History of Annual Plagues. 21 



And leaves the rooted plough, the work half done. 

 The shades of deep'ning groves, the softest meads 

 Move him not now, nor stream through rocky bed 

 That pure as amber freshens all the plain. 

 His flanks are all relax'd, and his dull eye 

 A stupor covers, and to earth his neck 

 Down rushes with the heavy weight it bore. 

 What profit then their service and their toil 1 

 Yet not the sparkUng flow of Massic wine. 

 Nor feasts replenish'd, ever injured them; 

 They feed on leaves, and eat the simplest herbs, 

 Their cup the liquid founts and rapid streams ; 

 They have no cares to break their wholesome sleep.' 



So deadly had been the plague among cattle that 



' No other time, they say, those regions knew 

 When cows were sought for Juno's sacred rites. 

 And unmatch'd bulls drew to her shrine the car. 

 Therefore men toiling break the earth with rakes. 

 And with their very nails prepare the crops, 

 And over lofty hills, with outstretch'd necks, 

 Drag on the creaking cart.' 



The species of the victims increase. 



' The felon wolf 

 No longer lays his plots around the fold, 

 Or takes his nightly walk ; a sterner care 

 Subdues him. Timid deer and flying stags 

 Now amongst dogs and horses range at large ; 

 Whilst of the sea immense, all swimming things 

 On the shore's verge, like shipwreck'd bodies, float, 

 Wash'd by the wave. Phocce to rivers fly, 

 And seek a refuge never known before. 

 In vain defended by his winding den, 

 The viper dies, and with his scales erect. 

 The frightcn'd hydra; while the birds themselves 

 Insufferable find the tainted gale. 

 And fyiUing, leave in lofty air tlieir lives.' 



All remedies seem to have been in vain, for we are told that 



' No change of food affords relief. 

 And art implored destroys ; ' 



