and for a barren shade. The Plant that shoots from Seed, a sullen Tree At leisure grows, for late Posterity; The gen'rous flavour lost, the Fruits decay, And salvage Grapes are made the Birds ignoble prey. Much labour is requir'd in Trees, to tame Their wild disorder, and in ranks reclaim. Well must the ground be dig'd, and better dress'd, New Soil to make, and meliorate the rest. Old Stakes of Olive Trees in Plants revive; By the same Methods Paphian Myrtles live: But nobler Vines by Propagation thrive.