Eclogues

Virgil

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

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