Eclogues

Virgil

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

  1. the very vineyards, cried aloud for you.
TITYRUS
  1. What could I do? how else from bonds be freed,
  2. or otherwhere find gods so nigh to aid?
  3. There, Meliboeus, I saw that youth to whom
  4. yearly for twice six days my altars smoke.
  5. There instant answer gave he to my suit,
  6. “Feed, as before, your kine, boys, rear your bulls.”
MELIBOEUS
  1. So in old age, you happy man, your fields
  2. will still be yours, and ample for your need!
  3. Though, with bare stones o'erspread, the pastures all
  4. be choked with rushy mire, your ewes with young
  5. by no strange fodder will be tried, nor hurt
  6. through taint contagious of a neighbouring flock.
  7. Happy old man, who 'mid familiar streams
  8. and hallowed springs, will court the cooling shade!
  9. Here, as of old, your neighbour's bordering hedge,
  10. that feasts with willow-flower the Hybla bees,
  11. shall oft with gentle murmur lull to sleep,
  12. while the leaf-dresser beneath some tall rock
  13. uplifts his song, nor cease their cooings hoarse