University of Virginia Library

I.

On the river's shady side
White his gather'd flock appears,
And, plung'd into the flashing tide,
Their curl'd and snowy fleece he shears;

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But when, 'mid laughing fields diffusive spread,
Majestic Autumn rears her placid head,
Wreath'd with wheaten garlands yellow,
Bearing various fruitage mellow,
How gladly from the trees, that loaded stand,
Shakes he the ripen'd pears, engrafted by his hand;

II.

Or his swelling grapes, that vie
With the fleece of Tyrian stain!
Such precious gifts his grateful cares supply
To thee protector of his wide domain,
Bounteous Sylvanus!—and to thee,
The garden's watchful Deity;
Beneath your favouring power he little cares
Who wields the Lictor's rod, or who the fasces bears.