The works of Publius Virgilius Maro translated by John Ogilby.

Virgil's BVCOLICKS.

The first Eclog.

Tityrus.

THE ARGUMENT.

Sad Mclibaeus banished declares Those miseries attend on civill Wars, But happy Tityrus, the safe defence People enjoy, under a setled Prince.

Tityrus. Melibaeus.

Melibaeus.

UNder the spreading Beech at ease from cares, Thou Tityrus playst on slender reeds soft airs: We, must our Land and pleasant fields forsake, Our country fly: thou in cool shades dost make The woods fair Amaryllis to resound.

Tityrus.

This peace from God we (Melibaeus) found, (For he shall ever be my God) a soft Lamb from our folds shall bathe his altars oft: He grants my herds to range, and what I will, Thou seest I play upon a rurall quill.

Melibaeus.

I envie not, but wonder th' art so blest Since all with Sequestrations are opprest: Lo! I undone, away my Goates must drive, And scarce I lead, O Tityrus! this alive. For mongst thick hazels th'hope of all my flock, Ah! she hath left upon a naked rock. Oft this mischance (had we not sensless been) By Thunder-strucken okes I had forseen, And on the hollow elme, by th'ominous crow: But who this God may be, pray let us know.

Tityrus.

That city they call Rome, I did account Fondly like this of ours, where Swains are wont Yearly with care, to wean their tender lambs; So I conceiv'd whelps equall to their dams, And judg'd that Kids were as their mothers, tall: So us'd I great things to compare with small. But she, 'bove other cities lifts her head, As o're the shrubs the lofty Cedars spread.

Melibaeus.

What to see Rome did so thy journey haste?

Tityrus.

Freedom, which look'd on me, though mean, at last: When first my downy chin the razor shav'd, She look'd at last, and with her smile she sav'd. When me first Amaryllis did possess, And Galatea left; for Ile confess, Whilst me that Galatea did injoy, My freedom lost, no stock I did imploy. Although my folds then many offerings spar'd, And for th' ingrateful city, I prepar'd The richest cheese I could, yet never brought My right hand home again with mony fraught.

Milebaeus.

I muse why Amaryllis Gods implor'd, For whom she keeps her tree with apples stor'd. Tityrus was absent, Tityrus the Pines, For thee the fountains call, and tender Vines.

Tityrus.

What should I do? thraldom I must not leave, Nor could elsewhere, Gods so propitious have. And here that shepherd first I saw, for whom Twice six dayes annually our altars fume: He answering first my suit said: Shepherds, now Your cattell feed, and let your oxen plow.

Melibaeus.

O happy man! since large enough for thee Thou fields injoyst, though all thy pastures be With stones, with plashie Fens, and rushes spread. Not thy big femals, in strange commons fed Shall suffer, nor sick cattell taint their bloods. O happy man! here by the well-known flouds, And sacred fountains, thou fresh aire shalt take; Then quick-sets, which our neighbouring limits make, Whose sallow flower Hyblaean Bees invade, Oft with soft murmurs shall to sleep perswade. Then shall the Woodman under high rocks chant; Nor thy delight, sad Stock-doves, shalt thou want, Nor turtles cease to grone from elmy bows.

Tityrus.

In empty skies, first nimble Dear shall browse, The Ocean leave his naked fish on shore; The confines wander'd of both lands before, Parthians drink Arar, Germans Tygris taste, That his Idaea shall forsake our breast.

Melibaeus.

But we must go to thirstie Lybian Realms,

To Scythia or Oaxes chalkie streams, And from the world divided, Britany. Shall ever I again my Countrey see, And my poor house, which I with turf did reare; My seates admiring after many a year? Shall th impious Souldier have this new plow'd fields? Barbarians reap this corn? What discord yeelds, See Wretched Citizens, See, for whom we plow: Set Pears, Melibaeus, and plant Vineyards now. Farewell my Goates, farewell once happie flock. I stretch't on verdant banks you on a rock No more shall see hang on the shrubby top: Nor Verses sing, nor fed by me to crop Sharp sallows, and the spreading Cythisus.

Tityrus.

But here this night you may repose with us In this green bower; here are ripe Apples, we Soft Chestnuts have, and store of curds there be: The Villages do smoke, and from the tall Mountains far off, now larger shadows fall.

The second Eclog.

Alexis.

THE ARGUMENT.

Coridon meanes how learned men are bent To honour those of place and high discent: But often they like to Alexis prove, And nothing but disdin return for love.

POor Coridon for fair Alexis burns, Joy of his Lord, nor hopes for love-returns. But yet he daily came, where a cool shade The spreading tops of the tall Beeches made: And there in these unpolish'd lines alone In vain to Woods, and Mountains makes his moan.

Cruel Alexis doth my Verse disdain, And without pity me with scorn hath slain. The cattel now in cooling shades abide, And speckled Lizarrds in the bushes hide; And Thestylis, for Reapers, tir'd with heat, With strong herbs Betony doth, and Garlick beat: Whilst I am seeking where thou maist be found Amongst the shrubs the Grashoppers resound.

