Page:Virgil - The Georgics, Thomas Nevile, 1767.djvu/40

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28 Book I.

The GEORGICS

Long since the Gods, repining at thy stay,
Would court thee, Caesar, from earth's pomps away.
For now below men right and wrong confound ;
So many wars, such various crimes abound :
No worthy honour to the plough remains ;
The fields all-squalid mourn their ravish'd swains;
Straight swords are hammer'd from the crooked share :
Euphrates maddens here, Germania there :
Confed'rate states discordant rise in arms,
All leagues dissolv'd: fell Mars with dire alarms
Raves round the globe; as pouring from the goal
With added speed the rival chariots roll :
Rapt by the steeds the Racer tugs in vain ;
Swift flies the car, reluctant to the rein.