M. ECLOGUE III. MENALCAS. DAMETAS. PALÆMON. Whose flock, Damotas? Melibœus's? D. No, Ægon's. Egon left it in my care. Neæra, wondering if she like me more: Meanwhile a stranger milks you twice an hour, Saps the flocks' strength, and robs the sucking lambs. D. Yet fling more charily such words at men. You-while the goats looked goatish-we know who, And in what chapel-(but the kind Nymphs laughed)— M. Then (was it?) when they saw me Micon's shrubs ΙΟ And young vines hacking with my rascally knife? D. Or when by this old beech you broke the bow And shafts of Daphnis: which you cried to see, You crossgrained lad, first given to the boy; And harm him somehow you must needs, or die. M. Where will lords stop, when knaves are come to this? Did not I see you, scoundrel, in a snare Take Damon's goat, Wolf barking all the while? D. Beaten in singing, should he have withheld 20 The goat my pipe had by its music earned? That goat was mine, you mayn't p'raps know: and he Owned it himself: but said he could not pay. M. He beat by you? You own a decent pipe? Used you not, dunce, to stand at the crossroads, Stifling some lean tune in a squeaky straw? D. Shall we then try in turn what each can do? I stake yon cow-nay hang not back-she comes Twice daily to the pail, is suckling twins. 30 M. I durst not wager aught 40 And shew the nations how the year goes round; When you should reap, when stoop behind the plough? Ne'er yet my lips came near them, safe hid up. D. For me two cups the selfsame workman made, M. And clasped with lissom briar the handles round. Nay you'll not this day 50 H Escape me. Name your spot, and I'll be there. I'll teach you how to challenge folks to sing. D. Come on, if aught is in you. I'm not loth, I shrink from no man. Only, neighbour, thou (Tis no small matter) lay this well to heart. P. Say on, since now we sit on softest grass; And now buds every field and every tree, And woods are green, and passing fair the year. Damotas, lead. Menalcas, follow next. Sing verse for verse: such songs the Muses love. 60 D. With Jove we open. Jove fills everything, He walks the earth, he listens when I sing. M. Me Phoebus loves. I still have offerings meet For Phoebus; bay, and hyacinth blushing sweet. Me Galatea pelts with fruit, and flies D. (Wild girl) to the woods: but first would catch my eyes. M. Unbid Amyntas comes to me, my flame; With Delia's self my dogs are not more tame. D. Gifts have I for my fair: who marked but I 70 The place where doves had built their nest sky high? M. I've sent my poor gift, which the wild wood bore, Ten golden apples. Soon I'll send ten more. D. Oft Galatea tells me what sweet tales ! Waft to the god's ears just a part, ye gales. M. At heart Amyntas loves me. Yet what then? He mates with hunters, I with servingmen. D. Send me thy Phillis, good Iolas, now. 80 Today's my birthday. When I slay my cow To help my harvest-come, and welcome, thou. M. Phillis is my love. When we part, she'll cry; And fain would bid Iolas' self ood bye. D. Wolves kill the flocks, and storms the ripened corn; And winds the tree; and me a maiden's scorn. M. Rain is the land's delight, weaned kids' the vine; Big ewes' lithe willow; and one fair face mine. .D. Pollio loves well this homely muse of mine. For a new votary fat a calf, ye Nine. M. Pollio makes songs. For him a bull demand, |