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THEOCRITUS
TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH VERSE.
BY
C.S. CALVERLEY,
PREFACE.
I had intended translating all or nearly all these Idylls into blank verse, as the natural equivalent of Greek or of Latin hexameters; only deviating into rhyme where occasion seemed to demand it. But I found that other metres had their special advantages: the fourteen-syllable line in particular has that, among others, of containing about the same number of syllables as an ordinary line of Theocritus. And there is also no doubt something gained by variety.
I planned to translate all or almost all of these Idylls into blank verse, as a natural equivalent to Greek or Latin hexameters, only switching to rhyme when it felt necessary. However, I discovered that other meters had their unique benefits: for example, the fourteen-syllable line roughly matches the syllable count of a typical line from Theocritus. There's also definitely something to be gained from having variety.
Several recent writers on the subject have laid down that every translation of Greek poetry, especially bucolic poetry, must be in rhyme of some sort. But they have seldom stated, and it is hard to see, why. There is no rhyme in the original, and primâ facie should be none in the translation. Professor Blackie has, it is true, pointed out the "assonances, alliterations, and rhymes," which are found in more or less abundance in Ionic Greek.[A] These may of course be purely accidental, like the hexameters in Livy or the blank-verse lines in Mr. Dickens's prose: but accidental or not (it may be said) they are there, and ought to be recognised. May we not then recognise them by introducing similar assonances, etc., here and there into the English version? or by availing ourselves of what Professor Blackie again calls attention to, the "compensating powers"[B] of English? I think with him that it was hard to speak of our language as one which "transforms boos megaloio boeién into 'great ox's hide.'" Such phrases as 'The Lord is a man of war,' 'The trumpet spake not to the armed throng,' are to my ear quite as grand as Homer: and it would be equally fair to ask what we are to make of a language which transforms Milton's line into [Greek: ê shalpigx ohy proshephê ton hôplismhenon hochlon.][C] But be this as it may, these phenomena are surely too rare and too arbitrary to be adequately represented by any regularly recurring rhyme: and the question remains, what is there in the unrhymed original to which rhyme answers?
Several recent writers on the topic have claimed that every translation of Greek poetry, particularly bucolic poetry, must use some form of rhyme. However, they rarely explain why. There’s no rhyme in the original, so there shouldn’t be any in the translation either. Professor Blackie has noted the "assonances, alliterations, and rhymes" that can be found in varying degrees in Ionic Greek.[A] These could be purely coincidental, similar to the hexameters in Livy or the blank-verse lines in Mr. Dickens's prose. But whether accidental or not, they exist and should be acknowledged. Can we then acknowledge them by incorporating similar assonances and so on in the English version? Or by utilizing what Professor Blackie refers to as the "compensating powers"[B] of English? I agree with him that it’s difficult to say our language "transforms boos megaloio boeién into 'great ox's hide.'" Phrases like 'The Lord is a man of war' and 'The trumpet spake not to the armed throng' sound just as grand to me as Homer. It would be just as reasonable to question what we’re supposed to think of a language that transforms Milton's line into [Greek: ê shalpigx ohy proshephê ton hôplismhenon hochlon.][C] Regardless, these phenomena are certainly too rare and too arbitrary to be adequately represented by any consistently recurring rhyme. The question remains: what is there in the unrhymed original that rhyme responds to?
To me its effect is to divide the verse into couplets, triplets, or (if the word may include them all) stanzas of some kind. Without rhyme we have no apparent means of conveying the effect of stanzas. There are of course devices such as repeating a line or part of a line at stated intervals, as is done in 'Tears, idle tears' and elsewhere: but clearly none of these would be available to a translator. Where therefore he has to express stanzas, it is easy to see that rhyme may be admissible and even necessary. Pope's couplet may (or may not) stand for elegiacs, and the In Memoriam stanza for some one of Horace's metres. Where the heroes of Virgil's Eclogues sing alternately four lines each, Gray's quatrain seems to suggest itself: and where a similar case occurs in these Idylls (as for instance in the ninth) I thought it might be met by taking whatever received English stanza was nearest the required length. Pope's couplet again may possibly best convey the pomposity of some Idylls and the point of others. And there may be divers considerations of this kind. But, speaking generally, where the translator has not to intimate stanzas—where he has on the contrary to intimate that there are none—rhyme seems at first sight an intrusion and a suggestio falsi.
To me, its effect is to split the verse into couplets, triplets, or, if the term includes them all, stanzas of some kind. Without rhyme, we have no clear way to convey the effect of stanzas. There are, of course, techniques like repeating a line or part of a line at set intervals, as is done in 'Tears, idle tears' and other works: but clearly, none of these would be available to a translator. Therefore, when he needs to express stanzas, it’s easy to see that rhyme may be allowed and even essential. Pope's couplet may (or may not) represent elegiacs, and the In Memoriam stanza may correspond to one of Horace's meters. Where the characters in Virgil's Eclogues sing four lines each in alternation, Gray's quatrain seems to come to mind: and when a similar situation occurs in these Idylls (as in the ninth), I thought it might be addressed by choosing whatever recognized English stanza was closest to the required length. Pope's couplet again might best express the pomposity of some Idylls and the wit of others. There could be various considerations along these lines. But generally speaking, where the translator doesn't need to indicate stanzas—where he must instead indicate that there are none—rhyme appears, at first glance, to be an intrusion and a suggestio falsi.
No doubt (as has been observed) what 'Pastorals' we have are mostly written in what is called the heroic measure. But the reason is, I suppose, not far to seek. Dryden and Pope wrote 'heroics,' not from any sense of their fitness for bucolic poetry, but from a sense of their universal fitness: and their followers copied them. But probably no scholar would affirm that any poem, original or translated, by Pope or Dryden or any of their school, really resembles in any degree the bucolic poetry of the Greeks. Mr. Morris, whose poems appear to me to resemble it more almost than anything I have ever seen, of course writes what is technically Pope's metre, and equally of course is not of Pope's school. Whether or no Pope and Dryden intended to resemble the old bucolic poets in style is, to say the least, immaterial. If they did not, there is no reason whatever why any of us who do should adopt their metre: if they did and failed, there is every reason why we should select a different one.
No doubt (as has been noted), the 'Pastorals' we have are mostly written in what is known as heroic verse. But the reason for this is probably pretty clear. Dryden and Pope wrote in 'heroics' not because they were suitable for pastoral poetry, but because they had a universal appeal: and their followers mimicked them. However, I don’t think any scholar would claim that any poem, original or translated, by Pope, Dryden, or any of their contemporaries, truly resembles the pastoral poetry of the Greeks. Mr. Morris, whose poems seem to resemble that style more than anything I've seen, naturally writes in what is technically Pope's meter, and is clearly not of Pope's tradition. Whether Pope and Dryden intended to emulate the old pastoral poets in style is, to say the least, irrelevant. If they didn't, we have no reason to adopt their meter; if they did and failed, then we certainly have every reason to choose a different one.
Professor Conington has adduced one cogent argument against blank verse: that is, that hardly any of us can write it.[D] But if this is so—if the 'blank verse' which we write is virtually prose in disguise—the addition of rhyme would only make it rhymed prose, and we should be as far as ever from "verse really deserving the name."[E] Unless (which I can hardly imagine) the mere incident of 'terminal consonance' can constitute that verse which would not be verse independently, this argument is equally good against attempting verse of any kind: we should still be writing disguised, and had better write undisguised, prose. Prose translations are of course tenable, and are (I am told) advocated by another very eminent critic. These considerations against them occur to one: that, among the characteristics of his original which the translator is bound to preserve, one is that he wrote metrically; and that the prattle which passes muster, and sounds perhaps rather pretty than otherwise, in metre, would in plain prose be insufferable. Very likely some exceptional sort of prose may be meant, which would dispose of all such difficulties: but this would be harder for an ordinary writer to evolve out of his own brain, than to construct any species of verse for which he has at least a model and a precedent.
Professor Conington has put forward a strong argument against blank verse: that hardly any of us can actually write it.[D] But if that's the case—if the 'blank verse' we write is basically prose in disguise—then adding rhyme would just turn it into rhymed prose, and we'd still be far from creating "verse that truly deserves the name."[E] Unless (which I can hardly imagine) the simple idea of 'terminal consonance' can define verse that wouldn’t be considered verse otherwise, this argument also applies to writing any kind of verse at all: we'd still be writing in disguise, and it would be better to just write plain prose. Prose translations are certainly valid, and I hear that another well-known critic supports them. However, I think about the characteristics of the original that the translator must preserve, one being that it was written metrically; and that the chatter that seems cute or pretty in meter would be totally unbearable in plain prose. It’s quite possible some special type of prose is intended, which would handle all these issues: but it would likely be tougher for an average writer to come up with that on their own than to create any type of verse for which they at least have a model and a precedent.
These remarks are made to shew that my metres were not selected, as it might appear, at hap-hazard. Metre is not so unimportant as to justify that. For the rest, I have used Briggs's edition[F] (Poetæ Bucolici Græci), and have never, that I am aware of, taken refuge in any various reading where I could make any sense at all of the text as given by him. Sometimes I have been content to put down what I felt was a wrong rendering rather than omit; but only in cases where the original was plainly corrupt, and all suggested emendations seemed to me hopelessly wide of the mark. What, for instance, may be the true meaning of [Greek: bolbhost tist kochlhiast] in the fourteenth Idyll I have no idea. It is not very important. And no doubt the sense of the last two lines of the "Death of Adonis" is very unlikely to be what I have made it. But no suggestion that I met with seemed to me satisfactory or even plausible: and in this and a few similar cases I have put down what suited the context. Occasionally also, as in the Idyll here printed last—the one lately discovered by Bergk, which I elucidated by the light of Fritzsche's conjectures—I have availed myself of an opinion which Professor Conington somewhere expresses, to the effect that, where two interpretations are tenable, it is lawful to accept for the purposes of translation the one you might reject as a commentator. [Greek: tetootaiost] has I dare say nothing whatever to do with 'quartan fever.'
These comments are meant to show that my choice of meters was not random, as it might seem. Meter is too significant to justify such carelessness. For the most part, I've used Briggs's edition[F] (Poetæ Bucolici Græci) and haven’t relied on any alternatives where I could understand the text he provided. Sometimes I've chosen to note what I believed was an incorrect translation rather than leave it out, but only when the original was clearly flawed, and all suggested corrections seemed completely off. For example, I have no idea what the true meaning of [Greek: bolbhost tist kochlhiast] in the fourteenth Idyll is; it’s not very important. Also, the meaning of the last two lines of the "Death of Adonis" is probably not what I've interpreted. However, no suggestion I encountered seemed satisfactory or even believable, so in this and a few similar instances, I went with what fit the context. Occasionally, as in the last Idyll printed here—the one recently discovered by Bergk, which I clarified using Fritzsche's guesses—I took advantage of an opinion from Professor Conington, who mentioned that when two interpretations are possible, it's acceptable to choose the one you might dismiss as a commentator for the sake of translation. [Greek: tetootaiost] probably has nothing to do with 'quartan fever.'
On one point, rather a minor one, I have ventured to dissent from Professor Blackie and others: namely, in retaining the Greek, instead of adopting the Roman, nomenclature. Professor Blackie says[G] that there are some men by whom "it is esteemed a grave offence to call Jupiter Jupiter," which begs the question: and that Jove "is much more musical" than Zeus, which begs another. Granting (what might be questioned) that Zeus, Aphrodite, and Eros are as absolutely the same individuals with Jupiter, Venus, and Cupid as Odysseus undoubtedly is with Ulysses—still I cannot see why, in making a version of (say) Theocritus, one should not use by way of preference those names by which he invariably called them, and which are characteristic of him: why, in turning a Greek author into English, we should begin by turning all the proper names into Latin. Professor Blackie's authoritative statement[H] that "there are whole idylls in Theocritus which would sound ridiculous in any other language than that of Tam o' Shanter" I accept of course unhesitatingly, and should like to see it acted upon by himself or any competent person. But a translator is bound to interpret all as best he may: and an attempt to write Tam o' Shanter's language by one who was not Tam o' Shanter's countryman would, I fear, result in something more ridiculous still.
On one point, a relatively minor one, I have chosen to disagree with Professor Blackie and others: specifically, in keeping the Greek names instead of switching to the Roman ones. Professor Blackie says[G] that there are people who consider it a serious offense to call Jupiter "Jupiter," which misses the point; and that "Jove" is "much more musical" than "Zeus," which raises another question. Even if we accept (which could be debated) that Zeus, Aphrodite, and Eros are exactly the same as Jupiter, Venus, and Cupid just like Odysseus definitely is with Ulysses—I still don’t see why, when translating (for example) Theocritus, we shouldn't use the names that he consistently used, which are unique to him: why, when converting a Greek author into English, should we start by changing all the proper names to Latin? I certainly accept Professor Blackie's strong statement[H] that "there are entire idylls in Theocritus that would sound ridiculous in any language other than that of Tam o' Shanter," and I would love to see him or anyone with the right skills put that into practice. But a translator has to interpret everything as best as they can: and trying to write in Tam o' Shanter's style by someone who isn’t from his region would, I fear, end up being even more ridiculous.
C.S.C.
C.S.C.
*** For Cometas, in Idyll V., read Comatas.
*** For Comatas, in Idyll V., read Comatas.
FOOTNOTES:
FOOTNOTES:
BLACKIE'S Homer, Vol. I., pp. 413, 414.
BLACKIE'S Homer, Vol. I., pp. 413, 414.
Ibid., page 377, etc.
Ibid., p. 377, etc.
Professor Kingsley.
Prof. Kingsley.
Preface to CONINGTON'S Æneid, page ix.
Preface to CONINGTON'S Æneid, p. ix.
Ibid.
Same source.
Since writing the above lines I have had the advantage of seeing Mr. Paley's Theocritus, which was not out when I made my version.
Since writing the above lines, I've had the chance to see Mr. Paley's Theocritus, which wasn't available when I created my version.
BLACKIE'S Homer, Preface, pp. xii., xiii.
BLACKIE'S Homer, Preface, pp. 12, 13.
BLACKIE'S Homer, Vol. I., page 384.
BLACKIE'S Homer, Vol. 1, p. 384.
CONTENTS.
__A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__:—
IDYLL I.
THYRSIS.
THYRSIS.
Sweet are the whispers of yon pine that makes
Sweet are the whispers of that pine tree that makes
Low music o'er the spring, and, Goatherd, sweet
Low music over the spring, and, Goatherd, sweet
Thy piping; second thou to Pan alone.
Your playing; second only to Pan.
Is his the horned ram? then thine the goat.
Is his the horned ram? Then yours is the goat.
Is his the goat? to thee shall fall the kid;
Is this his goat? To you shall fall the kid;
And toothsome is the flesh of unmilked kids.
And the meat of unmilked young goats is delicious.
GOATHERD.
Goat herder.
Shepherd, thy lay is as the noise of streams
Shepherd, your song is like the sound of streams
Falling and falling aye from yon tall crag.
Falling and falling, yes, from that tall cliff.
If for their meed the Muses claim the ewe,
If the Muses ask for the sheep as their reward,
Be thine the stall-fed lamb; or if they choose
Be yours the well-fed lamb; or if they choose
The lamb, take thou the scarce less-valued ewe.
The lamb, you take the somewhat less valuable ewe.
THYRSIS.
THYRSIS.
Pray, by the Nymphs, pray, Goatherd, seat thee here
Pray, by the Nymphs, pray, Goatherd, sit here
Against this hill-slope in the tamarisk shade,
Against this hillside in the tamarisk shade,
And pipe me somewhat, while I guard thy goats.
And play me a tune while I watch over your goats.
GOATHERD.
Goat herder.
I durst not, Shepherd, O I durst not pipe
I definitely can't, Shepherd, oh I can't play my pipe
At noontide; fearing Pan, who at that hour
At noon; afraid of Pan, who at that time
Rests from the toils of hunting. Harsh is he;
Rests from the hard work of hunting. He is tough;
Wrath at his nostrils aye sits sentinel.
Anger always sits like a guard at his nostrils.
But, Thyrsis, thou canst sing of Daphnis' woes;
But, Thyrsis, you can sing about Daphnis' troubles;
High is thy name for woodland minstrelsy:
High is your name for forest music:
Then rest we in the shadow of the elm
Then we rest in the shade of the elm.
Fronting Priapus and the Fountain-nymphs.
Fronting Priapus and the fountain nymphs.
There, where the oaks are and the Shepherd's seat,
There, where the oaks are and the shepherd's seat,
Sing as thou sang'st erewhile, when matched with him
Sing like you did before, when you were paired with him.
Of Libya, Chromis; and I'll give thee, first,
Of Libya, Chromis; and I'll give you, first,
To milk, ay thrice, a goat—she suckles twins,
To milk, yeah, three times, a goat—she nurses twins,
Yet ne'ertheless can fill two milkpails full;—
Yet nevertheless can fill two milkpails full;—
Next, a deep drinking-cup, with sweet wax scoured,
Next, a deep drinking cup, polished with sweet wax,
Two-handled, newly-carven, smacking yet
Two-handled, newly carved, smacking yet
0' the chisel. Ivy reaches up and climbs
0' the chisel. Ivy reaches up and climbs
About its lip, gilt here and there with sprays
About its lip, gilded here and there with sprays
Of woodbine, that enwreathed about it flaunts
Of woodbine, that wraps around it and shows off
Her saffron fruitage. Framed therein appears
Her saffron fruit. Framed within it appears
A damsel ('tis a miracle of art)
A lady (it's a work of art)
In robe and snood: and suitors at her side
In a robe and headscarf, with suitors by her side
With locks fair-flowing, on her right and left,
With beautiful hair flowing, on her right and left,
Battle with words, that fail to reach her heart.
Battle with words that can't touch her heart.
She, laughing, glances now on this, flings now
She laughs, glances at this, then throws now
Her chance regards on that: they, all for love
Her chance depends on that: they, all for love.
Wearied and eye-swoln, find their labour lost.
Wearied and with swollen eyes, they find their efforts wasted.
Carven elsewhere an ancient fisher stands
Carven elsewhere, an old fisherman stands
On the rough rocks: thereto the old man with pains
On the rough rocks: there the old man with pain
Drags his great casting-net, as one that toils
Drags his large fishing net, like someone who works hard
Full stoutly: every fibre of his frame
Full stoutly: every fiber of his frame
Seems fishing; so about the gray-beard's neck
Seems fishing; so about the gray-beard's neck
(In might a youngster yet) the sinews swell.
(In might a youngster yet) the muscles grow stronger.
Hard by that wave-beat sire a vineyard bends
Hard by that wave-beat sire, a vineyard leans.
Beneath its graceful load of burnished grapes;
Beneath its elegant bunch of shining grapes;
A boy sits on the rude fence watching them.
A boy sits on the rough fence watching them.
Near him two foxes: down the rows of grapes
Near him, two foxes: through the rows of grapes
One ranging steals the ripest; one assails
One thief takes the ripest; one attacks
With wiles the poor lad's scrip, to leave him soon
With tricks, the poor boy's bag, to leave him soon
Stranded and supperless. He plaits meanwhile
Stranded and without dinner. He braids meanwhile.
With ears of corn a right fine cricket-trap,
With ears of corn as a great cricket trap,
And fits it on a rush: for vines, for scrip,
And places it on a rush: for vines, for paper,
Little he cares, enamoured of his toy.
Little does he care, enamored with his toy.
The cup is hung all round with lissom briar,
The cup is surrounded all around with flexible briar,
Triumph of Æolian art, a wondrous sight.
Triumph of Æolian art, an amazing sight.
It was a ferryman's of Calydon:
It was a ferryman's from Calydon:
A goat it cost me, and a great white cheese.
A goat cost me, along with a big block of white cheese.
Ne'er yet my lips came near it, virgin still
Never have my lips come close to it, still a virgin.
It stands. And welcome to such boon art thou,
It stands. And welcome to such a blessing are you,
If for my sake thou'lt sing that lay of lays.
If you'll sing that song of songs for me.
I jest not: up, lad, sing: no songs thou'lt own
I’m not joking: get up, kid, sing: there are no songs you’ll claim
In the dim land where all things are forgot.
In the shadowy place where everything is forgotten.
THYSIS [sings].
THYSIS [singing].
Begin, sweet Maids, begin the woodland song.
Start, lovely girls, start the forest song.
The voice of Thyrsis. Ætna's Thyrsis I.
The voice of Thyrsis. Ætna's Thyrsis I.
Where were ye, Nymphs, oh where, while Daphnis pined?
Where were you, Nymphs, oh where, while Daphnis suffered?
In fair Penëus' or in Pindus' glens?
In the beautiful valleys of Penëus or Pindus?
For great Anapus' stream was not your haunt,
For the great Anapus river wasn't your usual spot,
Nor Ætna's cliff, nor Acis' sacred rill.
Nor the cliffs of Etna, nor the holy stream of Acis.
Begin, sweet Maids, begin the woodland song.
Start, lovely girls, start the forest song.
O'er him the wolves, the jackals howled o'er him;
The wolves and jackals howled over him;
The lion in the oak-copse mourned his death.
The lion in the oak grove grieved his death.
Begin, sweet Maids, begin the woodland song.
Start, sweet girls, start the woodland song.
The kine and oxen stood around his feet,
The cows and oxen stood around his feet,
The heifers and the calves wailed all for him.
The heifers and the calves cried out for him.
Begin, sweet Maids, begin the woodland song.
Start, lovely girls, start the forest song.
First from the mountain Hermes came, and said,
First from the mountain, Hermes came and said,
"Daphnis, who frets thee? Lad, whom lov'st thou so?"
"Daphnis, who worries you? Dude, who do you love so much?"
Begin, sweet Maids, begin the woodland song.
Start, lovely girls, start the song of the woods.
Came herdsmen, shepherds came, and goatherds came;
Came herders, shepherds arrived, and goat herders showed up;
All asked what ailed the lad. Priapus came
All asked what was wrong with the boy. Priapus came
And said, "Why pine, poor Daphnis? while the maid
And said, "Why are you so gloomy, poor Daphnis? While the girl
Foots it round every pool and every grove,
Foots it around every pool and every grove,
(Begin, sweet Maids, begin the woodland song)
(Start, sweet girls, start the forest song)
"O lack-love and perverse, in quest of thee;
"O lost love and twisted, searching for you;
Herdsman in name, but goatherd rightlier called.
Herdsman by name, but more accurately described as a goatherd.
With eyes that yearn the goatherd marks his kids
With eyes full of longing, the goatherd watches his kids.
Run riot, for he fain would frisk as they:
Run wild, because he really wants to play around like they do:
(Begin, sweet Maids, begin the woodland song):
(Start, lovely girls, start the woodland song):
"With eyes that yearn dost thou too mark the laugh
"With eyes that long, do you also notice the laugh"
Of maidens, for thou may'st not share their glee."
Of maidens, for you cannot share their joy.
Still naught the herdsman said: he drained alone
Still nothing the herdsman said: he drank alone
His bitter portion, till the fatal end.
His bitter fate, until the tragic end.
Begin, sweet Maids, begin the woodland song.
Start, lovely girls, start the woodland song.
Came Aphroditè, smiles on her sweet face,
Came Aphrodite, smiles on her sweet face,
False smiles, for heavy was her heart, and spake:
False smiles, for her heart was heavy, and spoke:
"So, Daphnis, thou must try a fall with Love!
"So, Daphnis, you must take a chance with Love!"
But stalwart Love hath won the fall of thee."
But strong Love has caused your downfall.
Begin, sweet Maids, begin the woodland song.
Start, lovely girls, start the forest song.
Then "Ruthless Aphroditè," Daphnis said,
"Ruthless Aphroditè," Daphnis said,
"Accursed Aphroditè, foe to man!
"Cursed Aphroditè, enemy of man!"
Say'st thou mine hour is come, my sun hath set?
Do you say my time has come, and my sun has set?
Dead as alive, shall Daphnis work Love woe."
Dead as alive, Daphnis will make Love suffer.
Begin, sweet Maids, begin the woodland song.
Start, lovely girls, start the woodland song.
"Fly to Mount Ida, where the swain (men say)
"Fly to Mount Ida, where the shepherd (people say)"
And Aphroditè—to Anchises fly:
And Aphroditè—fly to Anchises:
There are oak-forests; here but galingale,
There are oak forests; here but sweetgale,
And bees that make a music round the hives.
And bees that create a melody around the hives.
Begin, sweet Maids, begin the woodland song.
Start, sweet girls, start the woodland song.
"Adonis owed his bloom to tending flocks
"Adonis owed his beauty to taking care of flocks"
And smiting hares, and bringing wild beasts down.
And hunting rabbits and taking down wild animals.
Begin, sweet Maids, begin the woodland song.
Start, lovely girls, start the forest song.
"Face once more Diomed: tell him 'I have slain
"Confront Diomed again: tell him, 'I have killed"
The herdsman Daphnis; now I challenge thee.'
The shepherd Daphnis; now I challenge you.
Begin, sweet Maids, begin the woodland song.
Start, sweet girls, start the woodland song.
"Farewell, wolf, jackal, mountain-prisoned bear!
"Goodbye, wolf, jackal, mountain bear!"
Ye'll see no more by grove or glade or glen
You won't see anything more by the grove, glade, or glen.
Your herdsman Daphnis! Arethuse, farewell,
Your herdsman Daphnis! Arethusa, goodbye,
And the bright streams that pour down Thymbris' side.
And the bright streams that flow down the side of Thymbris.
Begin, sweet Maids, begin the woodland song.
Start, lovely girls, start the forest song.
"I am that Daphnis, who lead here my kine,
"I am that Daphnis, who leads my cows here,
Bring here to drink my oxen and my calves.
Bring my oxen and calves here to drink.
Begin, sweet Maids, begin the woodland song.
Start, lovely girls, start the forest song.
"Pan, Pan, oh whether great Lyceum's crags
"Pan, Pan, oh whether the great cliffs of the Lyceum
Thou haunt'st to-day, or mightier Mænalus,
Thou haunt'st to-day, or mightier Mænalus,
Come to the Sicel isle! Abandon now
Come to the Sicel island! Leave now
Rhium and Helicè, and the mountain-cairn
Rhium and Helicè, and the mountain-cairn
(That e'en gods cherish) of Lycaon's son!
(That even gods cherish) of Lycaon's son!
Forget, sweet Maids, forget your woodland song.
Forget, dear girls, forget your forest song.
"Come, king of song, o'er this my pipe, compact
"Come, king of song, over this my pipe, compact"
With wax and honey-breathing, arch thy lip:
With wax and honey-sweet, curve your lips:
For surely I am torn from life by Love.
For sure, Love has pulled me out of life.
Forget, sweet Maids, forget your woodland song.
Forget, sweet girls, forget your forest song.
"From thicket now and thorn let violets spring,
"From thicket now and thorn let violets bloom,
Now let white lilies drape the juniper,
Now let white lilies hang down from the juniper,
And pines grow figs, and nature all go wrong:
And pines produce figs, and nature has gone awry:
For Daphnis dies. Let deer pursue the hounds,
For Daphnis is dead. Let the deer chase the hounds,
And mountain-owls outsing the nightingale.
And mountain owls outsing the nightingale.
Forget, sweet Maids, forget your woodland song."
Forget, dear girls, forget your forest song."
So spake he, and he never spake again.
So he spoke, and he never spoke again.
Fain Aphroditè would have raised his head;
Fain Aphroditè would have raised his head;
But all his thread was spun. So down the stream
But all his thread was used up. So down the stream
Went Daphnis: closed the waters o'er a head
Went Daphnis: covered the waters over his head
Dear to the Nine, of nymphs not unbeloved.
Dear to the Nine, not unloved by the nymphs.
Now give me goat and cup; that I may milk
Now give me the goat and the cup so I can milk it.
The one, and pour the other to the Muse.
The one, and give the other to the Muse.
Fare ye well, Muses, o'er and o'er farewell!
Farewell, Muses, again and again farewell!
I'll sing strains lovelier yet in days to be.
I'll sing even more beautiful melodies in the days to come.
GOATHERD.
Goat herder.
Thyrsis, let honey and the honeycomb
Thyrsis, let honey and the honeycomb
Fill thy sweet mouth, and figs of Ægilus:
Fill your sweet mouth with figs from Ægilus:
For ne'er cicala trilled so sweet a song.
For never has a cicada sung such a sweet song.
Here is the cup: mark, friend, how sweet it smells:
Here is the cup: notice, friend, how sweet it smells:
The Hours, thou'lt say, have washed it in their well.
The Hours, you'll say, have washed it in their well.
Hither, Cissætha! Thou, go milk her! Kids,
Hurry, Cissætha! You, go milk her! Kids,
Be steady, or your pranks will rouse the ram.
Be calm, or your antics will provoke the ram.
IDYLL II.
Where are the bay-leaves, Thestylis, and the charms?
Where are the bay leaves, Thestylis, and the charms?
Fetch all; with fiery wool the caldron crown;
Fetch everything; with fiery wool, the cauldron’s crown;
Let glamour win me back my false lord's heart!
Let glamour win back the heart of my false lord!
Twelve days the wretch hath not come nigh to me,
Twelve days the wretch hasn't come near me,
Nor made enquiry if I die or live,
Nor did they ask if I lived or died,
Nor clamoured (oh unkindness!) at my door.
Nor knocked (oh unkindness!) at my door.
Sure his swift fancy wanders otherwhere,
Sure, his quick imagination roams elsewhere,
The slave of Aphroditè and of Love.
The servant of Aphrodite and Love.
I'll off to Timagetus' wrestling-school
I'm off to Timagetus' wrestling school.
At dawn, that I may see him and denounce
At dawn, so I can see him and call him out.
His doings; but I'll charm him now with charms.
His actions; but I'll enchant him now with spells.
So shine out fair, O moon! To thee I sing
So shine bright, O moon! I sing to you.
My soft low song: to thee and Hecatè
My gentle, quiet song: for you and Hecate
The dweller in the shades, at whose approach
The dweller in the shades, at whose approach
E'en the dogs quake, as on she moves through blood
Even the dogs tremble as she moves through the blood
And darkness and the barrows of the slain.
And darkness and the graves of the fallen.
All hail, dread Hecatè: companion me
All hail, fearsome Hecatè: be my companion.
Unto the end, and work me witcheries
Unto the end, and cast your spells on me
Potent as Circè or Medea wrought,
Potent as Circe or Medea created,
Or Perimedè of the golden hair!
Or Perimedè with the golden hair!
Turn, magic wheel, draw homeward him I love.
Turn, magic wheel, bring back the one I love.
First we ignite the grain. Nay, pile it on:
First, we set the grain on fire. No, let's add more:
Where are thy wits flown, timorous Thestylis?
Where have your wits gone, timid Thestylis?
Shall I be flouted, I, by such as thou?
Shall I be disrespected, me, by someone like you?
Pile, and still say, 'This pile is of his bones.'
Pile, and still say, 'This pile is made up of his bones.'
Turn, magic wheel, draw homeward him I love.
Turn, magic wheel, bring back the one I love.
Delphis racks me: I burn him in these bays.
Delphis is driving me crazy: I'm losing it in these areas.
As, flame-enkindled, they lift up their voice,
As they raise their voice, ignited by the flame,
Blaze once, and not a trace is left behind:
Blaze once, and there's nothing left behind:
So waste his flesh to powder in yon fire!
So burn his body to ash in that fire!
Turn, magic wheel, draw homeward him I love.
Turn, magic wheel, bring back the person I love.
E'en as I melt, not uninspired, the wax,
E'en as I melt, not uninspired, the wax,
May Mindian Delphis melt this hour with love:
May Mindian Delphis melt this hour with love:
And, swiftly as this brazen wheel whirls round,
And, as quickly as this bold wheel spins around,
May Aphroditè whirl him to my door.
May Aphrodite spin him to my doorstep.
Turn, magic wheel, draw homeward him I love.
Turn, magic wheel, bring back home the one I love.
Next burn the husks. Hell's adamantine floor
Next, burn the husks. Hell’s unyielding floor
And aught that else stands firm can Artemis move.
And anything else that is solid can be changed by Artemis.
Thestylis, the hounds bay up and down the town:
Thestylis, the dogs bark all around the town:
The goddess stands i' the crossroads: sound the gongs.
The goddess stands at the crossroads: ring the gongs.
Turn, magic wheel, draw homeward him I love.
Turn, magic wheel, bring back the one I love.
Hushed are the voices of the winds and seas;
Hushed are the voices of the winds and seas;
But O not hushed the voice of my despair.
But oh, don’t silence the voice of my despair.
He burns my being up, who left me here
He consumes my existence, the one who abandoned me here.
No wife, no maiden, in my misery.
No wife, no girl, in my sadness.
Turn, magic wheel, draw homeward him I love.
Turn, magic wheel, bring back the one I love.
Thrice I pour out; speak thrice, sweet mistress, thus:
Thrice I pour out; speak three times, sweet mistress, like this:
"What face soe'er hangs o'er him be forgot
"What face ever looks down on him should be forgotten
Clean as, in Dia, Theseus (legends say)
Clean as, in Dia, Theseus (legends say)
Forgat his Ariadne's locks of love."
Forgat his Ariadne's locks of love.
Turn, magic, wheel, draw homeward him I love.
Turn, magic, wheel, draw him I love back home.
The coltsfoot grows in Arcady, the weed
The coltsfoot grows in Arcadia, the weed
That drives the mountain-colts and swift mares wild.
That drives the mountain colts and fast mares crazy.
Like them may Delphis rave: so, maniac-wise,
Like them may Delphis rave: so, crazy like a lunatic,
Race from his burnished brethren home to me.
Race from his polished brothers home to me.
Turn, magic wheel, draw homeward him I love.
Turn, magic wheel, bring back the person I love.
He lost this tassel from his robe; which I
He lost this tassel from his robe; which I
Shred thus, and cast it on the raging flames.
Shred it up and throw it into the blazing fire.
Ah baleful Love! why, like the marsh-born leech,
Ah, cursed Love! Why, like the leech born in the marsh,
Cling to my flesh, and drain my dark veins dry?
Cling to my skin and drain my dark veins completely?
