mutare et campos pedibus transire videmur."

4.453

The foregoing passages are evidencies of acquaintanc with and interest in Nature on the part of Lucretius.

From the following passages chiefly, must be made

the estimate of whatever appreciation of Nature Lucretius felt beyond that of the mere scientific observer.

The opening verses of the book may be first taken:

"Aeneadum genetrix, hominum divomque voluptas,

alma Venus, caeli subter labentia signa

quae mare navigerum, quae terras frugiferentis

concelebras, per te quonian genus onme animatum

concipitur visitque exortum lumina solis

te, dea, te fugiunt venti, te nubila caeli
adventumque tuum, tibi suavis daedala tellus
summittit flores, tibi rident aequora ponti
placatumque nitet diffuso lumine caelum.
nam simul ac species patefactast verna diei
et reserata viget genitabilis aura favoni,
aeriae primum volucres te, diva, tuumque
significat initum perculsae corda tua vi.
inde ferae pecudes persultant pabula laeta
et rapidos tranant amnis: ita capta lepore
te sequitur cupide quo quamque inducere pergis.

1.1

"The invocation of Venus as the genetic force of

Nature, by Lucretius seems to me the one sunburst of pure poetic inspiration the Latin language can show."

J.R.Lowell.

(1)

In Venus is represented that life giving, all-ruling force which pervades the universe. "The genial force of Na is apprehended as a living all-pervading energy, the cause of all life, joy, beauty and order in the world." Earth, sea and sky pass in turn before the reader, in panorama, glowing with the life and energy of spring.

In another passage spring is again pictured, among her sister seasons, as in procession they make the round of the year.

"It ver et Venus, et veris praenuntius ante
pannatus graditur zephyrus, vestigia propter
Flora quibus mater praespargens ante viai
cuncta coloribus egregiis et odoribus opplet.
inde loci sequitur calor aridus et comes una
pulverulenta Ceres et etesia flabra aquilonum.
inde autumnus adit, graditur simul Euhius Euan.
inde aliae tempestates ventique secuntur,
altitonans Volturnus et auster fulmine pollens.
tandem bruna nives adfert pigrumque rigorem,

prodit hiemps, sequitur crepitans hanc dentibus alg

(1) Sellar, Roman Poets of the Republic p.344.

5.737.