Eclogues

Virgil

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

  1. I saw myself, when winds had stilled the sea,
  2. and, if that mirror lie not, would not fear
  3. daphnis to challenge, though yourself were judge.
  4. Ah! were you but content with me to dwell.
  5. Some lowly cot in the rough fields our home,
  6. shoot down the stags, or with green osier-wand
  7. round up the straggling flock! There you with me
  8. in silvan strains will learn to rival Pan.
  9. Pan first with wax taught reed with reed to join;
  10. for sheep alike and shepherd Pan hath care.
  11. Nor with the reed's edge fear you to make rough
  12. your dainty lip; such arts as these to learn
  13. what did Amyntas do?—what did he not?
  14. A pipe have I, of hemlock-stalks compact
  15. in lessening lengths, Damoetas' dying-gift:
  16. ‘Mine once,’ quoth he, ‘now yours, as heir to own.’
  17. Foolish Amyntas heard and envied me.
  18. Ay, and two fawns, I risked my neck to find
  19. in a steep glen, with coats white-dappled still,
  20. from a sheep's udders suckled twice a day—