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of Mars； And famed Achilles' team： in such…like form Great Saturn's self
with mane flung loose on neck Sped at his wife's approach； and flying
filled The heights of Pelion with his piercing neigh。 Even him； when
sore disease or sluggish eld Now saps his strength； pen fast at home； and
spare His not inglorious age。 A horse grown old Slow kindling unto love in
vain prolongs The fruitless task； and； to the encounter come； As fire in
stubble blusters without strength； He rages idly。 Therefore mark thou first
Their age and mettle； other points anon； As breed and lineage； or what
pain was theirs To lose the race； what pride the palm to win。 Seest how the
chariots in mad rivalry Poured from the barrier grip the course and go；
When youthful hope is highest； and every heart Drained with each wild
pulsation？ How they ply The circling lash； and reaching forward let The
reins hang free！ Swift spins the glowing wheel； And now they stoop； and
now erect in air Seem borne through space and towering to the sky： No
stop； no stay； the dun sand whirls aloft； They reek with foam…flakes and
pursuing breath； So sweet is fame； so prized the victor's palm。 'Twas
Ericthonius first took heart to yoke Four horses to his car； and rode above
The whirling wheels to victory： but the ring And bridle…reins； mounted on
horses' backs； The Pelethronian Lapithae bequeathed； And taught the
knight in arms to spurn the ground； And arch the upgathered footsteps of
his pride。 Each task alike is arduous； and for each A horse young； fiery；
swift of foot； they seek； How oft so…e'er yon rival may have chased The
flying foe； or boast his native plain Epirus； or Mycenae's stubborn hold；
And trace his lineage back to Neptune's birth。 These points regarded； as
the time draws nigh； With instant zeal they lavish all their care To plump
with solid fat the chosen chief And designated husband of the herd： And
flowery herbs they cut； and serve him well With corn and running water；
that his strength Not fail him for that labour of delight； Nor puny colts
betray the feeble sire。 The herd itself of purpose they reduce To leanness；
and when love's sweet longing first Provokes them； they forbid the leafy
food； And pen them from the springs； and oft beside With running shake；
and tire them in the sun； What time the threshing…floor groans heavily
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29BC THE GEORGICS
With pounding of the corn…ears； and light chaff Is whirled on high to catch
the rising west。 This do they that the soil's prolific powers May not be
dulled by surfeiting； nor choke The sluggish furrows； but eagerly absorb
Their fill of love； and deeply entertain。 To care of sire the mother's care
succeeds。 When great with young they wander nigh their time； Let no man
suffer them to drag the yoke In heavy wains； nor leap across the way； Nor
scour the meads； nor swim the rushing flood。 In lonely lawns they feed
them； by the course Of brimming streams； where moss is； and the banks
With grass are greenest； where are sheltering caves； And far outstretched
the rock…flung shadow lies。 Round wooded Silarus and the ilex…bowers Of
green Alburnus swarms a winged pest… Its Roman name Asilus； by the
Greeks Termed Oestros… fierce it is； and harshly hums； Driving whole
herds in terror through the groves； Till heaven is madded by their
bellowing din； And Tanager's dry bed and forest…banks。 With this same
scourge did Juno wreak of old The terrors of her wrath； a plague devised
Against the heifer sprung from Inachus。 From this too thou； since in the
noontide heats 'Tis most persistent； fend thy teeming herds； And feed them
when the sun is newly risen； Or the first stars are ushering in the night。
But； yeaning ended； all their tender care Is to the calves transferred； at
once with marks They brand them； both to designate their race； And which
to rear for breeding； or devote As altar…victims； or to cleave the ground
And into ridges tear and turn the sod。 The rest along the greensward graze
at will。 Those that to rustic uses thou wouldst mould； As calves encourage
and take steps to tame； While pliant wills and plastic youth allow。 And first
of slender withies round the throat Loose collars hang； then when their
free…born necks Are used to service； with the self…same bands Yoke them
in pairs； and steer by steer compel Keep pace together。 And time it is that
oft Unfreighted wheels be drawn along the ground Behind them； as to dint
the surface…dust； Then let the beechen axle strain and creak 'Neath some
stout burden； whilst a brazen pole Drags on the wheels made fast thereto。
Meanwhile For their unbroken youth not grass alone； Nor meagre willow…
leaves and marish…sedge； But corn…ears with thy hand pluck from the crops。
Nor shall the brood…kine； as of yore； for thee Brim high the snowy
milking…pail； but spend Their udders' fullness on their own sweet young。
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29BC THE GEORGICS
But if fierce squadrons and the ranks of war Delight thee rather； or on
wheels to glide At Pisa； with Alpheus fleeting by； And in the grove of
Jupiter urge on The flying chariot； be your steed's first task To face the
warrior's armed rage； and brook The trumpet； and long roar of rumbling
wheels； And clink of chiming bridles in the stall； Then more and more to
love his master's voice Caressing； or loud hand that claps his neck。 Ay；
thus far let him learn to dare； when first Weaned from his mother； and his
mouth at times Yield to the supple halter； even while yet Weak； tottering…
limbed； and ignorant of life。 But； three years ended； when the fourth
arrives； Now let him tarry not to run the ring With rhythmic hoof…beat
echoing； and now learn Alternately to curve each bending leg； And be like
one that struggleth； then at last Challenge the winds to race him； and at
speed Launched through the open； like a reinless thing； Scarce print his
footsteps on the surface…sand。 As when with power from Hyperborean
climes The north wind stoops； and scatters from his path Dry clouds and
storms of Scythia； the tall corn And rippling plains 'gin shiver with light
gusts； A sound is heard amon