Direct reading · Original
Book 3 · lines 1–15
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1E tenebris tantis tam clarum extollere lumen
2qui primus potuisti inlustrans commoda vitae,
3te sequor, o Graiae gentis decus, inque tuis nunc
4ficta pedum pono pressis vestigia signis,
5non ita certandi cupidus quam propter amorem
6quod te imitari aveo; quid enim contendat hirundo
7cycnis, aut quid nam tremulis facere artubus haedi
8consimile in cursu possint et fortis equi vis?
9tu, pater, es rerum inventor, tu patria nobis
10suppeditas praecepta, tuisque ex, inclute, chartis,
11floriferis ut apes in saltibus omnia libant,
12omnia nos itidem depascimur aurea dicta,
13aurea, perpetua semper dignissima vita.
14nam simul ac ratio tua coepit vociferari
15naturam rerum divina mente coorta