it late.
The dog keeps off the depredations of wild animals from fruits and
flocks, and creates security in the solitary place.

[7] Lit. "farming is best adapted to rearing horses along with other
produce."

[8] Lit. "to labour willingly and earnestly at hunting earth helps to
incite us somewhat."

Earth, too, adds stimulus in war-time to earth's tillers; she pricks
them on to aid the country under arms, and this she does by fostering
her fruits in open field, the prize of valour for the mightiest. [9]
For this also is the art athletic, this of husbandry; as thereby men are
fitted to run, and hurl the spear, and leap with the best. [10]

[9] Cf. "Hipparch," viii. 8.

[10] Cf. "Hunting," xii. 1 foll.

This, too, is that kindliest of arts which makes requital tenfold in
kind for every work of the labourer. [11] She is the sweet mistress who,
with smile of welcome and outstretched hand, greets the approach of her
devoted one, seeming to say, Take from me all thy heart's desire. She
is the generous hostess; she keeps open house for the stranger. [12] For
where else, save in some happy rural seat of her devising, shall a man
more cheerily cherish content in winter, with bubbling bath and blazing
fire? or where, save afield, in summer rest more sweetly, lulled by
babbling streams, soft airs, and tender shades? [13]

[11] Lit. "What art makes an ampler return for their labour to those
who work for her? What art more sweetly welcomes him that is
devoted to her?"

[12] Lit. "What art welcomes the stranger with greater prodigality?"

[13] See "Hellenica Essays," p. 380; and as still more to the point,
Cowley's Essays: "Of Agriculture," passim.

Her high prerogative it is to offer fitting first-fruits to high heaven,
hers to furnish forth the overflowing festal board. [14] Hers is a
kindly presence in the household. She is the good wife's favourite,
the children long for her, she waves her hand winningly to the master's
friends.

[14] Or, "to appoint the festal board most bounteously."

For myself, I marvel greatly if it has ever fallen to the lot of
freeborn man to own a choicer possession, or to discover an occupation
more seductive, or of wider usefulness in life than this.

But, furthermore, earth of her own will [15] gives lessons in justice
and uprightness to all who can understand her meaning, since the
nobler the service of devotion rendered, the ampler the riches of
her recomp