Were it not better that I should have born Proud Amaryllis wrath, and haughty scorn? Were it not better for Menalcas smart, Though he is brown, and thou so beauteous art? Sweet youth, in beauty not such trust repose, White Blossoms fall, when Blackberries are chose. Scorn'd me, Alexis not desires to know, How rich in flocks, and how my pailes oreflow: My thousand lambs Sicilian mountains haunt, Summer, nor Winter, milke I do not want. Lung those notes which once Amphyon did, Calling his Herds to Aracynthus meade: Nor am I so deform'd, late I beheld My self in the calme sea, with winds unswel'd: And wert thou Judg, I should not Daphnis fear, If any shadow true resemblance bear. O that with me thou in these homely parts And humble cotes wouldst stay, and shoot swift Hearts; There with a green wand drive the flocks of Goats, Then in the grove wee'l imitate Pans notes. Pan taught us joyn first many quills with wax, Pan minds our sheep and masters of the flocks. Nor shalt thou ere repent this Pipe to use, For which Amyntas nothing would refuse. Composed with seven differing reeds I have A Pipe, which once to me Dametas gave; And dying said, this thee now second knows, At which Amyntas fond, his envie shews. Besides two K••ds I have, I lately found As they were straying in a dangerous ground: Their skins with white already dapled be, Two Yews they suck; these I preserve for thee. Which Thestylis would fain have got; and shall, Since you our presents not regard at all.

Sweet youth draw near; for thee whole baskets full The beauteous Nymphs of unstain'd Lillyes cull, For thee fair Nais gathers Violets, Tulips Narcissus, and sweet Poppy gets, Blossoms of Annis joyns, hath intermix'd Cassia, with other pleasant flowers betwixt, Soft Cowslips with bright Marigolds are deck't, I shall the tender wooll-skin'd Peach select, And Chesnuts which my Amaryllis lov'd, Damsons Ile add; this fruit shall be approv'd, And you O Laurels cull, thou Myrtle next, Because so plac'd your smell is best commix'd. Coridon's rude, nor doth Alexis grace His gifts, nor to thee gives Iolas place. What wouldst thou wretch! I have let tempests spoyl My flowrs, and boars my crystall fountains soil. Whom fly'st thou fond! the Gods have dwelt in bowers; So Paris liv'd, let Pallas keep her towres; But let cool Groves 'bove all things please us best. Stern Lyons, Wolves, Wolves have the Goate in quest, The wanton Goate fresh Cythisus invites, Thou me, each one persues his own delights. Behold they now unyoak the wearie Steer, And the Sun setting, larger shades appear; Still love burns me, there is no mean in love, Ah Corydon, what madness doth thee move? On the green Elm hangs my half-pruned Vine, But rather now, some needful task design, Prepare soft twigs, the limber Bullrush winde, And if Alexis scorn, some other finde.

The third Eclog.

Palaemon.

THE ARGUMENT.

These Swains present, how vertue and the arts Still emulation breed in men of parts. But grave Palaemon doth their passions calme, Both praising, yet to neither gives the Palme.

Menalcas. Dametas. Palaemon.

Menalcas.

ARe these, Dametas, Melibaeus sheep?

Dametas.

No: Damon's, for he gave them me to keep.

Menalcas.

Still hapless flocks, whilst that Neaera he Courts, fondly jealous better she loves me. For twice this stranger hourely drains the Dams, Robbing the Ewes of strength, of milk the Lambs.

Dametas.

Henceforth such crimes more sparingly object, We know what you did, if we would detect,

And how the He-Goats vext lookd on the while, And in what place; but th' easie Nymphs did smile.

Menalcas.

Sure 'twas when I in Mycon's ground was took Pruning his Vines with an unwelcome hook.

Dametas.

Or when you Daphnis Bow and arrowes brake, At the old Beech, which thou so ill didst take To see bestowd upon the boy from thee. For couldst thou not do mischief, thou wouldst die.

Menalcas.

What will not Masters, when the servants dare So bold attempts as these? when thou didst snare Poore Damons Goat, vilde Swaine, did I not marke, Though all the while at thee his Dog did bark? And when I cride, Hold thief, where doth he rush? Swaine, count thy Goats, thou skulk'st behinde a bush.

Dametas.

Vanquish'd in singing why should he refuse, To pay the Goat, won by my Pipe, and Muse! That Goat (if you must know) was mine, no less Damon who could not pay it, did confess.

Menaclas.

Thou him in singing? hadst thou ever yet A Pipe with wax conjoyn'd, didst thou not sit In high wayes, thou lewd Piper, and there use, On hissing quils to spoyl a wretched Muse?

Dametas.

The skill that either hath, let us now trie; I'le lay this Heifer (lest thou should'st denie) Twice she to milking comes, and at her teats Two Calves she feeds; then say, what are thy beats.

Menalcas.

I dare not from my flock a wager lay; I have a sire and step-dame, twice a day Both tell the sheep; the Goats another counts. What you shall grant, thy Heifer far surmounts, (Since thou art pleas'd to rant) beech Cups I will Stake down, carv'd by divine Alcymidons skill. On which with a smooth turn soft Vines he shapes, And with pale Ivie cloaths the spreading Grapes. Amidst two signes, Conon-who's th'other then? He with his Art describes Earth's Globe to men; What time the Plow-men, and the Reapers have, Which yet my lips ne'r touch'd, but clean I save.

