Eclogue IX. — Single Lines on each Month

Thou, Janus, beginnest the first calends of the Roman year. Numa established the Februa in the next month. The month of Mars brought in the opening of the old-style year. Kindly Venus claims April, month of fertility. May was so called to celebrate our ancestors (maiores). June is the title of the next period in the year. Julius enriched Quintilis with a Caesar's name. August follows Caesar's name. September brings Autumn, thy season, O Pomona, with wealth of fruits. October enriches the fields with usury of grain. Thou hurlest the stars headlong into the sea, unwholesome November. Thou spendest cheerful winter, festal December.