147 
*« Choose next a province for thy vineyard’s reign 
On hills above, or in the lowly plain: 
If fertile fields or valleys he thy choice, 
Plant thick , for bounteous Bacchus will rejoice 
In close plantations there. But if the vine 
On rising ground be placed, or hills supine, 
Extend thy loose battalions largely wide, 
Opening thy ranks and files on cither side : 
But marshall’d all in order as they stand, 
And let no soldier straggle from his band.” 
The softness of the Italian climate, and the luxuri¬ 
ance of the vineyards, are supposed to have been the 
lure which tempted the northern hordes to ravage that 
fair land, whose curse has ever been “ the fatal gift of 
beauty.” How fine is the poet’s description ! — 
“ The prostrate South to the destroyer yields 
Her boasted titles and her golden fields: 
With grim delight the brood of winter view 
A brighter day, and heavens of azure hue, 
Scent the new fragrance of the breathing rose. 
And quaff the pendant vintage as it grows.” 
The vine appears to be more fastidious with regard to 
temperature than to soil: it is almost equally adverse to 
extremes of heat and cold, and is only cultivated with 
