Eclogues

Virgil

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

  1. 'gan whiter fall beneath the barber's blade—
  2. cast eyes, I say, and, though long tarrying, came,
  3. now when, from Galatea's yoke released,
  4. I serve but Amaryllis: for I will own,
  5. while Galatea reigned over me, I had
  6. no hope of freedom, and no thought to save.
  7. Though many a victim from my folds went forth,
  8. or rich cheese pressed for the unthankful town,
  9. never with laden hands returned I home.
MELIBOEUS
  1. I used to wonder, Amaryllis, why
  2. you cried to heaven so sadly, and for whom
  3. you left the apples hanging on the trees;
  4. 'twas Tityrus was away. Why, Tityrus,
  5. the very pines, the very water-springs,
  6. the very vineyards, cried aloud for you.
TITYRUS
  1. What could I do? how else from bonds be freed,
  2. or otherwhere find gods so nigh to aid?
  3. There, Meliboeus, I saw that youth to whom
  4. yearly for twice six days my altars smoke.
  5. There instant answer gave he to my suit,