Eclogues

Virgil

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

  1. have I set lip to them, but lay them by.
DAMOETAS
  1. For me too wrought the same Alcimedon
  2. a pair of cups, and round the handles wreathed
  3. pliant acanthus, Orpheus in the midst,
  4. the forests following in his wake; nor yet
  5. have I set lip to them, but lay them by.
  6. Matched with a heifer, who would prate of cups?
MENALCAS
  1. You shall not balk me now; where'er you bid,
  2. I shall be with you; only let us have
  3. for auditor—or see, to serve our turn,
  4. yonder Palaemon comes! In singing-bouts
  5. i'll see you play the challenger no more.
DAMOETAS
  1. Out then with what you have; I shall not shrink,
  2. nor budge for any man: only do you,
  3. neighbour Palaemon, with your whole heart's skill—
  4. for it is no slight matter—play your part.