Page:Virgil - The Georgics, Thomas Nevile, 1767.djvu/118

 

This done, of two years next they choose a steer,
Whose horns just curling o'er his front appear: 350
Forceful each avenue of breath they close;
Of the dead beast the bowels, bruis'd by blows,
Dissolve, the skin entire: beneath they spread
Of thyme, fresh casia, and green sprigs, a bed:
The body, thus dispos'd, is left confin'd: 355
This they perform, when with the western wind
The waves first ruffle; ere, by Spring new-drest,
The bloomy meads display their various vest;
Or swallow twittering, as she wheels her flight,
Suspends her dwelling on the rafter's height. 360
Meantime, fermenting in the ribs with heat,
The juices glow; and first, devoid of feet,
Insects in wondrous sort are seen; then throng
With rustling wings; and now, strong and more strong,
Tempt the thin air; till, as from summer-clouds 365
A rattling show'r, they've burst their way in crouds;
Or, from the twanging string as arrows fly,
When the light Parthians the first onset try.
Say, what God deign'd the secret to impart?
Say, Muse! from what beginnings grew this art? 370

The plains of Peneus Aristæus left,
By pine, and sickness, of his bees bereft;

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