Turn, magic wheel, draw homeward him I love.
Turn, magic wheel, bring back the one I love.
From a crushed eft tomorrow he shall drink
From a crushed eft, he will drink tomorrow.
Death! But now, Thestylis, take these herbs and smear
Death! But now, Thestylis, take these herbs and spread
That threshold o'er, whereto at heart I cling
That threshold crossed, to which I hold dear
Still, still—albeit he thinks scorn of me—
Still, still—even though he looks down on me—
And spit, and say, ''Tis Delphis' bones I smear.'
And spit, and say, "I'm smearing the bones of Delphi."
Turn, magic wheel, draw homeward him I love.
Turn, magic wheel, bring back the one I love.
[Exit Thestylis.
[Leave Thestylis.
Now, all alone, I'll weep a love whence sprung
Now, all alone, I'll cry for a love that came from
When born? Who wrought my sorrow? Anaxo came,
When was I born? Who caused my sorrow? Anaxo came,
Her basket in her hand, to Artemis' grove.
Her basket in hand, she headed to Artemis' grove.
Bound for the festival, troops of forest beasts
Bound for the festival, groups of woodland animals
Stood round, and in the midst a lioness.
Stood around, and in the center was a lioness.
Bethink thee, mistress Moon, whence came my love.
Think about it, mistress Moon, where did my love come from?
Theucharidas' slave, my Thracian nurse now dead
Theucharidas' slave, my Thracian nurse, is now deceased.
Then my near neighbour, prayed me and implored
Then my nearby neighbor begged me and pleaded
To see the pageant: I, the poor doomed thing,
To witness the spectacle: I, the unfortunate soul,
Went with her, trailing a fine silken train,
Went with her, trailing a delicate silk train,
And gathering round me Clearista's robe.
And gathering around me Clearista's robe.
Bethink thee, mistress Moon, whence came my love.
Think about it, mistress Moon, where my love came from.
Now, the mid-highway reached by Lycon's farm,
Now, the mid-highway that leads to Lycon's farm,
Delphis and Eudamippus passed me by.
Delphis and Eudamippus walked past me.
With beards as lustrous as the woodbine's gold
With beards as shiny as the woodbine's gold
And breasts more sheeny than thyself, O Moon,
And breasts shinier than you, O Moon,
Fresh from the wrestler's glorious toil they came.
Fresh from the wrestler's hard work they came.
Bethink thee, mistress Moon, whence came my love.
Think about it, mistress Moon, where my love came from.
I saw, I raved, smit (weakling) to my heart.
I saw, I went crazy, and my heart was weak.
My beauty withered, and I cared no more
My beauty faded, and I stopped caring.
For all that pomp; and how I gained my home
For all that showiness; and how I got my home
I know not: some strange fever wasted me.
I don’t know: some strange fever made me weak.
Ten nights and days I lay upon my bed.
Ten nights and days I lay on my bed.
Bethink thee, mistress Moon, whence came my love.
Think about it, mistress Moon, where my love came from.
And wan became my flesh, as 't had been dyed,
And one became my flesh, as it had been dyed,
And all my hair streamed off, and there was left
And all my hair flowed away, and what remained
But bones and skin. Whose threshold crossed I not,
But bones and skin. Whose threshold did I not cross,
Or missed what grandam's hut who dealt in charms?
Or did you miss what grandma's cottage, who dealt in charms?
For no light thing was this, and time sped on.
For this was no small matter, and time passed quickly.
Bethink thee, mistress Moon, whence came my love.
Think about it, mistress Moon, where does my love come from?
At last I spake the truth to that my maid:
At last I told the truth to my maid:
"Seek, an thou canst, some cure for my sore pain.
"Please, if you can, find a remedy for my sore pain."
Alas, I am all the Mindian's! But begone,
Alas, I belong entirely to the Mindian! But go away,
And watch by Timagetus' wrestling-school:
And watch at Timagetus' wrestling school:
There doth he haunt, there soothly take his rest.
There he hangs out, there he truly takes his rest.
Bethink thee, mistress Moon, whence came my love.
Think about it, mistress Moon, where did my love come from?
"Find him alone: nod softly: say, 'she waits';
"Find him by himself: nod gently: say, 'she's waiting';
And bring him." So I spake: she went her way,
And bring him." So I said: she went on her way,
And brought the lustrous-limbed one to my roof.
And brought the shining one to my home.
And I, the instant I beheld him step
And I, the moment I saw him step
Lightfooted o'er the threshold of my door,
Lightly stepping over the threshold of my door,
(Bethink thee, mistress Moon, whence came my love,)
(Think about it, mistress Moon, where did my love come from,)
Became all cold like snow, and from my brow
Became all cold like snow, and from my brow
Brake the damp dewdrops: utterance I had none,
Brake the wet dewdrops: I had nothing to say,
Not e'en such utterance as a babe may make
Not even the sounds that a baby might make
That babbles to its mother in its dreams;
That talks to its mother in its dreams;
But all my fair frame stiffened into wax.
But all my beautiful body stiffened like wax.
Bethink thee, mistress Moon, whence came my love.
Think about it, mistress Moon, where did my love come from?
He bent his pitiless eyes on me; looked down,
He fixed his cold eyes on me; looked down,
And sate him on my couch, and sitting, said:
And let him sit on my couch, and while sitting, said:
"Thou hast gained on me, Simætha, (e'en as I
"You've gotten the better of me, Simætha, (just as I
Gained once on young Philinus in the race,)
Gained once on young Philinus in the race,)
Bidding me hither ere I came unasked.
Bidding me here before I arrived uninvited.
Bethink thee, mistress Moon, whence came my love.
Think about it, mistress Moon, where did my love come from?
"For I had come, by Eros I had come,
For I had arrived, through Eros I had arrived,
This night, with comrades twain or may-be more,
This night, with two or maybe more friends,
The fruitage of the Wine-god in my robe,
The fruit of the Wine-god in my robe,
And, wound about my brow with ribands red,
And tied around my head with red ribbons,
The silver leaves so dear to Heracles.
The silver leaves that were so precious to Heracles.
Bethink thee, mistress Moon, whence came my love.
Think about it, mistress Moon, where did my love come from?
"Had ye said 'Enter,' well: for 'mid my peers
"Had you said 'Enter,' well: for among my peers
High is my name for goodliness and speed:
High is my name for goodness and speed:
I had kissed that sweet mouth once and gone my way.
I had kissed that sweet mouth once and moved on.
But had the door been barred, and I thrust out,
But if the door had been locked, and I pushed out,
With brand and axe would we have stormed ye then.
With brand and axe, we would have stormed you then.
Bethink thee, mistress Moon, whence came my love.
Think about it, mistress Moon, where my love came from.
"Now be my thanks recorded, first to Love,
"Now let my gratitude be noted, first to Love,"
Next to thee, maiden, who didst pluck me out,
Next to you, maiden, who pulled me out,
A half-burned helpless creature, from the flames,
A half-burned helpless creature, from the flames,
And badst me hither. It is Love that lights
And urged me to come here. It is Love that shines
A fire more fierce than his of Lipara;
A fire more intense than his of Lipara;
(Bethink thee, mistress Moon, whence came my love.)
(Think about it, dear Moon, where did my love come from.)
"Scares, mischief-mad, the maiden from her bower,
"Scares, mischief-crazed, the young woman from her sanctuary,"
The bride from her warm couch." He spake: and I,
The bride from her warm couch." He spoke: and I,
A willing listener, sat, my hand in his,
A willing listener sat with my hand in his.
Among the cushions, and his cheek touched mine,
Among the cushions, his cheek brushed against mine,
Each hotter than its wont, and we discoursed
Each one hotter than usual, and we talked
In soft low language. Need I prate to thee,
In a gentle, quiet voice. Do I really need to talk to you,
Sweet Moon, of all we said and all we did?
Sweet Moon, of everything we talked about and everything we did?
Till yesterday he found no fault with me,
Till yesterday he found no fault with me,
Nor I with him. But lo, to-day there came
Nor I with him. But look, today there came
Philista's mother—hers who flutes to me—
Philista's mother—she who plays the flute for me—
With her Melampo's; just when up the sky
With her Melampo's; just when up the sky
Gallop the mares that chariot rose-limbed Dawn:
Gallop the mares that chariot dawn with rosy limbs:
And divers tales she brought me, with the rest
And she brought me various stories, along with the rest.
How Delphis loved, she knew not rightly whom:
How Delphis loved, she didn’t really know who:
But this she knew; that of the rich wine, aye
But she knew this: that of the rich wine, yes
He poured 'to Love;' and at the last had fled,
He poured a toast to Love; and in the end, he had run away,
To line, she deemed, the fair one's hall with flowers.
To decorate, she thought, the beautiful girl's room with flowers.
Such was my visitor's tale, and it was true:
Such was the story from my visitor, and it was true:
For thrice, nay four times, daily he would stroll
For three, no, four times a day, he would walk around
Hither, leave here full oft his Dorian flask:
Hurry, leave his Dorian flask here often:
Now—'tis a fortnight since I saw his face.
Now, it’s been two weeks since I saw his face.
Doth he then treasure something sweet elsewhere?
Does he then value something sweet somewhere else?
Am I forgot? I'll charm him now with charms.
Am I forgotten? I'll win him over with my charms now.
But let him try me more, and by the Fates
But let him challenge me again, and by fate
He'll soon be knocking at the gates of hell.
He'll soon be knocking at hell's door.
Spells of such power are in this chest of mine,
Spells this powerful are in this chest of mine,
Learned, lady, from mine host in Palestine.
Learned, lady, from my host in Palestine.
Lady, farewell: turn ocean-ward thy steeds:
Lady, goodbye: head toward the ocean with your horses:
As I have purposed, so shall I fulfil.
As I have planned, so I will accomplish.
Farewell, thou bright-faced Moon! Ye stars, farewell,
Farewell, you bright-faced Moon! Goodbye, stars,
That wait upon the car of noiseless Night.
That wait on the silent night.
IDYLL III.
I pipe to Amaryllis; while my goats,
I sing to Amaryllis; while my goats,
Tityrus their guardian, browse along the fell.
Tityrus, their guardian, grazes along the hill.
O Tityrus, as I love thee, feed my goats:
O Tityrus, as I love you, take care of my goats:
And lead them to the spring, and, Tityrus, 'ware
And guide them to the spring, and, Tityrus, be careful
The lifted crest of yon gray Libyan ram.
The raised crest of that gray Libyan ram.
Ah winsome Amaryllis! Why no more
Ah, charming Amaryllis! Why not more
Greet'st thou thy darling, from the caverned rock
Greet your darling, from the cave in the rock
Peeping all coyly? Think'st thou scorn of him?
Peeking all shyly? Do you look down on him?
Hath a near view revealed him satyr-shaped
Has a close look revealed him to be satyr-shaped?
Of chin and nostril? I shall hang me soon.
Of chin and nostril? I will hang myself soon.
See here ten apples: from thy favourite tree
See here ten apples: from your favorite tree.
I plucked them: I shall bring ten more anon.
I picked them: I'll bring ten more soon.
Ah witness my heart-anguish! Oh were I
Ah witness my heartache! Oh if I
A booming bee, to waft me to thy lair,
A buzzing bee, to guide me to your place,
Threading the fern and ivy in whose depths
Threading the fern and ivy in which depths
Thou nestlest! I have learned what Love is now:
Thou nestlest! I've figured out what Love is now:
Fell god, he drank the lioness's milk,
Fell god, he drank the lioness's milk,
In the wild woods his mother cradled him,
In the wild woods, his mother held him close,
Whose fire slow-burns me, smiting to the bone.
Whose fire slowly burns me, striking me to the core.
O thou whose glance is beauty and whose heart
O you whose gaze is beautiful and whose heart
All marble: O dark-eyebrowed maiden mine!
All marble: O dark-eyed maiden of mine!
Cling to thy goatherd, let him kiss thy lips,
Cling to your goatherd, let him kiss your lips,
For there is sweetness in an empty kiss.
For there’s something sweet about an empty kiss.
Thou wilt not? Piecemeal I will rend the crown,
You won't? Piece by piece, I will tear apart the crown,
The ivy-crown which, dear, I guard for thee,
The ivy crown that I, my dear, keep safe for you,
Inwov'n with scented parsley and with flowers:
Incorporated with fragrant parsley and flowers:
Oh I am desperate—what betides me, what?—
Oh, I'm desperate—what's happening to me, seriously?—
Still art thou deaf? I'll doff my coat of skins
Still are you deaf? I'll take off my coat of skins.
And leap into yon waves, where on the watch
And jump into those waves, where on the lookout
For mackerel Olpis sits: tho' I 'scape death,
For mackerel Olpis sits: though I escape death,
That I have all but died will pleasure thee.
That I have nearly died will please you.
That learned I when (I murmuring 'loves she me?')
That I learned when I was murmuring, "Does she love me?"
The Love-in-absence, crushed, returned no sound,
The Love-in-absence, crushed, made no sound,
But shrank and shrivelled on my smooth young wrist.
But shrank and shriveled on my smooth young wrist.
I learned it of the sieve-divining crone
I learned it from the old woman who reads fortunes with a sieve.
Who gleaned behind the reapers yesterday:
Who picked up the leftover grains behind the harvesters yesterday:
'Thou'rt wrapt up all,' Agraia said, 'in her;
'You're completely wrapped up in her,' Agraia said,
She makes of none account her worshipper.'
She doesn't pay her worshipper any mind.
Lo! a white goat, and twins, I keep for thee:
Lo! I have a white goat and twins for you:
Mermnon's lass covets them: dark she is of skin:
Mermnon's girl desires them: her skin is dark:
But yet hers be they; thou but foolest me.
But they are hers; you're just fooling me.
She cometh, by the quivering of mine eye.
She is coming, by the twitching of my eye.
I'll lean against the pine-tree here and sing.
I'll lean against the pine tree here and sing.
She may look round: she is not adamant.
She might look around: she's not firm.
[Sings] Hippomenes, when he a maid would wed,
[Sings] Hippomenes, when he wanted to marry a girl,
Took apples in his hand and on he sped.
Took apples in his hand and he sped on.
Famed Atalanta's heart was won by this;
Famed Atalanta's heart was won by this;
She marked, and maddening sank in Love's abyss.
She marked, and sank deeper into the depths of love.
From Othrys did the seer Melampus stray
From Othrys, the seer Melampus wandered
To Pylos with his herd: and lo there lay
To Pylos with his herd: and look, there lay
In a swain's arms a maid of beauty rare;
In a young man's arms, a beautiful girl;
Alphesiboea, wise of heart, she bare.
Alphesiboea, wise in spirit, she gave birth.
Did not Adonis rouse to such excess
Did Adonis not awaken to such extremes
Of frenzy her whose name is Loveliness,
Of the frenzy of her who is called Loveliness,
(He a mere lad whose wethers grazed the hill)
(He a mere kid whose sheep grazed the hill)
That, dead, he's pillowed on her bosom still?
That, even in death, he’s still resting on her chest?
Endymion sleeps the sleep that changeth not:
Endymion is in a deep, unchanging sleep:
And, maiden mine, I envy him his lot!
And, my dear girl, I envy him his situation!
Envy Iasion's: his it was to gain
Envy Iasion's: his it was to gain
Bliss that I dare not breathe in ears profane.
Bliss that I wouldn't dare to share with anyone else.
My head aches. What reck'st thou? I sing no more:
My head hurts. What do you care? I don’t sing anymore:
E'en where I fell I'll lie, until the wolves
E'en where I fell I'll lie, until the wolves
Rend me—may that be honey in thy mouth!
Rend me—may that be sweet as honey on your lips!
IDYLL IV.
BATTUS.
BATTUS.
Who owns these cattle, Corydon? Philondas? Prythee say.
Who owns these cattle, Corydon? Philondas? Please tell me.
CORYDON.
Corydon.
No, Ægon: and he gave them me to tend while he's away.
No, Ægon: and he gave them to me to take care of while he's gone.
BATTUS.
BATTUS.
Dost milk them in the gloaming, when none is nigh to see?
Do you milk them at dusk, when no one is around to see?
CORYDON.
Corydon.
The old man brings the calves to suck, and keeps an eye on me.
The old man brings the calves to nurse and watches me closely.
BATTUS.
BATTUS.
And to what region then hath flown the cattle's rightful lord?
And where has the rightful owner of the cattle gone?
CORYDON.
Corydon.
Hast thou not heard? With Milo he vanished Elis-ward.
Have you not heard? He disappeared toward Elis with Milo.
BATTUS.
BATTUS.
How! was the wrestler's oil e'er yet so much as seen by him?
How! Has the wrestler's oil ever been seen by him?
CORYDON.
Corydon.
Men say he rivals Heracles in lustiness of limb.
Men say he rivals Hercules in strength and vitality.
BATTUS.
BATTUS.
I'm Polydeuces' match (or so my mother says) and more.
I'm the match for Polydeuces (or so my mom says) and even more.
CORYDON.
Corydon.
—So off he started; with a spade, and of these ewes a score.
—So off he started; with a spade and twenty of these ewes.
BATTUS.
BATTUS.
This Milo will be teaching wolves how they should raven next.
This Milo will be teaching wolves how they should hunt next.
CORYDON.
Corydon.
—And by these bellowings his kine proclaim how sore they're vexed.
—And by these loud calls, his cows show how troubled they are.
BATTUS.
BATTUS.
Poor kine! they've found their master a sorry knave indeed.
Poor cows! they've found their master to be a real jerk.
CORYDON.
Corydon.
They're poor enough, I grant you: they have not heart to feed.
They're poor enough, I admit: they don't have the heart to eat.
BATTUS.
BATTUS.
Look at that heifer! sure there's naught, save bare bones, left of her.
Look at that cow! There's nothing left of her except skin and bones.
Pray, does she browse on dewdrops, as doth the grasshopper?
Pray, does she munch on dewdrops, like the grasshopper does?
CORYDON.
Corydon.
Not she, by heaven! She pastures now by Æsarus' glades,
Not her, I swear! She's now roaming by Æsarus' meadows,
And handfuls fair I pluck her there of young and green grass-blades;
And I pick handfuls of fresh, young green grass blades there;
Now bounds about Latymnus, that gathering-place of shades.
Now it exists around Latymnus, that gathering place of spirits.
BATTUS.
BATTUS.
That bull again, the red one, my word but he is lean!
That bull again, the red one, wow, he is so slim!
I wish the Sybarite burghers aye may offer to the queen
I hope the wealthy citizens will always offer to the queen.
Of heaven as pitiful a beast: those burghers are so mean!
Of heaven as pitiful a beast: those townspeople are so mean!
CORYDON.
Corydon.
Yet to the Salt Lake's edges I drive him, I can swear;
Yet to the edges of the Salt Lake I drive him, I can swear;
Up Physcus, up Neæthus' side—he lacks not victual there,
Up Physcus, up Neæthus' side—he has plenty of food there,
With dittany and endive and foxglove for his fare.
With dittany, endive, and foxglove for his meal.
BATTUS.
BATTUS.
Well, well! I pity Ægon. His cattle, go they must
Well, well! I feel bad for Ægon. His cattle, they have to go.
To rack and ruin, all because vain-glory was his lust.
To destruction, all because his desire was for vanity.
The pipe that erst he fashioned is doubtless scored with rust?
The pipe that he once made is probably covered in rust?
CORYDON.
Corydon.
Nay, by the Nymphs! That pipe he left to me, the self-same day
Nay, by the Nymphs! That pipe he left to me, the same day
He made for Pisa: I am too a minstrel in my way:
He headed to Pisa: I’m a minstrel in my own way:
Well the flute-part in 'Pyrrhus' and in 'Glauca' can I play.
Well, I can play the flute part in 'Pyrrhus' and in 'Glauca'.
I sing too 'Here's to Croton' and 'Zacynthus O 'tis fair,'
I sing too 'Here's to Croton' and 'Zacynthus O 'tis fair,'
And 'Eastward to Lacinium:'—the bruiser Milo there
And 'Eastward to Lacinium:'—the fighter Milo there
His single self ate eighty loaves; there also did he pull
His single self ate eighty loaves; there also did he pull
Down from its mountain-dwelling, by one hoof grasped, a bull,
Down from its mountain dwelling, a bull, held by one hoof,
And gave it Amaryllis: the maidens screamed with fright;
And gave it to Amaryllis: the girls screamed in fear;
As for the owner of the bull he only laughed outright.
As for the bull's owner, he just laughed openly.
BATTUS.
BATTUS.
Sweet Amaryllis! thou alone, though dead, art unforgot.
Sweet Amaryllis! You alone, even in death, are unforgettable.
Dearer than thou, whose light is quenched, my very goats are not.
Dearer than you, whose light is gone out, my very goats are not.
Oh for the all-unkindly fate that's fallen to my lot!
Oh, how unkind fate has turned out for me!
CORYDON.
Corydon.
Cheer up, brave lad! tomorrow may ease thee of thy pain:
Cheer up, brave guy! Tomorrow might take away your pain:
Aye for the living are there hopes, past' hoping are the slain:
Sure, here’s the modernized text: Yes, there are hopes for the living; the slain have no more hope.
And now Zeus sends us sunshine, and now he sends us rain.
And now Zeus brings us sunshine, and now he brings us rain.
BATTUS.
BATTUS.
I'm better. Beat those young ones off! E'en now their teeth attack
I'm feeling better. Send those young ones away! Even now their teeth are coming after me.
That olive's shoots, the graceless brutes! Back, with your white face, back!
That olive's shoots, the clumsy brutes! Back, with your pale face, back!
CORYDON.
Corydon.
Back to thy hill, Cymætha! Great Pan, how deaf thou art!
Back to your hill, Cymætha! Great Pan, how deaf you are!
I shall be with thee presently, and in the end thou'lt smart.
I’ll be with you soon, and in the end, you’ll feel the consequences.
I warn thee, keep thy distance. Look, up she creeps again!
I warn you, keep your distance. Look, she's creeping up again!
Oh were my hare-crook in nay hand, I'd give it to her then!
Oh, if my bow was in my hand, I'd give it to her then!
BATTUS.
BATTUS.
For heaven's sake, Corydon, look here! Just now a bramble-spike
For heaven's sake, Corydon, look here! Just now a bramble-spike
Ran, there, into my instep—and oh how deep they strike,
Ran, there, into my arch—and oh how deep they strike,
Those lancewood-shafts! A murrain light on that calf, I say!
Those lancewood shafts! A curse on that calf, I say!
I got it gaping after her. Canst thou discern it, pray?
I went after her with my mouth wide open. Can you see it, please?
CORYDON.
Corydon.
Ay, ay; and here I have it, safe in my finger-nails.
Ay, ay; and here I have it, safely in my fingernails.
BATTUS.
BATTUS.
Eh! at how slight a matter how tall a warrior quails!
Wow! It's amazing how something so trivial can make such a strong warrior back down!
CORYDON.
Corydon.
Ne'er range the hill-crest, Battus, all sandal-less and bare:
Ne'er climb the hilltop, Battus, without sandals and bare:
Because the thistle and the thorn lift aye their plumed heads there.
Because the thistle and the thorn always raise their feathery heads there.
BATTUS.
BATTUS.
—Say, Corydon, does that old man we wot of (tell me please!)
—Hey, Corydon, does that old man we know about (tell me please!)
Still haunt the dark-browed little girl whom once he used to tease?
Still haunt the dark-browed little girl he used to tease?
CORYDON.
Corydon.
Ay my poor boy, that doth he: I saw them yesterday
Ay my poor boy, he does: I saw them yesterday.
Down by the byre; and, trust me, loving enough were they.
Down by the barn; and, believe me, they were loving enough.
BATTUS.
BATTUS.
Well done, my veteran light-o'-love! In deeming thee mere man,
Well done, my seasoned sweetheart! In thinking of you as just a man,
I wronged thy sire: some Satyr he, or an uncouth-limbed Pan.
I wronged your father: some Satyr he, or an awkwardly shaped Pan.
IDYLL V.
COMETAS.
Kites.
Goats, from a shepherd who stands here, from Lacon, keep away:
Goats, from a shepherd standing here, from Lacon, stay away:
Sibyrtas owns him; and he stole my goatskin yesterday.
Sibyrtas owns him, and he stole my goatskin yesterday.
LACON.
Laconic.
Hi! lambs! avoid yon fountain. Have ye not eyes to see
Hi! Lambs! Stay away from that fountain. Don't you have eyes to see?
Cometas, him who filched a pipe but two days back from me?
Cometas, the one who stole a pipe from me just two days ago?
COMETAS.
Kites.
Sibyrtas' bondsman own a pipe? whence gotst thou that, and how?
Sibyrtas' servant, do you own a pipe? Where did you get that, and how?
Tootling through straws with Corydon mayhap's beneath thee now?
Tootling through straws with Corydon maybe beneath you now?
LACON.
LACON.
'Twas Lycon's gift, your highness. But pray, Cometas, say,
'Twas Lycon's gift, your highness. But please, Cometas, say,
What is that skin wherewith thou saidst that Lacon walked away?
What is that skin you said Lacon walked away with?
Why, thy lord's self had ne'er a skin whereon his limbs to lay.
Why, your lord doesn't even have a skin for his limbs to rest on.
COMETAS.
Kites.
The skin that Crocylus gave me, a dark one streaked with white,
The skin that Crocylus gave me, a dark one streaked with white,
The day he slew his she-goat. Why, thou wert ill with spite,
The day he killed his female goat. Why, you were full of anger,
Then, my false friend; and thou would'st end by beggaring me quite.
Then, my fake friend; and you would end up completely ruining me.
LACON.
LACON.
Did Lacon, did Calæthis' son purloin a goatskin? No,
Did Lacon, Calæthis’ son, steal a goatskin? No,
By Pan that haunts the sea-beach! Lad, if I served thee so,
By Pan who haunts the beach! Kid, if I served you like that,
Crazed may I drop from yon hill-top to Crathis' stream below!
Crazed, I might fall from that hilltop to Crathis' stream below!
COMETAS.
Kites.
Nor pipe of thine, good fellow—the Ladies of the Lake
Nor your pipe, good friend—the Ladies of the Lake
So be still kind and good to me—did e'er Cometas take.
So please be kind and good to me—did ever Cometas take.
LACON.
LACON.
Be Daphnis' woes my portion, should that my credence win!
Be Daphnis' troubles my share, if only my belief succeeds!
Still, if thou list to stake a kid—that surely were no sin—
Still, if you want to bet a goat—that definitely wouldn't be a sin—
Come on, I'll sing it out with thee—until thou givest in.
Come on, I'll sing it out with you—until you give in.
COMETAS.
Kites.
'The hog he braved Athene.' As for the kid, 'tis there:
'The hog he challenged Athene.' As for the kid, it's there:
You stake a lamb against him—that fat one—if you dare.
You bet a lamb against him—that fat one—if you’re up for it.
LACON.
LACON.
Fox! were that fair for either? At shearing who'd prefer
Fox! Would that be fair for either? Who would prefer that at shearing?
Horsehair to wool? or when the goat stood handy, suffer her
Horsehair to wool? Or when the goat was nearby, let her be.
To nurse her firstling, and himself go milk a blatant cur?
To take care of her first baby while he goes to milk a loud dog?
COMETAS.
Kites.
The same who deemed his hornet's-buzz the true cicala's note,
The same person who thought his hornet's buzz was the real cicada’s song,
And braved—like you—his better. And so forsooth you vote
And faced—like you—his superior. And so really you vote
My kid a trifle? Then come on, fellow! I stake the goat.
My kid a bit? Then let's go, buddy! I’ll bet the goat.
LACON.
LACON.
Why be so hot? Art thou on fire? First prythee take thy seat
Why are you so angry? Are you on fire? First, please take a seat.
'Neath this wild woodland olive: thy tones will sound more sweet.
'Under this wild woodland olive: your tones will sound sweeter.
Here falls a cold rill drop by drop, and green grass-blades uprear
Here falls a cold stream, drop by drop, and green grass blades stand tall.
Their heads, and fallen leaves are thick, and locusts prattle here.
Their heads, and fallen leaves are dense, and locusts chatter here.
COMETAS.
Kites.
Hot I am not; but hurt I am, and sorely, when I think
Hot I am not; but I am hurt, and deeply, when I think
That thou canst look me in the face and never bleach nor blink—
That you can look me in the face and never turn pale or blink—
Me, thine own boyhood's tutor! Go, train the she-wolf's brood:
Me, your own childhood tutor! Go, train the she-wolf's brood:
Train dogs—that they may rend thee! This, this is gratitude!
Train dogs—that they may tear you apart! This, this is gratitude!
LACON.
LACON.
When learned I from thy practice or thy preaching aught that's right,
When I learned anything right from your practice or your preaching,
Thou puppet, thou misshapen lump of ugliness and spite?
You puppet, you deformed lump of ugliness and malice?
COMETAS.
Kites.
When? When I beat thee, wailing sore: yon goats looked on with glee,
When? When I defeated you, crying hard: those goats watched on with joy,
And bleated; and were dealt with e'en as I had dealt with thee.
And complained; and were treated just as I had treated you.
LACON.
LACON.
Well, hunchback, shallow be thy grave as was thy judgment then!
Well, hunchback, may your grave be as shallow as your judgment was back then!
But hither, hither! Thou'lt not dip in herdsman's lore again.
But come here, come here! You'll never dive into herdsman's stories again.
COMETAS.
Kites.
Nay, here are oaks and galingale: the hum of housing bees
Nay, here are oaks and galingale: the buzz of housing bees
Makes the place pleasant, and the birds are piping in the trees.
Makes the place enjoyable, and the birds are chirping in the trees.
And here are two cold streamlets; here deeper shadows fall
And here are two cold streams; deeper shadows fall here.
Than yon place owns, and look what cones drop from the pinetree tall.
Than that place over there owns, and check out what cones fall from the tall pine tree.
LACON.
LACON.
Come hither, and tread on lambswool that is soft as any dream:
Come here, and walk on lambswool that’s as soft as any dream:
Still more unsavoury than thyself to me thy goatskins seem.
Still more unpleasant than you, your goatskins seem to me.
Here will I plant a bowl of milk, our ladies' grace to win;
Here, I will place a bowl of milk to gain our lady's favor;
And one, as huge, beside it, sweet olive-oil therein.
And one, just as big, next to it, sweet olive oil inside.
COMETAS.
Kites.
Come hither, and trample dainty fern and poppy-blossom: sleep
Come here, and step on delicate ferns and poppies: sleep
On goatskins that are softer than thy fleeces piled three deep.
On goatskins that are softer than your fleeces stacked three deep.
Here will I plant eight milkpails, great Pan's regard to gain,
Here, I will set up eight milk pails, hoping for Pan's favor in return.
Bound them eight cups: full honeycombs shall every cup contain.
Bind them with eight cups: each cup shall be full of honeycombs.
LACON.
LACON.
Well! there essay thy woodcraft: thence fight me, never budge
Well! There’s your woodcraft: then fight me, I won’t budge.
From thine own oak; e'en have thy way. But who shall be our judge?
From your own oak; go ahead and do what you want. But who will be our judge?
Oh, if Lycopas with his kine should chance this way to trudge!
Oh, if Lycopas with his cows should happen to come this way!
COMETAS.
Kites.
Nay, I want no Lycopas. But hail yon woodsman, do:
Nah, I don’t want any Lycopas. But hey, look at that woodsman, do:
'Tis Morson—see! his arms are full of bracken—there, by you.
'Tis Morson—look! his arms are full of ferns—right there, next to you.
LACON.
LACON.
We'll hail him.
We'll celebrate him.
COMETAS.
Kites.
Ay, you hail him.
Yo, you call him.
LACON.
LACON.
Friend, 'twill not take thee long:
Friend, it won't take you long:
We're striving which is master, we twain, in woodland song:
We're working to see who's in charge, both of us, in the forest song:
And thou, my good friend Morson, ne'er look with favouring eyes
And you, my good friend Morson, never look with favoring eyes
On me; nor yet to yonder lad be fain to judge the prize.
On me; nor should you be quick to judge the prize for that guy over there.
COMETAS.
Kites.
Nay, by the Nymphs, sweet Morson, ne'er for Cometas' sake
Nay, by the Nymphs, sweet Morson, never for Cometas' sake
Stretch thou a point; nor e'er let him undue advantage take.
Stretch yourself a bit; never let him take unfair advantage.
Sibyrtas owns yon wethers; a Thurian is he:
Sibyrtas owns those sheep over there; he's a Thurian:
And here, my friend, Eumares' goats, of Sybaris, you may see.
And here, my friend, are Eumares' goats from Sybaris.
LACON.
Laconic.
And who asked thee, thou naughty knave, to whom belonged these flocks,
And who asked you, you naughty rascal, to whom these flocks belonged,
Sibyrtas, or (it might be) me? Eh, thou'rt a chatter-box!
Sibyrtas, or maybe it’s me? Eh, you’re a talkative one!
COMETAS.
Kites.
The simple truth, most worshipful, is all that I allege:
The straightforward truth, most honorable, is all that I claim:
I'm not for boasting. But thy wit hath all too keen an edge.
I'm not one to brag. But your wit is way too sharp.
LACON.
LACON.
Come sing, if singing's in thee—and may our friend get back
Come sing, if you feel like singing—and may our friend return
To town alive! Heaven help us, lad, how thy tongue doth clack!
To town alive! God help us, man, how your tongue keeps running!
COMETAS. [Sings]
Kites. [Sings]
Daphnis the mighty minstrel was less precious to the Nine
Daphnis the great singer was less cherished by the Nine
Than I. I offered yesterday two kids upon their shrine.
Than I. I offered two kids at their shrine yesterday.
LACON. [Sings]
LACON. [Sings]
Ay, but Apollo fancies me hugely: for him I rear
Ay, but Apollo really likes me a lot: for him I raise
A lordly ram: and, look you, the Carnival is near.
A mighty ram: and, you see, the Carnival is coming up.
COMETAS.
Kites.
Twin kids hath every goat I milk, save two. My maid, my own,
Twin kids have every goat I milk, except for two. My maid, my own,
Eyes me and asks 'At milking time, rogue, art thou all alone?'
