Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 1.pdf/300

140 Ev'n in the lowest Months, when Storms have shed From Vines the hairy Honours of their Head; Not then the drudging Hind his Labour ends; But to the coming Year his Care extends: Ev'n then the naked Vine he persecutes; His Pruning Knife at once Reforms and Cuts. Be first to dig the Ground, be first to burn The Branches lopt, and first the Props return Into thy House, that bore the burden'd Vines; But last to reap the Vintage of thy Wines. Twice in the Year luxuriant Leaves o'ershade The incumber'd Vine; rough Brambles twice invade: Hard Labour both! commend the large excess Of spacious Vineyards; cultivate the less. Besides, in Woods the Shrubs of prickly Thorn, Sallows and Reeds, on Banks of Rivers born, Remain to cut; for Vineyards useful found, To stay thy Vines, and fence thy fruitful Ground. Nor when thy tender Trees at length are bound; When peaceful Vines from Pruning Hooks are free, When Husbands have survey'd the last degree, And utmost Files of Plants, and order'd ev'ry Tree; Ev'n when they sing at ease in full Content, Insulting o'er the Toils they underwent; Yet still they find a future Task remain; To turn the Soil, and break the Clods again: And after all, their Joys are unsincere, While falling Rains on ripening Grapes they fear.