Eclogues

Virgil

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

  1. and one—how call you him, who with his wand
  2. marked out for all men the whole round of heaven,
  3. that they who reap, or stoop behind the plough,
  4. might know their several seasons? Nor as yet
  5. have I set lip to them, but lay them by.
DAMOETAS
  1. For me too wrought the same Alcimedon
  2. a pair of cups, and round the handles wreathed
  3. pliant acanthus, Orpheus in the midst,
  4. the forests following in his wake; nor yet
  5. have I set lip to them, but lay them by.
  6. Matched with a heifer, who would prate of cups?
MENALCAS
  1. You shall not balk me now; where'er you bid,
  2. I shall be with you; only let us have
  3. for auditor—or see, to serve our turn,
  4. yonder Palaemon comes! In singing-bouts
  5. i'll see you play the challenger no more.
DAMOETAS
  1. Out then with what you have; I shall not shrink,
  2. nor budge for any man: only do you,
  3. neighbour Palaemon, with your whole heart's skill—
  4. for it is no slight matter—play your part.