Perched on the smoky beam; that, trained to go
In the right track, he might a true man grow.

When Jason sailed to find the golden fleece,
And in his train the choicest youth of Greece;
Then with the worthies from the cities round,
Came Hercules, for patient toil renowned,
And Hylas with him; from Iölcos they,
In the good Argo ploughed the watery way.
Touched not the ship the dark Cyanean rocks,
That justled evermore with crashing shocks,

But bounded through, and shot the swell o' the flood,
Like to an Eagle, and in Phasis stood;
Thence either ridgy rock in station lies.

But at what times the Pleiades arise;
When to the lamb the borders of the field
(The spring to summer turning) herbage yield;
The flower of heroes minded then their sailing;
And the third day, a steady south prevailing,
They reached the Hellespont, and in the bay
Of long Propontis hollow Argo lay.

Their oxen for Cianians dwelling there

The ploughshare in the broadening furrow wear. They land at eve; in pairs their mess they keep; And many strew a high and rushy heap.

A meadow broad convenient lay thereby,
With various rushes prankt abundantly.
And gold-tressed Hylas is for water gone
For Hercules and sturdy Telamon,

Who messmates were; a brazen urn he bore,
And soon perceived a fountain straight before.
It was a gentle slope, round which was seen
A multitude of rushes, parsley green,

And the close couch-grass, creeping to entwine
Green maiden-hair, and pale-blue cylandine.
Their choir the wakeful nymphs, the rustic's dread,
In the mid sparkle of the fountain led ;
Malis, and young Nachæa looking spring,

And fresh Eunica. There the youth did bring,
And o'er the water hold his goodly urn,

Eager at once to dip it and return.

The nymphs all clasped his hand; for love seized all,
Love for the Argive boy; and he did fall
Plumping at once into the water dark,

As when a meteor glides with many a spark
Plumping from out the heavens into the seas
And then some sailor cries, 'A jolly breeze,
Up with the sail, boys!' Him upon their knees
The nymphs soft held; him dropping many a tear
With soft enticing words they tried to cheer.

Anxious Alcides lingered not to go,

Armed like a Scythian with his curved bow.
He grasped his club; and thrice he threw around
His deep, deep voice at highest pitch of sound;
Thrice called on Hylas; thrice did Hylas hear,
And from the fount a thin voice murmured near;
Though very near, it very far appeared.

As when a lion, awful with his beard,
Hearing afar the whining of a fawn,

Speeds to his banquet from the mountain-lawn;
In suchwise, Hercules the boy regretting,

Off at full speed through pathless brakes was setting.

Who love, much suffer. What fatigue he bore!

What thickets pierced! What mountains clambered o'er ! What then to him was Jason's enterprise?

With sails aloft the ship already lies;

Midnight they sweep the decks and oft repeat,
'Where, where is Hercules?' Where'er his feet
Convey him, there the frantic mourner hurries,
For a fierce god his liver tears and worries.
Fair Hylas thus is numbered with the blest:
Their friend, as ship-deserter, all the rest
Reproach; while trudges he (and sad his case is)
To Colchos and inhospitable Phasis.

IDYL XIV.

CYNISCA.

ARGUMENT.

One Eschines recounts to his friend, Thyonicus, the circumstances which caused his paramour, Cynisca, to leave him. He had invited a few friends to a jollification at his farm: he entertained them right hospitably; they were all mirthfully engaged with their cups, when it was proposed that they should each drink to the health of his favourite lass, giving her name. Æschines gives Cynisca, who is present, but she takes no notice of him, and does not even say 'Thank you.' He is nettled at this; and one of the company speaks a proverb, which has a special meaning to her conscience. She reddens with vexation; and, when the jest is repeated, bursts into tears. Eschines then boxes both her cheeks; she quickly tucks up her dress and bolts. Poor Æschines still loves the jade, but though he has whistled for her, she would not return to him. He says that he knows no other remedy for unhappy love, but going across the seas. His friend Thyonicus, who is a sort of Job's comforter, recommends him, if he should go abroad, to take service with Ptolemy; on whom he pronounces a splendid eulogy.