Dametas.

Also for us two Cups Alcymidon made, The handles round with bright Acanthus laid, Orpheus amid'st, and following woods they have, Which yet my lips ne'r touch'd, but clean I save. But if that well my Heifer thou dost weigh, In thy Cups praise so much thou wouldst not say.

Menalcas.

Thou shalt not scape, I'le meet where thou dar'st please, Call when you will; let him be Judge of these That next we meet; Palaemon see before, I'le make thee that thou ne're shalt challenge more.

Dametas.

Say what thou hast, in me is no delay, Nor shun I any; friend Palaemon stay, No trifle's layd, thy best attention fit.

Palaemon.

Begin, since now on the soft grass we sit, Now every field, all trees now fruitfull are,

Now flourish Groves, the season is most faire. Dametas first, Menalcas next rehearse, For still the Muses love alternate verse.

Dametas.

With Jove begin, all things are full of Jove, He Swaines regards, and doth my Verses love.

Menalcas.

And Phoebus me, and I have for him still His own fresh bay, and blushing daffadill.

Dametas.

Me Galatea would with Apples win, Then flies to shades, but strives first to be seen.

Menalcas.

My flame Amyntas courts me oft alone, Nor to our dogs is Delia better known.

Dametas.

Guifts for my love I have, and by my search I know the place where her swift Pigeons perch.

Menalcas.

Such as I had, red Apples half a score The youth I sent, to morrow I le send more.

Dametas.

What words to us did Galatea say, You winds a part unto the Gods convey.

Menalcas.

That thou not scorn'st me, am I better yet; If whil'st thou hunt'st wilde Boars I keep the net?

Dametas.

Phyllis Iolas send, my birth-day 'tis, Thy self come, when for fruit I sacrifice.

Menalcas.

Her I lov'd best, for tears she parting shed, And long farewel, farewel, faire Iolas said.

Dametas.

Stern Wolves the Stals, windes trees, ripe fruit the showers, Me Amaryllis ruines, if she lowrs.

Menalcas.

Soft dew the corne, low shrubs the weaned kids, Small sallow Goats, but me Amyntas feeds.

Dametas.

Pollio, though she be rustick, loves our muse: A Calfe you Muses, for your reader choose.

Menalcas.

Pollio makes verses, let a Bull be fed That strikes with bornes, with feet the sand doth spread.

Dametas.

To joyes like thine, who loves thee Pollio come, For him flowes honey, thorns bear Amomum.

Menalcas.

Who hates not Bavius, may love Maevius notes, The same may Foxes joyn, and milk he Goats.

Dametas.

Fly, who cull flowers and earth-born strawberies, For in the grass a cold Snake hidden lies.

Menalcas.

Lead home the Ewes, least heat their milk detain, And you as lately press the teat in vain.

Dametas.

How poor my Bull is in a fertile field? One love, the herd, and the herds Lord hath kil'd.

Menalcas.

Sure love is not the cause, see how they shew! Nor what eye witch't my tender Lambs I know.

Dametas.

Say, (and my great Apollo be) what shore The Skie extends three fathomes, and no more.

Menalcas.

Say in what Land, the names of Princes signe The springing flowrs, and Phyllis shall be thine.

Palamon.

Tis not in us this difference to compose, You both deserve the praise, and each, who knowes Or fears sweet love, or hath the bitter tride. Swaines shut your Springs, the Meads are satisfi'de.

The fourth Eclog.

Pollio.

THE ARGUMENT.

Here Sibill is appli'de to Pollio's son, Her Prophesies his Gnethliacon, But Christs birth he by happie error sings. The Prince of Poets crowns the King of Kings.

SIcilian Muses, sing we one note higher, All like not tamarisk nor the humble brier: If Woods we sing, Woods worthy Consuls be, Last times are come, Cumea's Prophesie, And times great order now again is borne, The maid returns, Saturnian Realms returne: Now from high Heaven springs a new Progenie: To th' infant chaste Lucina favouring be, Who ending iron ages, through all Lands Shall golden plant: thy Phoebus now commands. Thou childe being Consul, Pollio shall possess This Fame of th' Age, great moneths themselves address; If any prints of our old vice remain'd, By thee they r void, and fear shall leave the Land.

He a Gods life shall take, with Gods shall see Mixt Heroes, and himself their object be. Rule with paternal power th' appeased earth, Which shall to thee (sweet childe) undrest, bring forth, Berries, wilde Ivie, and shall pay first fruits Of mixt Acanthus, with Egyptian roots The Goats themselves shall home full udders bear, Nor shall the herds the mighty Lyons fear. Flowers shall thy cradle sprout, the Serpent shall And the deceitfull herb of venome, fall; In each place Roses of Assyria grow. As soon as thou the Heroes fame shalt know, And thy Sires acts, vertue thy self attain, The fields shall mellow wax with golden grain: The blushing Grape shall hang on thorns unset, And boystrous Oke, with dewy hony sweat. Some steps of ancient fraud shall yet be found, Thetis to tempt with ships, and to surround Cities with walls, bids earth in furrows tear, A second Typhis, a new Argo bear Choice Heroes, and another war, imploy Again a great Achilles sent to Troy. Here when full years shall make thee perfect man, The Saylor shall forsake the Ocean, Nor Navigable Pines shall trafick ware: But each part of the world shall all things bear. Nor Earth feel harrows, nor the Vine the hook, Nor shall his Steers, the rustick tiller yoak; Nor Wooll with various colours shall deceive, But in the medows Rams shall skarlet have, And changing sometimes golden fleeces wear, And feeding Lambs, shall native purple bear. The Fates conspiring with eternall dome Said to their Spindle, Let such ages come.

