FRUIT OF OLD.
57
Beside the bonfire, stretch'd upon the sod,
Invites and pledges thee, O Vintage-god!
Marks elms for targets to his shepherds' aim,
And bares their muscle for the rustic game. 636
This life of yore the early Sabines led,
And so were Romulus and Remus bred;
Thus brave Etruria flourish'd from her birth,
And Rome was made the fairest thing on earth;
She compass'd with a wall the mountains seven,
Herself in unity confronting heaven. 642
Nay, e'en before Dictæan tyrants' reign,
Before the innocent young beeves were slain,
For godless men their greedy lust to sate, 645
Our golden Saturn kept this earthly state;
Before the nations heard the clarion's peal
Or anvils vibrant to the ring of steel:—
But lo, how far we have scour'd across the lea!
'Tis time to cast our smoking horses free. 650
Invites and pledges thee, O Vintage-god!
Marks elms for targets to his shepherds' aim,
And bares their muscle for the rustic game. 636
This life of yore the early Sabines led,
And so were Romulus and Remus bred;
Thus brave Etruria flourish'd from her birth,
And Rome was made the fairest thing on earth;
She compass'd with a wall the mountains seven,
Herself in unity confronting heaven. 642
Nay, e'en before Dictæan tyrants' reign,
Before the innocent young beeves were slain,
For godless men their greedy lust to sate, 645
Our golden Saturn kept this earthly state;
Before the nations heard the clarion's peal
Or anvils vibrant to the ring of steel:—
But lo, how far we have scour'd across the lea!
'Tis time to cast our smoking horses free. 650
THE END.
CHISWICK PRESS:—PRINTED BY WHITTINGHAM AND WILKINS,
TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE.
