Eclogues
Virgil
Vergil. The Poems of Vergil. Rhoades, James, translator. London: Oxford University Press, 1921.
- your dainty lip; such arts as these to learn
- what did Amyntas do?—what did he not?
- A pipe have I, of hemlock-stalks compact
- in lessening lengths, Damoetas' dying-gift:
- ‘Mine once,’ quoth he, ‘now yours, as heir to own.’
- Foolish Amyntas heard and envied me.
- Ay, and two fawns, I risked my neck to find
- in a steep glen, with coats white-dappled still,
- from a sheep's udders suckled twice a day—
- these still I keep for you; which Thestilis
- implores me oft to let her lead away;
- and she shall have them, since my gifts you spurn.
- Come hither, beauteous boy; for you the Nymphs
- bring baskets, see, with lilies brimmed; for you,
- plucking pale violets and poppy-heads,
- now the fair Naiad, of narcissus flower
- and fragrant fennel, doth one posy twine—
- with cassia then, and other scented herbs,
- blends them, and sets the tender hyacinth off
- with yellow marigold. I too will pick