Attempt great honours, for the time draws near, Dear race of Gods, great stock of Jupiter, Behold! the world shakes on its pondrous axe, See, earth and heavens immense and th'Ocean tracts, How all things at th'approaching age rejoyce! Oh that my life would last so long, and voyce, As would suffice thy actions to rehearse: Not Orpheus then shall vanquish me in Verse, Nor Linus, though their parents present be; Phoebus got this, and that Calliope. Should Pan with me strive by Arcadias dome, Although a God, Pan should be overcome. Begin sweet childe, with smiles thy mother know, Who ten long moneths did with thy burthen go. Sweet childe begin, cheer'd by no parents look, To 's board no God, t' her bed no goddess took.

The fifth Eclog.

Daphnis.

THE ARGUMENT.

Since Kings as common Fathers cherish all, Subjects like children should lament their fall; But learned men of grief should have more sense, When violent death seizes a gracious Prince.

Menalcas. Mopsus.

Menalcas.

MAy we not Mopsus (both being skilfull, met, Thou on small Pipes to play, I verse repeat) Here amongst Elms commix'd with hazels sit?

Mopsus.

Thou eldest art, whom me t' obey is fit. Whether to trembling shades light Zephyrs wave We goe, or take some Grot; See, how you Cave Hath from wilde spreading Vines a Canopie.

Menalcas.

In our hills only Amintas strive with thee.

Mopsus.

What if t'excell Phoebus in song he aimes?

Menalcas.

Say Mopsus, if thou hast, or Phyllis flames, Or Alcons praise, or Codrus brawles begin: And Tityrus shall thy feeding Kids keep in.

Mopsus.

I le trie those strains on the green Beech I wrot, And with alternate change did warbling note. Then boldly bid Amyntas strive with me.

Menalcas.

As the bright Olive stains the sallow tree, As blushing Roses humble Lavender, So thee before Amyntas we prefer. Dear Swaine, no more, here is the caves descent.

Mopsus.

The Nymphs lost Daphnis funerall did lament, Witness you Hazels, Nymphs, and purling streams; VVhen the sad mother raiz'd the mangled limbs Of her dear son, Gods, stars, she cruel calls. Not any then oh Daphnis! from their stalls The Cattell drove to cooling Springs, the flood No herd did tast, nor touch'd sweet grass for food. Rough hils, and Groves, with echoes did resound Daphnis thy death, and Lybian Lyons gron'de: Daphnis Armenian Tygers first conjoyn'd In's Chariot, and to Bacchus rites design'd: Did trembling Spears with gentle leaves combine. As Vines the woods adorne, as Grapes the Vine, As Males the herds, as Corne the fertill field: Thou thine didst grace: when thou to Fates didst yield, Both Pales and Apollo left our plaine. In furrowes where we oft sow'd largest grain,

Sad darnell, and wilde Oats o'respread, and where Purple Narcissus, and soft Violets were, The Thistle and rough prickling brambles spring. Swains strew fresh boughes, shades to your Fountains bring, Such honors Daphnis for himself did doome, His Monument reare, and this write on his Tombe. I Daphnis known in woods unto the Skie, Kept a fair Flock, and yet more fair was I.

Menalcas.

O divine Poet! such thy Verse to me, As to the tir'd, in grass sweet slumbers be, Cool streams in heat the thirsty so rejoyce; Thou, both the Pipe do'st match, and Masters voyce. O happie Swaine! thou shalt his second be, Our song what ere it is, I shall to thee Begin, and to the Stars thy Daphnis bear: Daphnis lov'd vs, Daphnis to heaven we'le rear.

Mopsus.

VVhat gift more welcome unto us? the Swaine Was worthy to be sung, and every straine Stymichon lately did to us approve.

Menalcas.

Fair Daphnis wonders at strange courts above, VVho clouds, and stars beneath his feet beheld, Joy ravish'd Pan, the woods, and every field, The Shepherds, and the virgin Dryades. No Wolfe layd wait for sheep, no nets to seise By craft the Dear, good Daphnis peace did love. The unshorn hills glad echoes raise above The highest Stars, Rocks in a cheerfull Ode, And shrubs Menalcas sound, the God, the God. Be good and blest to thine; four Altars see, For Daphnis two, and Phoebus two for thee.

Two Bowles with new milk frothing yearly we, And with the fat of Olives, two decree. Rejoycing feasts with plenteous Bacchus made, If cold, with lustie fire, if hot, in shade. Arrissian Wine, brisk Nectar I shall bring. To me Dametas shall, and Aegon sing, And Satyre like Alphisiboeus Dance. These shall be ever thine; and when w'advance Our rites to Nymphs, fields purge with th'annuall rite. Whil'st Boars on hils, whil'st fish in streams delight, Grashoppers dew, and Thyme the bees repast, So long thy honor, name, and praise shall last. As Swaines to Bacchus, and to Ceres pay Their yearly vowes, so they to thee shall pray.

