Eclogues

Virgil

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

  1. comparing small with great; but this as far
  2. above all other cities rears her head
  3. as cypress above pliant osier towers.
MELIBOEUS
  1. And what so potent cause took you to Rome?
TITYRUS
  1. Freedom, which, though belated, cast at length
  2. her eyes upon the sluggard, when my beard
  3. 'gan whiter fall beneath the barber's blade—
  4. cast eyes, I say, and, though long tarrying, came,
  5. now when, from Galatea's yoke released,
  6. I serve but Amaryllis: for I will own,
  7. while Galatea reigned over me, I had
  8. no hope of freedom, and no thought to save.
  9. Though many a victim from my folds went forth,
  10. or rich cheese pressed for the unthankful town,
  11. never with laden hands returned I home.
MELIBOEUS
  1. I used to wonder, Amaryllis, why
  2. you cried to heaven so sadly, and for whom
  3. you left the apples hanging on the trees;
  4. 'twas Tityrus was away. Why, Tityrus,
  5. the very pines, the very water-springs,