Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 1.pdf/323

Geor. III. Or whom thou shalt to turn thy Glebe allow; To smooth the Furrows, and sustain the Plough: The rest, for whom no Lot is yet decreed, May run in Pastures, and at Pleasure feed. The Calf, by Nature and by Genius made To turn the Glebe, breed to the Rural Trade. Set him betimes to School; and let him be Instructed there in Rules of Husbandry: While yet his Youth is flexible and green; Nor bad Examples of the World has seen. Early begin the stubborn Child to break; For his soft Neck, a supple Collar make Of bending Osiers; and (with time and care Enur'd that easie Servitude to bear) Thy flattering Method on the Youth pursue: Join'd with his School-Fellows, by two and two, Perswade 'em first to lead an empty Wheel, That scarce the dust can raise; or they can feel: In length of Time produce the lab'ring Yoke And shining Shares, that make the Furrow smoak. E'er the licentious Youth be thus restrain'd, Or Moral Precepts on their Minds have gain'd; Their wanton appetites not only feed With delicates of Leaves, and marshy Weed, But with thy Sickle reap the rankest land: And minister the blade, with bounteous hand. Nor be with harmful parsimony won To follow what our homely Sires have done;