"From fields and mountains to my song repair.
"For patrium linquens nemus, saltusque Lycaei—Very well explained!
Ver. 23, 24.
"Inventor Pallas, of the fatt'ning oil,
Thou founder of the plough, and ploughman's toil!
"Written as if these had been Pallas's invention. The ploughman's toil's impertinent.
Ver. 25.
"The shroud-like cypress——
"Why shroud-like? Is a cypress pulled up by the roots, which the sculpture in the last Eclogue fills Silvanus's hand with, so very like a shroud? Or did not Mr. D. think of that kind of cypress used often for scarves and hatbands, at funerals formerly, or for widows' veils, &c. ? If so, 'twas a deep, good thought.
Ver. 26.
"That wear
The royal honours, and increase the year.