Eclogues
Virgil
Vergil. The Poems of Vergil. Rhoades, James, translator. London: Oxford University Press, 1921.
- I saw myself, when winds had stilled the sea,
- and, if that mirror lie not, would not fear
- daphnis to challenge, though yourself were judge.
- Ah! were you but content with me to dwell.
- Some lowly cot in the rough fields our home,
- shoot down the stags, or with green osier-wand
- round up the straggling flock! There you with me
- in silvan strains will learn to rival Pan.
- Pan first with wax taught reed with reed to join;
- for sheep alike and shepherd Pan hath care.
- Nor with the reed's edge fear you to make rough
- your dainty lip; such arts as these to learn
- what did Amyntas do?—what did he not?
- A pipe have I, of hemlock-stalks compact
- in lessening lengths, Damoetas' dying-gift:
- ‘Mine once,’ quoth he, ‘now yours, as heir to own.’
- Foolish Amyntas heard and envied me.
- Ay, and two fawns, I risked my neck to find
- in a steep glen, with coats white-dappled still,
- from a sheep's udders suckled twice a day—