VI.

Thou dost visit Earth's soil thirsting-for

=

Showers, and from3 bosom3 of pregnant

Cloud pourest the genial rill* on the

Slothful fields.

VII.

At Thy-wordt the channel' swelling with the stream ever Renews the waste1 fields with joyous crop,

The plains with flowers,

recesses of groves

With leaves. +

VIII.

The poor tenant of the cottage§ shall rejoice,
Attending his she-goats distended with milk:
The hills shall echo,|| and the wood friendly

To wearied oxen.

IX.

The rich-harvest¶ waving with gold
Shall cherish the ploughman's hopes,
While he sings to Thee in holiday-time**

II.

Clio hears, and, meditating with herself,

Echoes

=

the song heard;

The lofty laurels around tremble* with

Their highest spray.†

III.

He echoes it, reposing in shady groves,‡
Either who tenants the fields of = Calpe,
Or who drinks the wandering streams of
Fabled Ganges.

IV.

You it becomes to celebrate2 the soft

=

Whispers of fickle1 virgins in song:

Or the rewards furtively snatched from

The nymph feigning-resistance.§

V.

You it becomes (to sing of) cups, and Bacchus

Himself, graced with the vine-leaf,

=

You (it becomes) to sing in humble verse of

The wanton Fauns.

VI.

Next in your verse, to be heard afar,
Shall be sung the age of mighty Cæsar :
Whose right hand the branch of gentle

Olive has adorned.

VII.

You shall sing the watchful cares of the Senate,

How it looks*-down exalted3¶ with calm3**
On the blind passions of those rebelling?

With varied tumult.2

eye3

VIII.

=

Meanwhile I, reclining in my grotto,
Here where trickling streams leap,

Will leisurely distribute elaborate verses

Among* Nymphs.

IX.

=

Quill, I will set-to-tune the mutual fire,
With which Araminta burns my breast

Through her dark eyes.

X.

I will relate with what arrows= =Venus'
Son assailedt us; how the indissolublet
Bond now holds us ().

I will sing the grace of her brow,

And with what nectar Venus has tinged

Her mouth at-birth.||

XII.

Youth hovers around her;

When once she presses the ground** with her foot,tt

=

She goes in-company§§ with maidens to the
Lyre:2 or in cool stream laves

Such Dione2 = =

XIV.

stood on Ida's* plains

Before the Phrygian shepherd,

When Gargarat admired-with-awe‡ the

Beauty of the Goddess.

XV.

Such too (is) the Moon§ with her pure torch,

Bright glory of heaven, when with serene radiance,* Outshining the stars, she tinges the dark

Waters of the deep.

XVI.

O may it be allowed me through long years,
Removed from profane people,

Free from cares with thee, Araminta,

The ardour of courage grows with perilous**
Ventures,' and the youthful strength3 of early
Life strivest† with weapons

III.

So when Aquilo with = storms
Designs wars to the mountain Euri,

And Notus, and Auster resounding

With showers;

IV.

On one side the gale raises

=

mountains (of water),

On another the shore3 patient of the

Groans, and the echoing* deep is

Dashed on rocks.

V.

Yet softer the rage of the vexed sea,

More gentle Aquilo when storms† are roused,

Than the whirlwind, O Publius, that-shakes the

Minds of youth.3

VI.

On-the-deep § where Auster rode,

=

Vessels fly impelled by oars:

Light breezes, and Iapyx with swelling sail,

Drives them3 on.

VII.

Few3 agitated3 breasts which either

Fear of Right, or Ambition¶ dreadful' with
Unerring1 bow,' has once1 transfixed,2 subside

When their cares" ** are-lulled.3

VIII.

You would contend†† more bravely in taming
The spirit of youth,' than if you should lay3‡‡
Yokes2 on bulls at2-play,§§ or horse's||| bits on
An African TT Lion.