Page:The Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets, Volume 2.djvu/168

Ver. 5.

The birth and genius of the frugal bee

I sing, Mæcenas, and I sing to thee.

But where did experientia ever signify birth and genius? or what ground was there for such a figure in this place? How much more manly is Mr. Ogylby's version!

What makes rich grounds, in what celestial signs
'Tis good to plough, and marry elms with vines;
What best fits cattle, what with sheep agrees,
And several arts improving frugal bees;
I sing, Mæcenas.

Which four lines, tho' faulty enough, are yet much more to the purpose than Mr. D's fix.

Ver. 22.

From fields and mountains to my song repair.

For patrium linquens nemus, saltusque Lycæi.———"Very well explained!"

Ver. 23, 24.

Inventor Pallas, of the fattening oil,

Thou founder of the plough, and ploughman's toil!