Eclogues

Virgil

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

  1. what did Amyntas do?—what did he not?
  2. A pipe have I, of hemlock-stalks compact
  3. in lessening lengths, Damoetas' dying-gift:
  4. ‘Mine once,’ quoth he, ‘now yours, as heir to own.’
  5. Foolish Amyntas heard and envied me.
  6. Ay, and two fawns, I risked my neck to find
  7. in a steep glen, with coats white-dappled still,
  8. from a sheep's udders suckled twice a day—
  9. these still I keep for you; which Thestilis
  10. implores me oft to let her lead away;
  11. and she shall have them, since my gifts you spurn.
  12. Come hither, beauteous boy; for you the Nymphs
  13. bring baskets, see, with lilies brimmed; for you,
  14. plucking pale violets and poppy-heads,
  15. now the fair Naiad, of narcissus flower
  16. and fragrant fennel, doth one posy twine—
  17. with cassia then, and other scented herbs,