Mopsus.

Now for such Verse, what present shall I finde? Not murmurs of th' approaching Southern winde, Nor waves more please, when they the shores assaile; Nor water gliding through a stonie vale.

Menalcas.

This slender Pipe we give, our love returns, This Corydon for fair Alexis burns. To this I sung, These Melibaeus sheep.

Mopsus.

Take thou this book which hardly I could keep, From dear Antigines who well deserv'd, VVhich is with brasse (Menalcas) neatly carv'd.

The sixth Eclog.

Silenus.

THE ARGUMENT.

Those Sects which promise sensuall delights, Soonest infect, and gain most Proselytes; But oft those Tenets which are held divine, Rise from full bellies, and heads charg'd with Wine.

FIrst our Thalia chanted rurall strains In Verse, nor she to dwell in woods disdains. Phoebus, when I did sing of Kings, and war, Said, Tityrus. And nip'd me by the ear; Shepherds should feed their flocks, and tune soft layes. Now I (for thou O Varus, and thy praise Others shall strive to sing, and wars rehearse) On slender Reeds shall tune an humble verse. I chant not things forbid; if struck with love Any shall reade, the shrubs, and every Grove Shall sing thee Varus; what can more ingage Phoebus, then thy name on the title page?

Say Muses; Chromis, Mnasylus, beheld Stretch't in a Cave Sylenus sleeping, swel'd VVith last nights Bacchus, as his usuall guise; Far off, faln from his head his garland lies, On a worn handle, his great bottle hung.— They went (for when the old man should have sung He mock'd their hopes) and with's own Chaplets bound. VVith them joyn'd Aegle, whom she timerous found: Aegle the fairest Nymph; this fraud he spies, VVhil'sts she vvith Mulberies his temples dies, And smiling said, why binde you me? let goe; It is enough that you have seen me so, My promis'd Verses take, they novv are done; Her otherwise Il' please, then thus begun.

Then thou might'st see wilde beasts, and fauns advance Sporting in troups, and the tall Okes to dance. Nor so in Phoebus, joy Parnassus spires, Nor Ismare, Rodophe, Orpheus so admires. For he sung how collected seeds did come Of Earth, Aire, Sea, through the huge vacuum, And glittering fire: how all things first commenc'd From these, and the worlds tender Orbe condens'd: Then Earth grevv hard, and Nereus did exclude, And by degrees the forms of things indu'd. That a new Sun did shine, the Lands admire, And showrs to fall from Clouds now mounted higher: When first the sprouting vvoods began t' appear, And beasts in unknown hills, graz'd here and there; Next Saturn's reign, and stones that Pyrrha flung, Caucasus foul, Prometheus theft, he sung: Adds Hylas lost, where Sailors neer the Spring Call Hylas, Hylas, till the shores did ring.

And with a white Buls love did please the Queen Pasiphae, happie, if no herds had been. Poor Virgin, why didst thou to folly yield? And Pretides launs, vvith fained lowings fil'd; Yet such foul lust, not any of the herd: Persu'd, although their necks the yoak had fear'd. And oft had horns sought in their tender brow. Ah miserable, in vvoods thou wander'st now, His snowie side upon soft Daffadils laid, Chevving the Cud, under an oken shade: Or woe's some other in the ample drove. Shut Nymphs, Dictaean Nymphs, shut close your Grove, If any tracts as he shall wandring pass By chance we finde, or took with verdant grass, Or following Cattell, other Heifers call, And they intice him to Gortinas stall. Next, her pleas'd vvith Hesperian fruit he shews, Then Phaeton's sisters, whom sowre mosse inclose, And from the Earth the lofty Aldar brings. And Gallus wandring by Permessus springs. How him a Muse led to th' Aonian top, And how to th' man, Phoebus whole Quire stood up. In divine Verse how Linus these exprest; His hair vvith flovvres, and bitter Apium drest. These Pipes the Muses give thee, take, behold! These ancient Hesiods vvear, with which, he could Singing, wilde ashes from the Mountains move: VVith these thou mayst describe Apollo's Grove: Lest Phoebus should in any woods more pride. VVhat shall I say of Scylla? whose white side, (As Fame reports) with barking Monsters bound, Vexing Dulichian ships; ah! in that sound She trembling Sailors with her Sea-hounds tears. And Tereus limbs transform'd, he next declares,

Philomels bankets, and what gifts she brought, And with what speed, she wretched, desarts sought, And with what wings once o're her Court she flew, He sung all these, which blest Eurotas knevv From Phoebus once: and bids the Laurell sing. And to the stars the Vales with echoe ring. Till night bid house their flocks, their numbers tell, And from unwilling skies the evening fell.

The seventh Eclog.

Melibaeus.

THE ARGUMENT.

The Vulgar like the worst, and make their choice Not from best Language, but the loudest voyce: And oft those men get fame, and win the prize, Who guard with boldness weak abilities.

Corydon. Thyrsis.

