Remedia amoris
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Original / primary: Perseus Eng2
169.174
Our country work and tillage can disarm
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Your am'rous cares, for ev'ry grief a charm.The ancients are almost always happy in the description of a country life.
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Yoke oxen, plough the painful field, you'll find
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The wounded earth will cure your love-sick mind.
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Then trust your grain to the new-furrow'd soil,
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That with large int'rest will requite your toll.
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Behold what kind returns your fruit-trees send;
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Down to your hand the burden'd branches bend.
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Belold a murmuring brook thro' pastures glide,
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Behold the grazing sheep on either side;
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While in the shade his pipe the shepherd tries,
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The watchfull dog his master's cares supplies;
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With loud complaints another grove is till'd
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Of heifers lowing for their firstlings killd.
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What pleasure 'tis with smoke of yew to drive
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The mur'ring swarm, and seize the loaden hive.
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All seasons friendly to the swain are found;
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Autumn withfruit, with harvest summer's crown'd
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The spring's adorn'd with flowers to charm the eye
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And winter fires the absent sun supply.
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At certain times you'll see the vintage full,
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And for your wine-press may choice clusters cull;
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At certain times your ponderous sheafs may bind,
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Yet for the rake leave work enough behind.
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In mellow ground, your plants no wat'ring need;
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The thirsty you from neighb'ring springs may feed.
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Then, grafting, make old stocks sprout fresh and green,
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And various fruits in one proud branch be seen.
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When once these pleasures have your mind possess'd,
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Love soon departs like a neglected guest.
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Hunt, if the dull distemper you'd remove;
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Diana will too hard for Venus prove.
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Thro' all her doubling shifts the hare pursue,
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Or spread your toil upon the mountain's brew:
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E'en when the stag's at bay provoke his rage,
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Or with your spear the foaming boar engage.
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Thus tir'd, your rest at night will prove so deep,
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Dreams of your mistress ne'er will haunt your sleep.
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'Tis easier work, yet 'twill require your care,
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The feather'd game with birdlime to ensnare;
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Or else for fish your bearded hook to bait,
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And for your art's success with patience wait.
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Thro' sports like these you'll steal into relief,
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And while your time you cozen, cheat your grief.