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.”DAMOETAS“Gay Galatea throws an apple at me,then hies to the willows, hoping to be seen.”MENALCAS“My dear Amyntas comes unasked to me;not Delia to my dogs is better known.”DAMOETAS“Gifts for my love I've found; mine eyes have markedwhere the wood-pigeons build their airy nests.”MENALCAS“Ten golden apples have I sent my boy,