IDYLLIUM XXVII.

Daphnis and Shepherdess.

DAPHNIS.

YOUNG Paris the Trojan, who tended his herd,
To the fair ones of Troy a Greek beauty preferr❜d.
He stole the gay charmer, an amorous felon;
I boast a free kiss from a sweeter than Helen!
SHEP. A kiss is so empty: you satyr!—Poh;
poh!

disdain!

DAPH. And yet there's some pleasure in kissing, I trow! [Kisses her. SHEP. I wipe then my mouth, and your kisses [bussing againDAPH. Do you wipe? Come, I'm ready for SHEP. Kiss your heifers; nor worry a virgin, you lout! [you may flout, DAPH. Indeed! but remember, though now That your beauty, however 'tis held in esteem, Will fade, haughty girl, and be gone, like a dream. SHEP. The grape, when 'tis dried, is delicious

in taste,

[pass'd. And the rose is still sweet when its blushes are DAPH. Come hither; I've something to whisper, my maid

These wild olives form an agreeable shade. SHEP.No-no-Mr. Wag! 'tis a little too soon To be duped so again!

DAPH. Then I'll play you a tune Beneath yonder elms!

SHEP. Go, and play to yourself!

I cannot attend to so wretched an elf.

L

DAPH. Ah, maiden, of Venus's anger beware! SHEP. Her anger! Diana alone is my care! DAPH. Take heed, lest the goddess, whom thus you defy,

Should rivet a knot you may never untie!

SHEP. No fear, while Diana continues to watch: Be quiet-hands off-or, I swear, I will scratch. DAPH. You may vaunt, as you like, your slim

delicate shape

But the fate of your sex you can never escape! SHEP. Believe me, by Pan, I'll be never a wife; But may you bear the yoke all the days of your life. DAPH. In end, I much fear you will marry some brute.

SHEP. Many wooers I've had, but no wooer would suit!

DAPH. What think you of me?

SHEP. Why, my friend, without jest, I think Hymen's yoke is a burden, at best. DAPH. No: marriage is nothing but pleasureSHEP. When wives By their husbands are terrified out of their lives! DAPH. No, maiden, the fact is, that wives domineer:

Whom was ever a woman discover'd to fear?

SHEP. I'm most of the perils of childbirth

afraid

[trade! DAPH. Your guardian Diana's a midwife by SHEP. Yet I tremble! it ruins, at last, the complexion! [affection! DAPH. Your children will make up the loss in SHEP. But where is my jointure, if I should con

sent?

DAPH. My fields and my woodlands in all their With my flocks and my herds

[extent,

SHEP.

Then an oath you shall take That you love me with truth, and will never forsake. DAPH. Yes, though you endeavour to force

me away,

By Pan, whom we worship, I swear I will stay. SHEP. Will you build me a lodging, and sheep

cote, and bed?

DAPH. Yes, all-and my pastures with flocks

are o'erspread.

SHEP. But how shall I tell

my

[love?

old father my

DAPH. No fear: if you mention my name,

approve.

he'll

SHEP. Pray what are you call'd? There are charms in a name

DAPH. I'm Daphnis: my father, of musical Old Lycid: my mother, Nomea.

SHEP.

The blood

[fame,

Runs rich in your veins; and yet mine is as good. DAPH. Not better, be sure; for your father I

know

Menalcas, who lives in the valley below. SHEP. Then show me your groves; and the cote where it lies.

DAPH. Come hither; and mark how my cypresses rise! [to the grove! SHEP. Browse yonder, my goats, while I haste DAPH. And feed, my brave bulls-while I

wanton in love!

IDYLLIUM XXVIII.

The Distaff.

FRIEND to the woof, each thrifty matron's care,
O thou, the azure-eyed Minerva's meed,
Thy poet's charge, to Nileus' towers repair,
Where rises Venus' fane, embower'd in reed!
Thither we ask fair winds to waft us o'er,

That Nicias, by the sweet-toned Graces bless'd,
Their hallow'd offspring, may with letter'd lore
And friendly converse charm his welcome guest,
Thee, Distaff, thee of polish'd ivory framed,
I bear, meet present to his lovely wife:
So shall her frugal industry be famed,

The genuine model of domestic life; Whilst her fine vests shall manly limbs adorn, The flowing garment, or the robe succinct; While o'er her water'd webs by females worn Floats the rich lustre of the shadowy tinct. The fleece's treasure, each revolving year,

Twice the shorn mother of the lamb supplies; For her who holds each toil-each science dear, That gains the stamp of merit from the wise, Nor would I bear thee, Distaff, to the dome Where dissipation reigns, and idle mirth; Thee, who, amidst Sicilia's pasture-bloom, Tracest to Archias' city walls thy birth. A happier mansion be thy lot to gain,

[aid

Where lives my friend, whose health-restoring Lulls with salubrious balms the throbs of pain, And guards Miletus' sons from Pluto's shade.

Thus shall thy fair possessor rise in fame,

By thee recall to mind her tuneful guest; And many a one, that marks thee, shall exclaim, Though but a trivial favour be possess'd,

"Tis for the giver's sake the gift we boast; And what a friend bestows we value most!'

IDYLLIUM XXIX.

The Capricious Friend.

SINCE, Truth's in Wine,' my dearest youth,
We mellow souls should speak the truth:
Take then, for once, without disguise,
What in my inmost bosom lies.

Thy friendship is not sound and whole;
Thou dost not love me from the soul.
The half of life I call my own

Lives but through thee-the rest is gone!
"Tis thine to make alive or kill;
To bless with good, or curse with ill:
For instant, at thy powerful nod,
I sink a shade! or rise a God!
How can thy heart approve it, tell,
To torture one who loves so well?
But if thy senior pleased to hear,
Thou lend advice a listening ear,
Thy ready plaudits will commend,
When blessings come, a faithful friend.
To gain security and rest,
Build on one tree a single nest;
And such a bough be sure to take
As mocks the' approaches of the snake.