Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 1.pdf/369

Geor. IV. Besides, not Egypt, India, Media more With servile Awe, their Idol King adore: While he survives, in Concord and Content The Commons live, by no Divisions rent; But the great Monarch's Death dissolves the Government. All goes to Ruin, they themselves contrive To rob the Honey, and subvert the Hive. The King presides, his Subjects Toil surveys; The servile Rout their careful Cæsar praise: Him they extol, they worship him alone, They crowd his Levees, and support his Throne: They raise him on their shoulders with a Shout: And when their Sov'raign's Quarrel calls 'em out, His Foes to mortal Combat they defie, And think it honour at his feet to die. Induc'd by such Examples, some have taught That Bees have Portions of Etherial Thought: Endu'd with Particles of Heavenly Fires: For God the whole created Mass inspires; Thro' Heav'n, and Earth, and Oceans depth he throws His Influence round, and kindles as he goes. Hence Flocks, and Herds, and Men, and Beasts, and Fowls With Breath are quicken'd; and attract their Souls. Hence take the Forms his Prescience did ordain, And into him at length resolve again. No room is left for Death, they mount the Sky, And to their own congenial Planets fly. Rh