Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 1.pdf/365

Geor. IV. For late returning home he sup'd at ease, And wisely deem'd the Wealth of Monarchs less: The little of his own, because his own, did please. To quit his Care, he gather'd first of all In Spring the Roses, Apples in the Fall: And when cold Winter split the Rocks in twain, And Ice the running Rivers did restrain, He strip'd the Bears-foot of its leafy growth; And, calling Western Winds, accus'd the Spring of sloath. He therefore first among the Swains was found, To reap the Product of his labour'd Ground, And squeese the Combs with Golden Liquor Crown'd. His Limes were first in Flow'rs, his lofty Pines, With friendly Shade, secur'd his tender Vines. For ev'ry Bloom his Trees in Spring afford, An Autumn Apple was by tale restor'd. He knew to rank his Elms in even rows; For Fruit the grafted Peartree to dispose: And tame to Plums, the sourness of the Sloes. With spreading Planes he made a cool retreat, To shade good Fellows from the Summer's heat. But streighten'd in my space, I must forsake This Task; for others afterwards to take. Describe we next the Nature of the Bees, bestow'd by Jove for secret Services: When by the tinkling Sound of Timbrels led, The King of Heav'n in Cretan Caves they fed.