Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 1.pdf/373

That length of Region, and large Tract of Ground,415
In this one Art a sure relief have found.
First, in a place, by Nature close, they build
A narrow Flooring, gutter'd, wall'd, and til'd.
In this, four Windows are contriv'd, that strike419
To the four Winds oppos'd, their Beams oblique.
A Steer of two Years old they take, whose Head
Now first with burnish'd Horns begins to spread:
They stop his Nostrils, while he strives in vain
To breath free Air, and struggles with his Pain.
Knock'd down, he dyes: his Bowels bruis'd within,
Betray no Wound on his unbroken Skin.426
Extended thus, in this obscene Abode,
They leave the Beast; but first sweet Flow'rs are strow'd
Beneath his Body, broken Boughs and Thyme,
And pleasing Cassia just renew'd in prime.430
This must be done, e'er Spring makes equal Day,
When Western Winds on curling Waters play:
E'er painted Meads produce their Flow'ry Crops,
Or Swallows twitter on the Chimney Tops.
The tainted Blood, in this close Prison pent,435
Begins to boyl and through the Bones ferment.
Then, wondrous to behold, new Creatures rise,
A moving Mass at first, and short of Thighs;
Till shooting out with Legs, and imp'd with Wings,
The Grubs proceed to Bees with pointed Stings:440
And more and more affecting Air, they try
Their tender Pinions, and begin to fly: