Eclogues

Virgil

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

of the Illyrian main,—will ever dawn

that day when I thy deeds may celebrate,

ever that day when through the whole wide world

I may renown thy verse—that verse alone

of Sophoclean buskin worthy found?

With thee began, to thee shall end, the strain.

Take thou these songs that owe their birth to thee,

and deign around thy temples to let creep

this ivy-chaplet 'twixt the conquering bays.

Scarce had night's chilly shade forsook the sky

what time to nibbling sheep the dewy grass

tastes sweetest, when, on his smooth shepherd-staff

of olive leaning, Damon thus began.

DAMON