Eclogues

Virgil

Vergil. The Poems of Vergil. Rhoades, James, translator. London: Oxford University Press, 1921.

  1. Nor with the reed's edge fear you to make rough
  2. your dainty lip; such arts as these to learn
  3. what did Amyntas do?—what did he not?
  4. A pipe have I, of hemlock-stalks compact
  5. in lessening lengths, Damoetas' dying-gift:
  6. ‘Mine once,’ quoth he, ‘now yours, as heir to own.’
  7. Foolish Amyntas heard and envied me.
  8. Ay, and two fawns, I risked my neck to find
  9. in a steep glen, with coats white-dappled still,
  10. from a sheep's udders suckled twice a day—
  11. these still I keep for you; which Thestilis
  12. implores me oft to let her lead away;
  13. and she shall have them, since my gifts you spurn.
  14. Come hither, beauteous boy; for you the Nymphs
  15. bring baskets, see, with lilies brimmed; for you,
  16. plucking pale violets and poppy-heads,
  17. now the fair Naiad, of narcissus flower
  18. and fragrant fennel, doth one posy twine—
  19. with cassia then, and other scented herbs,
  20. blends them, and sets the tender hyacinth off