Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 1.pdf/326

162 The soft Seducer, with enticing Looks, The bellowing Rivals to the Fight provokes.
 * A beauteous Heifer in the Woods is bred;

The stooping Warriors, aiming Head to Head, Engage their clashing Horns; with dreadful Sound The Forrest rattles, and the Rocks rebound. They fence, they push, and pushing loudly roar; Their Dewlaps and their Sides are bath'd in Gore. Nor when the War is over, is it Peace; Nor will the vanquish'd Bull his Claim release: But feeding in his Breast his ancient Fires, And cursing Fate, from his proud Foe retires. Driv'n from his native Land, to foreign Grounds, He with a gen'rous Rage resents his Wounds; His ignominious Flight, the Victor's boast, And more than both, the Loves, which unreveng'd he lost. Often he turns his Eyes, and, with a Groan, Surveys the pleasing Kingdoms, once his own. And therefore to repair his Strength he tries: Hardning his Limbs with painful Exercise, And rough upon the flinty Rock he lyes. On prickly Leaves, and on sharp Herbs he feeds, Then to the Prelude of a War proceeds. His Horns, yet sore, he tries against a Tree: And meditates his absent Enemy. He snuffs the Wind, his heels the Sand excite; But, when he stands collected in his might, He roars, and promises a more successful Fight.