THE FLEECE
IN FOUR BOOKS
"Post majores quadrupedes ovilli pecoris secunda ratio est, quae prima sit, si ad utilitatis magnitudinem referas: nam id praecipue nos contra frigoris violentiam protegit, corporibusque nostris liberaliora praebet velamina."
["After the larger animals, our concern is with sheep, which would come first, if extent of usefulness were considered; for they furnish us with excellent clothes, and before all others protect us from the cold."]
BOOK I
The care of sheep, the labours of the loom,
And arts of trade, I sing. Ye rural Nymphs!
Ye Swains, and princely Merchants! aid the verse.
And ye, high-trusted Guardians of our Isle
Whom public voice approves, or lot of birth,5
To the great charge assigns! ye Good of all
Degrees, all sects! be present to my song.
So may distress, and wretchedness, and want,
The wide felicities of labour learn:
So may the proud attempts of restless Gaul10
From our strong borders, like a broken wave,
In empty foam retire. But chiefly Thou,
The people's Shepherd, eminently plac'd
