Page:Virgil - The Georgics, Thomas Nevile, 1767.djvu/45

 

And oft one plant by easy change we see
Assume the branches of an alien tree:
Thus on the plum blush cornels; and the pear,
Transform'd, inserted apples knows to bear. 40
Rise ye, to whom this province is assign'd,
And learn the culture proper to each kind;
The savage fruits by art to soften try,
Nor let your lands in sloth neglected lie:
What joy on Ism'rus rows of vines to spread, 45
And clothe with olives great Taburnus' head!

Come then, my pride! my glory! in whose name
I boast the greatest part of all my fame,
With me pursue the destin'd task, and deign
To give the loosen'd canvass to the main: 50
Not that I hope, had I an hundred tongues,
An hundred mouths, and brass-resounding lungs,
To croud so vast a subject in my song:
Come then, the first shore's margin coast along!
The land's in view: no fictions I'll display, 55
Nor in preambles vain your course delay.

Trees, that spontaneous shoot into the skies,
Fruitless indeed, but fair and sturdy rise,
Strong nature working in the soil; yet these
Wild as they are, will take what forms, you please,

And