AS Daphnis sate under a murmuring Oke, Thyrsis, and Corydon drove on the flock. Sheep Thyrsis, Corydon milch Goats did bring: Arcadians both, in youth both flourishing, Both match'd to sing, to answer both prepar'd. Here whil'st soft myrtle me from cold did guard, The Goat chief of the flock strai'd; and I spide Daphnis, when he beheld me, straight he cride, Melibe, here, safe is thy Goat, and Kids; Rest in this shade, if no affair forbids,

The herds themselves to drink here, pass the Meads, Green Mincius here with soft reeds Couches spreads, Now from the sacred Oke the svvarms resound. VVhat should I do? no maid was to be found, That carefully my nevv wean'd Lambs should watch: VVhen Corydon and Thyrsis sung their match. Yet for the sport my business I laid by, Then, both in Verse strove for the victorie; The Muse their parts alternate did divide, These Corydon sung, and Thyrsis thus replide.

Corydon.

You Fountain-Nymphs, our love, or grant me Verse, As once to Codrus, who did strains rehearse Like Phoebus; but, if such can not be mine, This Pipe shall hang upon the sacred Pine.

Thyrsis.

Your rising Poet crown Arcadian Svvaines With Ivie, and let spight burst Codrus veines, Or if he'le praise too much, let beries arme My browes, lest an ill tongue your Poet harme.

Corydon.

A Boars head Delia, Mycon doth impart To thee, and large hornes of a long-liv'd hart. Thy Statue shall be in fine Marble plac'd, If this thou grant, vvith purple buskins grac'd.

Thyrisis.

Priapus, only Cream and Cakes expect Yearly, thou our poor Orchards dost protect, We for a time, thee but in Marble mould: But if our flocks increase, thou shalt be gold.

Corydon.

Galate me doth more then Thyme delight, Bright Ivie not so faire, nor Swans more white, VVhen the fed Cattel first to stals repaire; Come, if thou hast of Corydon a care.

Thyrsis.

I bitterer to thee then Sardan grass, More rough then broome shall seeme, then Owse more base, If this day shews not longer then whole years, Goe, if you' have any shame, goe home, fed steers.

Corydon.

You mossie Springs, and grass more soft then sleep, And verdant boughes, which you with shadowes keep, In summer save my flocks, great heat comes now, And pregnant Crapes swell on the glad some bough.

Thyrsis.

A hearth, fat Pyne, nor ample fire we lack, VVith daily smoke, our Chimney peeces black: The cold of Boreas here we fear no more, Then VVolves our Cattell, or fierce streams the shore.

Corydon.

Here Junipers and downie Chesnuts be, And tempting Apples under every tree. All things now smile, but if Alexis flie Our Mountains, thou shalt see the rivers drie.

Thyrsis.

In scorch'd fields th' aire infected herbage kils, Bacchus his viney shade denies the hills: VVhen Phyllis comes all shall wax green again, And Jove descend in joyfull showres of raine.

Corydon.

Alcides Poplar, Bacchus Vines doth grace, Faire Venus Myrtle, and Apollo Baies,

Phyllis loves hazels, if she these allow, Myrtle and Laurell both to hazels bow.

Thyrsis.

The Ash in woods, in Orchards Pines are faire, Poplar in streams, Firrs in high Mountains are; But if fair Lycida oft thou visit me, The lofty Ash and Pine shall bow to thee.

Melibaeus.

These I record, and Thyrsis vanquish'd, thus From that time Corydon, Corydon for us.

The eight Eclog.

Pharmaceutria.

THE ARGUMENT.

Nothing can ease the pangs of cruell love, Though a base object do the fancie move, And when they feele the power of Cupids Dart, They will not stick to use the blackest Art.

Damou. Alphesibus.

ALphesibe, and Damons Muse we sing, At vvhose contention young steers wondering Forgot to feed, Lynces their verse amaze, And in his course the flovving River staies. Alphesibe and Damons Muse we sing. VVhether thou pass by great Tymavus Spring, Or cut Illyrian waves. Shall once the day Appear, when I thy victories shall display? It shall; and I thy praise through earth rehearse, Fit onl y for a Sophoclean verse.

These sprung from thee, in thee must end. Take layes Begun by thy Commands; mongst conquering bayes Suffer this Ivie round thy browes to spread. Scarce nights cold shadows from the skie were fled; When dew the heards delight, had pearl'd the Mead, On a smooth Olive, leaning, Damon said.

Damon.

Lucifer rise, usher the joyfull day, VVhil'st I complaine, me Nisa doth betray With fained love, and yet at my last houre, The Gods (who knew I gain'd not) I implore, And now my Pipes begin Menalean strains.

Menalus never wanted murmuring Groves, And whispering pines, it alwayes heard the loves Of passionate shepherds, and great Pan who still, Suffer'd not Svvaines to have an idle quill. And now my Pipes begin Menalean strains.

Mopsus hath Nisa: Then all love may speed, And now wing'd Griphins may with horses breed; And timerous Deer in follovving times be found, Fearless to water with the cruell hound. Mopsus new torches cut, now thou art wed, Strevv nuts, for thy sake Hesper goes to bed. And now my Pipes begin Menalean strains.

Oh nobly match'd, vvhil'st thou didst all despise, My Pipes and Goates not pleasing in thy eyes, My hairie eye browes, and my unshorne beard, Nor think'st that any God for mortals car'd. And now my Pipes begin Menalean straines.

