Matched with a heifer, who would prate of cups?MENALCASYou shall not balk me now; where'er you bid,I shall be with you; only let us havefor auditor—or see, to serve our turn,yonder Palaemon comes! In singing-boutsi'll see you play the challenger no more.DAMOETASOut then with what you have; I shall not shrink,nor budge for any man: only do you,neighbour Palaemon, with your whole heart's skill—for it is no slight matter—play your part.PALAEMONSay on then, since on the greensward we sit,and now is burgeoning both field and tree;now is the forest green, and now the yearat fairest. Do you first, Damoetas, sing,then you, Menalcas, in alternate strain:alternate strains are to the Muses dear.DAMOETAS“From Jove the Muse began; Jove filleth all,makes the earth fruitful, for my songs hath care.”MENALCAS“Me Phoebus loves; for Phoebus his own gifts,bays and sweet-blushing hyacinths, I keep.”