Eyes me and asks, "At milking time, rogue, are you all alone?"
LACON.
Laconic.
Go to! nigh twenty baskets doth Lacon fill with cheese:
Go on! Nearly twenty baskets does Lacon fill with cheese:
Hath time to woo a sweetheart too upon the blossomed leas.
Has time to court a sweetheart too in the blooming fields.
COMETAS.
Kites.
Clarissa pelts her goatherd with apples, should he stray
Clarissa throws apples at her goatherd if he wanders off.
By with his goats; and pouts her lip in a quaint charming way.
By with his goats; and pouts her lip in a cute, charming way.
LACON.
LACON.
Me too a darling smooth of face notes as I tend my flocks:
Me too, a sweet-faced darling, notes as I tend to my flocks:
How maddeningly o'er that fair neck ripple those shining locks!
How infuriatingly those shining locks ripple over that beautiful neck!
COMETAS.
Kites.
Tho' dogrose and anemone are fair in their degree,
Tho' dogrose and anemone are fair in their degree,
The rose that blooms by garden-walls still is the rose for me.
The rose that blooms by the garden walls is still the rose for me.
LACON.
LACON.
Tho' acorns' cups are fair, their taste is bitterness, and still
Tho' acorns' cups are fair, their taste is bitterness, and still
I'll choose, for honeysweet are they, the apples of the hill.
I'll choose the apples from the hill, because they're so sweet.
COMETAS.
Kites.
A cushat I will presently procure and give to her
A dove I will get right away and give to her.
Who loves me: I know where it sits; up in the juniper.
Who loves me: I know where it is; up in the juniper.
LACON.
LACON.
Pooh! a soft fleece, to make a coat, I'll give the day I shear
Pooh! A soft fleece to make a coat, I'll give it the day I shear.
My brindled ewe—(no hand but mine shall touch it)—to my dear.
My brindled ewe—(no one but me will touch it)—to my dear.
COMETAS.
Kites.
Back, lambs, from that wild-olive: and be content to browse
Back, lambs, from that wild olive tree: and be happy to graze.
Here on the shoulder of the hill, beneath the myrtle boughs.
Here on the side of the hill, under the myrtle branches.
LACON.
LACON.
Run, (will ye?) Ball and Dogstar, down from that oak tree, run:
Run, will you? Ball and Dogstar, get down from that oak tree, run:
And feed where Spot is feeding, and catch the morning sun.
And eat where Spot is eating, and enjoy the morning sun.
COMETAS.
Kites.
I have a bowl of cypress-wood: I have besides a cup:
I have a bowl made of cypress wood, and I also have a cup.
Praxiteles designed them: for her they're treasured up.
Praxiteles made them: they’re her favorites.
LACON.
LACON.
I have a dog who throttles wolves: he loves the sheep, and they
I have a dog who chases wolves: he loves the sheep, and
Love him: I'll give him to my dear, to keep wild beasts at bay.
Love him: I'll give him to my dear, to keep wild animals away.
COMETAS.
Kites.
Ye locusts that o'erleap my fence, oh let my vines escape
Ye locusts that leap over my fence, oh let my vines escape
Your clutches, I beseech you: the bloom is on the grape.
Your grip, I beg you: the flower is on the grape.
LACON.
Lacon.
Ye crickets, mark how nettled our friend the goatherd is!
You crickets, notice how irritated our friend the goatherd is!
I ween, ye cost the reapers pangs as acute as his.
I think you cause the reapers pain as intense as his.
COMETAS.
Kites.
Those foxes with their bushy tails, I hate to see them crawl
Those foxes with their bushy tails, I hate watching them crawl
Round Micon's homestead and purloin his grapes at evenfall.
Round Micon's place and steal his grapes at dusk.
LACON.
LACON.
I hate to see the beetles that come warping on the wind.
I hate seeing the beetles that blow in on the wind.
And climb Philondas' trees, and leave never a fig behind.
And climb Philondas' trees, and don't leave any figs behind.
COMETAS.
Kites.
Have you forgot that cudgelling I gave you? At each stroke
Have you forgotten that beating I gave you? With every hit
You grinned and twisted with a grace, and clung to yonder oak.
You smiled and moved with such grace, and held onto that oak tree.
LACON.
LACON.
That I've forgot—but I have not, how once Eumares tied
That I've forgotten—but I haven't, how once Eumares tied
You to that selfsame oak-trunk, and tanned your unclean hide.
You to that same oak trunk and tanned your dirty skin.
COMETAS.
Kites.
There's some one ill—of heartburn. You note it, I presume,
There's someone who's not feeling well— they have heartburn. You notice that, I assume,
Morson? Go quick, and fetch a squill from some old beldam's tomb.
Morson? Hurry up and get a squill from some old witch's grave.
LACON.
LACON.
I think I'm stinging somebody, as Morson too perceives—
I think I'm hurting someone, just as Morson sees too—
Go to the river and dig up a clump of sowbread-leaves.
Go to the river and dig up a bunch of sowbread leaves.
COMETAS.
Kites.
May Himera flow, not water, but milk: and may'st thou blush,
May Himera flow, not with water, but with milk: and may you blush,
Crathis, with wine; and fruitage grow upon every rush.
Crathis, with wine; and fruit grows on every rush.
LACON.
LACON.
For me may Sybaris' fountain flow, pure honey: so that you,
For me, may the fountain of Sybaris flow with pure honey: so that you,
My fair, may dip your pitcher each morn in honey-dew.
My love, you can fill your pitcher with honeydew every morning.
COMETAS.
Kites.
My goats are fed on clover and goat's-delight: they tread
My goats eat clover and goat's-delight: they walk
On lentisk leaves; or lie them down, ripe strawberries o'er their head.
On lentisk leaves; or lay them down, ripe strawberries over their heads.
LACON.
LACON.
My sheep crop honeysuckle bloom, while all around them blows
My sheep eat honeysuckle flowers while everything around them blows.
In clusters rich the jasmine, as brave as any rose.
In clusters, the jasmine blooms, just as bold as any rose.
COMETAS.
Kites.
I scorn my maid; for when she took my cushat, she did not
I scorn my maid; for when she took my dove, she did not
Draw with both hands my face to hers and kiss me on the spot.
Draw my face to hers with both hands and kiss me right there.
LACON.
LACON.
I love my love, and hugely: for, when I gave my flute,
I love my love deeply: because when I gave my flute,
I was rewarded with a kiss, a loving one to boot.
I received a kiss, and it was a really sweet one.
COMETAS.
Kites.
Lacon, the nightingale should scarce be challenged by the jay,
Lacon, the nightingale shouldn't be easily challenged by the jay,
Nor swan by hoopoe: but, poor boy, thou aye wert for a fray.
Nor swan by hoopoe: but, poor boy, you were always up for a fight.
MORSON.
MORSON.
I bid the shepherd hold his peace. Cometas, unto you
I told the shepherd to be quiet. Cometas, to you
I, Morson, do adjudge the lamb. You'll first make offering due
I, Morson, do judge the lamb. You'll first make the proper offering.
Unto the nymphs: then savoury meat you'll send to Morson too.
Unto the nymphs: then tasty food you'll send to Morson too.
COMETAS.
Kites.
By Pan I will! Snort, all my herd of he-goats: I shall now
By Pan, I will! Snort, all my herd of male goats: I shall now
O'er Lacon, shepherd as he is, crow ye shall soon see how.
O'er Lacon, shepherd as he is, crow you shall soon see how.
I've won, and I could leap sky-high! Ye also dance and skip,
I've won, and I could jump for joy! You also dance and skip,
My hornèd ewes: in Sybaris' fount to-morrow all shall dip.
My horned sheep: tomorrow all will dip in the spring of Sybaris.
Ho! you, sir, with the glossy coat and dangerous crest; you dare
Ho! You, sir, with the shiny coat and risky hairstyle; do you dare
Look at a ewe, till I have slain my lamb, and ill you'll fare.
Look at a ewe until I've killed my lamb, and you'll be in trouble.
What! is he at his tricks again? He is, and he will get
What! Is he up to his tricks again? He is, and he will
(Or my name's not Cometas) a proper pounding yet.
(Or my name's not Cometas) a proper beating yet.
IDYLL VI.
Daphnis the herdsman and Damoetas once
Daphnis the herdsman and Damoetas once
Had driven, Aratus, to the selfsame glen.
Had driven, Aratus, to the same glen.
One chin was yellowing, one shewed half a beard.
One chin was yellowing, and one showed half a beard.
And by a brookside on a summer noon
And by a stream on a summer afternoon
The pair sat down and sang; but Daphnis led
The two sat down and sang; but Daphnis took the lead.
The song, for Daphnis was the challenger.
The song was a challenge for Daphnis.
DAPHNIS.
Daphnis.
"See! Galatea pelts thy flock with fruit,
"Look! Galatea showers your flock with fruit,
And calls their master 'Lack-love,' Polypheme.
And they call their master 'Lack-love,' Polypheme.
Thou mark'st her not, blind, blind, but pipest aye
You don’t see her, blind, blind, but you keep playing.
Thy wood-notes. See again, she smites thy dog:
Thy wood-notes. Look again, she hits your dog:
Sea-ward the fleeced flocks' sentinel peers and barks,
Sea-ward the sheepherding dogs watch and bark,
And, through the clear wave visible to her still,
And, through the clear wave still visible to her,
Careers along the gently babbling beach.
Careers along the softly flowing beach.
Look that he leap not on the maid new-risen
Look that he doesn't leap on the maid who's just gotten up.
From her sea-bath and rend her dainty limbs.
From her sea bath and tore her delicate limbs.
She fools thee, near or far, like thistle-waifs
She tricks you, whether close or far, like thistle fluff.
In hot sweet summer: flies from thee when wooed,
In hot, sweet summer: flies from you when you try to win it over,
Unwooed pursues thee: risks all moves to win;
Unwanted pursues you: takes all risks to win;
For, Polypheme, things foul seem fair to Love."
For Polypheme, ugly things seem beautiful to Love.
And then, due prelude made, Damoetas sang.
And then, after a fitting introduction, Damoetas sang.
DAMOETAS.
DAMOETAS.
"I marked her pelt my dog, I was not blind,
"I marked her fur, my dog; I wasn't blind,"
By Pan, by this my one my precious eye
By Pan, by this my one my precious eye
That bounds my vision now and evermore!
That limits my vision now and forever!
But Telemus the Seer, be his the woe,
But Telemus the Seer, may he bear the sorrow,
His and his children's, that he promised me!
His and his children's, that he promised me!
Yet do I too tease her; I pass her by,
Yet I also tease her; I walk past her,
Pretend to woo another:—and she hears
Pretend to court someone else:—and she hears
(Heaven help me!) and is faint with jealousy;
(Heaven help me!) and is overwhelmed with jealousy;
And hurrying from the sea-wave as if stung,
And rushing away from the wave as if stung,
Scans with keen glance my grotto and my flock.
Scans with a sharp eye my cave and my sheep.
'Twas I hissed on the dog to bark at her;
'Twas I who hissed at the dog to bark at her;
For, when I loved her, he would whine and lay
For when I loved her, he would complain and lie
His muzzle in her lap. These things she'll note
His face in her lap. She'll take note of these things.
Mayhap, and message send on message soon:
Maybe, and messages sent one after another soon:
But I will bar my door until she swear
But I will lock my door until she swears.
To make me on this isle fair bridal-bed.
To make me a beautiful bridal bed on this island.
And I am less unlovely than men say.
And I'm not as unlovable as people say.
I looked into the mere (the mere was calm),
I looked into the pond (the pond was calm),
And goodly seemed my beard, and goodly seemed
And my beard looked nice, and it looked nice
My solitary eye, and, half-revealed,
My single eye, and half-revealed,
My teeth gleamed whiter than the Parian marl.
My teeth shone brighter than white marble.
Thrice for good luck I spat upon my robe:
Thrice for good luck, I spat on my robe:
That learned I of the hag Cottytaris—her
That I learned from the witch Cottytaris—her
Who fluted lately with Hippocoön's mowers."
Who recently played flute with Hippocoön's mowers.
Damoetas then kissed Daphnis lovingly:
Damoetas then kissed Daphnis tenderly:
One gave a pipe and one a goodly flute.
One gave a pipe and one a nice flute.
Straight to the shepherd's flute and herdsman's pipe
Straight to the shepherd's flute and herdsman's pipe
The younglings bounded in the soft green grass:
The kids jumped around in the soft green grass:
And neither was o'ermatched, but matchless both.
And neither was outmatched, but both were unmatched.
IDYLL VII.
Once on a time did Eucritus and I
Once upon a time, Eucritus and I
(With us Amyntas) to the riverside
(With us Amyntas) to the riverside
Steal from the city. For Lycopeus' sons
Steal from the city. For Lycopeus' sons
Were that day busy with the harvest-home,
Were that day busy with the harvest celebration,
Antigenes and Phrasidemus, sprung
Antigenes and Phrasidemus, emerged
(If aught thou holdest by the good old names)
(If you hold on to the good old names)
By Clytia from great Chalcon—him who erst
By Clytia from great Chalcon—him who once
Planted one stalwart knee against the rock,
Planted one strong knee against the rock,
And lo, beneath his foot Burinè's rill
And look, under his foot Burinè's stream
Brake forth, and at its side poplar and elm
Brake forth, and next to it are poplar and elm.
Shewed aisles of pleasant shadow, greenly roofed
Showed aisles of pleasant shade, greenly covered
By tufted leaves. Scarce midway were we now,
By tufted leaves. We were barely halfway now,
Nor yet descried the tomb of Brasilas:
Nor did they see the tomb of Brasilas:
When, thanks be to the Muses, there drew near
When, thanks to the Muses, there approached
A wayfarer from Crete, young Lycidas.
A traveler from Crete, young Lycidas.
The horned herd was his care: a glance might tell
The horned herd was his responsibility: a glance could reveal
So much: for every inch a herdsman he.
So much for every inch of him being a herdsman.
Slung o'er his shoulder was a ruddy hide
Slung over his shoulder was a red hide
Torn from a he-goat, shaggy, tangle-haired,
Torn from a male goat, shaggy, tangled hair,
That reeked of rennet yet: a broad belt clasped
That still smelled like rennet: a wide belt fastened
A patched cloak round his breast, and for a staff
A patched cloak wrapped around his chest, and as a staff
A gnarled wild-olive bough his right hand bore.
A twisted wild olive branch he held in his right hand.
Soon with a quiet smile he spoke—his eye
Soon, with a soft smile, he said—his eye
Twinkled, and laughter sat upon his lip:
Twinkled, and laughter rested on his lips:
"And whither ploddest thou thy weary way
"And where are you trudging on your tired path"
Beneath the noontide sun, Simichidas?
Under the midday sun, Simichidas?
For now the lizard sleeps upon the wall,
For now, the lizard is sleeping on the wall,
The crested lark folds now his wandering wing.
The crested lark now folds his wandering wing.
Dost speed, a bidden guest, to some reveller's board?
Does haste, an invited guest, rush to some party's table?
Or townward to the treading of the grape?
Or toward the town for the grape harvest?
For lo! recoiling from thy hurrying feet
For look! pulling back from your rushing feet
The pavement-stones ring out right merrily."
The pavement stones ring out cheerfully.
Then I: "Friend Lycid, all men say that none
Then I: "Friend Lycid, everyone says that no one
Of haymakers or herdsmen is thy match
Of haymakers or herdsmen is your match.
At piping: and my soul is glad thereat.
At piping: and my soul is happy about it.
Yet, to speak sooth, I think to rival thee.
Yet, to be honest, I think I want to compete with you.
Now look, this road holds holiday to-day:
Now look, this road is closed for the holiday today:
For banded brethren solemnise a feast
For the bonded brothers celebrate a feast
To richly-dight Demeter, thanking her
To richly bless Demeter, thanking her
For her good gifts: since with no grudging hand
For her good gifts: since with a generous hand
Hath the boon goddess filled the wheaten floors.
Has the gracious goddess filled the grain floors?
So come: the way, the day, is thine as mine:
So come: the path, the day, is yours as much as mine:
Try we our woodcraft—each may learn from each.
Try our woodworking skills—everyone can learn from one another.
I am, as thou, a clarion-voice of song;
I am, like you, a clear voice of song;
All hail me chief of minstrels. But I am not,
All hail me, chief of musicians. But I'm not,
Heaven knows, o'ercredulous: no, I scarce can yet
Heaven knows, overly trusting: no, I can hardly even now
(I think) outvie Philetas, nor the bard
(I think) outshine Philetas, nor the bard
Of Samos, champion of Sicilian song.
Of Samos, champion of Sicilian music.
They are as cicadas challenged by a frog."
They are like cicadas being challenged by a frog.
I spake to gain mine ends; and laughing light
I spoke to achieve my goals; and laughing light
He said: "Accept this club, as thou'rt indeed
He said: "Accept this club, as you truly
A born truth-teller, shaped by heaven's own hand!
A natural truth-teller, crafted by God's own hand!
I hate your builders who would rear a house
I hate your builders who would put up a house.
High as Oromedon's mountain-pinnacle:
High as Oromedon's peak:
I hate your song-birds too, whose cuckoo-cry
I hate your songbirds too, whose cuckoo call
Struggles (in vain) to match the Chian bard.
Struggles (in vain) to match the Chian poet.
But come, we'll sing forthwith, Simichidas,
But come on, we'll sing right away, Simichidas,
Our woodland music: and for my part I—
Our woodland music: and as for me—I—
List, comrade, if you like the simple air
List, friend, if you enjoy the simple vibe
I forged among the uplands yesterday.
I traveled through the highlands yesterday.
[Sings] Safe be my true-love convoyed o'er the main
[Sings] Safe be my true love guided across the sea
To Mitylenè—though the southern blast
To Mitylenè—though the southern wind
Chase the lithe waves, while westward slant the Kids,
Chase the nimble waves, while the kids lean to the west,
Or low above the verge Orion stand—
Or low above the edge, Orion stands—
If from Love's furnace she will rescue me,
If she will save me from Love's fire,
For Lycidas is parched with hot desire.
For Lycidas is burning with hot desire.
Let halcyons lay the sea-waves and the winds,
Let peaceful birds rest on the sea waves and the winds,
Northwind and Westwind, that in shores far-off
Northwind and Westwind, that on distant shores
Flutters the seaweed—halcyons, of all birds
Flutters the seaweed—kingfishers, of all birds
Whose prey is on the waters, held most dear
Whose catch is on the waters, cherished the most
By the green Nereids: yea let all things smile
By the green Nereids: yes, let everything be joyful.
On her to Mitylenè voyaging,
On her trip to Mitylenè,
And in fair harbour may she ride at last.
And in a safe harbor, may she finally rest.
I on that day, a chaplet woven of dill
I on that day, a chaplet woven of dill
Or rose or simple violet on my brow,
Or rose or simple violet on my brow,
Will draw the wine of Pteleas from the cask
Will pour the wine of Pteleas from the cask
Stretched by the ingle. They shall roast me beans,
Stretched by the fire. They will roast my beans,
And elbow-deep in thyme and asphodel
And buried deep in thyme and asphodel
And quaintly-curling parsley shall be piled
And charmingly curled parsley will be stacked
My bed of rushes, where in royal ease
My bed of rushes, where I lie back comfortably
I sit and, thinking of my darling, drain
I sit here, thinking about my love, and empty
With stedfast lip the liquor to the dregs.
With steady lips, drink the liquor to the last drop.
I'll have a pair of pipers, shepherds both,
I'll have two pipers, both shepherds,
This from Acharnæ, from Lycopè that;
This is from Acharnæ, from Lycopè that;
And Tityrus shall be near me and shall sing
And Tityrus will be close to me and will sing
How the swain Daphnis loved the stranger-maid;
How Daphnis fell in love with the stranger girl;
And how he ranged the fells, and how the oaks
And how he roamed the hills, and how the oaks
(Such oaks as Himera's banks are green withal)
(Such oaks as Himera's banks are green too)
Sang dirges o'er him waning fast away
Sang sad songs over him as he faded away rapidly.
Like snow on Athos, or on Hæmus high,
Like snow on Athos, or on Hæmus high,
Or Rhodopè, or utmost Caucasus.
Or Rhodopè, or farthest Caucasus.
And he shall sing me how the big chest held
And he will sing to me about how the big chest was secured.
(All through the maniac malice of his lord)
(All through the maniac malice of his lord)
A living goatherd: how the round-faced bees,
A living goatherd: how the round-faced bees,
Lured from their meadow by the cedar-smell,
Lured from their meadow by the smell of cedar,
Fed him with daintiest flowers, because the Muse
Fed him with the finest flowers, because the Muse
Had made his throat a well-spring of sweet song.
Had turned his throat into a source of beautiful music.
Happy Cometas, this sweet lot was thine!
Happy Cometas, this sweet group was yours!
Thee the chest prisoned, for thee the honey-bees
The chest imprisoned you, and for you, the honeybees
Toiled, as thou slavedst out the mellowing year:
Toiled, as you worked hard throughout the warm year:
And oh hadst thou been numbered with the quick
And oh, if you had been counted among the living
In my day! I had led thy pretty goats
In my time! I had taken care of your cute goats.
About the hill-side, listening to thy voice:
About the hillside, listening to your voice:
While thou hadst lain thee down 'neath oak or pine,
While you had laid down under the oak or pine,
Divine Cometas, warbling pleasantly."
Divine Cometas, singing beautifully.
He spake and paused; and thereupon spake I.
He spoke and paused; and then I spoke.
"I too, friend Lycid, as I ranged the fells,
"I also, friend Lycid, while I wandered the hills,
Have learned much lore and pleasant from the Nymphs,
Have learned a lot of interesting stories and enjoyable things from the Nymphs,
Whose fame mayhap hath reached the throne of Zeus.
Whose fame may have reached the throne of Zeus.
But this wherewith I'll grace thee ranks the first:
But this is what I'll use to honor you ranks the highest:
Thou listen, since the Muses like thee well.
You listen, since the Muses like you well.
[Sings] On me the young Loves sneezed: for hapless I
[Sings] The young Loves sneezed on me: I was unfortunate.
Am fain of Myrto as the goats of Spring.
Am fond of Myrto like the goats of Spring.
But my best friend Aratus inly pines
But my best friend Aratus is secretly yearning
For one who loves him not. Aristis saw—
For someone who doesn't love him. Aristis saw—
(A wondrous seer is he, whose lute and lay
(A wondrous seer is he, whose lute and lay
Shrinèd Apollo's self would scarce disdain)—
Shrined Apollo himself would hardly disdain—
How love had scorched Aratus to the bone.
How love had burned Aratus to the core.
O Pan, who hauntest Homolè's fair champaign,
O Pan, who haunts Homolè's beautiful plains,
Bring the soft charmer, whosoe'er it be,
Bring the soft charmer, whoever it may be,
Unbid to his sweet arms—so, gracious Pan,
Uninvited to his sweet arms—so, kind Pan,
May ne'er thy ribs and shoulderblades be lashed
May your ribs and shoulder blades never be beaten.
With squills by young Arcadians, whensoe'er
With squills by young Arcadians, whenever
They are scant of supper! But should this my prayer
They hardly have any dinner! But if this is my prayer
Mislike thee, then on nettles mayest thou sleep,
Mislike you, then you may sleep on nettles,
Dinted and sore all over from their claws!
Dented and sore all over from their claws!
Then mayest thou lodge amid Edonian hills
Then you may stay among the Edonian hills.
By Hebrus, in midwinter; there subsist,
By Hebrus, in midwinter; there exist,
The Bear thy neighbour: and, in summer, range
The Bear your neighbor: and, in summer, roam
With the far Æthiops 'neath the Blemmyan rocks
With the far Ethiopians beneath the Blemmyan rocks
Where Nile is no more seen! But O ye Loves,
Where the Nile can no longer be seen! But oh, you Loves,
Whose cheeks are like pink apples, quit your homes
Whose cheeks are like pink apples, leave your homes
By Hyetis, or Byblis' pleasant rill,
By Hyetis, or Byblis' lovely stream,
Or fair Dionè's rocky pedestal,
Or fair Dionè's stone base,
And strike that fair one with your arrows, strike
And hit that beautiful one with your arrows, hit
The ill-starred damsel who disdains my friend.
The unfortunate girl who looks down on my friend.
And lo, what is she but an o'er-ripe pear?
And look, what is she but an overripe pear?
The girls all cry 'Her bloom is on the wane.'
The girls all cry, "Her beauty is fading."
We'll watch, Aratus, at that porch no more,
We'll no longer watch, Aratus, at that porch,
Nor waste shoe-leather: let the morning cock
Nor waste shoe-leather: let the morning cock
Crow to wake others up to numb despair!
Crow to wake others up to feel the numb despair!
Let Molon, and none else, that ordeal brave:
Let Molon, and no one else, face that challenge:
While we make ease our study, and secure
While we make our study easier and ensure
Some witch, to charm all evil from our door."
Some witch, to drive away all evil from our doorstep."
I ceased. He smiling sweetly as before,
I stopped. He smiled sweetly as before,
Gave me the staff, 'the Muses' parting gift,'
Gave me the staff, 'the Muses' farewell gift,'
And leftward sloped toward Pyxa. We the while,
And sloped left toward Pyxa. We the while,
Bent us to Phrasydeme's, Eucritus and I,
Bent us to Phrasydeme's, Eucritus and I,
And baby-faced Amyntas: there we lay
And baby-faced Amyntas: there we lay
Half-buried in a couch of fragrant reed
Half-buried in a couch of fragrant grass
And fresh-cut vineleaves, who so glad as we?
And freshly cut vine leaves, who is as happy as we are?
A wealth of elm and poplar shook o'erhead;
A lot of elm and poplar swayed overhead;
Hard by, a sacred spring flowed gurgling on
Hard by, a sacred spring flowed, bubbling nearby.
From the Nymphs' grot, and in the sombre boughs
From the Nymphs' grotto, and in the dark branches
The sweet cicada chirped laboriously.
The cicada chirped loudly.
Hid in the thick thorn-bushes far away
Hiding in the dense thorn bushes far away
The treefrog's note was heard; the crested lark
The treefrog's call was heard; the crested lark
Sang with the goldfinch; turtles made their moan,
Sang with the goldfinch; turtles made their sound,
And o'er the fountain hung the gilded bee.
And over the fountain hung the golden bee.
All of rich summer smacked, of autumn all:
All of summer's richness was gone, replaced by the essence of autumn:
Pears at our feet, and apples at our side
Pears at our feet, and apples beside us
Rolled in luxuriance; branches on the ground
Rolled in luxury; branches on the ground
Sprawled, overweighed with damsons; while we brushed
Sprawled, weighed down with damsons; while we brushed
From the cask's head the crust of four long years.
From the top of the cask, the crust from four long years.
Say, ye who dwell upon Parnassian peaks,
Say, you who live on Parnassian peaks,
Nymphs of Castalia, did old Chiron e'er
Nymphs of Castalia, did old Chiron ever
Set before Heracles a cup so brave
Set before Heracles a cup so brave
In Pholus' cavern—did as nectarous draughts
In Pholus' cave—did as sweet drinks
Cause that Anapian shepherd, in whose hand
Cause that Anapian shepherd, in whose hand
Rocks were as pebbles, Polypheme the strong,
Rocks were like pebbles, Polyphemus the strong,
Featly to foot it o'er the cottage lawns:—
Featly to walk across the cottage lawns:—
As, ladies, ye bid flow that day for us
As you ladies request, let it flow that day for us
All by Demeter's shrine at harvest-home?
All by Demeter's shrine at harvest time?
Beside whose cornstacks may I oft again
Beside whose cornstacks might I often return again
Plant my broad fan: while she stands by and smiles,
Plant my broad fan: while she stands by and smiles,
Poppies and cornsheaves on each laden arm.
Poppies and bundles of grain on each loaded arm.
IDYLL VIII.
Daphnis, the gentle herdsman, met once, as legend tells,
Daphnis, the kind herdsman, once met, as the story goes,
Menalcas making with his flock the circle of the fells.
Menalcas leading his flock around the hills.
Both chins were gilt with coming beards: both lads could sing and play:
Both boys had the beginnings of beards: both could sing and play:
Menalcas glanced at Daphnis, and thus was heard to say:—
Menalcas looked at Daphnis and said:—
"Art thou for singing, Daphnis, lord of the lowing kine?
"Are you going to sing, Daphnis, lord of the mooing cows?"
I say my songs are better, by what thou wilt, than thine."
I say my songs are better, whatever you may think, than yours."
Then in his turn spake Daphnis, and thus he made reply:
Then it was Daphnis' turn to speak, and this is what he said:
"O shepherd of the fleecy flock, thou pipest clear and high;
"O shepherd of the fluffy flock, you play your pipe clearly and high;
But come what will, Menalcas, thou ne'er wilt sing as I."
But no matter what happens, Menalcas, you will never sing like I do.
MENALCAS.
MENALCAS.
This art thou fain to ascertain, and risk a bet with me?
Are you eager to find out and willing to place a bet with me?
DAPHNIS.
Daphne.
This I full fain would ascertain, and risk a bet with thee.
I really want to find this out and am willing to bet with you.
MENALCAS.
MENALCAS.
But what, for champions such as we, would, seem a fitting prize?
But what would seem like a fitting prize for champions like us?
DAPHNIS.
Daphnis.
I stake a calf: stake thou a lamb, its mother's self in size.
I stake a calf: you stake a lamb, it's the same size as its mother.
MENALCAS.
MENALCAS.
A lamb I'll venture never: for aye at close of day
A lamb I’ll never try: for always at the end of the day
Father and mother count the flock, and passing strict are they.
Father and mother count the flock, and they are very strict.
DAPHNIS.
Daphnis.
Then what shall be the victor's fee? What wager wilt thou lay?
Then what will be the winner's reward? What bet will you place?
MENALCAS.
MENALCAS.
A pipe discoursing through nine mouths I made, full fair to view;
A pipe talking through nine mouths I made, really nice to look at;
The wax is white thereon, the line of this and that edge true.
The wax is white on it, the line of this and that edge straight.
I'll risk it: risk my father's own is more than I dare do.
I'll take the chance: risking my father's is more than I'm willing to do.
DAPHNIS.
Daphnis.
A pipe discoursing through nine mouths, and fair, hath Daphnis too:
A pipe playing sweetly through nine openings, and fair, has Daphnis too:
The wax is white thereon, the line of this and that edge true.
The wax is white on it, the line of this and that edge is straight.
But yesterday I made it: this finger feels the pain
But yesterday I did it: this finger feels the pain.
Still, where indeed the rifted reed hath cut it clean in twain.
Still, where the split reed has cut it clean in two.
But who shall be our umpire? who listen to our strain?
But who will be our umpire? Who will hear our song?
MENALCAS.
MENALCAS.
Suppose we hail yon goatherd; him at whose horned herd now
Suppose we call out to the goatherd; the one in charge of those horned goats now
The dog is barking—yonder dog with white upon his brow.
The dog is barking—that dog over there with white on his forehead.
Then out they called: the goatherd marked them, and up came he;
Then they called out: the goatherd noticed them, and he came up;
Then out they sang; the goatherd their umpire fain would be.
Then they sang out; the goatherd would be happy to be their umpire.
To shrill Menalcas' lot it fell to start the woodland lay:
To painfully echo Menalcas' fate, it began the forest
Then Daphnis took it up. And thus Menalcas led the way.
Then Daphnis picked it up. And so Menalcas took the lead.
MENALCAS.
MENALCAS.
"Rivers and vales, a glorious birth! Oh if Menalcas e'er
"Rivers and valleys, a glorious birth! Oh if Menalcas ever
Piped aught of pleasant music in your ears:
Piped any pleasant music in your ears:
Then pasture, nothing loth, his lambs; and let young Daphnis fare
Then let him graze his lambs happily, and allow young Daphnis to go.
No worse, should he stray hither with his steers."
No worse, should he come here with his cows.
DAPHNIS.
Daphnis.
"Pastures and rills, a bounteous race! If Daphnis sang you e'er
"Pastures and streams, a plentiful celebration! If Daphnis ever sang to you
Such songs as ne'er from nightingale have flowed;
Such songs as have never come from a nightingale;
Then to his herd your fatness lend; and let Menalcas share
Then give your abundance to your herd; and let Menalcas share.
Like boon, should e'er he wend along this road."
Like a blessing, should he ever wander down this road.
MENALCAS.
MENALCAS.
"'Tis spring, 'tis greenness everywhere; with milk the udders teem,
"'Tis spring, 'tis greenness everywhere; with milk the udders teem,
And all things that are young have life anew,
And everything young comes to life again,
Where my sweet maiden wanders: but parched and withered seem,
Where my sweet girl roams: but dry andWithered seem,
When she departeth, lawn and shepherd too."
When she leaves, the lawn and the shepherd as well.
DAPHNIS.
Daphnis.
"Fat are the sheep, the goats bear twins, the hives are thronged with
"Fat are the sheep, the goats bear twins, the hives are thronged with
bees,
bees
Rises the oak beyond his natural growth,
Rises the oak beyond its natural growth,
Where falls my darling's footstep: but hungriness shall seize,
Where my darling walks: but hunger will take hold,
When she departeth, herd and herdsman both."
When she leaves, both the herd and the herdsman.
MENALCAS.
MENALCAS.
"Come, ram, with thy blunt-muzzled kids and sleek wives at thy side,
Come, ram, with your blunt-nosed kids and smooth wives by your side,
Where winds the brook by woodlands myriad-deep:
Where the stream flows by the woods countless and deep:
There is her haunt. Go, Stump-horn, tell her how Proteus plied
There is her haunt. Go, Stump-horn, tell her how Proteus worked
(A god) the shepherd's trade, with seals for sheep."
(A god) the shepherd's job, with seals for sheep."
DAPHNIS.
Daphnis.
"I ask not gold, I ask not the broad lands of a king;
"I don't ask for gold, I don't ask for the vast lands of a king;
I ask not to be fleeter than the breeze;
I don't ask to be swifter than the breeze;
But 'neath this steep to watch my sheep, feeding as one, and fling
But beneath this steep, I watch my sheep, feeding like one, and throw
(Still clasping her) my carol o'er the seas."
