I choose for you the very best I know ; Now listen, since the Muses love you so : The Loves, ill omen! sneezed on me, who dote On lovely Myrtis, as on spring the goat. A ratus, whom of men I love the best, Loves a sweet girl. Aristis, minstrel blest, And worthiest man, whom his own tripod near Sing to the harp, knows that Aratus feels This scorching flame. Pan! whose rich music peals On Homolus, place in his longing arms Of her own will the blushing bloom of charms. So may the youth of Arcady forbear With squills thy shoulders and thy side to tear, By nails all mangled, and on nettles sleep! Ye loves that are to blushing apples like, Ended my song, he smiling as before The friendly muse-gift gave—the crook he bore ; Where Phrasidamus dwelt, on loosened sheaves And poplars rustled; and the summer-keen Afar the tree-frog in the thorn-bush cried; Of golden summer all was redolent, And of brown autumn; boughs with damsons bent, And by our side a heap of apples sweet. A four-year cask was broached. Ye Nymphs excelling Of Castaly, on high Parnassus dwelling, Did ever Chiron in the Centaur's cave Give draught so rich to Hercules the brave? Thro' Polypheme did such sweet nectar glance, O be it mine again her feast to keep, And fix the fan in good Damater's heap; And may she sweetly smile, while spikes of corn And up-torn poppies either hand adorn ! IDYL VIII. THE BUCOLIC SINGERS. ARGUMENT. The cowherd Daphnis and the shepherd Menalcas sing alternately. A goatherd is the judge between them; he awards the prize to Daphnis. |