Falce data frondator erat, vitisque putator.
Induerat fcalas, lecturum poma putares :
Miles erat gladio, pifcator arundine sumta.
Denique per multas aditum fibi faepe figuras
Repperit, ut caperet spectatae gaudia formae.
Ille etiam picta redimitus tempora mitra,
Innitens baculo, pofitis ad tempora canis,
Adfimulavit anum: cultofque intravit in hortos ;
Pomaque mirata eft: Tantoque potentior, inquit.
Paucaque laudatae dedit ofcula; qualia nunquam
Vera dediffet anus: glebaque incurva refedit,
Sufpiciens pandos autumni pondere ramos.
Ulmus erat contra, spatiosa tumentibus uvis : 60
Quam focia poftquam pariter cum vite probavit;
At fi ftaret, ait, coelebs, fine palmite truncus,
Nil praeter frondes, quare peteretur, haberet.

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Now gath'ring what the bounteous year allows,
He pulls ripe apples from the bending boughs. 40
A foldier now, he with his fword appears;
A fisher next, his trembling angle bears;
Each fhape he varies, and each art he tries,
On her bright charms to feast his longing eyes.
A female form at laft Vertumnus wears, 451
With all the marks of rev'rend age appears,

...

His temples thinly spread with filver hairs;

*

*****

Prop'd on his staff, and stooping as he goes, A painted mitre shades his furrow'd brows. The god in this decrepit form array'd, 50 The gardens enter'd, and the fruit survey'd ; And "Happy you! (he thus addrefs'd the maid) "Whose charms as far all other nymphs out-fhine, "As other gardens are excell'd by thine!" Then kifs'd the fair; (his kiffes warmer grow 55 Than fuch as women on their fex beftow.) Then plac'd befide her on the flow'ry ground, Beheld the trees with autumn's bounty crown'd. An Elm was near, to whose embraces led, The curling vine her fwelling clusters spread: 60 He view'd her twining branches with delight, And prais'd the beauty of the pleasing sight.

Haec quoque, quae juncta vitis requiefcit in ulmo,
Ši non nupta foret, terrae adclinata jaceret.
Tu tamen exemplo non tangeris arboris hujus ;
Concubitufque fugis ; nec te conjungere curas.
Atque utinam velles ! Helene non pluribus effet
Sollicitata procis: nec quae Lapitheïa movit
Proelia, nec conjux timidis audacis Ulyffei. 。
Nunc quoque, cum fugias averferifque petentes,
Mille proci cupiunt ; et femideique deique,
Et quaecunque tenent Albanos numina montes.
Sed tu, fi fapies, fi te bene jungere, anumque
Hanc audire voles, (quae te plus omnibus illis, 80
Plus quam credis, amo) vulgares rejice taedas :
Vertumnumque tori focium tibi felige: pro quo
Me quoque pignus habe. neque enim fibi notior
ille eft,

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Quam mihi. nec toto paffim vagus errat in orbe.
Haec loca fola colit: nec, uti pars magna procorum,

Yet this tall elm, but for his vine (he said) Had stood neglected, and a barren shade; And this fair vine, but that her arms furround 65` Her marry'd elm, had crept along the ground. Ah! beauteous maid, let this example move Your mind, averse from all the joys of love. Deign to be lov'd, and ev'ry heart fubdue! What nymph could e'er attract fuch crouds as you? Not she whose beauty urg'd the Centaur's arms,71 Ulyffes' Queen, nor Helen's fatal charms. Ev'n now, when filent Scorn is all they gain, A thousand court you, tho' they court in vain, A thousand fylvans, demigods, and gods,

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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, 80 (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 diftant lands Vertumnus never roves ; 85 Like you, contented with his native groves;

Quam modo vidit, ámát. tu primus et ultimus illi Ardor eris; folique fuos tibi devovet annos. Adde, quod eft juvenis : quod naturale décoris go Munus habet; formafque apte fingetur in omnes; Et, quod erit juffus (jubeas licet omnia) fiet. Quid, quod amatis idem? quod, quae tibi poma coluntur,

Primus habet; laetaque tenet tua munera dextra ? Sed neque jam foetus defiderat arbore demtos, Nec, quas hortus alit, cum fuccis mitibus herbas; Nec quidquam, nifi te. miferere ardentis: et ipfum, Qui petit, ore meo praefentem crede precari.--Sic tibi nec vernum nafcentia frigus adurat Poma; nec excutiant rapidi florentia venti. 11☀