Eclogues

Virgil

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

  • Speed ye, Pierian Maids! Within a cave
  • young Chromis and Mnasyllos chanced to see
  • silenus sleeping, flushed, as was his wont,
  • with wine of yesterday. Not far aloof,
  • slipped from his head, the garlands lay, and there
  • by its worn handle hung a ponderous cup.
  • Approaching—for the old man many a time
  • had balked them both of a long hoped-for song—
  • garlands to fetters turned, they bind him fast.
  • Then Aegle, fairest of the Naiad-band,
  • aegle came up to the half-frightened boys,
  • came, and, as now with open eyes he lay,
  • with juice of blood-red mulberries smeared him o'er,
  • both brow and temples. Laughing at their guile,
  • and crying, “Why tie the fetters? loose me, boys;
  • enough for you to think you had the power;