(Still holding her) my song across the seas."
MENALCAS.
MENALCAS.
"Storms are the fruit-tree's bane; the brook's, a summer hot and dry;
"Storms are the fruit tree's enemy; the brook's is a hot and dry summer;
The stag's a woven net, a gin the dove's;
The stag's a woven net, a gin the dove's;
Mankind's, a soft sweet maiden. Others have pined ere I:
Mankind's, a gentle sweet maiden. Others have longed before me:
Zeus! Father! hadst not thou thy lady-loves?"
Zeus! Dad! Didn't you have your lady loves?
Thus far, in alternating strains, the lads their woes rehearst:
Thus far, in varying tones, the guys share their troubles:
Then each one gave a closing stave. Thus sang Menalcas first:—
Then each person contributed a final verse. So Menalcas sang first:—
MENALCAS.
MENALCAS.
"O spare, good wolf, my weanlings! their milky mothers spare!
"O kind wolf, please spare my little ones! Spare their milky mothers!"
Harm not the little lad that hath so many in his care!
Hurt not the young boy who has so many to take care of!
What, Firefly, is thy sleep so deep? It ill befits a hound,
What, Firefly, why are you sleeping so deeply? It doesn't suit a hound,
Tending a boyish master's flock, to slumber over-sound.
Tending to a young master's flock, dozing off.
And, wethers, of this tender grass take, nothing coy, your fill:
And, sheep, enjoy this tender grass as much as you want, no need to be shy:
So, when it comes, the after-math shall find you feeding still.
So, when it happens, the aftermath will find you still feeding.
So! so! graze on, that ye be full, that not an udder fail:
So! So! Keep eating until you're full, so that you don't run dry.
Part of the milk shall rear the lambs, and part shall fill my pail."
Part of the milk will raise the lambs, and part will fill my pail."
Then Daphnis flung a carol out, as of a nightingale:—
Then Daphnis sang a song, like a nightingale:—
DAPHNIS.
Daphne.
"Me from her grot but yesterday a girl of haughty brow
"Me from her grot but yesterday a girl with a proud look"
Spied as I passed her with my kine, and said, "How fair art thou!"
Spied as I walked past her with my cows, and said, "How beautiful you are!"
I vow that not one bitter word in answer did I say,
I promise that I didn't say a single hurtful word in response.
But, looking ever on the ground, went silently my way.
But I kept my eyes on the ground and quietly went on my way.
The heifer's voice, the heifer's breath, are passing sweet to me;
The heifer's voice and breath are incredibly sweet to me;
And sweet is sleep by summer-brooks upon the breezy lea:
And sleep is sweet by summer streams on the breezy meadow:
As acorns are the green oak's pride, apples the apple-bough's;
As acorns are the pride of the green oak, apples are the pride of the apple branch;
So the cow glorieth in her calf, the cowherd in his cows."
So the cow takes pride in her calf, and the cowherd takes pride in his cows.
Thus the two lads; then spoke the third, sitting his goats among:
Thus the two boys spoke; then the third one, sitting with his goats, spoke too:
GOATHERD.
Goat herder.
"O Daphnis, lovely is thy voice, thy music sweetly sung;
"O Daphnis, your voice is beautiful, your music sweetly sung;
Such song is pleasanter to me than honey on my tongue.
That song is sweeter to me than honey on my tongue.
Accept this pipe, for thou hast won. And should there be some notes
Accept this pipe, because you’ve won. And if there are any notes
That thou couldst teach me, as I plod alongside with my goats,
That you could teach me, as I walk alongside my goats,
I'll give thee for thy schooling this ewe, that horns hath none:
I'll give you this hornless ewe for your schooling:
Day after day she'll fill the can, until the milk o'errun."
Day after day, she’ll fill the can until the milk overflows.
Then how the one lad laughed and leaped and clapped his hands for
Then the boy laughed, jumped, and clapped his hands for
glee!
yay!
A kid that bounds to meet its dam might dance as merrily.
A kid that jumps to greet its mother might dance just as happily.
And how the other inly burned, struck down by his disgrace!
And how the other secretly burned, brought low by his disgrace!
A maid first parting from her home might wear as sad a face.
A maid leaving her home for the first time might have a just as sad expression.
Thenceforth was Daphnis champion of all the country side:
Thenceforth, Daphnis became the champion of the entire countryside:
And won, while yet in topmost youth, a Naiad for his bride.
And won, while still in his prime, a Naiad for his bride.
IDYLL IX.
SHEPHERD.
Shepherd.
A song from Daphnis! Open he the lay,
A song from Daphnis! Let him start the tune,
He open: and Menalcas follow next:
He began: and Menalcas follows next:
While the calves suck, and with the barren kine
While the calves suck, and with the dry cows
The young bulls graze, or roam knee-deep in leaves,
The young bulls graze or wander through leaves up to their knees,
And ne'er play truant. But a song from thee,
And never skip class. But a song from you,
Daphnis—anon Menalcas will reply.
Daphnis—Menalcas will respond soon.
DAPHNIS.
Daphnis.
Sweet is the chorus of the calves and kine,
Sweet is the sound of the calves and cows,
And sweet the herdsman's pipe. But none may vie
And sweet is the herdsman's pipe. But no one can compete
With Daphnis; and a rush-strown bed is mine
With Daphnis; and a bed scattered with rushes is mine.
Near a cool rill, where carpeted I lie
Near a cool stream, where I lie on soft grass
On fair white goatskins. From a hill-top high
On smooth white goatskins. From a high hilltop
The westwind swept me down the herd entire,
The west wind blew me down the whole herd,
Cropping the strawberries: whence it comes that I
Cropping the strawberries: where it comes from that I
No more heed summer, with his breath of fire,
No more attention to summer, with its fiery breath,
Than lovers heed the words of mother and of sire.
Than lovers pay attention to the words of their mother and father.
Thus Daphnis: and Menalcas answered thus:—
Thus Daphnis and Menalcas replied:—
MENALCAS.
MENALCAS.
O Ætna, mother mine! A grotto fair,
O Ætna, my mother! A beautiful grotto,
Scooped in the rocks, have I: and there I keep
Scooped in the rocks, I have: and there I stay
All that in dreams men picture! Treasured there
All of that is what men envision in their dreams! It's cherished there.
Are multitudes of she-goats and of sheep,
Are there countless female goats and sheep,
Swathed in whose wool from top to toe I sleep.
Swaddled in wool from head to toe, I sleep.
The fire that boils my pot, with oak or beech
The fire that heats my pot, with oak or beech
Is piled—dry beech-logs when the snow lies deep;
Is piled—dry beech logs when the snow lies deep;
And storm and sunshine, I disdain them each
And I disregard both storm and sunshine equally.
As toothless sires a nut, when broth is in their reach.
As toothless old men crack a nut when soup is within their reach.
I clapped applause, and straight produced my gifts:
I clapped in appreciation and quickly presented my gifts:
A staff for Daphnis—'twas the handiwork
A staff for Daphnis—it was the work of
Of nature, in my father's acres grown:
Of nature, in my father's land grown:
Yet might a turner find no fault therewith.
Yet a turner might find no fault with that.
I gave his mate a goodly spiral-shell:
I gave his friend a nice spiral shell:
We stalked its inmate on the Icarian rocks
We tracked its prisoner on the Icarian cliffs.
And ate him, parted fivefold among five.
And ate him, splitting him into five parts among five people.
He blew forthwith the trumpet on his shell.
He immediately blew the trumpet on his shell.
Tell, woodland Muse—and then farewell—what song
Tell, woodland Muse—and then goodbye—what song
I, the chance-comer, sang before those twain.
I, the unexpected visitor, sang in front of those two.
SHEPHERD.
Shepherd.
Ne'er let a falsehood scarify my tongue!
Never let a lie scare my tongue!
Crickets with crickets, ants with ants agree,
Crickets with crickets, ants with ants agree,
And hawks with hawks: and music sweetly sung,
And hawks with hawks: and music sung sweetly,
Beyond all else, is grateful unto me.
Beyond all else, is grateful to me.
Filled aye with music may my dwelling be!
Filled always with music may my home be!
Not slumber, not the bursting forth of Spring
Not sleep, not the arrival of Spring
So charms me, nor the flowers that tempt the bee,
So charms me, nor the flowers that attract the bee,
As those sweet Sisters. He, on whom they fling
As those sweet Sisters. He, whom they throw
One gracious glance, is proof to Circè's blandishing.
One kind glance shows Circè's charm.
IDYLL X.
What now, poor o'erworked drudge, is on thy mind?
What’s on your mind now, overworked person?
No more in even swathe thou layest the corn:
No more in even rows do you lay the corn:
Thy fellow-reapers leave thee far behind,
Your fellow harvesters are way ahead of you,
As flocks a ewe that's footsore from a thorn.
As a flock follows a sheep that's hurt from a thorn.
By noon and midday what will be thy plight
By noon and midday, what will your situation be?
If now, so soon, thy sickle fails to bite?
If your sickle isn’t sharp enough right now?
BATTUS.
BATTUS.
Hewn from hard rocks, untired at set of sun,
Hewn from tough rocks, tireless at sunset,
Milo, didst ne'er regret some absent one?
Milo, have you never regretted someone who isn't here?
MILO.
Milo.
Not I. What time have workers for regret?
Not me. When do workers have time to feel regret?
BATTUS.
BATTUS.
Hath love ne'er kept thee from thy slumbers yet?
Has love never kept you from your sleep?
MILO.
Milo.
Nay, heaven forbid! If once the cat taste cream!
Narrowly, heaven forbid! Once the cat tastes the cream!
BATTUS.
BATTUS.
Milo, these ten days love hath been my dream.
Milo, these ten days of love have been my dream.
MILO.
Milo.
You drain your wine, while vinegar's scarce with me.
You finish your wine while I'm low on vinegar.
BATTUS.
BATTUS.
—Hence since last spring untrimmed my borders be.
—So since last spring my borders have gone untrimmed.
MILO.
Milo.
And what lass flouts thee?
And what girl disrespects you?
BATTUS.
BATTUS.
She whom we heard play
She we heard play
Amongst Hippocoön's reapers yesterday.
Among Hippocoön's reapers yesterday.
MILO.
MILO.
Your sins have found you out—you're e'en served right:
Your sins have caught up with you—serves you right:
You'll clasp a corn-crake in your arms all night.
You'll hold a corn-crake in your arms all night.
BATTUS.
BATTUS.
You laugh: but headstrong Love is blind no less
You laugh, but stubborn Love is just as blind.
Than Plutus: talking big is foolishness.
Than Plutus: bragging is useless.
MILO.
Milo.
I talk not big. But lay the corn-ears low
I don’t speak grandly. But keep the corn ears low.
And trill the while some love-song—easier so
And while doing so, sing a love song—it's easier that way.
Will seem your toil: you used to sing, I know.
Will your hard work feel worth it: you used to sing, I know.
BATTUS.
BATTUS.
Maids of Pieria, of my slim lass sing!
Maids of Pieria, sing of my slim girl!
One touch of yours ennobles everything.
One touch from you elevates everything.
[Sings]
[Performing]
Fairy Bombyca! thee do men report
Fairy Bombyca! that's what people say
Lean, dusk, a gipsy: I alone nut-brown.
Lean, dusk, a gypsy: I alone, nut-brown.
Violets and pencilled hyacinths are swart,
Violets and colored hyacinths are dark,
Yet first of flowers they're chosen for a crown.
Yet first of flowers they're chosen for a crown.
As goats pursue the clover, wolves the goat,
As goats chase the clover, wolves chase the goat,
And cranes the ploughman, upon thee I dote.
And I love you, my dear ploughman.
Had I but Croesus' wealth, we twain should stand
Had I just Croesus' wealth, we both would be standing
Gold-sculptured in Love's temple; thou, thy lyre
Gold-sculpted in Love's temple; you, your lyre
(Ay or a rose or apple) in thy hand,
(Ay or a rose or apple) in your hand,
I in my brave new shoon and dance-attire.
I in my stylish new shoes and dance outfit.
Fairy Bombyca! twinkling dice thy feet,
Fairy Bombyca! twinkling dice at your feet,
Poppies thy lips, thy ways none knows how sweet!
Poppies, your lips, no one knows how sweet your ways are!
MILO.
Milo.
Who dreamed what subtle strains our bumpkin wrought?
Who imagined what delicate tunes our simpleton created?
How shone the artist in each measured verse!
How the artist shone in every carefully crafted verse!
Fie on the beard that I have grown for naught!
Fie on the beard I've grown for nothing!
Mark, lad, these lines by glorious Lytierse.
Mark, dude, these lines by the amazing Lytierse.
[Sings]
[Sings]
O rich in fruit and cornblade: be this field
O rich in fruit and corn: may this field
Tilled well, Demeter, and fair fruitage yield!
Tilled well, Demeter, and good harvest produce!
Bind the sheaves, reapers: lest one, passing, say—
Bind the bundles, harvesters: so that no one, walking by, says—
'A fig for these, they're never worth their pay.'
'A fig for these, they're never worth their pay.'
Let the mown swathes look northward, ye who mow,
Let the cut fields face north, you who mow,
Or westward—for the ears grow fattest so.
Or westward—because that's where the ears grow the most.
Avoid a noontide nap, ye threshing men:
Avoid a midday nap, you threshing men:
The chaff flies thickest from the corn-ears then.
The chaff flies thickest from the corn ears then.
Wake when the lark wakes; when he slumbers, close
Wake when the lark wakes; when he sleeps, close
Your work, ye reapers: and at noontide doze.
Your work, you reapers: and at noon, take a nap.
Boys, the frogs' life for me! They need not him
Boys, the frogs' life is the life for me! They don't need him.
Who fills the flagon, for in drink they swim.
Who fills the jug, because they swim in drink.
Better boil herbs, thou toiler after gain,
Better boil herbs, you who work for profit,
Than, splitting cummin, split thy hand in twain.
Than, splitting cumin, split your hand in two.
Strains such as these, I trow, befit them well
Strains like these, I think, suit them well.
Who toil and moil when noon is at its height:
Who work hard when noon is at its peak:
Thy meagre love-tale, bumpkin, though shouldst tell
Your thin love story, country bumpkin, you should tell.
Thy grandam as she wakes up ere 'tis light.
Thy grandma, as she wakes up before it’s light.
IDYLL XI.
Methinks all nature hath no cure for Love,
Methinks all nature has no cure for Love,
Plaster or unguent, Nicias, saving one;
Plaster or ointment, Nicias, except for one;
And this is light and pleasant to a man,
And this is light and enjoyable for a person,
Yet hard withal to compass—minstrelsy.
Yet difficult to achieve—music.
As well thou wottest, being thyself a leech,
As you know, since you are a doctor,
And a prime favourite of those Sisters nine.
And a top favorite of those nine Sisters.
'Twas thus our Giant lived a life of ease,
'Twas how our Giant lived a life of comfort,
Old Polyphemus, when, the down scarce seen
Old Polyphemus, when the sun was barely visible
On lip and chin, he wooed his ocean nymph:
On his lips and chin, he flirted with his ocean nymph:
No curlypated rose-and-apple wooer,
No curly-haired rose-and-apple suitor,
But a fell madman, blind to all but love.
But a ruthless madman, oblivious to everything except love.
Oft from the green grass foldward fared his sheep
Oftentimes, his sheep wandered from the green grass.
Unbid: while he upon the windy beach,
Unbid: while he was on the windy beach,
Singing his Galatea, sat and pined
Singing his Galatea, he sat and longed.
From dawn to dusk, an ulcer at his heart:
From morning to night, a wound in his heart:
Great Aphrodite's shaft had fixed it there.
Great Aphrodite's arrow had set it there.
Yet found he that one cure: he sate him down
Yet he found that one solution: he sat down
On the tall cliff, and seaward looked, and sang:—
On the tall cliff, facing the sea, and sang:—
"White Galatea, why disdain thy love?
"White Galatea, why turn away from your love?
White as a pressed cheese, delicate as the lamb,
White as a pressed cheese, soft as a lamb,
Wild as the heifer, soft as summer grapes!
Wild as a heifer, gentle as summer grapes!
If sweet sleep chain me, here thou walk'st at large;
If sweet sleep binds me, here you walk freely;
If sweet sleep loose me, straightway thou art gone,
If sweet sleep takes me, you're gone right away,
Scared like a sheep that sees the grey wolf near.
Scared like a sheep that spots a gray wolf nearby.
I loved thee, maiden, when thou cam'st long since,
I loved you, girl, when you came long ago,
To pluck the hyacinth-blossom on the fell,
To pick the hyacinth flower on the hill,
Thou and my mother, piloted by me.
You and my mother, guided by me.
I saw thee, see thee still, from that day forth
I saw you, and I still see you, from that day on.
For ever; but 'tis naught, ay naught, to thee.
For eternity; but it's nothing, yes nothing, to you.
I know, sweet maiden, why thou art so coy:
I know, sweet girl, why you are being so shy:
Shaggy and huge, a single eyebrow spans
Shaggy and huge, a single eyebrow spans
From ear to ear my forehead, whence one eye
From ear to ear my forehead, from which one eye
Gleams, and an o'erbroad nostril tops my lip.
Gleams, and a wide nostril sits above my lip.
Yet I, this monster, feed a thousand sheep
Yet I, this monster, feed a thousand sheep.
That yield me sweetest draughts at milking-tide:
That gives me the sweetest drinks at milking time:
In summer, autumn, or midwinter, still
In summer, autumn, or midwinter, still
Fails not my cheese; my milkpail aye o'erflows.
Fails not my cheese; my milkpail always overflows.
Then I can pipe as ne'er did Giant yet,
Then I can sing like no Giant ever has,
Singing our loves—ours, honey, thine and mine—
Singing about our loves—ours, babe, yours and mine—
At dead of night: and hinds I rear eleven
At midnight: and I raise eleven does
(Each with her fawn) and bearcubs four, for thee.
(Each with her fawn) and four bear cubs, for you.
Oh come to me—thou shalt not rue the day—
Oh come to me—you won't regret it—
And let the mad seas beat against the shore!
And let the wild seas crash against the shore!
'Twere sweet to haunt my cave the livelong night:
'Twould be nice to stay in my cave all night long:
Laurel, and cypress tall, and ivy dun,
Laurel, tall cypress, and dull ivy,
And vines of sumptuous fruitage, all are there:
And vines with delicious fruit, they're all there:
And a cold spring that pine-clad Ætna flings
And a chilly spring that pine-covered Ætna sends out
Down from, the white snow's midst, a draught for gods!
Down from the midst of the white snow, a drink for the gods!
Who would not change for this the ocean-waves?
Who wouldn't trade the ocean waves for this?
"But thou mislik'st my hair? Well, oaken logs
But you don't like my hair? Well, oaken logs
Are here, and embers yet aglow with fire.
Are here, and embers still glowing with fire.
Burn (if thou wilt) my heart out, and mine eye,
Burn (if you want) my heart out, and my eye,
Mine only eye wherein is my delight.
Mine only eye wherein is my delight.
Oh why was I not born a finny thing,
Oh, why wasn’t I born a fish,
To float unto thy side and kiss thy hand,
To float to your side and kiss your hand,
Denied thy lips—and bring thee lilies white
Denied your lips—and bring you white lilies
And crimson-petalled poppies' dainty bloom!
And delicate crimson poppies' bloom!
Nay—summer hath his flowers and autumn his;
Nay—summer has its flowers and autumn has its;
I could not bring all these the selfsame day.
I couldn't bring all of these on the same day.
Lo, should some mariner hither oar his road,
Lo, if some sailor rows his way here,
Sweet, he shall teach me straightway how to swim,
Sweet, he will teach me right away how to swim,
That haply I may learn what bliss ye find
That hopefully I can learn what happiness you find
In your sea-homes. O Galatea, come
In your ocean homes. Oh Galatea, come
Forth from yon waves, and coming forth forget
Forth from those waves, and coming forth forget
(As I do, sitting here) to get thee home:
(As I do, sitting here) to get you home:
And feed my flocks and milk them, nothing loth,
And take care of my flocks and milk them, without hesitation,
And pour the rennet in to fix my cheese!
And pour in the rennet to fix my cheese!
"The blame's my mother's; she is false to me;
"The blame is on my mother; she's being dishonest with me;
Spake thee ne'er yet one sweet word for my sake,
Spoke you never a kind word for my sake,
Though day by day she sees me pine and pine.
Though every day she watches me suffer more and more.
I'll feign strange throbbings in my head and feet
I'll pretend to have weird throbbing sensations in my head and feet.
To anguish her—as I am anguished now."
To cause her pain—as I'm feeling pain now.
O Cyclops, Cyclops, where are flown thy wits?
O Cyclops, Cyclops, where have your wits gone?
Go plait rush-baskets, lop the olive-boughs
Go weave rush baskets, trim the olive branches.
To feed thy lambkins—'twere the shrewder part.
To feed your little lambs—that would be the wiser choice.
Chase not the recreant, milk the willing ewe:
Chase not the coward, milk the eager sheep:
The world hath Galateas fairer yet.
The world has even fairer Galateas.
"—Many a fair damsel bids me sport with her
"—Many a beautiful woman asks me to play with her"
The livelong night, and smiles if I give ear.
The entire night, and smiles if I listen.
On land at least I still am somebody."
"At least on land, I still matter."
Thus did the Giant feed his love on song,
Thus did the Giant nourish his love with music,
And gained more ease than may be bought with gold.
And gained more comfort than can be bought with money.
IDYLL XII.
Thou art come, lad, come! Scarce thrice hath dusk to day
Thou art come, lad, come! Barely three times has dusk turned to day.
Given place—but lovers in an hour grow gray.
Given place—but lovers in an hour grow old.
As spring's more sweet than winter, grapes than thorns,
As spring is sweeter than winter, grapes are better than thorns,
The ewe's fleece richer than her latest-born's;
The ewe's fleece is thicker than her most recently born lamb's;
As young girls' charms the thrice-wed wife's outshine,
As young girls' charms outshine those of the woman who's married three times,
As fawns are lither than the ungainly kine,
As fawns are more graceful than the clumsy cows,
Or as the nightingale's clear notes outvie
Or as the nightingale's clear notes surpass
The mingled music of all birds that fly;
The mixed sounds of all the birds that fly;
So at thy coming passing glad was I.
So when you arrived, I was really happy.
I ran to greet thee e'en as pilgrims run
I ran to greet you just like pilgrims do.
To beechen shadows from the scorching sun:
To seek the shade of beech trees from the blazing sun:
Oh if on us accordant Loves would breathe,
Oh, if harmonious loves would embrace us,
And our two names to future years bequeath!
And let our two names be passed down to future years!
'These twain'—let men say—'lived in olden days.
'These two'—let people say—'lived in ancient times.
This was a yokel (in their country-phrase),
This was a country bumpkin,
That was his mate (so talked these simple folk):
That was his friend (as these simple people would say):
And lovingly they bore a mutual yoke.
And they lovingly shared a mutual bond.
The hearts of men were made of sterling gold,
The hearts of men were made of pure gold,
When troth met troth, in those brave days of old,'
When truth met truth, in those brave days of old,
O Zeus, O gods who age not nor decay!
O Zeus, O gods who never grow old or fade away!
Let e'en two hundred ages roll away,
Let even two hundred centuries go by,
But at the last these tidings let me learn,
But in the end, let me hear this news,
Borne o'er the fatal pool whence none return:—
Borne over the deadly pool from which no one returns:—
"By every tongue thy constancy is sung,
"By every voice, your loyalty is praised,
Thine and thy favourite's—chiefly by the young."
Thy and your favorite's—especially by the young.
But lo, the future is in heaven's high hand:
But look, the future is in heaven's control:
Meanwhile thy graces all my praise demand,
Meanwhile, your grace deserves all my praise,
Not false lip-praise, not idly bubbling froth—
Not fake flattery, not mindless chatter—
For though thy wrath be kindled, e'en thy wrath
For even if your anger is stirred up, your anger
Hath no sting in it: doubly I am caressed,
Has no sting in it: I am doubly embraced,
And go my way repaid with interest.
And I will be rewarded for my journey.
Oarsmen of Megara, ruled by Nisus erst!
Oarsmen of Megara, once ruled by Nisus!
Yours be all bliss, because ye honoured first
Yours be all happiness, because you honored first
That true child-lover, Attic Diocles.
That true child enthusiast, Attic Diocles.
Around his gravestone with the first spring-breeze
Around his gravestone with the first spring breeze
Flock the bairns all, to win the kissing-prize:
Flock the kids all, to win the kissing prize:
And whoso sweetliest lip to lip applies
And whoever kisses most sweetly lip to lip
Goes crown-clad home to its mother. Blest is he
Goes home to its mother wearing a crown. Blessed is he
Who in such strife is named the referee:
Who is called the referee in such conflict:
To brightfaced Ganymede full oft he'll cry
To cheerful Ganymede, he often calls out
To lend his lip the potencies that lie
To give his lips the powers that exist
Within that stone with which the usurers
Within that stone with which the moneylenders
Detect base metal, and which never errs.
Detect base metal, which never makes mistakes.
IDYLL XIII.
Not for us only, Nicias, (vain the dream,)
Not just for us, Nicias, (what a foolish dream,)
Sprung from what god soe'er, was Eros born:
Sprung from whatever god, Eros was born:
Not to us only grace doth graceful seem,
Not just to us does grace seem graceful,
Frail things who wot not of the coming morn.
Frail things that do not know about the coming morning.
No—for Amphitryon's iron-hearted son,
No—for Amphitryon's tough son,
Who braved the lion, was the slave of one:—
Who dared to face the lion became the servant of one:—
A fair curled creature, Hylas was his name.
A fair, curly-haired creature, Hylas was his name.
He taught him, as a father might his child,
He taught him, like a father would teach his child,
All songs whereby himself had risen to fame;
All the songs through which he had become famous;
Nor ever from his side would be beguiled
Nor would he ever be deceived from his side.
When noon was high, nor when white steeds convey
When it was noon and the white horses were being used to carry…
Back to heaven's gates the chariot of the day,
Back to heaven's gates, the chariot of the day,
Nor when the hen's shrill brood becomes aware
Nor when the hen's loud chicks become aware
Of bed-time, as the mother's flapping wings
Of bedtime, as the mother's flapping wings
Shadow the dust-browned beam. 'Twas all his care
Shadow the dust-browned beam. It was all he cared about.
To shape unto his own imaginings
To shape it to his own ideas
And to the harness train his favourite youth,
And to train his favorite young man,
Till he became a man in very truth.
Till he truly became a man.
Meanwhile, when kingly Jason steered in quest
Meanwhile, when King Jason set out on his quest
Of the Gold Fleece, and chieftains at his side
Of the Gold Fleece, and leaders by his side
Chosen from all cities, proffering each her best,
Chosen from all the cities, offering each one’s best,
To rich Iolchos came that warrior tried,
To the wealthy Iolchos came that skilled warrior,
And joined him unto trim-built Argo's crew;
And joined him to the well-built crew of the Argo;
And with Alcmena's son came Hylas too.
And with Alcmena's son, Hylas came along too.
Through the great gulf shot Argo like a bird—
Through the vast gap, Argo flew like a bird—
And by-and-bye reached Phasis, ne'er o'erta'en
And eventually reached Phasis, never overtaken
By those in-rushing rocks, that have not stirred
By those rushing rocks that haven't moved
Since then, but bask, twin monsters, on the main.
Since then, just relax, twin monsters, on the main.
But now, when waned the spring, and lambs were fed
But now, when spring was fading, and the lambs were being fed
In far-off fields, and Pleiads gleamed overhead,
In distant fields, the Pleiades sparkled above,
That cream and flower of knighthood looked to sail.
That elite group of knights seemed ready to set sail.
They came, within broad Argo safely stowed,
They arrived, with the large Argo securely stored,
(When for three days had blown the southern gale)
(When the southern wind had blown for three days)
To Hellespont, and in Propontis rode
To the Hellespont and rode in the Propontis
At anchor, where Cianian oxen now
At anchor, where Cianian oxen now
Broaden the furrows with the busy plough.
Broaden the furrows with the busy plow.
They leapt ashore, and, keeping rank, prepared
They jumped ashore, and, staying in formation, got ready
Their evening meal: a grassy meadow spread
Their dinner: a grassy meadow spread
Before their eyes, and many a warrior shared
Before their eyes, and many a warrior shared
(Thanks to its verdurous stores) one lowly bed.
(Thanks to its lush supplies) one simple bed.
And while they cut tall marigolds from their stem
And as they cut tall marigolds from their stems
And sworded bulrush, Hylas slipt from them.
And sworded bulrush, Hylas slipped away from them.
Water the fair lad wont to seek and bring
Water the handsome young man usually goes to find and bring
To Heracles and stalwart Telamon,
To Heracles and brave Telamon,
(The comrades aye partook each other's fare,)
(The companions always shared each other's food,)
Bearing a brazen pitcher. And anon,
Bearing a bold pitcher. And soon,
Where the ground dipt, a fountain he espied,
Where the ground dipped, he spotted a fountain,
And rushes growing green about its side.
And rushes growing green around its side.
There rose the sea-blue swallow-wort, and there
There rose the sea-blue swallow-wort, and there
The pale-hued maidenhair, with parsley green
The pale-colored maidenhair, with parsley green
And vagrant marsh-flowers; and a revel rare
And wandering marsh flowers; and a rare celebration
In the pool's midst the water-nymphs were seen
In the middle of the pool, the water-nymphs were seen.
To hold, those maidens of unslumbrous eyes
To hold, those girls with unblinking eyes
Whom the belated peasant sees and flies.
Whom the late peasant sees and runs away from.
And fast did Malis and Eunica cling,
And quickly, Malis and Eunica held on tightly,
And young Nychea with her April face,
And young Nychea with her April-like face,
To the lad's hand, as stooping o'er the spring
To the boy's hand, as he leaned over the spring
He dipt his pitcher. For the young Greek's grace
He dipped his pitcher. For the young Greek's grace
Made their soft senses reel; and down he fell,
Made their soft senses spin; and down he went,
All of a sudden, into that black well.
All of a sudden, into that dark hole.
So drops a red star suddenly from sky
So a red star suddenly drops from the sky.
To sea—and quoth some sailor to his mate:
To the sea—and said a sailor to his buddy:
"Up with the tackle, boy! the breeze is high."
"Pull up the gear, kid! The wind is strong."
Him the nymphs pillowed, all disconsolate,
Him the nymphs cradled, all heartbroken,
On their sweet laps, and with soft words beguiled;
On their soft laps, and with gentle words enchanted;
But Heracles was troubled for the child.
But Heracles was worried about the child.
Forth went he; Scythian-wise his bow he bore
Forth he went; like a Scythian, he carried his bow.
And the great club that never quits his side;
And the big club that always sticks by his side;
And thrice called 'Hylas'—ne'er came lustier roar
And called out 'Hylas' three times—never came a louder roar.
From that deep chest. Thrice Hylas heard and tried
From that deep chest. Three times Hylas heard and tried
To answer, but in tones you scarce might hear;
To respond, but in voices you could barely hear;
The water made them distant though so near.
The water created distance between them, even though they were so close.
And as a lion, when he hears the bleat
And just like a lion, when he hears the bleating
Of fawns among the mountains far away,
Of fawns among the distant mountains,
A murderous lion, and with hurrying feet
A killer lion, and with hurried steps
Bounds from his lair to his predestined prey:
Bounds from his den to his destined prey:
So plunged the strong man in the untrodden brake—
So the strong man plunged into the uncharted thicket—
(Lovers are maniacs)—for his darling's sake.
(Lovers are maniacs)—for their sweetheart's sake.
He scoured far fields—what hill or oaken glen
He searched wide open fields—whatever hill or oak grove
Remembers not that pilgrimage of pain?
Remember that journey of suffering?
His troth to Jason was forgotten then.
His promise to Jason was forgotten then.
Long time the good ship tarried for those twain
Long time the good ship waited for those two.
With hoisted sails; night came and still they cleared
With the sails raised, night arrived and they continued to navigate.
The hatches, but no Heracles appeared.
The hatches opened, but no Heracles showed up.
On he was wandering, reckless where he trod,
On he was wandering, reckless where he stepped,
So mad a passion on his vitals preyed:
So intense a passion consumed him:
While Hylas had become a blessed god.
While Hylas had become a revered god.
But the crew cursed the runaway who had stayed
But the crew cursed the runaway who had stayed
Sixty good oars, and left him there to reach
Sixty good oars, and left him there to reach
Afoot bleak Phasis and the Colchian beach.
Afoot on the gloomy Phasis and the Colchian beach.
IDYLL XIV.
ÆSCHINES.
ÆSCHINES.
Hail, sir Thyonichus.
Hey, Sir Thyonichus.
THYONICHUS.
THYONICHUS.
Æschines, to you.
Aeschines, to you.
ÆSCHINES.
Aeschines.
I have missed thee.
I have missed you.
THYONICHUS.
THYONICHUS.
Missed me! Why what ails him now?
Missed me! What’s bothering him now?
ÆSCHINES.
ÆSCHINES.
My friend, I am ill at ease.
I'm feeling uncomfortable, friend.
THYONICHUS.
THYONICHUS.
Then this explains
Then this explains it
Thy leanness, and thy prodigal moustache
Your slimness and your extravagant mustache
And dried-up curls. Thy counterpart I saw,
And dried-up curls. I saw your match,
A wan Pythagorean, yesterday.
A pale Pythagorean, yesterday.
He said he came from Athens: shoes he had none:
He said he was from Athens: he had no shoes:
He pined, I'll warrant,—for a quartern loaf.
He longed, I bet—for a quarter loaf.
ÆSCHINES.
ÆSCHINES.
Sir, you will joke—But I've been outraged, sore,
Sir, you might find this funny—but I've been really hurt and upset,
And by Cynisca. I shall go stark mad
And by Cynisca, I’m going to lose my mind.
Ere you suspect—a hair would turn the scale.
Ere you suspect—a hair would tip the balance.
THYONICHUS.
THYONICHUS.
Such thou wert always, Æschines my friend.
Such you have always been, Aeschines my friend.
