42
THE POEMS
He smil'd, he kiss'd them, and by kissing grew.
Let those love now, who never lov'd before;
Let those who always lov'd, now love the more.
Let those love now, who never lov'd before;
Let those who always lov'd, now love the more.
Now bulls o'er stalks of broom extend their sides,
Secure of favours from their lowing brides.
Now stately rams their fleecy consorts lead,
Who bleating follow through the wandering shade.
And now the Goddess bids the birds appear,
Raise all their music, and salute the year.
Then deep the swan begins, and deep the song
Runs o'er the water where he sails along;
While Philomela tunes a treble strain,
And from the poplar charms the listening plain.
We fancy love express'd at every note,[1]
Secure of favours from their lowing brides.
Now stately rams their fleecy consorts lead,
Who bleating follow through the wandering shade.
And now the Goddess bids the birds appear,
Raise all their music, and salute the year.
Then deep the swan begins, and deep the song
Runs o'er the water where he sails along;
While Philomela tunes a treble strain,
And from the poplar charms the listening plain.
We fancy love express'd at every note,[1]
- ↑ Ipsa florum delicatis educavit osculis.
Cras amet, qui numquam amavit; quique
amavit, cras amet.Ecce, jam super genistas explicant tauri latus!
Quisque tuus quo tenetur conjugali fœdere.
Subter umbras cum maritis ecce balantum greges:
Et canoras non tacere diva jussit alites.
Jam loquaces ore rauco stagna cygni perstrepunt:
Adsonat Terei puella subter umbram populi;
Ut putas motus amoris ore dici musico,
Et neges queri sororem de marito barbaro.
