Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 1.pdf/317

Geor. III. Long are her sides and large, her Limbs are great; Rough are her Ears, and broad her horny Feet. Her Colour shining black, but fleck'd with white; She tosses from the Yoke; provokes the Fight: She rises in her Gate, is free from Fears; And in her Face a Bull's Resemblance bears: Her ample Forehead with a Star is crown'd; And with her length of Tail she sweeps the Ground. The Bull's Insult at Four she may sustain; But, after Ten, from Nuptial Rites refrain. Six Seasons use; but then release the Cow, Unfit for Love, and for the lab'ring Plough. Now while their Youth is fill'd with kindly Fire, Submit thy Females to the lusty Sire: Watch the quick motions of the frisking Tail, Then serve their fury with the rushing Male, Indulging Pleasure lest the Breed shou'd fail. In Youth alone, unhappy Mortals live; But, ah! the mighty Bliss is fugitive; Discolour'd Sickness, anxious Labour come, And Age, and Death's inexorable Doom. Yearly thy Herds in vigour will impair; Recruit and mend 'em with thy Yearly care: Still propagate, for still they fall away, Tis Prudence to prevent th' entire decay. Like Diligence requires the Courser's Race; In early Choice; and for a longer space.