Eclogues
Virgil
Vergil. The Poems of Vergil. Rhoades, James, translator. London: Oxford University Press, 1921.
- the very vineyards, cried aloud for you.
- What could I do? how else from bonds be freed,
- or otherwhere find gods so nigh to aid?
- There, Meliboeus, I saw that youth to whom
- yearly for twice six days my altars smoke.
- There instant answer gave he to my suit,
- “Feed, as before, your kine, boys, rear your bulls.”
- So in old age, you happy man, your fields
- will still be yours, and ample for your need!
- Though, with bare stones o'erspread, the pastures all
- be choked with rushy mire, your ewes with young
- by no strange fodder will be tried, nor hurt
- through taint contagious of a neighbouring flock.
- Happy old man, who 'mid familiar streams
- and hallowed springs, will court the cooling shade!
- Here, as of old, your neighbour's bordering hedge,
- that feasts with willow-flower the Hybla bees,
- shall oft with gentle murmur lull to sleep,
- while the leaf-dresser beneath some tall rock
- uplifts his song, nor cease their cooings hoarse