In lazy mood or trenchant, at thy whim
In a relaxed or sharp mood, at your choice
The world must wag. But what's thy grievance now?
The world keeps moving. But what's your problem now?
ÆSCHINES.
Aeschines.
That Argive, Apis the Thessalian Knight,
That Argive, Apis the Thessalian Knight,
Myself, and gallant Cleonicus, supped
Me and brave Cleonicus had dinner.
Within my grounds. Two pullets I had slain,
Within my grounds. I had killed two chicks,
And a prime pig: and broached my Biblian wine;
And a top-notch pig: and opened my Biblian wine;
'Twas four years old, but fragrant as when new.
It was four years old, but smelled as fresh as when it was new.
Truffles were served to us: and the drink was good.
Truffles were served to us, and the drink was nice.
Well, we got on, and each must drain a cup
Well, we carried on, and each person has to finish a cup.
To whom he fancied; only each must name.
To whoever he liked; only each one must be named.
We named, and took our liquor as ordained;
We named it and had our drinks as required;
But she sate silent—this before my face.
But she sat there silent—right in front of me.
Fancy my feelings! "Wilt not speak? Hast seen
Fancy my feelings! "Won't you speak? Have you seen
A wolf?" some wag said. "Shrewdly guessed," quoth she,
A wolf?" some smart aleck said. "You guessed that pretty well," she replied.
And blushed—her blushes might have fired a torch.
And blushed—her blushes could have lit a torch.
A wolf had charmed her: Wolf her neighbour's son,
A wolf had charmed her: Wolf, the son of her neighbor,
Goodly and tall, and fair in divers eyes:
Good-looking and tall, and attractive in different people's eyes:
For his illustrious sake it was she pined.
She longed for his sake.
This had been breathed, just idly, in my ear:
This was casually whispered in my ear:
Shame on my beard, I ne'er pursued the hint.
Shame on my beard, I never followed the clue.
Well, when we four were deep amid our cups,
Well, when the four of us were lost in our drinks,
The Knight must sing 'The Wolf' (a local song)
The Knight has to sing 'The Wolf' (a local song)
Right through for mischief. All at once she wept
Right through for trouble. Suddenly, she started to cry.
Hot tears as girls of six years old might weep,
Hot tears like those that six-year-old girls might cry,
Clinging and clamouring round their mother's lap.
Clinging and crowding around their mother's lap.
And I, (you know my humour, friend of mine,)
And I, (you know my sense of humor, my friend,)
Drove at his face, one, two! She gathered up
Drove at his face, one, two! She gathered up
Her robes and vanished straightway through the door.
Her robes disappeared right through the door.
"And so I fail to please, false lady mine?
"And so I don't please you, my deceitful lady?"
Another lies more welcome in thy lap?
Another lies more welcome in your lap?
Go warm that other's heart: he'll say thy tears
Go warm that other person's heart: he'll say your tears
Are liquid pearls." And as a swallow flies
Are liquid pearls." And as a swallow flies
Forth in a hurry, here or there to find
Forth in a hurry, here or there to find
A mouthful for her brood among the eaves:
A handful for her kids under the eaves:
From her soft sofa passing-swift she fled
From her comfy sofa, she quickly ran away.
Through folding-doors and hall, with random feet:
Through folding doors and the hallway, with people walking around:
'The stag had gained his heath': you know the rest.
'The stag had reached his heath': you know the rest.
Three weeks, a month, nine days and ten to that,
Three weeks, a month, nine days, and ten more to that,
To-day's the eleventh: and 'tis just two months
To day is the eleventh; and it’s just two months
All but two days, since she and I were two.
All but two days since she and I were together.
Hence is my beard of more than Thracian growth.
Hence, my beard is thicker than any Thracian's.
Now Wolf is all to her: Wolf enters in
Now Wolf means everything to her: Wolf comes in.
At midnight; I am a cypher in her eyes;
At midnight, I am a mystery in her eyes;
The poor Megarian, nowhere in the race.
The poor Megarian, left behind in the race.
All would go right, if I could once unlove:
All would be fine if I could just stop loving:
But now, you wot, the rat hath tasted tar.
But now, you know, the rat has tasted tar.
And what may cure a swain at his wit's end
And what might help a guy who's at his wit's end?
I know not: Simus, (true,) a mate of mine,
I don't know: Simus, (it's true,) a friend of mine,
Loved Epichalcus' daughter, and took ship
Loved Epichalcus' daughter and set sail.
And came home cured. I too will sail the seas.
And came home healed. I will also sail the seas.
Worse men, it may be better, are afloat,
Worse men might actually be better, are out there,
I shall still prove an average man-at-arms.
I will still be an average soldier.
THYONICHUS.
THYONICHUS.
Now may thy love run smoothly, Æschines!
Now may your love go smoothly, Æschines!
But should'st thou really mean a voyage out,
But if you really mean a trip out,
The freeman's best paymaster's Ptolemy.
The best payer is Ptolemy.
ÆSCHINES.
ÆSCHINES.
What is he else?
What else is he?
THYONICHUS.
THYONICHUS.
A gentleman: a man
A gentleman: a guy
Of wit and taste; the top of company;
Of wit and taste; the best of friends;
Loyal to ladies; one whose eye is keen
Loyal to women; someone with a sharp eye
For friends, and keener still for enemies.
For friends, and even more for enemies.
Large in his bounties, he, in kingly sort,
Large in his gifts, he, in a regal manner,
Denies a boon to none: but, Æschines,
Denies a favor to no one: but, Aeschines,
One should not ask too often. This premised,
One shouldn’t ask too often. With that in mind,
If thou wilt clasp the military cloak
If you will wear the military cloak
O'er thy right shoulder, and with legs astride
O'er your right shoulder, and with legs apart
Await the onward rush of shielded men:
Await the advance of armored men:
Hie thee to Egypt. Age overtakes us all;
Hurry to Egypt. Time catches up with us all;
Our temples first; then on o'er cheek and chin,
Our temples first; then over our cheeks and chins,
Slowly and surely, creep the frosts of Time.
Slowly but surely, the frosts of time creep in.
Up and do somewhat, ere thy limbs are sere.
Up and do something, before your limbs are stiff.
IDYLL XV.
GORGO.
Gorgo.
Praxinoä in?
Praxinoä available?
PRAXINOÄ.
PRAXINOA.
Yes, Gorgo dear! At last!
Yes, Gorgo, finally!
That you're here now's a marvel! See to a chair,
That you're here now is amazing! Have a seat,
A cushion, Eunoä!
A pillow, Eunoä!
GORGO.
GORGO.
I lack naught.
I lack nothing.
PRAXINOÄ.
PRAXINOA.
Sit down.
Take a seat.
GORGO.
Gorgo.
Oh, what a thing is spirit! Here I am,
Oh, what an amazing thing spirit is! Here I am,
Praxinoä, safe at last from all that crowd
Praxinoä, finally safe from that entire crowd
And all those chariots—every street a mass
And all those chariots—every street a jumble
Of boots and uniforms! And the road, my dear,
Of boots and uniforms! And the road, my friend,
Seemed endless—you live now so far away!
Seemed endless—you’re living so far away now!
PRAXINOÄ.
PRAXINOÄ.
This land's-end den—I cannot call it house—
This rundown place at the edge of the land—I can’t really call it a house—
My madcap hired to keep us twain apart
My crazy hired help to keep us both apart.
And stir up strife. 'Twas like him, odious pest!
And stir up trouble. It was just like him, disgusting nuisance!
GORGO.
GORGO.
Nay call not, dear, your lord, your Deinon, names
Nay, don't call, dear, your lord, your Deinon, names
To the babe's face. Look how it stares at you!
To the baby's face. Look how it’s staring at you!
There, baby dear, she never meant Papa!
There, sweetheart, she never meant Dad!
It understands, by'r lady! Dear Papa!
It understands, my lady! Dear Dad!
PRAXINOÄ.
PRAXINOÄ.
Well, yesterday (that means what day you like)
Well, yesterday (which means any day you want)
'Papa' had rouge and hair-powder to buy;
'Papa' needed to buy blush and hair powder;
He brought back salt! this oaf of six-foot-one!
He brought back salt! This clumsy guy who's six-foot-one!
GORGO.
Gorgo.
Just such another is that pickpocket
Just like that is that pickpocket.
My Diocleides. He bought t'other day
My Diocleides. He bought the other day
Six fleeces at seven drachms, his last exploit.
Six fleeces for seven drachmas, his latest accomplishment.
What were they? scraps of worn-out pedlar's-bags,
What were they? scraps of old peddler's bags,
Sheer trash.—But put your cloak and mantle on;
Sheer trash.—But put on your cloak and cape;
And we'll to Ptolemy's, the sumptuous king,
And we'll go to Ptolemy's, the lavish king,
To see the Adonis. As I hear, the queen
To see the Adonis. I've heard that the queen
Provides us something gorgeous.
Gives us something beautiful.
PRAXINOÄ.
PRAXINOA.
Ay, the grand
Yeah, the grand
Can do things grandly.
Can do things big.
GORGO.
GORGO.
When you've seen yourself,
When you've seen yourself,
What tales you'll have to tell to those who've not.
What stories you’ll have to share with those who haven't.
'Twere time we started!
It's time we started!
PRAXINOÄ.
PRAXINOA.
All time's holiday
All-time holiday
With idlers! Eunoä, pampered minx, the jug!
With lazy people! Eunoä, spoiled flirt, the jug!
Set it down here—you cats would sleep all day
Set it down here—you guys would sleep all day
On cushions—Stir yourself, fetch water, quick!
On cushions—Get moving, grab some water, hurry up!
Water's our first want. How she holds the jug!
Water's our first need. Look at how she holds the jug!
Now, pour—not, cormorant, in that wasteful way—
Now, don’t pour, cormorant, in that wasteful way—
You've drenched my dress, bad luck t'you! There, enough:
You've soaked my dress, that's bad luck for you! There, enough:
I have made such toilet as my fates allowed.
I have gotten ready as best as my circumstances permit.
Now for the key o' the plate-chest. Bring it, quick!
Now for the key to the plate chest. Bring it here, fast!
GORGO.
Gorgo.
My dear, that full pelisse becomes you well.
My dear, that long coat really suits you.
What did it stand you in, straight off the loom?
What did it cost you, straight off the loom?
PRAXINOÄ.
PRAXINOA.
Don't ask me, Gorgo: two good pounds and more.
Don't ask me, Gorgo: two good pounds or more.
Then I gave all my mind to trimming it.
Then I focused all my attention on trimming it.
GORGO.
GORGO.
Well, 'tis a great success.
Well, it's a great success.
PRAXINOÄ.
PRAXINOA.
I think it is.
I think so.
My mantle, Eunoä, and my parasol!
My cloak, Eunoä, and my umbrella!
Arrange me nicely. Babe, you'll bide at home!
Arrange me nicely. Babe, you'll stay home!
Horses would bite you—Boo!--Yes, cry your fill,
Horses would bite you—Boo!--Yes, cry all you want,
But we won't have you maimed. Now let's be off.
But we won't let you get hurt. Now let's go.
You, Phrygia, take and nurse the tiny thing:
You, Phrygia, take care of the little one:
Call the dog in: make fast the outer door!
Call the dog inside: close the outer door securely!
[Exeunt.
[Exit.
Gods! what a crowd! How, when shall we get past
God! What a crowd! How and when will we get through?
This nuisance, these unending ant-like swarms?
This annoyance, these endless swarms that resemble ants?
Yet, Ptolemy, we owe thee thanks for much
Yet, Ptolemy, we owe you thanks for much
Since heaven received thy sire! No miscreant now
Since heaven received your father! No wrongdoer now
Creeps Thug-like up, to maul the passer-by.
Creeps up like a thug, ready to attack the passerby.
What games men played erewhile—men shaped in crime,
What games men played back then—men shaped by crime,
Birds of a feather, rascals every one!
Birds of a feather, troublemakers every one!
—We're done for, Gorgo darling—here they are,
—We're done for, Gorgo, my dear—here they are,
The Royal horse! Sweet sir, don't trample me!
The royal horse! Please, sir, don’t run me over!
That bay—the savage!--reared up straight on end!
That bay—the fierce one!—reared up straight on end!
Fly, Eunoä, can't you? Doggedly she stands.
Fly, Eunoä, can't you? She stands there stubbornly.
He'll be his rider's death!--How glad I am
He'll be his rider's death! I'm so glad!
My babe's at home.
My baby's at home.
GORGO.
GORGO.
Praxinoä, never mind!
Praxinoä, forget it!
See, we're before them now, and they're in line.
See, we're in front of them now, and they're in line.
PRAXINOÄ.
PRAXINOA.
There, I'm myself. But from a child I feared
There, I’m myself. But since I was a child, I feared
Horses, and slimy snakes. But haste we on:
Horses and slippery snakes. But let's hurry on:
A surging multitude is close behind.
A rushing crowd is right behind.
GORGO [to Old Lady].
GORGO [to Elderly Woman].
From the palace, mother?
From the palace, mom?
OLD LADY.
Older woman.
Ay, child.
Hey, kid.
GORGO.
GORGO.
Is it fair
Is it fair?
Of access?
Access?
OLD LADY.
Older woman.
Trying brought the Greeks to Troy.
Trying brought the Greeks to Troy.
Young ladies, they must try who would succeed.
Young ladies, they must make an effort if they want to succeed.
GORGO.
GORGO.
The crone hath said her oracle and gone.
The old woman has spoken her prediction and left.
Women know all—how Adam married Eve.
Women know everything—how Adam married Eve.
—Praxinoä, look what crowds are round the door!
—Praxinoä, check out the crowd outside the door!
PRAXINOÄ.
PRAXINOA.
Fearful! Your hand, please, Gorgo. Eunoä, you
Fearful! Please, Gorgo, give me your hand. Eunoä, you
Hold Eutychis—hold tight or you'll be lost.
Hold on to Eutychis—hold tight or you’ll get lost.
We'll enter in a body—hold us fast!
We'll go in together—hold onto us!
Oh dear, my muslin dress is torn in two,
Oh no, my muslin dress is ripped in half,
Gorgo, already! Pray, good gentleman,
Gorgo, already! Please, good sir,
(And happiness be yours) respect my robe!
(And happiness be yours) respect my robe!
STRANGER.
UNKNOWN PERSON.
I could not if I would—nathless I will.
I couldn't even if I wanted to—still, I will.
PRAXINOÄ.
PRAXINOA.
They come in hundreds, and they push like swine.
They come in hundreds, and they push like pigs.
STRANGER.
UNKNOWN PERSON.
Lady, take courage: it is all well now.
Lady, be brave: everything is okay now.
PRAXINOÄ.
PRAXINOA.
And now and ever be it well with thee,
And may you always be well,
Sweet man, for shielding us! An honest soul
Sweet man, thank you for protecting us! An honest person.
And kindly. Oh! they're smothering Eunoä:
And kindly. Oh! they're suffocating Eunoä:
Push, coward! That's right! 'All in,' the bridegroom said
Push, you coward! That's right! 'All in,' the groom said.
And locked the door upon himself and bride.
And locked the door behind himself and his bride.
GORGO.
GORGO.
Praxinoä, look! Note well this broidery first.
Praxinoä, look! Pay close attention to this embroidery first.
How exquisitely fine—too good for earth!
How incredibly fine—too good for this world!
Empress Athenè, what strange sempstress wrought
Empress Athenè, what strange seamstress created
Such work? What painter painted, realized
Such work? What a painter painted, understood
Such pictures? Just like life they stand or move,
Such pictures? Just like life, they stand still or move,
Facts and not fancies! What a thing is man!
Facts and not fantasies! What an amazing creature man is!
How bright, how lifelike on his silvern couch
How bright, how real on his silver couch
Lies, with youth's bloom scarce shadowing his cheek,
Lies, with the faintest hint of youth still on his face,
That dear Adonis, lovely e'en in death!
That dear Adonis, beautiful even in death!
A STRANGER.
A newcomer.
Bad luck t'you, cease your senseless pigeon's prate!
Bad luck to you, stop your silly pigeon talk!
Their brogue is killing—every word a drawl!
Their accent is so strong—every word is drawn out!
GORGO.
GORGO.
Where did he spring from? Is our prattle aught
Where did he come from? Does our chatter matter?
To you, Sir? Order your own slaves about:
To you, Sir? Boss your own slaves around:
You're ordering Syracusan ladies now!
You're ordering Syracuse ladies now!
Corinthians bred (to tell you one fact more)
Corinthians raised (to give you one more fact)
As was Bellerophon: islanders in speech,
As was Bellerophon: people of the islands in how they spoke,
For Dorians may talk Doric, I presume?
For Dorians can speak Doric, I guess?
PRAXINOÄ.
PRAXINOA.
Persephonè! none lords it over me,
Persephone! No one rules over me,
Save one! No scullion's-wage for us from you!
Save one! No menial pay for us from you!
GORGO.
GORGO.
Hush, dear. The Argive's daughter's going to sing
Hush, sweetie. The daughter of the Argive is going to sing.
The Adonis: that accomplished vocalist
The Adonis: that talented singer
Who has no rival in "The Sailor's Grave."
Who has no rival in "The Sailor's Grave."
Observe her attitudinizing now.
Check out her attitude now.
Song.
Track.
Queen, who lov'st Golgi and the Sicel hill
Queen, who loves Golgi and the Sicilian hill
And Ida; Aphroditè radiant-eyed;
And Ida; Aphroditè bright-eyed;
The stealthy-footed Hours from Acheron's rill
The silent-footed Hours from the stream of Acheron
Brought once again Adonis to thy side
Brought Adonis back to you once again.
How changed in twelve short months! They travel slow,
How much has changed in just twelve short months! They travel slowly,
Those precious Hours: we hail their advent still,
Those precious hours: we celebrate their arrival still,
For blessings do they bring to all below.
For blessings they bring to everyone below.
O Sea-born! thou didst erst, or legend lies,
O Sea-born! you once, or so the legend goes,
Shed on a woman's soul thy grace benign,
Shed your kind grace on a woman's soul,
And Berenicè's dust immortalize.
And Berenicè's dust immortalizes.
O called by many names, at many a shrine!
O called by many names, at many shrines!
For thy sweet sake doth Berenicè's child
For your sweet sake, Berenice's child
(Herself a second Helen) deck with all
(Herself a second Helen) deck with all
That's fair, Adonis. On his right are piled
That's fair, Adonis. On his right are piled
Ripe apples fallen from the oak-tree tall;
Ripe apples fallen from the tall oak tree;
And silver caskets at his left support
And silver boxes on his left hold up
Toy-gardens, Syrian scents enshrined in gold
Toy gardens, Syrian fragrances preserved in gold
And alabaster, cakes of every sort
And alabaster, all kinds of cakes
That in their ovens the pastrywomen mould,
That in their ovens the bakers shape,
When with white meal they mix all flowers that bloom,
When they mix all the flowers that bloom with white flour,
Oil-cakes and honey-cakes. There stand portrayed
Oil-cakes and honey-cakes. There they are depicted
Each bird, each butterfly; and in the gloom
Each bird, each butterfly; and in the shadows
Of foliage climbing high, and downward weighed
Of leaves climbing high and weighed down below
By graceful blossoms, do the young Loves play
By beautiful flowers, the young Loves play
Like nightingales, and perch on every tree,
Like nightingales, and sit on every tree,
And flit, to try their wings, from spray to spray.
And flutter, to test their wings, from branch to branch.
Then see the gold, the ebony! Only see
Then check out the gold, the ebony! Just take a look.
The ivory-carven eagles, bearing up
The ivory-carved eagles, lifting up
To Zeus the boy who fills his royal cup!
To Zeus, the boy who fills his royal cup!
Soft as a dream, such tapestry gleams o'erhead
Soft as a dream, such tapestry shines above.
As the Milesian's self would gaze on, charmed.
As the Milesian's self would look on, enchanted.
But sweet Adonis hath his own sweet bed:
But sweet Adonis has his own sweet bed:
Next Aphroditè sleeps the roseate-armed,
Next Aphroditè sleeps the rosy-armed,
A bridegroom of eighteen or nineteen years.
A groom who is eighteen or nineteen years old.
Kiss the smooth boyish lip—there's no sting there!
Kiss the smooth, youthful lips—there's no sting at all!
The bride hath found her own: all bliss be hers!
The bride has found her own: may she have all the happiness!
And him at dewy dawn we'll troop to bear
And at dawn, we'll gather to face
Down where the breakers hiss against the shore:
Down where the waves crash against the shore:
There, with dishevelled dress and unbound hair,
There, with messy clothes and loose hair,
Bare-bosomed all, our descant wild we'll pour:
Bare-chested, we'll freely share our wild song:
"Thou haunt'st, Adonis, earth and heaven in turn,
"You're haunting, Adonis, both earth and heaven in turn,
Alone of heroes. Agamemnon ne'er
Alone among heroes. Agamemnon never
Could compass this, nor Aias stout and stern:
Could handle this, nor Aias strong and serious:
Not Hector, eldest-born of her who bare
Not Hector, the firstborn of her who bore
Ten sons, not Patrocles, nor safe-returned
Ten sons, neither Patroclus nor safely returned
From Ilion Pyrrhus, such distinction earned:
From Ilion, Pyrrhus earned such distinction:
Nor, elder yet, the Lapithæ, the sons
Nor, even older, the Lapiths, the sons
Of Pelops and Deucalion; or the crown
Of Pelops and Deucalion; or the crown
Of Greece, Pelasgians. Gracious may'st thou be,
Of Greece, Pelasgians. May you be gracious,
Adonis, now: pour new-year's blessings down!
Adonis, now: shower us with New Year’s blessings!
Right welcome dost thou come, Adonis dear:
Right welcome you are, dear Adonis:
Come when thou wilt, thou'lt find a welcome here."
Come whenever you want, you'll find a warm welcome here.
GORGO.
GORGO.
'Tis fine, Praxinoä! How I envy her
'Tis fine, Praxinoä! How I envy her!
Her learning, and still more her luscious voice!
Her learning, and even more her beautiful voice!
We must go home: my husband's supperless:
We need to go home; my husband hasn't had dinner.
And, in that state, the man's just vinegar.
And, in that state, the guy's just bitter.
Don't cross his path when hungry! So farewell,
Don't get in his way when he's hungry! So long,
Adonis, and be housed 'mid welfare aye!
Adonis, and be housed in well-being forever!
IDYLL XVI.
What fires the Muse's, what the minstrel's lays?
What inspires the Muse's, what the minstrel's songs?
Hers some immortal's, ours some hero's praise,
Hers some immortal's, ours some hero's praise,
Heaven is her theme, as heavenly was her birth:
Heaven is her focus, just as divine was her birth:
We, of earth earthy, sing the sons of earth.
We, from the earth, sing about the people of the earth.
Yet who, of all that see the gray morn rise,
Yet who, of all those who see the gray morning rise,
Lifts not his latch and hails with eager eyes
Lifts not his latch and hails with eager eyes
My Songs, yet sends them guerdonless away?
My songs still send them away without any reward?
Barefoot and angry homeward journey they,
Barefoot and angry, they headed home.
Taunt him who sent them on that idle quest,
Taunt the person who sent them on that pointless mission,
Then crouch them deep within their empty chest,
Then hide them deep within their empty chest,
(When wageless they return, their dismal bed)
(When they return without wages, their gloomy bed)
And hide on their chill knees once more their patient head.
And hide their weary heads on their cold knees once again.
Where are those good old times? Who thanks us, who,
Where are those good old days? Who thanks us, who,
For our good word? Men list not now to do
For our good reputation? Men are not willing to act now.
Great deeds and worthy of the minstrel's verse:
Great deeds that deserve to be sung by a bard:
Vassals of gain, their hand is on their purse,
Vassals of profit, their hand is on their wallet,
Their eyes on lucre: ne'er a rusty nail
Their eyes on profit: never a rusty nail
They'll give in kindness; this being aye their tale:—
They'll show kindness; this has always been their story:—
"Kin before kith; to prosper is my prayer;
"Family before friends; my prayer is to thrive;
Poets, we know, are heaven's peculiar care.
Poets, as we know, are uniquely looked after by heaven.
We've Homer; and what other's worth a thought?
We've got Homer; and what other person is worth considering?
I call him chief of bards who costs me naught."
I refer to him as the chief of poets who doesn't cost me anything.
Yet what if all your chests with gold are lined?
Yet what if all your treasure chests are empty?
Is this enjoying wealth? Oh fools and blind!
Is this enjoying wealth? Oh, you fools and blind people!
Part on your heart's desire, on minstrels spend
Part of your heart's desire, spend on minstrels.
Part; and your kindred and your kind befriend:
Part; and your family and your people befriend:
And daily to the gods bid altar-fires ascend.
And every day, ask the gods to let the altar fires rise.
Nor be ye churlish hosts, but glad the heart
Nor be you stingy hosts, but make the heart happy.
Of guests with wine, when they must needs depart:
Of guests with wine, when they have to leave:
And reverence most the priests of sacred song:
And give the most respect to the priests of sacred song:
So, when hell hides you, shall your names live long;
So, when hell keeps you hidden, your names will endure.
Not doomed to wail on Acheron's sunless sands,
Not destined to lament on Acheron's dark shores,
Like some poor hind, the inward of whose hands
Like some poor deer, the insides of whose hands
The spade hath gnarled and knotted, born to groan,
The spade has become gnarled and knotted, made to groan,
Poor sire's poor offspring, hapless Penury's own!
Poor sire's poor offspring, the unfortunate child of poverty!
Their monthly dole erewhile unnumbered thralls
Their monthly payment used to support countless servants.
Sought in Antiochus', in Aleuas' halls;
Sought in Antiochus' and Aleuas' halls;
On to the Scopadæ's byres in endless line
On to the Scopadæ's barns in an endless line
The calves ran lowing with the hornèd kine;
The calves ran mooing with the horned cows;
And, marshalled by the good Creondæ's swains
And, gathered together by the good Creondæ's shepherds
Myriads of choice sheep basked on Cranron's plains.
Myriad sheep lounged on Cranron's plains.
Yet had their joyaunce ended, on the day
Yet their fun had ended, on the day
When their sweet spirit dispossessed its clay,
When their sweet spirit left its body,
To hated Acheron's ample barge resigned.
To dreaded Acheron's large boat resigned.
Nameless, their stored-up luxury left behind,
Nameless, their accumulated wealth left behind,
With the lorn dead through ages had they lain,
With the lost dead they had lain for ages,
Had not a minstrel bade them live again:—
Had a minstrel not asked them to live again:—
Had not in woven words the Ceïan sire
Had not in woven words the Ceïan sire
Holding sweet converse with his full-toned lyre
Holding lively conversations with his rich-sounding lyre
Made even their swift steeds for aye renowned,
Made even their swift horses forever famous,
When from the sacred lists they came home crowned.
When they returned home from the sacred lists, crowned.
Forgot were Lycia's chiefs, and Hector's hair
Forgot were Lycia's chiefs, and Hector's hair
Of gold, and Cycnus femininely fair;
Of gold, and Cycnus strikingly beautiful;
But that bards bring old battles back to mind.
But bards remind us of old battles.
Odysseus—he who roamed amongst mankind
Odysseus—he who traveled among people
A hundred years and more, reached utmost hell
A hundred years and more, reached utmost hell
Alive, and 'scaped the giant's hideous cell—
Alive, and escaped the giant's terrifying cave—
Had lived and died: Eumæus and his swine;
Had lived and died: Eumæus and his pigs;
Philoetius, busy with his herded kine;
Philoetius, busy with his herded cattle;
And great Laërtes' self, had passed away,
And great Laërtes himself had passed away,
Were not their names preserved in Homer's lay.
Were their names not kept in Homer's poem?
Through song alone may man true glory taste;
Through song alone can a person truly experience glory;
The dead man's riches his survivors waste.
The deceased man's wealth is squandered by those he left behind.
But count the waves, with yon gray wind-swept main
But count the waves with that gray, wind-blown ocean.
Borne shoreward: from a red brick wash his stain
Brought to the shore: from a red brick wash his stain
In some pool's violet depths: 'twill task thee yet
In some pool's purple depths: it will challenge you still
To reach the heart on baleful avarice set.
To get to the heart of destructive greed.
To such I say 'Fare well': let theirs be store
To them, I say 'Farewell': let them have plenty
Of wealth; but let them always crave for more:
Of wealth; but let them always want more:
Horses and mules inferior things I find
Horses and mules are inferior, I think.
To the esteem and love of all mankind.
To the respect and love of all people.
But to what mortal's roof may I repair,
But to whose house can I go,
I and my Muse, and find a welcome there?
I and my Muse, and find a warm welcome there?
I and my Muse: for minstrels fare but ill,
I and my Muse: because musicians don't do very well,
Reft of those maids, who know the mightiest's will.
Reft of those maids who understand the will of the most powerful.
The cycle of the years, it flags not yet;
The cycle of the years has not yet come to a standstill;
In many a chariot many a steed shall sweat:
In many a chariot, many a horse will sweat:
And one, to manhood grown, my lays shall claim,
And once he becomes a man, my songs will demand attention,
Whose deeds shall rival great Achilles' fame,
Whose actions can match the legendary fame of Achilles,
Who from stout Aias might have won the prize
Who from strong Ajax could have won the prize
On Simois' plain, where Phrygian Ilus lies.
On the plain of Simois, where Phrygian Ilus is located.
Now, in their sunset home on Libya's heel,
Now, in their retirement home on Libya's heel,
Phoenicia's sons unwonted chillness feel:
Phoenicia's sons feel unusual chill:
Now, with his targe of willow at his breast,
Now, with his willow shield against his chest,
The Syracusan bears his spear in rest,
The Syracusan holds his spear at ease,
Amongst these Hiero arms him for the war,
Among these, Hiero prepares him for battle,
Eager to fight as warriors fought of yore;
Eager to battle like warriors did in the past;
The plumes float darkling o'er his helmèd brow.
The feathers drift shadowy over his armored forehead.
O Zeus, the sire most glorious; and O thou,
O Zeus, the most glorious father; and you,"
Empress Athenè; and thou, damsel fair,
Empress Athenè; and you, beautiful lady,
Who with thy mother wast decreed to bear
Who was meant to be born with your mother
Rule o'er rich Corinth, o'er that city of pride
Rule over wealthy Corinth, that city of pride
Beside whose walls Anapus' waters glide:—
Beside whose walls the waters of Anapus flow:—
May ill winds waft across the Southern sea
May bad winds blow across the Southern sea
(Of late a legion, now but two or three,)
(Of late a group, now just two or three,)
Far from our isle, our foes; the doom to tell,
Far from our island, our enemies; the fate to reveal,
To wife and child, of those they loved so well;
To their wife and child, of those they loved so much;
While the old race enjoy once more the lands
While the old race enjoys the lands once again
Spoiled and insulted erst by alien hands!
Spoiled and insulted before by foreign hands!
And fair and fruitful may their cornlands be!
And may their fields be productive and plentiful!
Their flocks in thousands bleat upon the lea,
Their thousands of sheep bleat on the meadow,
Fat and full-fed; their kine, as home they wind,
Fat and well-fed; their cattle, as they head home,
The lagging traveller of his rest remind!
The tired traveler of his rest, remember!
With might and main their fallows let them till:
With all their strength, let them farm their fields:
Till comes the seedtime, and cicalas trill
Till comes the seedtime, and cicadas trill
(Hid from the toilers of the hot midday
(Hid from the workers under the scorching midday
In the thick leafage) on the topmost spray!
In the dense greenery on the highest branch!
O'er shield and spear their webs let spiders spin,
O'er shield and spear, let spiders spin their webs,
And none so much as name the battle-din!
And no one shouts louder than the battle noise!
Then Hiero's lofty deeds may minstrels bear
Then minstrels can share Hiero's great achievements.
Beyond the Scythian ocean-main, and where
Beyond the Scythian ocean-main, and where
Within those ample walls, with asphalt made
Within those spacious walls, made of asphalt
Time-proof, Semiramis her empire swayed.
Timeless, Semiramis ruled her empire.
I am but a single voice: but many a bard
I am just one voice, but many a poet
Beside me do those heavenly maids regard:
Beside me, those heavenly maidens look on:
May those all love to sing, 'mid earth's acclaim,
May everyone who loves to sing, amidst the praise of the world,
Of Sicel Arethuse, and Hiero's fame.
Of Sicel Arethuse and Hiero's reputation.
O Graces, royal nurselings, who hold dear
O Graces, royal nurturers, who cherish
The Minyæ's city, once the Theban's fear:
The Minyæ's city, once the terror of the Thebans:
Unbidden I tarry, whither bidden I fare
Uninvited, I linger; wherever I'm told to go, I go.
My Muse my comrade. And be ye too there,
My Muse, my friend. And may you be there too,
Sisters divine! Were ye and song forgot,
Sisters divine! If you and the song were forgotten,
What grace had earth? With you be aye my lot!
What grace does the earth have? May my fate always be with you!
IDYLL XVII.
With Zeus begin, sweet sisters, end with Zeus,
With Zeus, let's start, sweet sisters, and let's end with Zeus,
When ye would sing the sovereign of the skies:
When you would sing to the ruler of the skies:
But first among mankind rank Ptolemy;
But first among people ranks Ptolemy;
First, last, and midmost; being past compare.
First, last, and everything in between; being beyond comparison.
Those mighty ones of old, half men half gods,
Those powerful beings from ancient times, part human and part divine,
Wrought deeds that shine in many a subtle strain;
Wrought deeds that shine in many subtle ways;
I, no unpractised minstrel, sing but him;
I, no inexperienced musician, sing only for him;
Divinest ears disdain not minstrelsy.
Divine ears don't ignore music.
But as a woodman sees green Ida rise
But as a lumberjack sees green Ida rise
Pine above pine, and ponders which to fell
Pine above pine, and thinks about which to cut down
First of those myriads; even so I pause
First of those countless; even so I pause
Where to begin the chapter of his praise:
Where to start the chapter of his praise:
For thousand and ten thousand are the gifts
For ten thousand and ten thousand are the gifts
Wherewith high heaven hath graced the kingliest king.
Where high heaven has favored the greatest king.
