Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 1.pdf/283

Geor. II. Whose Waves, for Triumphs after prosp'rous War, The Victim Ox, and snowy Sheep prepare. Perpetual Spring our happy Climate sees, Twice breed the Cattle, and twice bear the Trees; And Summer Suns recede by slow degrees. Our Land is from the Land [sic] of Tygers freed, Nor nourishes the Lyon's angry Seed; Nor pois'nous Aconite is here produc'd, Or grows unknown, or is, when known, refus'd. Nor in so vast a length our Serpents glide, Or rais'd on such a spiry Volume ride. Next add our Cities of Illustrious Name, Their costly Labour and stupend'ous Frame: Our Forts on steepy Hills, that far below See wanton Streams, in winding Valleys flow. Our twofold Seas, that washing either side, A rich Recruit of Foreign Stores provide. Our spacious Lakes; thee, Larius, first; and next Benacus, with tempest'ous Billows vext. Or shall I praise thy Ports, or mention make Of the vast Mound, that binds the Lucrine Lake. Or the disdainful Sea, that, shut from thence, Roars round the Structure, and invades the Fence. There, where secure the Julian Waters glide, Or where Avernus Jaws admit the Tyrrhene Tide. Our Quarries deep in Earth, were fam'd of old, For Veins of Silver, and for Ore of Gold.