I, thee a little one, vvith thy mother found Once gathering mellovv apples in our ground; I vvas your guide, at tvvelve years from my birth, And then could slender boughes reach from the earth, Soone as I saw, as soone I perished, Alas, how great an error me misled! And now my Pipe begin Menalean straines.

Now Love I know, Ismarus him hath fed, Or Rodophe, or farthest Afrique bred, Mongst wilde forsaken Rocks, those places cou'd Produce no off-spring of our stock, or blood. And now my pipes begin Menalean straines.

Dire Love a mother taught, her hand t' imbrue In her sons blood, thou a stern mother too; Has she more rage, or the boy less desert? He's stubborn, and thou cruell mother art. And now my pipes begin Menalean straines.

Let vvolves novv naturally avoid our flocks, And golden Apples grovv on stubborn Okes; From the base Eldar sprout the daffadill, And Amber from lovv Tamarisk distill; Owles strive vvith Swans, let Tityrus Orpheus be, Orpheus in woods, Arion on the sea: And now my pipes begin Menalean straines.

Let all parts now be sea, farewell you woods, From aerie hils, I'le leap into the floods, T'accept a dying man's last present daine. Leave pipes, leave off now, the Menalcan straine.

Thus Damon: vvhat Alphesibe answerd, you Muses relate! all cannot all things do.

Bring water, with fost wreaths the Altars dress, Rich Gumms, and juicy vervain sacrifice, That I my love with Magick may disarme Of his disdain; there only wants a Charme. My Verse bring from the Town, bring Daphnis home.

Charmes can command the Moon dovvn from the skie; Circes Charmes chang'd Ʋlisses company: A frozen Snake being charm d, burst in the meads. I walk around vvith these three severall threads, Bout th Altars thrice I shall thy Image bear; Od numbers to the God delightfull are. Bring from the Town my verse, bring Daphnis home.

Knots Amaryllis tye, of colours three, Then say these chaines I knit, for Venus be. Bring from the Town my verse, bring Daphnis home.

As with one fire this clay doth harder prove, This wax more soft. So Daphnis with our love, Break Cakes, fire Laurell with a sacred blaze, Daphnis burns me, for him Ile burn this bayes. Bring from the Town my verse, bring Daphnis home.

So Daphnis as a wearied Heifer loves, Seeking a steer in woods, and shadie Groves, She near a streame laid on green siege doth mourne, And when night cals, regards not to returne. So Daphnis loves, and I his cure not minde: He once a pledge his garments left behinde. Which now in th'entrance, Earth, I give to thee, This pledg for Daphnis is ingag'd to me. Bring from the town my verse, bring Daphnis home.

Moeris for me these hearbs in Pontus chose, And curious drugs, for there great plentie growes. I many times with these have Maeris spide, Chang'd to a wolfe, and in the woods to hide. Bring from the town, my verse, bring Daphnis home.

Bear th'ashes Amaryllis forth, and them Cast o're thy head, into a running streame, Nor look back. These for Daphnis I prepar'd, For he doth neither Gods, nor Charmes regard. Bring from the town, my verse, my Daphnis home.

See th' ashes, of themselves on th' Altars blaze, Whil'st I to bear them out did make delayes. I know not what it means; oh may it thrive; And Hylax barks at dore! Do we believe, Or those who love, dreams to themselves still faine? Now Charms forbear, Daphnis comes home again.

The ninth Eclog.

THE ARGUMENT

Best Princes Peace affect, and more delight Their Subjects to preserve, then their own right; But those who follow War no power can awe, Swords make oppression just, and madness Law.

Lycidas. Moeris.

Lycidas.

MOEris, where go'st? to Town the common way?

Moeris.

We Lycidas live to hear a stranger say (Which we ne're thought) who now the fields doth own, These Lands are mine; you rustick Swaines be gone. Vanquish'd and sad, since chance swaies all things, we Send him these Kids; may they unluckie be.

Lycidas.

Truly I heard, where th' hill begins to bend, And with a gentle stooping to descend, Towards the brook, where the old torne Beech doth stand, Menalcas by his song had all regain'd.

Moeris.

Thou heardst, and so twas fam'd; but our verse proves Gainst martiall arms, as the Chaonian Doves

When the Eagle comes; If from the holl•••• tree, The ominous Crow had not premonish'd me, To cut off new debates, nor more to strive, I, nor Menalcas had not been alive.

Lycidas.

Alas! can any man so impious be? Menalcas, all our Joys are lost with thee. Who shall the Nymphs record? who with sweet flowrs, Strew earth, and Springs surround with shadie bowrs? Or who such verse I had from thee shall write, When thou courtd st, Amaryllis our delight? Tityrus, till I come, nor long I'le stay, Feed thou my Goats, and having fed convey To watering, and whil'st they driving are, Look how you meet the Goat, he'le strike, beware.

Moeris.

He sung to Varus this unpollish'd strain, Varus thy name (if Mantua ours remaine, Mantua, (to sad Cremona, ah too nigh.) Harmonious Swans shall carrie to the skie.

Lycidas.

