Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 1.pdf/336

Then, at the last, produce in open Air
Both Flocks; and send 'em to their Summer fare.
Before the Sun, while Hesperus appears;
First let 'em sip from Herbs the pearly tears505
Of Morning Dews: And after break their Fast
On Green-sword Ground; (a cool and grateful taste:)
But when the day's fourth hour has drawn the Dews,
And the Sun's sultry heat their thirst renews;
When creaking Grashoppers on Shrubs complain,510
Then lead 'em to their wat'ring Troughs again,
In Summer's heat, some bending Valley find,
Clos'd from the Sun, but open to the Wind:
Or seek some ancient Oak, whose Arms extend
In ample breadth, thy Cattle to defend:515
Or solitary Grove, or gloomy Glade:
To shield 'em with its venerable Shade.
Once more to wat'ring lead; and feed again
When the low Sun is sinking to the Main.
When rising Cynthia sheds her silver Dews;520
And the cool Evening-breeze the Meads renews:
When Linnets fill the Woods with tuneful sound,
And hollow shoars the Halcions Voice rebound.
Why shou'd my Muse enlarge on Lybian Swains;
Their scatter'd Cottages, and ample Plains?525
Where oft the Flocks, without a Leader stray;$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$
Or through continu'd Desarts take their way;
And, feeding, add the length of Night to Day.