282 SYLVA BOOK iv 



And those strong blasts sent from the stormy east. 



Wherefore to hinder these from doing harm, 



You must your trees with walls defensive arm. 



To such warm seats they ever are inclin'd, 



Where they avoid the fury of the wind. 



These plants besides that they this cold would shun, 



Look for th' Assyrian, and the Median sun. 



In parched Africa they flourish more, 



Than if they grow by Strymon's icy shore. 



Lest then the frost, or barb'rous north should blast 



Your flow'rs, while all the sky is over-cast 



With duskish clouds, sheds set apart prepare, 



To guard them from the winter's piercing air : 



Till the kind sun these tempests do's disperse, 



And with his influence chears the universe. 



Then calmer breezes shall o're storms prevail, 



And your fresh groves shall sweet perfumes exhale. 



These trees are various, and the fruits they bear, 

 Are different too. The limons always are 

 Of oval figure, underneath whose rind 

 A juice ungrateful to our taste we find. 

 But though at first our palates it displease, 

 Yet better with our stomach it agrees. 

 Others less sharp do in Hetruria spring ; 

 Some, that are mild, from Portugal we bring. 

 Another sort from old Aurantia came, 

 To which that city does impart its name. 

 Hard by Dircaean Aracynthus lies 

 This ancient town ; the orange hence does rise, 

 To which in rind and juice the limons yield, 

 By each new soil new tastes are oft instill'd. 



Mind not the fables by the Grecians told 

 Of the Hesperian sisters, who of old 

 On vast Mount Atlas, near the Libyan sea, 

 With greatest care did cultivate this tree 

 Of fierce Alcides, who by force brake in, 

 And in the spoils of the Nemean skin ; 

 And from the dragon, who securely slept, 

 Stole, with success, the apples which he kept. 

 Return'd to the Aventine, he sets that hill, 

 With orange-trees, which Italy now fill. 