Was not he born to compass noblest ends,
Was he not born to achieve the greatest goals,
Lagus' own son, so soon as he matured
Lagus' own son, as soon as he grew up
Schemes such as ne'er had dawned on meaner minds?
Schemes like this had never occurred to lesser minds?
Zeus doth esteem him as the blessèd gods;
Zeus regards him like the blessed gods;
In the sire's courts his golden mansion stands.
In the father's court, his golden mansion stands.
And near him Alexander sits and smiles,
And nearby, Alexander sits and smiles,
The turbaned Persian's dread; and, fronting both,
The fear of the turbaned Persian; and, facing both,
Rises the stedfast adamantine seat
Rises the steadfast adamantine seat
Erst fashioned for the bull-slayer Heracles.
Originally made for the bull-slayer Heracles.
Who there holds revels with his heavenly mates,
Who there parties with his celestial friends,
And sees, with joy exceeding, children rise
And sees, with overwhelming joy, children rise
On children; for that Zeus exempts from age
On children; because Zeus spares them from growing old
And death their frames who sprang from Heracles:
And death to those who came from Heracles:
And Ptolemy, like Alexander, claims
And Ptolemy, like Alexander, asserts
From him; his gallant son their common sire.
From him; his brave son, their shared father.
And when, the banquet o'er, the Strong Man wends,
And when the banquet is over, the Strong Man heads out,
Cloyed with rich nectar, home unto his wife,
Cloyed with rich nectar, home to his wife,
This kinsman hath in charge his cherished shafts
This relative is responsible for his prized arrows.
And bow; and that his gnarled and knotted club;
And bow; and that his rough and twisted club;
And both to white-limbed Hebè's bower of bliss
And both to white-limbed Hebè's paradise
Convoy the bearded warrior and his arms.
Convoy the bearded warrior and his weapons.
Then how among wise ladies—blest the pair
Then how among wise women—blessed the pair
That reared her!--peerless Berenicè shone!
That made her proud!—Berenicè shone brilliantly!
Dionè's sacred child, the Cyprian queen,
Dionè's sacred child, the queen of Cyprus,
O'er that sweet bosom passed her taper hands:
Over that sweet chest, her slender hands passed:
And hence, 'tis said, no man loved woman e'er
And so, it is said, no man ever loved a woman.
As Ptolemy loved her. She o'er-repaid
As Ptolemy loved her, she more than returned his affection.
His love; so, nothing doubting, he could leave
His love; so, with complete confidence, he could leave
His substance in his loyal children's care,
His wealth is in the hands of his loyal children,
And rest with her, fond husband with fond wife.
And relax with her, loving husband with loving wife.
She that loves not bears sons, but all unlike
She who does not love gives birth to sons, but they are all different.
Their father: for her heart was otherwhere.
Their father: because her heart was elsewhere.
O Aphroditè, matchless e'en in heaven
O Aphroditè, unmatched even in heaven
For beauty, thou didst love her; wouldst not let
For beauty, you loved her; you wouldn't let
Thy Berenicè cross the wailful waves:
Thy Berenice crosses the mournful waves:
But thy hand snatched her—to the blue lake bound
But your hand grabbed her—to the blue lake bound
Else, and the dead's grim ferryman—and enshrined
Else, and the grim ferryman of the dead—and honored
With thee, to share thy honours. There she sits,
With you, to share your honors. There she sits,
To mortals ever kind, and passion soft
To humans who are always kind, and feelings gentle
Inspires, and makes the lover's burden light.
Inspires and makes the lover's burden feel lighter.
The dark-browed Argive, linked with Tydeus, bare
The dark-browed Argive, connected with Tydeus, bare
Diomed the slayer, famed in Calydon:
Diomed the killer, famous in Calydon:
And deep-veiled Thetis unto Peleus gave
And deeply veiled, Thetis gave to Peleus
The javelineer Achilles. Thou wast born
The javelineer Achilles. You were born
Of Berenicè, Ptolemy by name
Of Berenice, named Ptolemy
And by descent, a warrior's warrior child.
And by lineage, a warrior's warrior kid.
Cos from its mother's arms her babe received,
Cos from her mother's arms, her baby received,
Its destined nursery, on its natal day:
Its destined nursery, on its birthday:
'Twas there Antigonè's daughter in her pangs
'Twas there Antigonè's daughter in her pain
Cried to the goddess that could bid them cease:
Cried out to the goddess who could make them stop:
Who soon was at her side, and lo! her limbs
Who soon was at her side, and look! her limbs
Forgat their anguish, and a child was born
Forgave their pain, and a child was born
Fair, its sire's self. Cos saw, and shouted loud;
Fair, just like its father. Cos saw and yelled loudly;
Handled the babe all tenderly, and spake:
Handled the baby all gently and said:
"Wake, babe, to bliss: prize me, as Phoebus doth
"Wake up, babe, to happiness: value me, just like Phoebus does."
His azure-spherèd Delos: grace the hill
His blue-sphere Delos: decorate the hill
Of Triops, and the Dorians' sister shores,
Of Triops, and the sister shores of the Dorians,
As king Apollo his Rhenæa's isle."
As King Apollo, his Rhenæa's island.
So spake the isle. An eagle high overhead
So spoke the island. An eagle soared high above.
Poised in the clouds screamed thrice, the prophet-bird
Poised in the clouds, the prophet-bird screamed three times.
Of Zeus, and sent by him. For awful kings
Of Zeus, and sent by him. For terrible kings
All are his care, those chiefliest on whose birth
All are his concern, especially those who were born
He smiled: exceeding glory waits on them:
He smiled: incredible glory awaits them:
Theirs is the sovereignty of land and sea.
Theirs is the control of land and sea.
But if a myriad realms spread far and wide
But if countless realms stretch far and wide
O'er earth, if myriad nations till the soil
O'er earth, if myriad nations till the soil
To which heaven's rain gives increase: yet what land
To which heaven's rain brings growth: yet what land
Is green as low-lying Egypt, when the Nile
Is green like low-lying Egypt, where the Nile
Wells forth and piecemeal breaks the sodden glebe?
Wells up and gradually breaks the wet ground?
Where are like cities, peopled by like men?
Where are cities like this, filled with people like us?
Lo he hath seen three hundred towns arise,
Lo he hath seen three hundred towns arise,
Three thousand, yea three myriad; and o'er all
Three thousand, yes, three myriad; and over all
He rules, the prince of heroes, Ptolemy.
He reigns, the prince of heroes, Ptolemy.
Claims half Phoenicia, and half Araby,
Claims half Phoenicia and half Arabia,
Syria and Libya, and the Æthiops murk;
Syria and Libya, and the dark-skinned Ethiopians;
Sways the Pamphylian and Cilician braves,
Sways the Pamphylian and Cilician warriors,
The Lycian and the Carian trained to war,
The Lycians and the Carians trained for battle,
And all the isles: for never fleet like his
And all the islands: for no fleet ever compares to his.
Rode upon ocean: land and sea alike
Rode upon the ocean: land and sea both
And sounding rivers hail king Ptolemy.
And the rivers are shouting out praises for King Ptolemy.
Many are his horsemen, many his targeteers,
Many are his horsemen, many his sharpshooters,
Whose burdened breast is bright with clashing steel:
Whose troubled heart is shining with clashing steel:
Light are all royal treasuries, weighed with his.
Light are all royal treasuries, weighed with his.
For wealth from all climes travels day by day
For wealth from all over the world comes and goes every day.
To his rich realm, a hive of prosperous peace.
To his wealthy kingdom, a hub of thriving tranquility.
No foeman's tramp scares monster-peopled Nile,
No enemy's footsteps frighten the monster-filled Nile,
Waking to war her far-off villages:
Waking up to the war in her distant villages:
No armed robber from his war-ship leaps
No armed robber jumps from his warship
To spoil the herds of Egypt. Such a prince
To ruin the herds of Egypt. Such a prince
Sits throned in her broad plains, in whose right arm
Sits enthroned in her wide plains, in whose right arm
Quivers the spear, the bright-haired Ptolemy.
Quivers the spear, the shining-haired Ptolemy.
Like a true king, he guards with might and main
Like a true king, he protects with all his strength.
The wealth his sires' arm won him and his own.
The wealth his ancestors earned him and his own.
Nor strown all idly o'er his sumptuous halls
Nor scattered all carelessly across his lavish halls
Lie piles that seem the work of labouring ants.
Lie piles that look like the work of busy ants.
The holy homes of gods are rich therewith;
The sacred homes of the gods are filled with wealth;
Theirs are the firstfruits, earnest aye of more.
Theirs are the first results, a promise of more to come.
And freely mighty kings thereof partake,
And powerful kings freely take part in it,
Freely great cities, freely honoured friends.
Freely great cities, freely honored friends.
None entered e'er the sacred lists of song,
None ever entered the sacred realm of song,
Whose lips could breathe sweet music, but he gained
Whose lips could create sweet music, but he gained
Fair guerdon at the hand of Ptolemy.
Fair reward at the hand of Ptolemy.
And Ptolemy do music's votaries hymn
And Ptolemy, the followers of music celebrate.
For his good gifts—hath man a fairer lot
For his good gifts—does man have a better fate
Than to have earned much fame among mankind?
Than to have gained a lot of recognition from people?
The Atridæ's name abides, while all the wealth
The Atridæ's name remains, while all the wealth
Won from the sack of Priam's stately home
Won from the sack of Priam's grand house
A mist closed o'er it, to be seen no more.
A mist covered it, and it couldn't be seen anymore.
Ptolemy, he only, treads a path whose dust
Ptolemy alone walks a path covered in dust
Burns with the footprints of his ancestors,
Burns with the footprints of his ancestors,
And overlays those footprints with his own.
And covers those footprints with his own.
He raised rich shrines to mother and to sire,
He built lavish shrines for his mother and father,
There reared their forms in ivory and gold,
There stood their shapes in ivory and gold,
Passing in beauty, to befriend mankind.
Passing in beauty, to connect with humanity.
Thighs of fat oxen oftentimes he burns
Thighs of fat oxen he often burns
On crimsoning altars, as the months roll on,
On red altars, as the months go by,
Ay he and his staunch wife. No fairer bride
Ay he and his loyal wife. No prettier bride
E'er clasped her lord in royal palaces:
E'er held her lord in royal palaces:
And her heart's love her brother-husband won.
And her heart's love was won by her brother-husband.
In such blest union joined the immortal pair
In such a blessed union came together the timeless couple
Whom queenly Rhea bore, and heaven obeys:
Whom queenly Rhea gave birth to, and whom heaven obeys:
One couch the maiden of the rainbow decks
One couch the girl of the rainbow decorates
With myrrh-dipt hands for Hera and for Zeus.
With hands dipped in myrrh for Hera and for Zeus.
Now farewell, prince! I rank thee aye with gods:
Now goodbye, prince! I will always rank you with the gods:
And read this lesson to the afterdays,
And share this lesson with future generations,
Mayhap they'll prize it: 'Honour is of Zeus.'
Maybe they'll value it: 'Honor is from Zeus.'
IDYLL XVIII.
Whilom, in Lacedæmon,
Once, in Lacedæmon,
Tript many a maiden fair
Tripped many a fair maiden
To gold-tressed Menelaus' halls,
To golden-haired Menelaus' halls,
With hyacinths in her hair:
With hyacinths in her hair:
Twelve to the Painted Chamber,
Twelve to the Painted Room,
The queenliest in the land,
The most regal in the land,
The clustered loveliness of Greece,
The beautiful scenery of Greece,
Came dancing hand in hand.
Came dancing hand in hand.
For Helen, Tyndarus' daughter,
For Helen, daughter of Tyndarus,
Had just been wooed and won,
Had just been courted and captured,
Helen the darling of the world,
Helen the beloved of the world,
By Atreus' younger son:
By Atreus' younger son:
With woven steps they beat the floor
With rhythmic steps, they pounded the floor
In unison, and sang
Sang together
Their bridal-hymn of triumph
Their wedding anthem of victory
Till all the palace rang.
Until the palace echoed.
"Slumberest so soon, sweet bridegroom?
"Falling asleep so soon, sweet groom?"
Art thou o'erfond of sleep?
Are you too fond of sleep?
Or hast thou leadenweighted limbs?
Or do you have heavy limbs?
Or hadst thou drunk too deep
Or had you drunk too deeply
When thou didst fling thee to thy lair?
When did you throw yourself to your lair?
Betimes thou should'st have sped,
You should have acted sooner,
If sleep were all thy purpose,
If sleep were all your purpose,
Unto thy bachelor's bed:
To your bachelor pad:
And left her in her mother's arms
And left her in her mother's embrace.
To nestle, and to play
To cuddle and have fun
A girl among her girlish mates
A girl with her female friends
Till deep into the day:—
Until late in the day:—
For not alone for this night,
Not just for tonight,
Nor for the next alone,
Not just for the next,
But through the days and through the years
But through the days and through the years
Thou hast her for thine own.
You have her to yourself.
"Nay! heaven, O happy bridegroom,
"Not! heaven, O joyful groom,
Smiled as thou enteredst in
Smiled as you entered in
To Sparta, like thy brother kings,
To Sparta, like your brother kings,
And told thee thou should'st win!
And told you that you would win!
What hero son-in-law of Zeus
What hero is Zeus's son-in-law?
Hath e'er aspired to be?
Has ever aspired to be?
Yet lo! one coverlet enfolds
Yet behold! one blanket wraps
The child of Zeus, and thee.
The child of Zeus, and you.
Ne'er did a thing so lovely
Ne'er did a thing so lovely
Roam the Achaian lea.
Roam the Achaean meadow.
"And who shall match her offspring,
"And who will match her offspring,
If babes are like their mother?
If babies are like their mother?
For we were playmates once, and ran
For we were once friends and played together
And raced with one another
And raced against each other
(All varnished, warrior fashion)
(All polished, warrior style)
Along Eurotas' tide,
Along the Eurotas River,
Thrice eighty gentle maidens,
Three times eighty gentle maidens,
Each in her girlhood's pride:
Each in her youthful pride:
Yet none of all seemed faultless,
Yet none of them seemed perfect,
If placed by Helen's side.
If placed next to Helen.
"As peers the nascent Morning
"As peers the new Morning"
Over thy shades, O Night,
Over your shades, O Night,
When Winter disenchains the land,
When winter frees the land,
And Spring goes forth in white:
And Spring comes forth in white:
So Helen shone above us,
So Helen shined above us,
All loveliness and light.
All beauty and light.
"As climbs aloft some cypress,
"As climbs up some cypress,"
Garden or glade to grace;
Garden or glade to enhance;
As the Thessalian courser lends
As the Thessalian horse offers
A lustre to the race:
A shine to the race:
So bright o'er Lacedæmon
So bright over Lacedæmon
Shone Helen's rosebud face.
Shined on Helen's rosebud face.
"And who into the basket e'er
"And who into the basket ever
The yarn so deftly drew,
The yarn was skillfully drawn,
Or through the mazes of the web
Or through the twists and turns of the web
So well the shuttle threw,
So well the shuttle launched,
And severed from the framework
And disconnected from the framework
As closelywov'n a warp:—
As closely woven a warp:—
And who could wake with masterhand
And who could wake with a masterful touch
Such music from the harp,
Harp music like this,
To broadlimbed Pallas tuning
To wide-limbed Pallas tuning
And Artemis her lay—
And Artemis lay there—
As Helen, Helen in whose eyes
As Helen, Helen with eyes
The Loves for ever play?
The Loves Forever play?
"O bright, O beautiful, for thee
O bright, O beautiful, for you
Are matron-cares begun.
Are caregiver services started?
We to green paths and blossomed meads
We to green paths and blossomed meads
With dawn of morn must run,
With the dawn of morning, I must run,
And cull a breathing chaplet;
And gather a breathing wreath;
And still our dream shall be,
And still our dream will be,
Helen, of thee, as weanling lambs
Helen, about you, like young lambs
Yearn in the pasture for the dams
Yearn in the field for the mothers
That nursed their infancy.
That nurtured their infancy.
"For thee the lowly lotus-bed
"For you the lowly lotus-bed
We'll spoil, and plait a crown
We'll spoil and braid a crown.
To hang upon the shadowy plane;
To linger in the dim space;
For thee will we drop down
For you, we will drop down
('Neath that same shadowy platan)
(Beneath that same shadowy plane tree)
Oil from our silver urn;
Oil from our silver bottle;
And carven on the bark shall be
And carved on the bark will be
This sentence, 'HALLOW HELEN'S TREE';
'Hello Helen's Tree'
In Dorian letters, legibly
In clear Dorian letters
For all men to discern.
For all to understand.
"Now farewell, bride, and bridegroom
"Now goodbye, bride and groom"
Blest in thy new-found sire!
Blessed in your new-found father!
May Leto, mother of the brave,
May Leto, the mother of the brave,
Bring babes at your desire,
Bring babes at your leisure,
And holy Cypris either's breast
And holy Cypris' heart
With mutual transport fire:
With mutual transport fire:
And Zeus the son of Cronos
And Zeus, the son of Cronos
Grant blessings without end,
Grant endless blessings,
From princely sire to princely son
From dad to son
For ever to descend.
Forever to descend.
"Sleep on, and love and longing
"Sleep on, and love and longing
Breathe in each other's breast;
Breathe in each other's presence;
But fail not when the morn returns
But don’t forget when the morning comes back
To rouse you from your rest:
To wake you up from your sleep:
With dawn shall we be stirring,
With dawn, we'll be getting up,
When, lifting high his fair
When, lifting high his beautiful
And feathered neck, the earliest bird
And a feathered neck, the first bird
To clarion to the dawn is heard.
To announce the dawn is heard.
O god of brides and bridals,
O God of brides and weddings,
Sing 'Happy, happy pair!'"
Sing "Happy, happy couple!"
IDYLL XIX.
Once thievish Love the honeyed hives would rob,
Once sneaky Love would steal from the sweet hives,
When a bee stung him: soon he felt a throb
When a bee stung him, he quickly felt a throb.
Through all his finger-tips, and, wild with pain,
Through all his fingertips, and, wild with pain,
Blew on his hands and stamped and jumped in vain.
Blew on his hands and stamped his feet, jumping around without success.
To Aphroditè then he told his woe:
To Aphrodite then he shared his troubles:
'How can a thing so tiny hurt one so?'
'How can something so small hurt someone so much?'
She smiled and said; 'Why thou'rt a tiny thing,
She smiled and said, "Why, you're a little thing,
As is the bee; yet sorely thou canst sting.'
As is the bee; but you can sting pretty badly.
IDYLL XX.
Once I would kiss Eunicè. "Back," quoth she,
Once I would kiss Eunicè. "Back," she said,
And screamed and stormed; "a sorry clown kiss me?
And screamed and shouted, "A pathetic clown is going to kiss me?"
Your country compliments, I like not such;
Your compliments about your country, I don't like those;
No lips but gentles' would I deign to touch.
No lips but those of gentlemen would I deign to touch.
Ne'er dream of kissing me: alike I shun
Ne'er dream of kissing me: alike I shun
Your face, your language, and your tigerish fun.
Your face, your words, and your wild sense of fun.
How winning are your tones, how fine your air!
How captivating are your tones, how elegant your style!
Your beard how silken and how sweet your hair!
Your beard is so silky, and your hair is so sweet!
Pah! you've a sick man's lips, a blackamoor's hand:
Pah! you have the lips of a sick person, the hand of a black man:
Your breath's defilement. Leave me, I command."
Your breath stinks. Get away from me, I order.
Thrice spat she on her robe, and, muttering low,
Thrice she spat on her robe and, mumbling quietly,
Scanned me, with half-shut eyes, from top to toe:
Scanned me, with half-closed eyes, from head to toe:
Brought all her woman's witcheries into play,
Brought all her feminine charms into action,
Still smiling in a set sarcastic way,
Still smiling in a sarcastic way,
Till my blood boiled, my visage crimson grew
Till my blood boiled, my face turned red.
With indignation, as a rose with dew:
With anger, just like a rose covered in dew:
And so she left me, inly to repine
And so she left me, only to regret.
That such as she could flout such charms as mine.
That someone like her could disregard charms like mine.
O shepherds, tell me true! Am I not fair?
O shepherds, tell me honestly! Am I not beautiful?
Am I transformed? For lately I did wear
Am I changed? Because recently I have worn
Grace as a garment; and my cheeks, o'er them
Grace as clothing; and my cheeks, over them
Ran the rich growth like ivy round the stem.
Ran the thick growth like ivy around the stem.
Like fern my tresses o'er my temples streamed;
Like ferns, my hair flowed over my temples;
O'er my dark eyebrows, white my forehead gleamed:
Over my dark eyebrows, my forehead shone white:
My eyes were of Athenè's radiant blue,
My eyes were a bright blue like Athena's.
My mouth was milk, its accents honeydew.
My mouth was like milk, its sounds sweet like honeydew.
Then I could sing—my tones were soft indeed!—
Then I could sing—my notes were definitely soft!—
To pipe or flute or flageolet or reed:
To pipe, flute, play the flageolet, or use a reed:
And me did every maid that roams the fell
And I did every maid that roams the hill.
Kiss and call fair: not so this city belle.
Kiss and call fair: not so this city girl.
She scorns the herdsman; knows not how divine
She looks down on the herdsman; has no idea how divine
Bacchus ranged once the valleys with his kine;
Bacchus once roamed the valleys with his cattle;
How Cypris, maddened for a herdsman's sake,
How Cypris, driven insane for a herdsman's sake,
Deigned upon Phrygia's mountains to partake
Deigned upon Phrygia's mountains to partake
His cares: and wooed, and wept, Adonis in the brake.
His worries: and pursued, and cried, Adonis in the thicket.
What was Endymion, sweet Selenè's love?
What was Endymion, sweet Selene's love?
A herdsman's lad. Yet came she from above,
A herdsman's boy. Yet she came from above,
Down to green Latmos, by his side to sleep.
Down to green Latmos, by his side to sleep.
And did not Rhea for a herdsman weep?
And didn’t Rhea cry over a herdsman?
Didst not thou, Zeus, become a wandering bird,
Didn’t you, Zeus, become a wandering bird,
To win the love of one who drove a herd?
To win the love of someone who herded cattle?
Selenè, Cybelè, Cypris, all loved swains:
Selenè, Cybelè, and Cypris all had love interests:
Eunicè, loftier-bred, their kiss disdains.
Eunicè, of higher class, disdains their kiss.
Henceforth, by hill or hall, thy love disown,
Henceforth, whether on a hill or in a hall, reject your love,
Cypris, and sleep the livelong night alone.
Cypris, and sleep through the whole night alone.
IDYLL XXI.
Want quickens wit: Want's pupils needs must work,
Want quickens wit: Want's pupils must work,
O Diophantus: for the child of toil
O Diophantus: for the hardworking child
Is grudged his very sleep by carking cares:
Is deprived of his very sleep by worrying cares:
Or, if he taste the blessedness of night,
Or, if he experiences the joy of night,
Thought for the morrow soon warns slumber off.
Thoughts about tomorrow quickly chase away sleep.
Two ancient fishers once lay side by side
Two ancient fishers once lounged next to each other.
On piled-up sea-wrack in their wattled hut,
On a heap of seaweed in their woven hut,
Its leafy wall their curtain. Near them lay
Its leafy wall their curtain. Near them lay
The weapons of their trade, basket and rod,
The tools of their trade, basket and rod,
Hooks, weed-encumbered nets, and cords and oars,
Hooks, nets tangled with weeds, ropes, and paddles,
And, propped on rollers, an infirm old boat.
And, resting on rollers, an old, worn-out boat.
Their pillow was a scanty mat, eked out
Their pillow was a thin mat, barely enough
With caps and garments: such the ways and means,
With hats and clothes: these are the methods and resources,
Such the whole treasury of the fishermen.
Such is the entire treasure of the fishermen.
They knew no luxuries: owned nor door nor dog;
They didn’t have any luxuries: no house, no car, and no pet.
Their craft their all, their mistress Poverty:
Their craft is everything to them, and their master is Poverty:
Their only neighbour Ocean, who for aye
Their only neighbor Ocean, who forever
Bound their lorn hut came floating lazily.
Bound their lorn hut came floating lazily.
Ere the moon's chariot was in mid-career,
Ere the moon's chariot was in mid-career,
The fishers girt them for their customed toil,
The fishermen prepared themselves for their usual work,
And banished slumber from unwilling eyes,
And drove sleep away from unwilling eyes,
And roused their dreamy intellects with speech:—
And woke up their dreamy minds with conversation:—
ASPHALION.
ASPHALION.
"They say that soon flit summer-nights away,
"They say that soon summer nights will pass by,"
Because all lingering is the summer day:
Because all lingering is the summer day:
Friend, it is false; for dream on dream have I
Friend, it's not true; I've had one dream after another.
Dreamed, and the dawn still reddens not the sky.
Dreamed, but the dawn still doesn't color the sky.
How? am I wandering? or does night pass slow?"
How? Am I lost? Or is the night just dragging on?
HIS COMRADE.
HIS COMRADE.
"Asphalion, scout not the sweet summer so.
"Asphalion, don’t explore the pleasant summer like that."
'Tis not that wilful seasons have gone wrong,
'Tis not that the seasons have intentionally gone wrong,
But care maims slumber, and the nights seem long."
But worry disrupts sleep, and the nights feel endless.
ASPHALION.
ASPHALION.
"Didst thou e'er study dreams? For visions fair
"Have you ever studied dreams? For beautiful visions"
I saw last night; and fairly thou should'st share
I saw it last night; and honestly, you should share in this.
The wealth I dream of, as the fish I catch.
The wealth I dream of is like the fish I catch.
Now, for sheer sense, I reckon few thy match;
Now, for pure common sense, I think few can compare to you;
And, for a vision, he whose motherwit
And for a vision, he whose common sense
Is his sole tutor best interprets it.
Is his only tutor best interprets it.
And now we've time the matter to discuss:
And now we have time to talk about the issue:
For who could labour, lying here (like us)
For who could work, lying here (like us)
Pillowed on leaves and neighboured by the deep,
Pillowed on leaves and surrounded by the deep,
Or sleeping amid thorns no easy sleep?
Or is sleeping among thorns not an easy sleep?
In rich men's halls the lamps are burning yet;
In the grand halls of wealthy men, the lamps are still lit;
But fish come alway to the rich man's net."
But fish always come to the rich man's net.
COMRADE.
ALLY.
"To me the vision of the night relate;
"To me, the vision of the night relates;
Speak, and reveal the riddle to thy mate."
Speak and share the riddle with your companion."
ASPHALION.
ASPHALION.
"Last evening, as I plied my watery trade,
"Last evening, while I was doing my fishing,
(Not on an o'erfull stomach—we had made
(Not on an overly full stomach—we had made
Betimes a meagre meal, as you can vouch,)
Betimes a meager meal, as you can vouch,)
I fell asleep; and lo! I seemed to crouch
I fell asleep, and suddenly! I felt like I was crouching
Among the boulders, and for fish to wait,
Among the boulders, and for fish to wait,
Still dangling, rod in hand, my vagrant bait.
Still hanging there, rod in hand, my wandering bait.
A fat fellow caught it: (e'en in sleep I'm bound
A chubby guy got it: (even in sleep I'm stuck
To dream of fishing, as of crusts the hound:)
To dream of fishing, like a dog with a crust:)
Fast clung he to the hooks; his blood outwelled;
Fast he clung to the hooks; his blood welled up;
Bent with his struggling was the rod I held:
Bent with his struggle was the rod I held:
I tugged and tugged: my efforts made me ache:
I pulled and pulled: my efforts left me sore:
'How, with a line thus slight, this monster take?'
'How, with such a thin line, does this monster manage to take?'
Then gently, just to warn him he was caught,
Then gently, just to let him know he was caught,
I twitched him once; then slacked and then made taut
I pulled him once; then loosened, and then tightened again.
My line, for now he offered not to ran;
My line, for now he offered not to run;
A glance soon showed me all my task was done.
A quick look soon revealed that my work was finished.
'Twas a gold fish, pure metal every inch
'Twas a goldfish, pure metal all the way through.
That I had captured. I began to flinch:
That I had captured. I started to flinch:
'What if this beauty be the sea-king's joy,
'What if this beauty is the sea king's happiness,
Or azure Amphitritè's treasured toy!'
Or blue Amphitrite's treasured toy!
With care I disengaged him—not to rip
With care, I gently pulled away from him—not to rip
With hasty hook the gilding from his lip:
With a quick motion, he brushed the gold from his lip:
And with a tow-line landed him, and swore
And with a towline, he brought him in and swore
Never to set my foot on ocean more,
Never to step foot on the ocean again,
But with my gold live royally ashore.
But with my gold, I live like royalty on land.
So I awoke: and, comrade, lend me now
So I woke up: and, friend, help me now
Thy wits, for I am troubled for my vow."
Your wits, because I'm worried about my promise.
COMRADE.
Friend.
"Ne'er quake: you're pledged to nothing, for no prize
"Never be afraid: you're committed to nothing, for no prize"
You gained or gazed on. Dreams are nought but lies.
You gained or looked at. Dreams are nothing but lies.
Yet may this dream bear fruit; if, wide-awake
Yet may this dream bear fruit; if, wide awake
And not in dreams, you'll fish the neighbouring lake.
And not in dreams, you’ll fish the nearby lake.
Fish that are meat you'll there mayhap behold,
Fish that are meat you might see there,
Not die of famine, amid dreams of gold."
Not die of starvation, while dreaming of wealth.
IDYLL XXII.
The pair I sing, that Ægis-armèd Zeus
The couple I sing, that Zeus with the aegis
Gave unto Leda; Castor and the dread
Gave to Leda; Castor and the terrible
Of bruisers Polydeuces, whensoe'er
Of fighters Polydeuces, whenever
His harnessed hands were lifted for the fray.
His ready hands were raised for the battle.
Twice and again I sing the manly sons
Twice and again I sing the strong sons
Of Leda, those Twin Brethren, Sparta's own:
Of Leda, those Twin Brothers, Sparta's own:
Who shield the soldier on the deadly scarp,
Who protects the soldier on the dangerous cliff,
The horse wild-plunging o'er the crimson field,
The horse is wildly leaping across the red field,
The ship that, disregarding in her pride
The ship that, ignoring her pride
Star-set and star-rise, meets disastrous gales:—
Star-set and star-rise, face disastrous storms:—
Such gales as pile the billows mountain-high,
Such winds that stack the waves to towering heights,
E'en at their own wild will, round stem or stern:
Even at their own wild will, around the bow or the stern:
Dash o'er the hold, the timbers rive in twain,
Dash over the hold, the timbers split in two,
Till mast and tackle dangle in mid-air
Till mast and rigging hang in mid-air
Shivered like toys, and, as the night wears on,
Shivered like toys, and, as the night goes on,
The rain of heaven falls fast, and, lashed by wind
The rain from above falls quickly, and, whipped by the wind
And iron hail, broad ocean rings again.
And iron hail, wide ocean rings again.
Then can they draw from out the nether abyss
Then can they draw from the bottomless pit
Both craft and crew, each deeming he must die:
Both the craft and the crew, each believing they must die:
Lo the winds cease, and o'er the burnished deep
Lo, the winds have stopped, and over the polished sea
Comes stillness; this way flee the clouds and that;
Comes stillness; this way the clouds flee and that;
And shine out clear the Great Bear and the Less,
And brightly show the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper,
And, 'twixt the Asses dimly seen, the Crib
And, between the donkeys barely visible, the crib
Foretells fair voyage to the mariner.
Foretells a pleasant journey for the sailor.
O saviours, O companions of mankind,
O saviors, O companions of humanity,
Matchless on horse or harp, in lists or lay;
Matchless on horseback or with a harp, in competitions or songs;
Which of ye twain demands my earliest song?
Which of you two is asking for my first song?
Of both I sing; of Polydeuces first.
Of both I sing; of Polydeuces first.
Argo, escaped the two inrushing rocks,
Argo dodged the two rushing rocks,
And snow-clad Pontus with his baleful jaws,
And snow-covered Pontus with his dangerous jaws,
Came to Bebrycia with her heaven-sprung freight;
Came to Bebrycia with her heavenly cargo;
There by one ladder disembarked a host
There by one ladder got off a crowd
Of Heroes from the decks of Jason's ship.
Of Heroes from the decks of Jason's ship.
On the low beach, to leeward of the cliff,
On the low beach, downwind from the cliff,
They leapt, and piled their beds, and lit their fires:
They jumped, stacked their beds, and started their fires:
Castor meanwhile, the bridler of the steed,
Castor, on the other hand, the one who controls the horse,
And Polydeuces of the nut-brown face,
And Polydeuces with the brown face,
Had wandered from their mates; and, wildered both,
Had wandered from their friends; and, confused both,
Searched through the boskage of the hill, and found
Searched through the bushes on the hill and found
Hard by a slab of rock a bubbling spring
Hard by a slab of rock, a bubbling spring
Brimful of purest water. In the depths
Brimming with the purest water. In the depths
Below, like crystal or like silver gleamed
Below, like crystal or like silver shone
The pebbles: high above it pine and plane
The pebbles: high above it, pine and plane
And poplar rose, and cypress tipt with green;
And poplar trees rose, and cypress branches were covered in green;
With all rich flowers that throng the mead, when wanes
With all the vibrant flowers that fill the meadow, when fades
The Spring, sweet workshops of the furry bee.
The Spring, cozy places where the furry bee works.
There sat and sunned him one of giant bulk
There sat and basked in the sun was someone of massive size.
And grisly mien: hard knocks had stov'n his ears:
And a grim appearance: tough experiences had bruised his ears:
Broad were his shoulders, vast his orbèd chest;
Broad were his shoulders, wide his rounded chest;
Like a wrought statue rose his iron frame:
Like a sculpted statue, his iron body rose:
And nigh the shoulder on each brawny arm
And near the shoulder on each strong arm
Stood out the muscles, huge as rolling stones
Stood out the muscles, huge as boulders
Caught by some rain-swoln river and shapen smooth
Caught by some rain-swollen river and shaped smooth
By its wild eddyings: and o'er nape and spine
By its wild twists and turns: and over neck and spine
Hung, balanced by the claws, a lion's skin.
