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The Eclogues and Georgics of Virgil, tr. into Engl. verse by J.M. King
The Eclogues and Georgics of Virgil tr into Engl verse by JM King Author:Publius Vergilius Maro Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: Deas Sir Thomas Aoland, When you called at the Vicarage in the Autumn, after showing your kindly interest in Alice by asking what new bee was buzzing in her o... more »wn bonnet, you added, " Tell your father I am expecting some more from him." Now, there was nothing more in the grove at Mantua save a few shrubs that grew at the entrance, and I am afraid that I have bruised the flowers of these, as I fashioned them into a Plaything for Yours very sincerely, AN USED-UP VICAR. OUTCOMBE VlCARAOE, Januiry 1st, 1879. chapter{Section 4THE ECLOGUES. ECLOGUE I. Octaviu8 Cesar had assigned grants of land in Mantua, the birthplace of Virgil, to veterans of his army, by whom many of the occupiers were displaced. Virgil, through the favour of Pollio, the military governor, and the interest of his patron Maecenas with Caesar, retained possession of his lands. In the person of Tityrus he here represents himself, in that of Meli- bii:us an ejected countryman. Melieceus. Thou, Tityrus, in the idle shade, By some wide-spreading beech-tree made, May'st tune thy pipe, and hum thy song. Silent, in grief, we trudge along, Leave our sweet homes, and quit the soil 5 Made sacred by our fathers' toil; Whilst soft thy love-note fills the air— " Young Amaryllis, thou art fair." Tittrus. Sure, 'twas a god this ease did give: A god I'll hold him whilst I live. 10 For him shall be my firstlings slain, Who bade my oxen graze the plain; Whilst I, in safety as they stray, Consume in melody the day. Melibceus. I wonder, but I envy not: 15 Confusion reigns in every spot. My strength is gone; my spirits fail: Ah me! no shepherd's arts prevail. The dam amidst the hazels lies, And in untimely labour dies; 20 Twin Iambs, the choicest of my floc...« less