Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 1.pdf/335

Geor. III. This during Winter's drisly Reign be done: 'Till the new Ram receives th' exalted Sun: For hairy Goats of equal profit are With woolly Sheep, and ask an equal Care. 'Tis true, the Fleece, when drunk with Tyrian Juice, Is dearly sold; but not for needful use: For the sallacious Goat encreases more; And twice as largely yields her milky Store. The still distended Udders never fail; But when they seem exhausted swell the Pail. Mean time the Pastor shears their hoary Beards; And eases of their Hair, the loaden Herds. Their Camelots, warm in Tents, the Souldier hold; And shield the wretched Mariner from Cold. On Shrubs they brouze, and on the bleaky Top Of rugged Hills, the thorny Bramble crop. Attended with their Family they come At Night unask'd, and mindful of their home; And scarce their swelling Bags the threshold overcome. So much the more thy diligence bestow In depth of Winter, to defend the Snow: By how much less the tender helpless Kind, For their own ills, can fit Provision find. Then minister the browze, with bounteous hand; And open let thy Stacks all Winter stand. But when the Western Winds with vital pow'r Call forth the tender Grass, and budding Flower;