Hung, balanced by the claws, a lion's skin.
Him Leda's conquering son accosted first:—
Him Leda's conquering son approached first:—
POLYDEUCES.
POLYDEUCES.
Luck to thee, friend unknown! Who own this shore?
Luck to you, unknown friend! Who owns this shore?
AMYCUS.
AMYCUS.
Luck, quotha, to see men ne'er seen before!
Luck, really, to see men I've never seen before!
POLYDEUCES.
POLYDEUCES.
Fear not, no base or base-born herd are we.
Fear not, we are not a lowborn or common group.
AMYCUS.
AMYCUS.
Nothing I fear, nor need learn this from thee.
Nothing I fear, nor do I need to learn this from you.
POLYDEUCES.
POLYDEUCES.
What art thou? brutish churl, or o'erproud king?
What are you? A brutish fool, or an overly proud king?
AMYCUS.
AMYCUS.
E'en what thou see'st: and I am not trespassing.
Even what you see: and I am not trespassing.
POLYDEUCES.
POLYDEUCES.
Visit our land, take gifts from us, and go.
Visit our land, take gifts from us, and leave.
AMYCUS.
AMYCUS.
I seek naught from thee and can naught bestow.
I seek nothing from you and cannot give anything either.
POLYDEUCES.
POLYDEUCES.
Not e'en such grace as from yon spring to sip?
Not even such grace as to drink from that spring?
AMYCUS.
AMYCUS.
Try, if parched thirst sits languid on thy lip.
Try, if your dry thirst lingers on your lips.
POLYDEUCES.
POLYDEUCES.
Can silver move thee? or if not, what can?
Can silver persuade you? Or if not, what can?
AMYCUS.
AMYCUS.
Stand up and fight me singly, man with man.
Stand up and fight me one-on-one, man to man.
POLYDEUCES.
POLYDEUCES.
With fists? or fist and foot, eye covering eye?
With fists? Or with a fist and foot, eye covering eye?
AMYCUS.
AMYCUS.
Fall to with fists; and all thy cunning try.
Fight with everything you've got; use all your cleverness.
POLYDEUCES.
POLYDEUCES.
This arm, these gauntlets, who shall dare withstand?
This arm, these gauntlets, who will dare to stand against them?
AMYCUS.
AMYCUS.
I: and "the Bruiser" lifts no woman's-hand.
I: and "the Bruiser" doesn't lift a woman's hand.
POLYDEUCES.
POLYDEUCES.
Wilt thou, to crown our strife, some meed assign?
Will you, to end our struggle, assign a reward?
AMYCUS.
AMYCUS.
Thou shalt be called my master, or I thine.
You will be called my master, or I yours.
POLYDEUCES.
POLYDEUCES.
By crimson-crested cocks such games are won.
By red-crested roosters, such games are won.
AMYCUS.
AMYCUS.
Lions or cocks, we'll play this game or none.
Lions or roosters, we'll play this game or not at all.
He spoke, and clutched a hollow shell, and blew
He spoke and held a hollow shell, then blew into it.
His clarion. Straightway to the shadowy pine
His clear call. Right away to the shadowy pine
Clustering they came, as loud it pealed and long,
Clustering, they arrived, with a loud and prolonged sound,
Bebrycia's bearded sons; and Castor too,
Bebrycia's bearded sons, and Castor as well,
The peerless in the lists, went forth and called
The unmatched one in the tournament stepped forward and called
From the Magnesian ship the Heroes all.
From the Magnesian ship, all the Heroes.
Then either warrior armed with coils of hide
Then either warrior equipped with strips of leather
His hands, and round his limbs bound ponderous bands,
His hands, and heavy bands wrapped around his arms,
And, breathing bloodshed, stept into the ring.
And, breathing in the violence, stepped into the arena.
First there was much manoeuvring, who should catch
First, there was a lot of maneuvering about who should catch
The sunlight on his rear: but thou didst foil,
The sunlight on his back: but you did thwart,
O Polydeuces, valour by address;
O Polydeuces, courage by skill;
And full on Amycus' face the hot noon smote.
And the hot noon hit Amycus' face directly.
He in hot wrath strode forward, threatening war;
He marched forward in a rage, threatening war;
Straightway the Tyndarid smote him, as he closed,
Straight away, the Tyndarid struck him as he was closing in,
Full on the chin: more furious waxed he still,
Full on the chin: he got even angrier,
And, earthward bent, dealt blindly random blows.
And, leaning down towards the ground, struck aimlessly with random hits.
Bebrycia shouted loud, the Greeks too cheered
Bebrycia shouted loudly, and the Greeks cheered as well.
Their champion: fearing lest in that scant space
Their champion: worried that in that limited space
This Tityus by sheer weight should bear him down.
This Tityus should be brought down simply by its weight.
But, shifting yet still there, the son of Zeus
But, moving yet still present, the son of Zeus
Scored him with swift exchange of left and right,
Scored him with a quick back-and-forth of left and right,
And checked the onrush of the sea-god's child
And stopped the rush of the sea god's child
Parlous albeit: till, reeling with his wounds,
Parlous albeit: till, reeling with his wounds,
He stood, and from his lips spat crimson blood.
He stood up and spat out crimson blood.
Cheered yet again the princes, when they saw
Cheered once more, the princes, when they saw
The lips and jowl all seamed with piteous scars,
The lips and jawline all marked with sad scars,
And the swoln visage and the half-closed eyes.
And the swollen face and the half-closed eyes.
Still the prince teased him, feinting here or there
Still, the prince teased him, pretending to strike here or there.
A thrust; and when he saw him helpless all,
A push; and when he saw him completely helpless,
Let drive beneath his eyelids at his nose,
Let drive beneath his eyelids at his nose,
And laid it bare to the bone. The stricken man
And exposed it completely. The injured man
Measured his length supine amid the fern.
Measured his length lying down among the ferns.
Keen was the fighting when he rose again,
Keen was the fighting when he rose again,
Deadly the blows their sturdy gauntlets dealt.
Deadly were the blows dealt by their sturdy gloves.
But while Bebrycia's chieftain sparred round chest
But while Bebrycia's chief fought around his chest
And utmost shoulder, the resistless foe
And at the farthest edge, the unstoppable enemy
Made his whole face one mass of hideous wounds.
Made his entire face a single mass of horrific injuries.
While the one sweated all his bulk away,
While one person sweated out all their weight,
And, late a giant, seemed a pigmy now,
And now, late in life, a giant seemed like a tiny person.
The other's limbs waxed ever as he fought
The other person's limbs grew stronger as he fought.
In semblance and in size. But in what wise
In appearance and in size. But in what way
The child of Zeus brought low that man of greed,
The child of Zeus took down that greedy man,
Tell, Muse, for thine is knowledge: I unfold
Tell me, Muse, because you have the knowledge: I reveal
A secret not mine own; at thy behest
A secret that isn't mine; at your request
Speak or am dumb, nor speak but as thou wilt.
Speak or I’m silent, or speak however you want.
Amycus, athirst to do some doughty deed,
Amycus, eager to take on a brave challenge,
Stooping aslant from Polydeuces' lunge
Stooping from Polydeuces' lunge
Locked their left hands; and, stepping out, upheaved
Locked their left hands; and, stepping out, lifted
From his right hip his ponderous other-arm.
From his right hip hung his heavy other arm.
And hit and harmed had been Amyclæ's king;
And the king of Amyclae had been hit and harmed;
But, ducking low, he smote with one stout fist
But, bending down, he struck with one strong fist.
The foe's left temple—fast the life-blood streamed
The enemy's left temple—quickly the blood flowed
From the grim rift—and on his shoulder fell.
From the dark divide—and on his shoulder fell.
While with his left he reached the mouth, and made
While with his left hand he reached the mouth, and made
The set teeth tingle; and, redoubling aye
The set teeth tingle, and, constantly increasing
His plashing blows, made havoc of his face
His splashing punches wreaked havoc on his face.
And crashed into his cheeks, till all abroad
And smashed into his cheeks, until everything was out in the open
He lay, and throwing up his arms disclaimed
He lay back and threw up his arms, dismissing
The strife, for he was even at death's door.
The struggle, because he was close to death.
No wrong the vanquished suffered at thy hands,
No wrong the defeated suffered at your hands,
O Polydeuces; but he sware an oath,
O Polydeuces; but he swore an oath,
Calling his sire Poseidon from the depths,
Calling his father Poseidon from the depths,
Ne'er to do violence to a stranger more.
Never to do violence to a stranger again.
Thy tale, O prince, is told. Now sing I thee,
Thy tale, O prince, is told. Now I sing to you,
Castor the Tyndarid, lord of rushing horse
Castor the Tyndarid, master of swift horses
And shaking javelin, corsleted in brass.
And shaking a javelin, wearing a brass corslet.
The sons of Zeus had borne two maids away,
The sons of Zeus had taken two maids away,
Leucippus' daughters. Straight in hot pursuit
Leucippus' daughters. Directly in hot pursuit
Went the two brethren, sons of Aphareus,
Went the two brothers, sons of Aphareus,
Lynceus and Idas bold, their plighted lords.
Lynceus and Idas, their promised leaders, were fearless.
And when the tomb of Aphareus was gained,
And when they reached the tomb of Aphareus,
All leapt from out their cars, and front to front
All jumped out of their cars, and faced each other
Stood, with their ponderous spears and orbed shields.
Stood, with their heavy spears and round shields.
First Lynceus shouted loud from 'neath his helm:
First Lynceus shouted loudly from beneath his helmet:
"Whence, sirs, this lust for strife? Why, sword in hand,
"Where does this desire for conflict come from, gentlemen? Why do you wield your swords?"
Raise ye this coil about your neighbours' wives?
Raise this fuss about your neighbors' wives?
To us Leucippus these his daughters gave,
To us, Leucippus gave these daughters,
Long ere ye saw them: they are ours on oath.
Long before you saw them: they are ours by oath.
Ye, coveting (to your shame) your neighbour's bed
You, shamefully desiring your neighbor's bed
And kine and asses and whatever is his,
And cattle and donkeys and everything that belongs to him,
Suborned the man and stole our wives by bribes.
Subdued the man and took our wives through bribery.
How often spake I thus before your face,
How often have I spoken like this in front of you,
Yea I myself, though scant I am of phrase:
Yup, even I, though I'm short on words:
'Not thus, fair sirs, do honourable men
'Not like this, gentlemen, do honorable men
Seek to woo wives whose troth is given elsewhere.
Seek to win over wives who are committed to someone else.
Lo, broad is Sparta, broad the hunting-grounds
Lo, wide is Sparta, wide the hunting grounds
Of Elis: fleecy Arcady is broad,
Of Elis: soft Arcady is wide,
And Argos and Messene and the towns
And Argos, Messene, and the towns
To westward, and the long Sisyphian reach.
To the west, and the long Sisyphean stretch.
There 'neath her parents' roof dwells many a maid
There under her parents' roof lives many a girl.
Second to none in godliness or wit:
Second to none in righteousness or humor:
Wed of all these, and welcome, whom ye will,
Wed of all these, and welcome, whoever you choose,
For all men court the kinship of the brave;
For all men seek the companionship of the courageous;
And ye are as your sires, and they whose blood
And you are like your fathers, and they whose blood
Runs in your mother's veins, the flower of war.
Runs in your mother's veins, the essence of war.
Nay, sirs, but let us bring this thing to pass;
No, gentlemen, let's make this happen;
Then, taking counsel, choose meet brides for you.'
Then, after discussing it, choose suitable brides for yourselves.
So I ran on; but o'er the shifting seas
So I kept running; but across the changing seas
The wind's breath blew my words, that found no grace
The wind carried my words away, which didn’t find any grace.
With you, for ye defied the charmer's voice.
With you, because you resisted the charmer's voice.
Yet listen to me now if ne'er before:
Yet listen to me now if you haven't before:
Lo! we are kinsmen by the father's side.
Look! We are relatives on our father's side.
But if ye lust for war, if strife must break
But if you crave war, if conflict must erupt
Forth among kin, and bloodshed quench our feud,
Forth among family, and bloodshed end our conflict,
Bold Polydeuces then shall hold his hands
Bold Polydeuces will then hold his hands
And his cousin Idas from the abhorrèd fray:
And his cousin Idas from the hated conflict:
While I and Castor, the two younger-born,
While Castor and I, the two youngest,
Try war's arbitrament; so spare our sires
Try the decision of war; so spare our ancestors
Sorrow exceeding. In one house one dead
Sorrow overwhelming. In one house, one is dead.
Sufficeth: let the others glad their mates,
Sufficeth: let the others make their friends happy,
To the bride-chamber passing, not the grave,
To the bridal chamber passing, not the grave,
And o'er yon maids sing jubilee. Well it were
And over there, the girls are singing in celebration. It would be well.
At cost so small to lay so huge a strife."
At such a low cost to create such a big conflict.
He spoke—his words heaven gave not to the winds.
He spoke—his words weren't meant for the winds.
They, the two first-born, disarrayed and piled
They, the two first-born, disheveled and stacked
Their arms, while Lynceus stept into the ring,
Their arms, as Lynceus stepped into the ring,
And at his shield's rim shook his stalwart spear.
And at the edge of his shield, his strong spear shook.
And Castor likewise poised his quivering lance;
And Castor also held his shaking spear ready;
High waved the plume on either warrior's helm.
High waved the feather on each warrior's helmet.
First each at other thrust with busy spear
First, each one jabbed at the other with their busy spears.
Where'er he spied an inch of flesh exposed:
Wherever he saw even a bit of skin exposed:
But lo! both spearpoints in their wicker shields
But look! both spearheads in their wicker shields
Lodged ere a blow was struck, and snapt in twain.
Lodged before a blow was struck, and snapped in two.
Then they unsheathed their swords, and framed new modes
Then they drew their swords and came up with new strategies.
Of slaughter: pause or respite there was none.
Of slaughter: there was no pause or break.
Oft Castor on broad shield and plumèd helm
Oftentimes Castor on a wide shield and feathered helmet
Lit, and oft keen-eyed Lynceus pierced his shield,
Lit, and often sharp-eyed Lynceus looked through his shield,
Or grazed his crest of crimson. But anon,
Or grazed his red crest. But soon,
As Lynceus aimed his blade at Castor's knee,
As Lynceus pointed his sword at Castor's knee,
Back with the left sprang Castor and struck off
Back with the left, Castor sprang and struck off.
His fingers: from the maimed limb dropped the sword.
His fingers: the sword fell from the injured hand.
And, flying straightway, for his father's tomb
And, flying directly to his father's tomb
He made, where gallant Idas sat and saw
He made, where brave Idas sat and saw
The battle of the brethren. But the child
The battle of the brethren. But the child
Of Zeus rushed in, and with his broadsword drave
Of Zeus rushed in, and with his sword drove
Through flank and navel, sundering with swift stroke
Through the side and belly, cutting with a quick strike
His vitals: Lynceus tottered and he fell,
His vitals: Lynceus stumbled and he fell,
And o'er his eyelids rushed the dreamless sleep.
And over his eyelids came the dreamless sleep.
Nor did their mother see her elder son
Nor did their mother see her older son.
Come a fair bridegroom to his Cretan home.
Come a good bridegroom to his Cretan home.
For Idas wrenched from off the dead man's tomb
For Idas pulled away from the dead man's grave
A jutting slab, to hurl it at the man
A protruding slab, to throw it at the man
Who had slain his brother. Then did Zeus bring aid,
Who had killed his brother. Then Zeus offered help,
And struck the marble fabric from his grasp,
And knocked the marble fabric out of his hands,
And with red lightning burned his frame to dust.
And with red lightning, his body was reduced to dust.
So doth he fight with odds who dares provoke
So he fights against the odds when he dares to provoke
The Tyndarids, mighty sons of mighty sire.
The Tyndarids, powerful sons of a powerful father.
Now farewell, Leda's children: prosper aye
Now goodbye, Leda's children: may you always thrive.
The songs I sing. What minstrel loves not well
The songs I sing. What singer doesn't love them?
The Tyndarids, and Helen, and the chiefs
The Tyndarids, Helen, and the leaders
That trod Troy down for Meneläus' sake?
That destroyed Troy for Menelaus' sake?
The bard of Chios wrought your royal deeds
The poet from Chios celebrated your royal achievements.
Into his lays, who sang of Priam's state,
Into his songs, who sang of Priam's situation,
And fights 'neath Ilion's walls; of sailor Greeks,
And battles under the walls of Ilium; of Greek sailors,
And of Achilles towering in the strife.
And of Achilles standing tall in the battle.
Yet take from me whate'er of clear sweet song
Yet take from me whatever of clear, sweet song
The Muse accords me, even all my store!
The Muse grants me everything I have!
The gods' most precious gift is minstrelsy.
The most precious gift from the gods is music.
IDYLL XXIII.
A lad deep-dipt in passion pined for one
A guy deeply immersed in passion longed for one
Whose mood was froward as her face was fair.
Whose mood was difficult to deal with, just like her face was beautiful.
Lovers she loathed, for tenderness she had none:
Lovers she hated, because she felt no tenderness:
Ne'er knew what Love was like, nor how he bare
Ne'er knew what love was like, nor how he
A bow, and arrows to make young maids smart:
A bow and arrows to make young ladies stylish:
Proof to all speech, all access, seemed her heart.
Proof of all speech and all access seemed to be her heart.
So he found naught his furnace to allay;
So he found nothing to ease his suffering;
No quiver of lips, no lighting of kind eyes,
No twitch of lips, no spark in kind eyes,
Nor rose-flushed cheek; no talk, no lover's play
Nor rose-flushed cheek; no talk, no romantic play
Was deigned him: but as forest-beasts are shy
Was given to him: but just like wild animals are shy
Of hound and hunter, with this wight dealt she;
Of hound and hunter, she dealt with this person;
Fierce was her lip, her eyes gleamed ominously.
Fierce was her lip, her eyes gleamed ominously.
Her tyrant's-heart was imaged in her face,
Her tyrant's heart was reflected in her face,
That flushed, then altering put on blank disdain.
That blushed, then changed to a blank expression of disdain.
Yet, even then, her anger had its grace,
Yet, even then, her anger had its elegance,
And made her lover fall in love again.
And made her partner fall in love again.
At last, unable to endure his flame,
At last, unable to bear his passion,
To the fell threshold all in tears he came:
To the grim doorstep, he arrived in tears:
Kissed it, and lifted up his voice and said:
Kissed it, then raised his voice and said:
"O heart of stone, O curst and cruel maid
"O heart of stone, O cursed and cruel girl
Unworthy of all love, by lions bred,
Unworthy of all love, raised by lions,
See, my last offering at thy feet is laid,
See, my final gift is laid at your feet,
The halter that shall hang me! So no more
The halter that's going to hang me! So no more
For my sake, lady, need thy heart be sore.
For my sake, lady, does your heart need to ache?
Whither thou doom'st me, thither must I fare.
Wherever you send me, that's where I have to go.
There is a path, that whoso treads hath ease
There’s a path that anyone who walks it finds ease
(Men say) from love; Forgetfulness is there.
(Men say) from love; Forgetfulness is there.
But if I drain that chalice to the lees,
But if I drink that cup to the last drop,
I may not quench the love I have for you;
I can't stop the love I have for you;
Now at your gates I cast my long adieu.
Now at your gates I say my long goodbye.
Your future I foresee. The rose is gay,
Your future is clear to me. The rose is cheerful,
And passing-sweet the violet of the spring:
And wonderfully sweet is the spring violet:
Yet time despoils them, and they soon decay.
Yet time strips them away, and they quickly fade.
The lily droops and dies, that lustrous thing;
The lily wilts and dies, that beautiful thing;
The solid-seeming snowdrift melts full fast;
The seemingly solid snowdrift melts away quickly;
And maiden's bloom is rare, but may not last.
And a young woman's beauty is rare, but it might not last.
The time shall come, when you shall feel as I;
The time will come when you will feel the same as I do;
And, with seared heart, weep many a bitter tear.
And, with a broken heart, cry many bitter tears.
But, maiden, grant one farewell courtesy.
But, young lady, please give me one last farewell gesture.
When you come forth, and see me hanging here,
When you come out and see me hanging here,
E'en at your door, forget not my hard case;
Even at your door, don’t forget my difficult situation;
But pause and weep me for a moment's space.
But take a moment to pause and cry for me.
And drop one tear, and cut me down, and spread
And shed a tear, and take me down, and spread
O'er me some garment, for a funeral pall,
O'er me some cloth, like a funeral shroud,
That wrapped thy limbs: and kiss me—let the dead
That wrapped your limbs: and kiss me—let the dead
Be privileged thus highly—last of all.
Be so highly privileged—last of all.
You need not fear me: not if your disdain
You don’t need to be afraid of me: not if your contempt
Changed into fondness could I live again.
Changed into fondness could I live again.
And scoop a grave, to hide my loves and me:
And dig a grave to hide my loves and me:
And thrice, at parting, say, 'My friend's no more:'
And three times, when saying goodbye, say, 'My friend is gone:'
Add if you list, 'a faithful friend was he;'
Add if you list, 'he was a loyal friend;'
And write this epitaph, scratched upon your door:
And write this epitaph, carved on your door:
Stranger, Love slew him. Pass not by, until
Stranger, Love killed him. Don’t walk past, until
Thou hast paused and said, 'His mistress used him ill.'"
You paused and said, 'His girlfriend treated him badly.'
This said, he grasped a stone: that ghastly stone
This being the case, he picked up a rock: that dreadful rock
At the mid threshold 'neath the wall he laid,
At the halfway point beneath the wall, he lay down,
And o'er the beam the light cord soon was thrown,
And over the beam, the light cord was quickly thrown,
And his neck noosed. In air the body swayed,
And his neck was noosed. The body swayed in the air,
Its footstool spurned away. Forth came once more
Its footstool pushed away. Once again, it came forth.
The maid, and saw him hanging at her door.
The maid saw him hanging at her door.
No struggle of heart it cost her, ne'er a tear
No emotional struggle it cost her, never a tear.
She wept o'er that young life, nor shunned to soil,
She cried over that young life and didn’t hesitate to soil,
By contact with the corpse, her woman's-gear.
By coming into contact with the corpse, her women's clothing.
But on she went to watch the athletes' toil,
But on she went to watch the athletes' hard work,
Then made for her loved haunt, the riverside:
Then headed to her favorite spot, the riverside:
And there she met the god she had defied.
And there she met the god she had challenged.
For on a marble pedestal Eros stood
For on a marble pedestal, Eros stood
Fronting the pool: the statue leaped, and smote
Fronting the pool: the statue jumped and hit.
And slew that miscreant. All the stream ran blood;
And killed that evil person. The whole stream was running red with blood;
And to the top a girl's cry seemed to float.
And at the top, a girl's scream seemed to float.
Rejoice, O lovers, since the scorner fell;
Rejoice, you lovers, for the scorner has fallen;
And, maids, be kind; for Love deals justice well.
And, ladies, be kind; for Love does justice right.
IDYLL XXIV.
Alcmena once had washed and given the breast
Alcmena once bathed and nursed.
To Heracles, a babe of ten months old,
To Heracles, a baby just ten months old,
And Iphicles his junior by a night;
And Iphicles, who was younger by one night;
And cradled both within a brazen shield,
And held both inside a bold shield,
A gorgeous trophy, which Amphitryon erst
A gorgeous trophy, which Amphitryon once
Had stript from Ptereläus fall'n in fight.
Had stripped from Ptereläus fallen in battle.
She stroked their baby brows, and thus she said:
She gently brushed her baby's eyebrows and said:
"Sleep, children mine, a light luxurious sleep,
"Sleep, my children, a peaceful, restful sleep,
Brother with brother: sleep, my boys, my life:
Brother with brother: sleep, my boys, my life:
Blest in your slumber, in your waking blest!"
"Blessed in your sleep, blessed when you're awake!"
She spake and rocked the shield; and in his arms
She spoke and rocked the shield; and in his arms
Sleep took them. But at midnight, when the Bear
Sleep took them. But at midnight, when the Bear
Wheels to his setting, in Orion's front
Wheels to his position, in front of Orion
Whose shoulder then beams broadest; Hera sent,
Whose shoulder shines the brightest; Hera sent,
Mistress of wiles, two huge and hideous things,
Mistress of tricks, two massive and monstrous things,
Snakes with their scales of azure all on end,
Snakes with their bright blue scales all raised,
To the broad portal of the chamber-door,
To the wide entrance of the room,
All to devour the infant Heracles.
All to devour the baby Heracles.
They, all their length uncoiled upon the floor,
They were all stretched out on the floor,
Writhed on to their blood-feast; a baleful light
Writhed onto their blood feast; a dark, ominous light
Gleamed in their eyes, rank venom they spat forth.
Gleamed in their eyes, rank venom they spat forth.
But when with lambent tongues they neared the cot,
But when with flickering tongues they approached the cottage,
Alcmena's babes (for Zeus was watching all)
Alcmena's babies (because Zeus was keeping an eye on everything)
Woke, and throughout the chamber there was light.
Woke up, and the whole room was filled with light.
Then Iphicles—so soon as he descried
Then Iphicles—as soon as he saw
The fell brutes peering o'er the hollow shield,
The brutal creatures looking over the empty shield,
And saw their merciless fangs—cried lustily,
And saw their sharp fangs—shouted loudly,
And kicked away his coverlet of down,
And kicked off his down blanket,
Fain to escape. But Heracles, he clung
Fain to escape. But Heracles, he clung
Round them with warlike hands, in iron grasp
Round them with warlike hands, in iron grip.
Prisoning the two: his clutch upon their throat,
Prisoning the two: his grip around their throat,
The deadly snake's laboratory, where
The venomous snake's lab, where
He brews such poisons as e'en heaven abhors.
He brews poisons that even heaven hates.
They twined and twisted round the babe that, born
They wrapped and twisted around the baby that, born
After long travail, ne'er had shed a tear
After a long struggle, never had I shed a tear.
E'en in his nursery; soon to quit their hold,
E'en in his nursery; soon to quit their hold,
For powerless seemed their spines. Alcmena heard,
For their spines felt powerless. Alcmena heard,
While her lord slept, the crying, and awoke.
While her lord slept, she cried and then woke up.
"Amphitryon, up: chill fears take hold on me.
"Amphitryon, get up: cold fears are creeping in on me."
Up: stay not to put sandals on thy feet.
Up: don't take the time to put sandals on your feet.
Hear'st thou our child, our younger, how he cries?
Do you hear our child, our little one, crying?
Seest thou yon walls illumed at dead of night,
Seest thou yon walls lit up at midnight,
But not by morn's pure beam? I know, I know,
But not by the morning's clear light? I get it, I get it,
Sweet lord, that some strange thing is happening here."
Sweet lord, something strange is going on here.
She spake; and he, upleaping at her call,
She spoke; and he, jumping up at her call,
Made swiftly for the sword of quaint device
Made quickly for the sword of unusual design
That aye hung dangling o'er his cedarn couch:
That always hung down over his cedar bed:
And he was reaching at his span-new belt,
And he was reaching for his brand-new belt,
The scabbard (one huge piece of lotus-wood)
The scabbard (one large piece of lotus wood)
Poised on his arm; when suddenly the night
Poised on his arm; when suddenly the night
Spread out her hands, and all was dark again.
Spread out her hands, and everything went dark again.
Then cried he to his slaves, whose sleep was deep:
Then he shouted to his slaves, who were fast asleep:
"Quick, slaves of mine; fetch fire from yonder hearth:
"Quick, my servants; grab some fire from that fireplace:
And force with all your strength the doorbolts back!
And push the door bolts back with all your strength!
Up, loyal-hearted slaves: the master calls."
Up, faithful servants: the boss is calling.
Forth came at once the slaves with lighted lamps.
Out came the slaves immediately, carrying lit lamps.
The house was all astir with hurrying feet.
The house was bustling with hurried footsteps.
But when they saw the suckling Heracles
But when they saw the breastfeeding Heracles
With the two brutes grasped firm in his soft hands,
With the two brutes held tightly in his gentle hands,
They shouted with one voice. But he must show
They shouted together. But he has to show
The reptiles to Amphitryon; held aloft
The reptiles to Amphitryon; held up
His hands in childish glee, and laughed and laid
His hands were filled with childlike joy as he laughed and laid
At his sire's feet the monsters still in death.
At his master's feet, the monsters remained still in death.
Then did Alcmena to her bosom take
Then Alcmena took him to her chest
The terror-blanched and passionate Iphicles:
The terrified and passionate Iphicles:
Cradling the other in a lambswool quilt,
Cradling the other in a soft wool blanket,
Her lord once more bethought him of his rest.
Her lord once again thought about his rest.
Now cocks had thrice sung out that night was e'er.
Now roosters had crowed three times that night was over.
Then went Alcmena forth and told the thing
Then Alcmena went out and shared what had happened.
To Teiresias the seer, whose words were truth,
To Teiresias the seer, whose words were true,
And bade him rede her what the end should be:—
And asked him to tell her what the outcome would be:—
'And if the gods bode mischief, hide it not,
'And if the gods are up to no good, don't hide it,
Pitying, from me: man shall not thus avoid
Pitying, from me: man will not escape this way.
The doom that Fate upon her distaff spins.
The fate that destiny weaves on her spindle.
Son of Eueres, thou hast ears to hear.'
Son of Eueres, you have ears to listen.
Thus spake the queen, and thus he made reply:
Thus spoke the queen, and this was his response:
"Mother of monarchs, Perseus' child, take heart;
"Mother of kings, child of Perseus, stay strong;
And look but on the fairer side of things.
And just look at the brighter side of things.
For by the precious light that long ago
For by the precious light that long ago
Left tenantless these eyes, I swear that oft
Left alone, these eyes, I swear that often
Achaia's maidens, as when eve is high
Achaia's maidens, just like when evening is high
They mould the silken yarn upon their lap,
They shape the soft yarn on their lap,
Shall tell Alcmena's story: blest art thou
Shall share Alcmena's story: blessed are you
Of women. Such a man in this thy son
Of women. Such a man is your son.
Shall one day scale the star-encumbered heaven:
Shall one day climb the star-filled sky:
His amplitude of chest bespeaks him lord
His broad chest shows that he’s a leader.
Of all the forest beasts and all mankind.
Of all the creatures in the forest and all of humanity.
Twelve tasks accomplished he must dwell with Zeus;
Twelve tasks completed, he must stay with Zeus;
His flesh given over to Trachinian fires;
His flesh surrendered to the fires of Trachis;
And son-in-law be hailed of those same gods
And may the son-in-law be blessed by those same gods.
Who sent yon skulking brutes to slay thy babe.
Who sent those sneaky thugs to kill your baby?
Lo! the day cometh when the fawn shall couch
Lo! the day is coming when the fawn will lie down
In the wolfs lair, nor fear the spiky teeth
In the wolf's den, don't fear the sharp teeth.
That would not harm him. But, O lady, keep
That wouldn’t hurt him. But, oh lady, keep
Yon smouldering fire alive; prepare you piles
Yon smoldering fire is alive; prepare your piles
Of fuel, bramble-sprays or fern or furze
Of fuel, thorny bushes or ferns or gorse
Or pear-boughs dried with swinging in the wind:
Or pear branches dried from swinging in the wind:
And let the kindled wild-wood burn those snakes
And let the burning forest take care of those snakes.
At midnight, when they looked to slay thy babe.
At midnight, when they planned to kill your baby.
And let at dawn some handmaid gather up
And let a servant collect up at dawn
The ashes of the fire, and diligently
The ashes of the fire, and diligently
Convey and cast each remnant o'er the stream
Convey and throw each remnant across the stream
Faced by clov'n rocks, our boundary: then return
Faced by uneven rocks, our boundary: then come back
Nor look behind. And purify your home
Nor look back. And clean your home.
First with sheer sulphur, rain upon it then,
First with pure sulfur, then rain on it,
(Chaplets of olive wound about your heads,)
(Chaplets of olive wrapped around your heads,)
Innocuous water, and the customed salt.
Innocuous water and the usual salt.
Lastly, to Zeus almighty slay a boar:
Lastly, to Zeus the mighty, kill a boar:
So shall ye vanquish all your enemies."
So you will defeat all your enemies."
Spake Teiresias, and wheeling (though his years
Spoke Teiresias, and turning (even though his
Weighed on him sorely) gained his ivory car.
Weighed down by it all, he got into his ivory chariot.
And Heracles as some young orchard-tree
And Heracles like a young fruit tree
Grew up, Amphitryon his reputed sire.
Grew up, Amphitryon, his supposed father.
Old Linus taught him letters, Phoebus' child,
Old Linus taught him letters, Phoebus' kid,
A dauntless toiler by the midnight lamp.
A fearless worker by the light of the midnight lamp.
Each fall whereby the sons of Argos fell,
Each autumn when the sons of Argos fell,
The flingers by cross-buttock, each his man
The throwers by hip toss, each against his guy
By feats of wrestling: all that boxers e'er,
By wrestling skills: everything that boxers ever,
Grim in their gauntlets, have devised, or they
Grim in their gauntlets, have devised, or they
Who wage mixed warfare and, adepts in art,
Who engage in mixed warfare and are skilled in the art,
Upon the foe fall headlong: all such lore
Upon the enemy fall headfirst: all this knowledge
Phocian Harpalicus gave him, Hermes' son:
Phocian Harpalicus gave him, the son of Hermes:
Whom no man might behold while yet far off
Whom no one could see even from a distance.
And wait his armed onset undismayed:
And wait for his armed attack without fear:
A brow so truculent roofed so stern a face.
A forehead so fierce topped a face so serious.
To launch, and steer in safety round the goal,
To start and navigate safely around the goal,
Chariot and steed, and damage ne'er a wheel,
Chariot and horse, and never damage a wheel,
This the lad learned of fond Amphitryon's self.
This is what the boy learned from dear Amphitryon himself.
Many a fair prize from listed warriors he
Many a good prize from listed warriors he
Had won on Argive racegrounds; yet the car
Had won on Argive racegrounds; yet the car
Whereon he sat came still unshattered home,
Where he sat remained untouched at home,
What gaps were in his harness time had made.