So from the Cyrnean yewes thy bees retreat, So Cythisus extends the Cowes full teat: Begin if thou hast ought; the muses me A Poet made, and I can versifie; And me a Poet too the Shepherds deem, But I want confidence to credit them. I've nought worth Varus yet, or Cinnas choice, But like a goose mongst Swans I make a noise.

Moeris.

And so do I, and to my self rehearse, (Could I remember) no unworthy verse. Come hither Galate, what sport is there Amongst the streams? the purple spring is here:

The Earth adorns the banks with every flowre, And silver Poplar hides this pleasant bower, And tender vine-twigs weave into a shade. Come hither, let wilde floods the shores invade.

Lycidas.

What wa'st I heard thee sing, the last fair night? I have the tune, could I the words recite.

Moeris.

O Daphnis why observ'st thou ancient signs, Dionean Coesars star, behold, now shines: The star, which fields with fruit, and gladness fils, And coulors vines upon the sunnie hils. Daphnis set pears, thy race shall fruit injoy, Age all things wasts: the minde too; I a boy With song have often tir'd the summers sun, Now all those straines are lost, and my voyce gone; A wolfe saw Moeris first. Menalcas yet At large to thee shall all those lines repeat.

Moeris.

Thou by delaies our longings dost increase, Through every field is spread a silent peace; The aire is still, the middle path is here; And see now Bianors tombe begins t appear. Here where the Shepherds have their bavins tyde, Moeris let's sing, and lay thy Kids aside: Timely wee'le reach the town, and if we fear The night should gather rain, ere we come there, Singing lets goe, the way shall better please: That I may sing, thee of thy load Ile' ease.

Lycidas.

Shepherd, no more, let's do what next remaines, When our chiefe comes wee'le fancie better straines.

The tenth Eclog.

Gallus.

THE ARGUMENT.

Both wise and valiant men oft feel the flames Of cruel love, and follow Wanton dames; Yet scornefull Ladies still this curse pursues, To slight the better, and the worse to choose.

THis my last work, O Arethusa speed. For Gallus, which Lycoris self might reade, Straines must be sung: who Gallus will denie? So gliding under floods of Sicilie, May not with thee, salt Doris mix her stream. Begin, let Gallus sad love be our theame, Whilst flat no'sd Goats shall crop the tender buds; To deaf we sing not, answer'd by the woods. In what woods were you Naiades, what Grove, When Gallus perish'd, by unworthy love? Parnassus tops, Pindus have not delaid, Nor for you Aganippes fountain staid.

Laurels for him, and tamarisk tears did pay, And Menalus whil'st by a Rock he lay, VVith cold Lycaus Clifts did him lament. That sheep stand round us we do not repent; Nor divine Poet dost thou flocks contemn: The fair Adonis fed sheep near the stream. The shepherds come, and the dull herds-men haste, And fat Menalcas flies from winter maste. All ask whence sprung this love; Apollo came, And said, what madness Gallus doth inflame? Thy dear Lycoris wanders through the snowes, And through rough wayes after another goes. Sylvanus comes adorn'd with rurall boughes, Lillies, and fennel dangling on his browes. Pan comes, Arcadia's God, whom we have spide, With Synople, and blushing berries dide; Betwixt extreams is there no mean? he sayes, Love hath regard to no such things as these. Not love with tears, nor grass with streams, nor bees With thyme are satisfi'de, nor Goats with trees. Pensive he said, O you Arcadians chant About our hils, for you no cunning want. Oh! then my ashes shall finde peacefull rest, When by your quill my passions are exprest. I would with you a shepherds life were mine, To follow sheep, or prune the swelling vine: Then Phyllis, or Amyntas were mine own, Or some love (though I grant, Amyntas brown, Dark are the violets, so the bilberrie) Would mongst soft vines and sallowes rest with me. Phyllis should wreath me flowres, Amyn••as sing. Lycoris, here are meads, here the cool spring, Thou far from home. (I wish it were not so) Seest without me, cold Rhine, and Alpine snow:

May thee no bleak winds, nor rough tempests meet, Ah may no sharp ice wound thy tender feet. Ile goe and play in a Chalcidick straine, My notes on reeds, of a Sicilian Swaine. Rather in Desarts I resolve to live, And in the dens of savage beasts to grieve; There on the tender barks to carve my love, And as they grow so shall my hopes improve. Meane while commixed with the Nymphs, Ile view Menalus, or the cruel boar pursue: Nor shall I be with hardest frosts withstood, To set with dogs, round the Parthenian wood. Through murmuring Groves, and rocks me thinks I goe, Pleas'd to shoot arrowes, from a Parthian bow. As if this were a medicine for our love, Or by mans sufferings, Cupid milder prove, Verses displease now, Muses in disgrace, And now again, you shadie Groves give place. Nor can our troubles work him to a change, Should we drink Hebrus, in midwinter range Amongst huge frosts, and Scythian snow; should we, When on high elms the parch'd vines dying be. The southern flocks, under hot Cancer move, Love conquers all, let us give place to love. Let this suffice your Poet to have said, Whil'st he a basket of fine bulrush made: Muses, you shall great things for Gallus do, Whose love to me as much doth hourely grow, As the green Alder shooteth in the spring. Let us arise; shades oft hurt those who sing; Juniper shades are to our fruit a foe, The Evening comes, goe home, my fed Kids, goe.