Eclogues

Virgil

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

  1. round up the straggling flock! There you with me
  2. in silvan strains will learn to rival Pan.
  3. Pan first with wax taught reed with reed to join;
  4. for sheep alike and shepherd Pan hath care.
  5. Nor with the reed's edge fear you to make rough
  6. your dainty lip; such arts as these to learn
  7. what did Amyntas do?—what did he not?
  8. A pipe have I, of hemlock-stalks compact
  9. in lessening lengths, Damoetas' dying-gift:
  10. ‘Mine once,’ quoth he, ‘now yours, as heir to own.’
  11. Foolish Amyntas heard and envied me.
  12. Ay, and two fawns, I risked my neck to find
  13. in a steep glen, with coats white-dappled still,
  14. from a sheep's udders suckled twice a day—
  15. these still I keep for you; which Thestilis
  16. implores me oft to let her lead away;
  17. and she shall have them, since my gifts you spurn.
  18. Come hither, beauteous boy; for you the Nymphs
  19. bring baskets, see, with lilies brimmed; for you,
  20. plucking pale violets and poppy-heads,