Gardening by Wenceslaus Hollar (Plate 296 - Scenes from Virgil) 1607-1677

"For 'neath the shade of tall Oebalia's towers,
Where dark Galaesus laves the yellowing fields,
An old man once I mind me to have seen-
From Corycus he came- to whom had fallen
Some few poor acres of neglected land,
And they nor fruitful' neath the plodding steer,
Meet for the grazing herd, nor good for vines.
Yet he, the while his meagre garden-herbs
Among the thorns he planted, and all round
White lilies, vervains, and lean poppy set,
In pride of spirit matched the wealth of kings,
And home returning not till night was late,
With unbought plenty heaped his board on high.
He was the first to cull the rose in spring,
He the ripe fruits in autumn; and ere yet
Winter had ceased in sullen ire to rive"

-Virgil, Georgics 4

Gardening by Wenceslaus Hollar (Plate 296 - Scenes from Virgil) 1607-1677.

Source:

https://hollar.library.utoronto.ca/islandora/object/hollar%3AHollar_k_0296

 

Quote:

http://classics.mit.edu/Virgil/georgics.4.iv.html