Page:Virgil - The Georgics, Thomas Nevile, 1767.djvu/81

 Book III. Of these an early trial must he make,

When first his dam you force him to forsake;

Let him to soft thongs yield his mouth, of years

While raw, yet weak, yet trembling, full of fears.

Three summers past, and now the fourth begun,

Strait let him learn the mazy round to run,

In measur'd march sonorous bound, in state

Shift his quick-glancing legs, and labour in his gait;

Then brave the winds in swiftness, o'er the plain

Urge his free flight, unconscious of the rein,

His light hoof leaving scarce a print behind:

So pours from Scythian coasts the dense North-wind;

Scatter'd in air clouds, storms, before him fly;

The floating fields, and tall crops waving high

Roughen; the forests rustle; with long sweep

Press to the shore the billows of the deep;

O'er land, o'er seas, he drives with winged speed:

Form'd for the ring of Elis such a steed

Churning red foam will panting grace the goal,

Or with soft neck the Belgic chariots roll.

Now is the time, when, tam'd with proper care,

Your colts may riot in abundant fare;

Pamper'd too soon they rise in rage, unfit

To bear the scourge, and heed the galling bit.

But