The Works of Virgil

This page is a folio from the Vergilius Vaticanus (Vat. lat. 3225), an ancient manuscript from approximately 400 CE. The text is written in Rustic Capitals, a formal Roman script. Circular library stamps from the Vatican Library are visible, occasionally overlapping the text.

THE GEORGICS

BOOK III

While we travel around every detail, captivated by love for the subject, time flies. This is enough for the herds original: "armentis"; referring here to the larger livestock like cattle and horses discussed previously.; there remains the second part of my care: to manage the wool-bearing flocks and shaggy goats. Here is a labor; from here, brave farmers, expect praise!

Nor is my mind in doubt as to how great a task it is to master these things in words, and to add this honor to such humble matters. But sweet love sweeps me through the deserted heights of Parnassus A mountain in Greece sacred to Apollo and the Muses; the poet uses this imagery to describe the difficulty and loneliness of creating original poetry.; it is a joy to go over those peaks where no path of my predecessors turns down to the Castalian spring original: "Castaliam"; a spring on Mount Parnassus where poets were said to find inspiration. by a gentle slope.

Now, venerable Pales An ancient Roman goddess of shepherds, flocks, and livestock., now I must sing with a grand voice!

Beginning, I decree that sheep should graze on grass in soft stalls until soon the leafy summer returns, and that you should strew the hard ground beneath them with much straw and handfuls of fern, lest the cold ice harm the tender flock and bring on the mange original: "scabiem"; a skin disease caused by parasitic mites. or foul foot-rot original: "podagras"; literally "gout," but referring here to sheep-pox or hoof infections..

Moving on from here, I command that leafy arbutus be provided for the goats, and that fresh river water be offered, and that their stalls be placed facing away from the winds toward the winter sun, turned toward the midday, at the time when cold Aquarius A constellation and zodiac sign; its "setting" in the late winter signaled the end of the Roman calendar year and the arrival of rainy weather. is already setting and sprinkles the end of the year with his dew. These animals, too, must be guarded by us with no lighter care.