A thousand fylvans, demigods, and gods,
That haunt our mountains and our Alban woods. But if you'll profper, mark what I advise, Whom age and long experience render wife,
And one whose tender care is far above
All that these lovers ever felt of love,
(Far more than e'er can by yourself be guest)
Fix on Vertumnus, and reject the rest. For his firm faith I dare engage my own; Scarce to himself, himself is better known. To distant lands Vertumnus never roves; Like you, contented with his native groves ; Nor at first sight, like most, admires the fair; For you he lives; and you alone shall share
His last affection, as his early care. Besides, he's lovely far above the rest,
With youth immortal, and with beauty blest. Add, that he varies ev'ry shape with ease, And tries all forms that may Pomona please, But what should most excite a mutual flame, Your rural cares and pleasures are the fame : To him your orchards early fruits are due, (A pleasing off'ring when 'tis made by you) He values these; but yet (alas) complains, That still the best and dearest gift remains. Not the fair fruit that on yon branches glows With that ripe red th' autumnal fun bestows; Nor tasteful herbs that in these gardens rife, Which the kind foil with milky sap supplies;
Nec quidquam, nifi te. miserere ardentis: et ipfum,
Qui pètit, ore meo præfentem crede precari
Sic tibi nec vernum nafcentia frigus adurat
Poma; nec excutiant rapidi florentia venti.
Hæc ubi nequicquam formas Deus aptus in omnes,
Edidit; in juvenem rediit: et anilia demit Instrumenta fibi: talisque adparuit illi, Qualis ubi oppofitas nitidissima solis imago
Evicit nubes, nullaque obstante reluxit.
Vimque parat: fed vi non est opus; inque figura Capta Dei Nympha est, et mutua vulnera fentit.
You, only you, can move the God's defire: Oh crown fo constant and so pure a fire! Let foft compaffion touch your gentle mind; Think, 'tis Vertumnus begs you to be kind! So may no froft, when early buds appear, Destroy the promise of the youthful year; Nor winds, when first your florid orchard blows, Shake the light blossoms from their blasted boughs! This when the various God had urg'd in vain,
He straight assum'd his native form again; Such, and fo bright an aspect now he bears, As when through clouds th' emerging fun appears,
And thence exerting his refulgent ray,
Dispels the darkness, and reveals the day. Force he prepar'd, but check'd the rash design; For when, appearing in a form divine,
The Nymph furveys him, and beholds the grace Of charming features, and a youthful face !
In her foft breast confenting passions move,
And the warm maid confefs'd a mutual love.
Nec quidquam, nifi te. miferere ardentis: et ipfum, Qui pètit, ore meo præfentem crede precari- Sic tibi nec vernum nafcentia frigus adurat Poma; nec excutiant rapidi florentia venti.
Hæc ubi nequicquam formas Deus aptus in omnes,
Edidit; in juvenem rediit: et anilia demit Instrumenta sibi : talisque adparuit illi, Qualis ubi oppofitas nitidissima solis imago Evicit nubes, nullaque obstante reluxit.
Vimque parat: fed vi non est opus; inque figura
Capta Dei Nympha est, et mutua vulnera fentit.
DONE BY THE AUTHOR IN HIS YOUTH.
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