CHLOE.

Some one will see us: hist! I hear a sound.

DAPHNIS.

The cypresses thy marriage whisper round.

CHLOE.

My dress is spoiled: ah me! what shall I do?

DAPHNIS.

I'll give thee, love, a better one and new.

CHLOE.

Perhaps e'en salt you will not give to me.

DAPHNIS.

Would I could give my very soul to thee!

CHLOE.

Pardon, Queen Artemis! my broken vow.

DAPHNIS.

Eros a calf, Cypris shall have a cow.

CHLOE.

I go a woman, who a virgin came.

DAPHNIS.

For virgin thine a wife's and mother's name.

Thus whispered they, their youthful prime enjoying, With their fresh limbs in furtive marriage toying. She rose and to her flock went, seeming sad, Blushing and shamefaced, but at heart was glad; And to his herd the happy Daphnis sped,

Rejoicing greatly in his marriage-bed.

IDYL XXVIII.

THE DISTAFF.

DISTAFF! quick implement of busy thrift, Which housewives ply, blue-eyed Athene's gift! We

go to rich Miletus, where is seen

The fane of Cypris 'mid the rushes green :
Praying to mighty Zeus for voyage fair,
Thither to Nicias would I now repair,

Delighting and delighted by my host,

Whom the sweet-speaking Graces love the most
Of all their favourites; thee, distaff bright!

Of ivory wrought with art most exquisite,
A present for his lovely wife I take.

With her thou many various works shalt make
Garments for men, and such as women wear
Of silk, whose colour is the sea-blue clear.

;

And she so diligent a housewife is,
That ever for well-ankled Theugenis
Thrice in a year are shorn the willing sheep
Of the fine fleeces which for her they keep.
She loves what love right-minded women all;

For never should a thriftless prodigal

Own thee with my consent: 'twere shame and pity!
Since thou art of that most renowned city,
Built by Corinthian Archias erewhile,

The marrow of the whole Sicilian isle.
But in the house of that physician wise,
Instructed how by wholesome remedies
From human kind diseases to repel,
Thou shalt in future with Ionians dwell,
In beautiful Miletus; that the fame
For the best distaff Theugenis may claim,
And thou may'st ever to her mind suggest
The memory of her song-loving guest.
The worth of offering from friend we prize
Not in the gift but in the giver lies.