Georgics

Virgil

Vergil. The Poems of Vergil. Rhoades, James, translator. London: Oxford University Press, 1921.

  1. But if fierce squadrons and the ranks of war
  2. Delight thee rather, or on wheels to glide
  3. At Pisa, with Alpheus fleeting by,
  4. And in the grove of Jupiter urge on
  5. The flying chariot, be your steed's first task
  6. To face the warrior's armed rage, and brook
  7. The trumpet, and long roar of rumbling wheels,
  8. And clink of chiming bridles in the stall;
  9. Then more and more to love his master's voice
  10. Caressing, or loud hand that claps his neck.
  11. Ay, thus far let him learn to dare, when first
  12. Weaned from his mother, and his mouth at times
  13. Yield to the supple halter, even while yet
  14. Weak, tottering-limbed, and ignorant of life.
  15. But, three years ended, when the fourth arrives,
  16. Now let him tarry not to run the ring
  17. With rhythmic hoof-beat echoing, and now learn
  18. Alternately to curve each bending leg,
  19. And be like one that struggleth; then at last
  20. Challenge the winds to race him, and at speed
  21. Launched through the open, like a reinless thing,
  22. Scarce print his footsteps on the surface-sand.
  23. As when with power from Hyperborean climes
  24. The north wind stoops, and scatters from his path
  25. Dry clouds and storms of Scythia; the tall corn
  26. And rippling plains 'gin shiver with light gusts;
  27. A sound is heard among the forest-tops;
  28. Long waves come racing shoreward: fast he flies,
  29. With instant pinion sweeping earth and main.
  30. A steed like this or on the mighty course
  31. Of Elis at the goal will sweat, and shower
  32. Red foam-flakes from his mouth, or, kindlier task,
  33. With patient neck support the Belgian car.
  34. Then, broken at last, let swell their burly frame
  35. With fattening corn-mash, for, unbroke, they will
  36. With pride wax wanton, and, when caught, refuse
  37. Tough lash to brook or jagged curb obey.
  1. But no device so fortifies their power
  2. As love's blind stings of passion to forefend,
  3. Whether on steed or steer thy choice be set.
  4. Ay, therefore 'tis they banish bulls afar
  5. To solitary pastures, or behind
  6. Some mountain-barrier, or broad streams beyond,
  7. Or else in plenteous stalls pen fast at home.
  8. For, even through sight of her, the female wastes
  9. His strength with smouldering fire, till he forget
  10. Both grass and woodland. She indeed full oft
  11. With her sweet charms can lovers proud compel
  12. To battle for the conquest horn to horn.
  13. In Sila's forest feeds the heifer fair,
  14. While each on each the furious rivals run;
  15. Wound follows wound; the black blood laves their limbs;
  16. Horns push and strive against opposing horns,
  17. With mighty groaning; all the forest-side
  18. And far Olympus bellow back the roar.
  19. Nor wont the champions in one stall to couch;
  20. But he that's worsted hies him to strange climes
  21. Far off, an exile, moaning much the shame,
  22. The blows of that proud conqueror, then love's loss
  23. Avenged not; with one glance toward the byre,
  24. His ancient royalties behind him lie.
  25. So with all heed his strength he practiseth,
  26. And nightlong makes the hard bare stones his bed,
  27. And feeds on prickly leaf and pointed rush,
  28. And proves himself, and butting at a tree
  29. Learns to fling wrath into his horns, with blows
  30. Provokes the air, and scattering clouds of sand
  31. Makes prelude of the battle; afterward,
  32. With strength repaired and gathered might breaks camp,
  33. And hurls him headlong on the unthinking foe:
  34. As in mid ocean when a wave far of
  35. Begins to whiten, mustering from the main
  36. Its rounded breast, and, onward rolled to land
  37. Falls with prodigious roar among the rocks,
  38. Huge as a very mountain: but the depths
  39. Upseethe in swirling eddies, and disgorge
  40. The murky sand-lees from their sunken bed.