Page:The history of silk, cotton, linen, wool, and other fibrous substances 2.djvu/326

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have been already quoted, as they refer also to the sheep of Tarentum: to these the seven following may be added.

In the Tartessian lands a house appears,
Where Cordova o'er placid Bætis rears
Her wealthy domes; and where the fleeces show
Metallic tints, like living gold that glow.

ix. 62.

Corduba, more joyous far
  Than Venafrum's unctuous boast;
Nor inferior to the jar,
  That renowns glad Istria's coast:
Who surmount'st the fleecy breed,
  That the bright Galesus laves;
Nor bidd'st lying purple bleed
  O'er the hue, that nature craves.

xii. 63.—Elphinston's Translation.

Bætis, with wreaths of unctuous olive crown'd,
For Bacchus' and for Pallas' gifts renown'd;
Whose waters clear a golden hue impart
To fleeces, that require no further art;
Such wealth the Ruler of the waves conveys
In ships, that mark with foam thy liquid ways.

xii. 99.


Lacernas from Bætica.

My wool disdains a lye, or caldron hue.
Poor Tyre may take it: me my sheep imbue.

xiv. 133.—Elphinston's Translation

Charming Ero's golden lock
Beat the fleece of Bætic flock.

v. 37. See § 21.—Ib.

Bætic fleeces, many a pound.

xii. 65. l. 5.

Let him commend the sober native hues;
Of Bætic drab, or gray, lacernas choose,
Who thinks no man in scarlet should appear,
And only women pink or purple wear.

i. 97.

The numerous passages, which have now been produced relative to the native colors of the Spanish wool, explain the following line of Virgil, in which he describes the clothing of a warrior;

With broider'd chlamys bright, and Spanish rust.

Æn. ix 582