What gaps were in his harness time had created.
Then with couched lance to reach the foe, his targe
Then, with his lance ready to charge at the enemy, his shield
Covering his rear, and bide the biting sword;
Covering his back and dodging the sharp sword;
Or, on the warpath, place his ambuscade,
Or, on the warpath, set up his ambush,
Marshal his lines and rally his cavaliers;
Marshal his troops and gather his knights;
This knightly Castor learned him, erst exiled
This knightly Castor taught him, once exiled
From Argos, when her realms with all their wealth
From Argos, when her lands with all their riches
Of vineyards fell to Tydeus, who received
Of vineyards fell to Tydeus, who received
Her and her chariots at Adrastus' hand.
Her and her chariots at Adrastus' command.
Amongst the Heroes none was Castor's match
Among the Heroes, no one matched Castor.
Till age had dimmed the glory of his youth.
Until age had faded the brilliance of his youth.
Such tutors this fond mother gave her son.
Such tutors this loving mother provided for her son.
The stripling's bed was at his father's side,
The young man's bed was next to his father's,
One after his own heart, a lion's skin.
One that truly fits him, a lion's skin.
His dinner, roast meat, with a loaf that filled
His dinner, roasted meat, along with a loaf that filled
A Dorian basket, you might soothly say
A Dorian basket, you might easily say
Had satisfied a delver; and to close
Had satisfied a delver; and to close
The day he took, sans fire, a scanty meal.
The day he went without a fire, had a light meal.
A simple frock went halfway down his leg:
A simple dress went halfway down his leg:
IDYLL XXV.
To whom thus spake the herdsman of the herd,
To whom the herdsman of the herd spoke,
Pausing a moment from his handiwork:
Pausing for a moment from his work:
"Friend, I will solve thy questions, for I fear
"Friend, I will answer your questions, for I fear
The angry looks of Hermes of the roads.
The angry glares of Hermes, the god of travelers.
No dweller in the skies is wroth as he,
No resident in the heavens is as angry as he,
With him who saith the asking traveller nay.
With him who tells the asking traveler no.
"The flocks Augéas owns, our gracious lord,
"The flocks that Augeas owns, our gracious lord,"
One pasture pastures not, nor one fence bounds.
One pasture doesn’t graze, and one fence doesn’t enclose.
They wander, look you, some by Elissus' banks
They wander, look at you, some by the banks of Elissus.
Or god-beloved Alphéus' sacred stream,
Or beloved Alphéus' sacred stream,
Some by Buprasion, where the grape abounds,
Some by Buprasion, where the grape is plentiful,
Some here: their folds stand separate. But before
Some here: their folds stand separate. But before
His herds, though they be myriad, yonder glades
His herds, even though they are countless, those meadows
That belt the broad lake round lie fresh and fair
That belt around the wide lake lies fresh and beautiful.
For ever: for the low-lying meadows take
For always: for the flat fields take
The dew, and teem with herbage honeysweet,
The dew, and full of sweet-smelling plants,
To lend new vigour to the hornèd kine.
To give new energy to the horned cattle.
Here on thy right their stalls thou canst descry
Here on your right, you can see their stalls.
By the flowing river, for all eyes to see:
By the flowing river, for everyone to see:
Here, where the platans blossom all the year,
Here, where the sycamores bloom all year round,
And glimmers green the olive that enshrines
And the olive tree glimmers green, holding something sacred.
Rural Apollo, most august of gods.
Rural Apollo, the most revered of gods.
Hard by, fair mansions have been reared for us
Nearby, beautiful houses have been built for us
His herdsmen; us who guard with might and main
His herdsmen; us who protect with strength and determination
His riches that are more than tongue may tell:
His wealth is greater than words can express:
Casting our seed o'er fallows thrice upturn'd
Casting our seeds over fields that have been turned up three times
Or four times by the share; the bounds whereof
Or four times by the share; the limits of which
Well do the delvers know, whose busy feet
Well do the diggers know, whose busy feet
Troop to his wine-vats in fair summer-time.
Troop to his wine vats in nice summer weather.
Yea, all these acres wise Augéas owns,
Yup, all these acres owned by wise Augeas,
These corn-clad uplands and these orchards green,
These hilly fields filled with corn and these lush green orchards,
Far as yon ledges whence the cataracts leap.
As far as those cliffs where the waterfalls drop.
Here do we haunt, here toil, as is the wont
Here we linger, here we work, as is our way
Of labourers in the fields, the livelong day.
Of workers in the fields, all day long.
But prythee tell me thou—so shalt thou best
But please tell me—then you'll do best
Serve thine own interests—wherefore art thou here?
Serve your own interests—what are you doing here?
Seeking Augéas, or mayhap some slave
Seeking Augéas, or maybe some slave
That serves him? I can tell thee and I will
That serves him? I can tell you and I will.
All thou would'st know: for of no churlish blood
All you'd want to know: for of no rude blood
Thou earnest, nor wert nurtured as a churl:
You are earnest, nor were you raised as a peasant:
That read I in thy stateliness of form;
That I read about in your impressive physical presence;
The sons of heaven move thus among mankind."
The sons of heaven walk among people like this.
Then answered him the warrior son of Zeus.
Then the warrior son of Zeus answered him.
"Yea, veteran, I would see the Epéan King
"Yeah, veteran, I want to see the Epéan King."
Augéas; surely for this end I came.
Augéas; I must have come for this purpose.
If he bides there amongst his citizens,
If he stays there among his people,
Ruling the folk, determining the laws,
Ruling the people, making the laws,
Look, father; bid some serf to be my guide,
Look, Dad; ask someone to be my guide,
Some honoured master-worker in the fields,
Some respected master-worker in the fields,
Who to shrewd questions shrewdly can reply.
Who can respond cleverly to clever questions?
Are not we made dependent each on each?"
"Are we not made dependent on each other?"
To him the good old swain made answer thus:
To him, the good old farmer replied:
"Stranger, some god hath timed thy visit here,
"Stranger, some god has timed your visit here,
And given thee straightway all thy heart's desire.
And I will give you everything your heart desires right away.
Hither Augéas, offspring of the Sun,
Hither Augéas, child of the Sun,
Came, with young Phyleus splendid in his strength,
Came, with young Phyleus shining in his strength,
But yesterday from the city, to review
But yesterday from the city, to review
(Not in one day) his multitudinous wealth,
(Not in one day) his vast wealth,
Methinks e'en princes say within themselves,
Methinks even princes think to themselves,
'The safeguard of the flock's the master's eye.'
'The protection of the flock is the master's responsibility.'
But haste, we'll seek him: to my own fold I
But hurry, let's find him: to my own group I
Will pilot thee; there haply find the King."
Will guide you; there you might find the King.
He said and went in front: but pondered much
He spoke and moved ahead, but thought a lot.
(As he surveyed the lion-skin and the club,
(As he looked over the lion skin and the club,
Itself an armful) whence this stranger came;
Itself an armful) where this stranger came from;
And fain had asked. But fear recalled the words
And I really wanted to ask. But fear held me back.
That trembled on his lip, the fear to say
That trembled on his lip, the fear to say
Aught that his fiery friend might take amiss.
Anything that his fiery friend might take the wrong way.
For who can fathom all his fellow's mind?
For who can understand everyone else's thoughts?
The dogs perceived their coming, yet far off:
The dogs sensed their approach, but from a distance:
They scented flesh, they heard the thud of feet:
They smelled flesh, they heard the thud of feet:
And with wild gallop, baying furiously,
And with a wild gallop, barking fiercely,
Ran at Amphitryon's son: but feebly whined
Ran at Amphitryon's son: but weakly whined
And fawned upon the old man at his side.
And flattered the old man next to him.
Then Heracles, just lifting from the ground
Then Heracles, just lifting from the ground
A pebble, scared them home, and with hard words
A pebble scared them home, and with harsh words
Cursed the whole pack; and having stopped their din
Cursed the entire group; and after silencing their noise
(Inly rejoiced, nathless, to see them guard
(Inly rejoiced, nevertheless, to see them guard
So well an absent master's house) he spake:
So well an absent master's house) he said:
"Lo! what a friend the royal gods have given
"Look! What a friend the royal gods have given
Man in the dog! A trusty servant he!
Man in the dog! A loyal servant he!
Had he withal an understanding heart,
Had he also a compassionate heart,
To teach him when to rage and when forbear,
To teach him when to get angry and when to hold back,
What brute could claim like praise? But, lacking wit,
What brute could claim such praise? But, without wit,
'Tis but a passionate random-raving thing."
'It’s just a passionate random ranting thing.'
He spake: the dogs ran scurrying to their lairs.
He said: the dogs ran rushing to their dens.
And now the sun wheeled round his westering car
And now the sun moved across the sky as it headed toward the west.
And led still evening on: from every field
And the evening carried on: from every field
Came thronging the fat flocks to bield and byre.
Came rushing the large flocks to the shelter and barn.
Then in their thousands, drove on drove, the kine
Then in their thousands, drove on drove, the cattle
Came into view; as rainclouds, onward driven
Came into view; like rain clouds, pushed onward
By stress of gales, the west or mighty north,
By the pressure of winds, from the west or the powerful north,
Come up o'er all the heaven; and none may count
Come up over all the sky; and no one can count
And naught may stay them as they sweep through air;
And nothing can stop them as they move through the air;
Such multitudes the storm's strength drives ahead,
Such crowds the storm's power pushes forward,
Such multitudes climb surging in the rear—
Such crowds surge forward from behind—
So in swift sequence drove succeeded drove,
So in quick succession, one group followed another,
And all the champaign, all the highways swarmed
And all the champagne, all the highways were crowded
With tramping oxen; all the sumptuous leas
With plodding oxen; all the luxurious meadows
Rang with their lowing. Soon enough the stalls
Rang with their mooing. Before long, the stalls
Were populous with the laggard-footed kine,
Were crowded with the slow-moving cows,
Soon did the sheep lie folded in their folds.
Soon the sheep lay gathered in their pens.
Then of that legion none stood idle, none
Then of that legion, no one stood idle, no one
Gaped listless at the herd, with naught to do:
Gazed vacantly at the group, with nothing to do:
But one drew near and milked them, binding clogs
But one came closer and milked them, tying up the clogs.
Of wood with leathern thongs around their feet:
Of wood with leather straps around their feet:
One brought, all hungering for the milk they loved,
One came, all craving the milk they loved,
The longing young ones to the longing dams.
The eager young people to the eager girls.
One held the pail, one pressed the dainty cheese,
One held the bucket, one pressed the delicate cheese,
Or drove the bulls home, sundered from the kine.
Or drove the bulls home, separated from the cows.
Pacing from stall to stall, Augéas saw
Pacing from stall to stall, Augéas saw
What revenue his herdsman brought him in.
What revenue his herdsman brought him in.
With him his son surveyed the royal wealth,
With him, his son looked over the royal wealth,
And, strong of limb and purpose, Heracles.
And, strong in body and determined, Heracles.
Then, though the heart within him was as steel,
Then, even though his heart was as tough as steel,
Framed to withstand all shocks, Amphitryon's son
Framed to handle all shocks, Amphitryon's son
Gazed in amazement on those thronging kine;
Gazed in awe at those crowded cows;
For none had deemed or dreamed that one, or ten,
For no one had thought or imagined that one, or ten,
Whose wealth was more than regal, owned those tribes:
Whose wealth was beyond royal, owned those tribes:
Such huge largess the Sun had given his child,
Such huge generosity the Sun had given his child,
First of mankind for multitude of flocks.
First of mankind for a large number of flocks.
The Sun himself gave increase day by day
The Sun itself grew brighter each day.
To his child's herds: whatever diseases spoil
To his child's flocks: any illnesses that ruin
The farmer, came not there; his kine increased
The farmer didn't come there; his cattle increased.
In multitude and value year by year:
In both number and value year after year:
None cast her young, or bare unfruitful males.
None cast her young, or bare unproductive males.
Three hundred bulls, white-pasterned, crumple-horned,
Three hundred bulls, white-legged, bent-horned,
Ranged amid these, and eke two hundred roans,
Ranged among these, and also two hundred reddish-brown horses,
Sires of a race to be: and twelve besides
Sires of a future race: and twelve more.
Herded amongst them, sacred to the Sun.
Herded among them, sacred to the Sun.
Their skin was white as swansdown, and they moved
Their skin was as white as swan down, and they moved
Like kings amid the beasts of laggard foot.
Like kings among the slow-moving animals.
Scorning the herd in uttermost disdain
Scorning the crowd with complete contempt
They cropped the green grass in untrodden fields:
They trimmed the green grass in untouched fields:
And when from the dense jungle to the plain
And when from the thick jungle to the flat land
Leapt a wild beast, in quest of vagrant cows;
Leaped a wild animal, in search of wandering cows;
Scenting him first, the twelve went forth to war.
Scenting him first, the twelve headed off to battle.
Stern was their bellowing, in their eye sat death,
Stern was their yelling, in their eyes sat death,
Foremost of all for mettle and for might
Foremost of all for courage and strength
And pride of heart loomed Phaeton: him the swains
And pride filled Phaeton: the shepherds
Regarded as a star; so bright he shone
Regarded as a star; he shone so brightly.
Among the herd, the cynosure of eyes.
Among the herd, the center of attention.
He, soon as he descried the sun-dried skin
He, as soon as he spotted the sun-dried skin
Of the grim lion, made at Heracles
Of the fierce lion, created by Heracles
(Whose eye was on him)—fain to make his crest
(Whose eye was on him)—eager to raise his status
And sturdy brow acquainted with his flanks.
And a strong brow familiar with his sides.
Straight the prince grasped him with no tender grasp
Straightaway, the prince seized him with a firm grip.
By the left horn, and bowed that giant bulk
By the left horn, and bowed that massive figure
To earth, neck foremost: then, by pressure brought
To the ground, head down: then, with pressure applied
To bear upon his shoulder, forced him back.
To carry the weight on his shoulder pushed him back.
The web of muscles that enwraps the nerves
The network of muscles that surrounds the nerves
Stood out from the brute's fore-arm plain to see.
Stood out clearly from the brute's forearm.
Marvelled the King, and Phyleus his brave son,
Marvelled the King, and Phyleus, his brave son,
At the strange prowess of Amphitryon's child.
At the unusual strength of Amphitryon's child.
Then townwards, leaving straight that rich champaign,
Then towards town, leaving behind that rich countryside,
Stout Heracles his comrade, Phyleus fared;
Stout Heracles, along with his friend Phyleus, went.
And soon as they had gained the paven road,
And as soon as they reached the paved road,
Making their way hotfooted o'er a path
Making their way quickly over a path
(Not o'er-conspicuous in the dim green wood)
(Not overly noticeable in the dim green woods)
That left the farm and threaded through the vines,
That left the farm and wove through the vines,
Out-spake unto the child of Zeus most high,
Out spoke to the child of the most high Zeus,
Who followed in his steps, Augéas' son,
Who followed in his footsteps, the son of Augéas,
O'er his right shoulder glancing pleasantly.
Over his right shoulder, looking back with a smile.
"O stranger, as some old familiar tale
"O stranger, like some old familiar story"
I seem to cast thy history in my mind.
I seem to reflect on your history in my mind.
For there came one to Argos, young and tall,
For someone came to Argos, young and tall,
By birth a Greek from Helicè-on-seas,
By birth a Greek from Helice by the sea,
Who told this tale before a multitude:
Who shared this story in front of a crowd:
How that an Argive in his presence slew
How an Argive killed in his presence
A fearful lion-beast, the dread and death
A scary lion-beast, the terror and demise
Of herdsmen; which inhabited a den
Of herdsmen; who lived in a den
Or cavern by the grove of Nemean Zeus.
Or cave by the grove of Nemean Zeus.
He may have come from sacred Argos' self,
He might have come from the holy city of Argos itself,
Or Tiryns, or Mycenæ: what know I?
Or Tiryns, or Mycenae: what do I know?
But thus he told his tale, and said the slayer
But this is how he shared his story, and said the killer
Was (if my memory serves me) Perseus' son.
Was, if I remember correctly, Perseus' son.
Methinks no islander had dared that deed
I think no islander would have dared to do that.
Save thee: the lion's skin that wraps thy ribs
Save you: the lion's skin that covers your ribs
Argues full well some gallant feat of arms.
Argues very convincingly about some brave act of war.
But tell me, warrior, first—that I may know
But tell me, warrior, first—that I may know
If my prophetic soul speak truth or not—
If my prophetic soul speaks the truth or not—
Art thou the man of whom that stranger Greek
Are you the man that the stranger Greek
Spoke in my hearing? Have I guessed aright?
Spoke while I was listening? Did I guess correctly?
How slew you single-handed that fell beast?
How did you take down that vicious beast all by yourself?
How came it among rivered Nemea's glens?
How did it end up in the river-filled valleys of Nemea?
For none such monster could the eagerest eye
For no such monster could the most eager eye
Find in all Greece: Greece harbours bear and boar,
Find in all of Greece: Greece is home to bears and boars,
And deadly wolf: but not this larger game.
And deadly wolf: but not this bigger prey.
'Twas this that made his listeners marvel then:
'This is what made his listeners marvel then:
They deemed he told them travellers' tales, to win
They thought he was telling them travelers' stories to win
By random words applause from standers-by."
By random words of praise from onlookers.
Then Phyleus from the mid-road edged away,
Then Phyleus moved away from the middle of the road,
That both might walk abreast, and he might catch
That they could walk side by side, and he might catch
More at his ease what fell from Heracles:
More at ease was what came from Heracles:
Who journeying now alongside thus began:—
Who is traveling alongside now began:—
"On the prior matter, O Augéas' child,
"Regarding the previous issue, O Augéas' child,
Thine own unaided wit hath ruled aright.
Your own cleverness has rightly guided you.
But all that monster's history, how it fell,
But all that monster's history, how it fell,
Fain would I tell thee who hast ears to hear,
Fain would I tell you who has ears to hear,
Save only whence it came: for none of all
Save only where it came from: for none of all
The Argive host could read that riddle right.
The Argive army could figure out that riddle correctly.
Some god, we dimly guessed, our niggard vows
Some god, we vaguely suspected, our stingy promises
Resenting, had upon Phoroneus' realm
Resentful, had upon Phoroneus' realm
Let loose this very scourge of humankind.
Let loose this very plague of humanity.
On peopled Pisa plunging like a flood
On crowded Pisa rushing in like a flood
The brute ran riot: notably it cost
The brute went wild: notably, it cost
Its neighbours of Bembina woes untold.
Its neighbors of Bembina face untold troubles.
And here Eurystheus bade me try my first
And here Eurystheus told me to attempt my first
Passage of arms, and slay that fearsome thing.
Passage of arms, and kill that terrifying thing.
So with my buxom bow and quiver lined
So with my curvy bow and lined quiver
With arrows I set forth: my left hand held
With arrows, I set out: my left hand held
My club, a beetling olive's stalwart trunk
My club, a sturdy trunk of a gnarled olive tree
And shapely, still environed in its bark:
And shapely, still surrounded by its bark:
This hand had torn from holiest Helicon
This hand had ripped away from the sacred Helicon
The tree entire, with all its fibrous roots.
The whole tree, with all its fibrous roots.
And finding soon the lion's whereabouts,
And soon discovering where the lion was,
I grasped my bow, and on the bent horn slipped
I grabbed my bow, and on the curved horn slipped
The string, and laid thereon the shaft of death.
The string, and placed on it the arrow of death.
And, now all eyes, I watched for that fell thing,
And now, all eyes, I watched for that terrible thing,
In hopes to view him ere he spied out me.
In hopes of seeing him before he noticed me.
But midday came, and nowhere could I see
But midday arrived, and I couldn’t see anywhere.
One footprint of the beast or hear his roar:
One footprint of the beast or hear its roar:
And, trust me, none appeared of whom to ask,
And trust me, there was no one to ask.
Herdsman or labourer, in the furrowed lea;
Herdsman or worker, in the plowed field;
For wan dismay kept each man in his hut.
For their deep disappointment kept everyone in their homes.
Still on I footed, searching through and through
Still on my feet, searching thoroughly
The leafy mountain-passes, till I saw
The leafy mountain passes, until I saw
The creature, and forthwith essayed my strength.
The creature then tested my strength.
Gorged from some gory carcass, on he stalked
Gorged from some bloody carcass, on he walked
At eve towards his lair; his grizzled mane,
At evening, he headed towards his den; his grayish mane,
Shoulders, and grim glad visage, all adrip
Shoulders, and a grim, glad face, all dripping
With carnage; and he licked his bearded lips.
With bloodshed; and he licked his bearded lips.
I, crouched among the shadows of the trees
I crouched in the shadows of the trees
On the green hill-top, waited his approach,
On the green hilltop, he awaited his arrival,
And as he came I aimed at his left flank.
And as he approached, I targeted his left side.
The barbèd shaft sped idly, nor could pierce
The barbed arrow flew slowly and couldn’t penetrate.
The flesh, but glancing dropped on the green grass.
The flesh just glanced and fell onto the green grass.
He, wondering, raised forthwith his tawny head,
He, puzzled, immediately lifted his brown head,
And ran his eyes o'er all the vicinage,
And checked out his surroundings,
And snarled and gave to view his cavernous throat.
And growled, showing off his deep throat.
Meanwhile I levelled yet another shaft,
Meanwhile, I dug another hole,
Ill pleased to think my first had fled in vain.
I was unhappy to think that my first attempt had been pointless.
In the mid-chest I smote him, where the lungs
In the middle of his chest, I struck him, where the lungs
Are seated: still the arrow sank not in,
Are seated: yet the arrow still did not pierce,
But fell, its errand frustrate, at his feet.
But it fell, its purpose defeated, at his feet.
Once more was I preparing, sore chagrined,
Once again, I was getting ready, feeling really frustrated,
To draw the bowstring, when the ravenous beast
To pull the bowstring, when the hungry beast
Glaring around espied me, lashed his sides
Glaring around saw me, hit his sides
With his huge tail, and opened war at once.
With his massive tail, he launched an all-out attack immediately.
Swelled his vast neck, his dun locks stood on end
Swelled his large neck, his brown hair stood on end
With rage: his spine moved sinuous as a bow,
With rage: his spine curved like a bow,
Till all his weight hung poised on flank and loin.
Till all his weight was balanced on his side and lower back.
And e'en as, when a chariot-builder bends
And even as, when a chariot-builder bends
With practised skill his shafts of splintered fig,
With practiced skill, his arrows made of broken fig,
Hot from the fire, to be his axle-wheels;
Hot from the fire, to be his axle wheels;
Flies the tough-rinded sapling from the hands
Flies the tough-skinned sapling from the hands
That shape it, at a bound recoiling far:
That shape, it jumps back suddenly:
So from far-off the dread beast, all of a heap,
So from a distance, the frightening creature, all at once,
Sprang on me, hungering for my life-blood. I
Sprang on me, craving my life force. I
Thrust with one hand my arrows in his face
Thrust my arrows in his face with one hand.
And my doffed doublet, while the other raised
And my removed jacket, while the other lifted
My seasoned cudgel o'er his crest, and drave
My seasoned stick over his head, and drove
Full at his temples, breaking clean in twain
Full at his temples, breaking clean in two
On the fourfooted warrior's airy scalp
On the four-legged warrior's light head
My club; and ere he reached me, down he fell.
My club; and before he got to me, he fell down.
Headlong he fell, and poised on tremulous feet
Headfirst he fell, balancing on shaky feet
Stood, his head wagging, and his eyes grown dim;
Stood there, his head shaking, and his eyes becoming dull;
For the shrewd stroke had shattered brain and bone.
For the clever blow had broken both brain and bone.
I, marking him beside himself with pain.
I, showing how much he was in pain.
Fell, ere recovering he should breathe again,
Fell, before he could catch his breath again,
At vantage on his solid sinewy neck,
At a good spot on his strong, muscular neck,
My bow and woven quiver thrown aside.
My bow and woven quiver tossed aside.
With iron clasp I gripped him from the rear
With a tight grip, I held onto him from behind.
(His talons else had torn me) and, my foot
(His talons else had torn me) and, my foot
Set on him, forced to earth by dint of heel
Set on him, forced to the ground by the weight of the heel
His hinder parts, my flanks entrenched the while
His back, my sides were fortified in the meantime.
Behind his fore-arm; till his thews were stretched
Behind his forearm; until his muscles were stretched.
And strained, and on his haunches stark he stood
And he strained, standing on his back legs, completely still.
And lifeless; hell received his monstrous ghost.
And lifeless; hell took in his monstrous ghost.
Then with myself I counselled how to strip
Then I thought about how to take off
From off the dead beast's limbs his shaggy hide,
From the limbs of the dead animal, his shaggy fur,
A task full onerous, since I found it proof
A demanding task, since I found it challenging
Against all blows of steel or stone or wood.
Against all strikes of steel, stone, or wood.
Some god at last inspired me with the thought,
Some god finally dropped the idea into my mind,
With his own claws to rend the lion's skin.
With his own claws to tear the lion's skin.
With these I flayed him soon, and sheathed and armed
With these, I quickly skinned him, then equipped and armed myself.
My limbs against the shocks of murderous war.
My limbs against the blows of deadly war.
Thus, sir, the Nemean lion met his end,
Thus, sir, the Nemean lion met his end,
Erewhile the constant curse of beast and man."
Erewhile the constant curse of beast and man.
IDYLL XXVI.
Agavè of the vermeil-tinted cheek
Agave with the rosy cheek
And Ino and Autonoä marshalled erst
And Ino and Autonoë gathered previously
Three bands of revellers under one hill-peak.
Three groups of partygoers under one mountain peak.
They plucked the wild-oak's matted foliage first,
They picked the wild oak's tangled leaves first,
Lush ivy then, and creeping asphodel;
Lush ivy now, and creeping asphodel;
And reared therewith twelve shrines amid the untrodden fell:
And there, built twelve shrines in the untouched wilderness:
To Semelè three, to Dionysus nine.
To Semelè three, to Dionysus nine.
Next, from a vase drew offerings subtly wrought,
Next, from a vase, he took offerings that were carefully crafted,
And prayed and placed them on each fresh green shrine;
And prayed and put them on each new green altar;
So by the god, who loved such tribute, taught.
So by the god, who appreciated such praise, taught.
Perched on the sheer cliff, Pentheus could espy
Perched on the sheer cliff, Pentheus could see
All, in a mastick hoar ensconced that grew thereby.
All, in a thick layer of mastic that grew nearby.
Autonoä marked him, and with, frightful cries
Autonoä marked him, and with terrifying cries
Flew to make havoc of those mysteries weird
Flew to create chaos among those strange mysteries
That must not be profaned by vulgar eyes.
That must not be disrespected by ordinary eyes.
Her frenzy frenzied all. Then Pentheus feared
Her madness drove everyone into a frenzy. Then Pentheus became afraid.
And fled: and in his wake those damsels three,
And ran away: and following him were those three maidens,
Each with her trailing robe up-gathered to the knee.
Each with her flowing dress pulled up to the knee.
"What will ye, dames," quoth Pentheus. "Thou shalt guess
"What do you want, ladies," said Pentheus. "You should guess
At what we mean, untold," Autonoä said.
At what we mean, untold," Autonoä said.
Agavè moaned—so moans a lioness
Agavè moaned—like a lioness
Over her young one—as she clutched his head:
Over her young one—as she held his head:
While Ino on the carcass fairly laid
While Ino lay on the carcass
Her heel, and wrenched away shoulder and shoulder-blade.
Her heel, and yanked away shoulder and shoulder blade.
Autonoä's turn came next: and what remained
Autonoä's turn came next: and what remained
Of flesh their damsels did among them share,
Of flesh, their ladies did share among them,
And back to Thebes they came all carnage-stained,
And they returned to Thebes all covered in blood,
And planted not a king but aching there.
And planted not a king but pain there.
Warned by this tale, let no man dare defy
Warned by this story, let no one dare to challenge
Great Bacchus; lest a death more awful he should die,
Great Bacchus; so that he doesn't die a more terrible death,
And when he counts nine years or scarcely ten,
And when he is about nine years old or barely ten,
Rush to his ruin. May I pass my days
Rush to his ruin. May I pass my days
Uprightly, and be loved of upright men!
Upright, and be loved by honest people!
And take this motto, all who covet praise:
And take this motto, all who seek approval:
('Twas Ægis-bearing Zeus that spake it first:)
('Twas Zeus who carries the aegis that spoke it first:)
'The godly seed fares well: the wicked's is accurst.'
'The righteous thrive: the wicked are doomed.'
Now bless ye Bacchus, whom on mountain snows,
Now bless you, Bacchus, who on snowy mountains
Prisoned in his thigh till then, the Almighty laid.
Prisoned in his thigh until then, the Almighty lay.
And bless ye fairfaced Semelè, and those
And bless you, beautiful Semelè, and those
Her sisters, hymned of many a hero-maid,
Her sisters, celebrated by many a heroic woman,
Who wrought, by Bacchus fired, a deed which none
Who, inspired by Bacchus, did a thing that none
May gainsay—who shall blame that which a god hath done?
May argue—who can blame what a god has done?
IDYLL XXVII.
THE MAIDEN.
THE GIRL.
How fell sage Helen? through a swain like thee.
How did wise Helen fall? Through a young man like you.
DAPHNIS.
Daphnis.
Nay the true Helen's just now kissing me.
No, the real Helen is kissing me right now.
THE MAIDEN.
THE GIRL.
Satyr, ne'er boast: 'what's idler than a kiss?'
Satyr, never brag: 'what's more pointless than a kiss?'
DAPHNIS.
Daphne.
Yet in such pleasant idling there is bliss.
Yet in such enjoyable relaxation, there is happiness.
THE MAIDEN.
The Young Woman.
I'll wash my mouth: where go thy kisses then?
I'll wash my mouth: where do your kisses go then?
DAPHNIS.
Daphnis.
Wash, and return it—to be kissed again.
Wash, and bring it back—to be kissed again.
THE MAIDEN.
The Young Woman.
Go kiss your oxen, and not unwed maids.
Go kiss your oxen, not unmarried girls.
DAPHNIS.
Daphnis.
Ne'er boast; for beauty is a dream that fades.
Don't boast; beauty is a dream that fades away.
THE MAIDEN.
THE GIRL.
Past grapes are grapes: dead roses keep their smell.
Past grapes are still grapes: dead roses maintain their scent.
DAPHNIS.
Daphne.
Come to yon olives: I have a tale to tell.
Come over to the olives: I have a story to share.
THE MAIDEN.
THE GIRL.
Not I: you fooled me with smooth words before.
Not me: you tricked me with sweet talk before.
DAPHNIS.
Daphnis.
Come to yon elms, and hear me pipe once more.
Come to those elms over there, and listen to me play one more time.
THE MAIDEN.
THE GIRL.
Pipe to yourself: your piping makes me cry.
Pipe to yourself: your singing makes me cry.
DAPHNIS.
Daphne.
A maid, and flout the Paphian? Fie, oh fie!
A maid, and mock the goddess of love? Shame, oh shame!
THE MAIDEN.
The Young Woman.
She's naught to me, if Artemis' favour last.
She's nothing to me, if Artemis' favor holds.
DAPHNIS.
Daphnis.
Hush, ere she smite you and entrap you fast.
Hush, before she strikes you and traps you completely.
THE MAIDEN.
The Virgin.
And let her smite me, trap me as she will!
And let her hit me, trap me however she wants!
DAPHNIS.
Daphnis.
Your Artemis shall be your saviour still?
Your Artemis will still be your savior?
THE MAIDEN.
THE VIRGIN.
Unhand me! What, again? I'll tear your lip.
Unhand me! What, again? I'll bust your lip.
DAPHNIS.
Daphnis.
Can you, could damsel e'er, give Love the slip?
Can you, could a woman ever, escape love?
THE MAIDEN.
THE GIRL.
You are his bondslave, but not I by Pan!
You are his servant, but not me, by everything that's holy!
DAPHNIS.
DAPHNIS.
I doubt he'll give thee to a worser man.
I doubt he’ll give you to a worse man.
THE MAIDEN.
THE GIRL.
Many have wooed me, but I fancied none.
Many have courted me, but I liked none.
DAPHNIS.
Daphnis.
Till among many came the destined one.
Till among many showed up the destined one.
THE MAIDEN.
THE GIRL.
Wedlock is woe. Dear lad, what can I do?
Wedlock is misery. Dear boy, what can I do?
DAPHNIS.
Daphne.
Woe it is not, but joy and dancing too.
Woe it is not, but joy and dancing as well.
THE MAIDEN.
THE GIRL.
Wives dread their husbands: so I've heard it said.
Wives fear their husbands: at least, that's what I've heard.
DAPHNIS.
Daphnis.
Nay, they rule o'er them. What does woman dread?
Nay, they rule over them. What does a woman fear?
THE MAIDEN.
THE GIRL.
Then children—Eileithya's dart is keen.
Then kids—Eileithya's dart is sharp.
DAPHNIS.
Daphnis.
But the deliverer, Artemis, is your queen.
But the deliverer, Artemis, is your queen.
THE MAIDEN.
The Young Woman.
And bearing children all our grace destroys.
And having kids takes away all our grace.
DAPHNIS.
Daphnis.
Bear them and shine more lustrous in your boys.
Bear with them and shine even brighter in your boys.
THE MAIDEN.
THE GIRL.
Should I say yea, what dower awaits me then?
Should I say yes, what dowry awaits me then?
DAPHNIS.
Daphnis.
Thine are my cattle, thine this glade and glen.
Your cattle are mine, and this glade and glen are yours.
THE MAIDEN.
The Young Woman.
Swear not to wed, then leave me in my woe?
Swear you won’t marry, then leave me in my misery?
DAPHNIS.
Daphnis.
Not I by Pan, though thou should'st bid me go.
Not I by Pan, even if you ask me to leave.
THE MAIDEN.
The Young Woman.
And shall a cot be mine, with farm and fold!
And will a cozy cottage be mine, along with a farm and a stable!
DAPHNIS.
Daphnis.
Thy cot's half-built, fair wethers range this wold.
Your cottage is half-built, and gentle sheep graze in this open countryside.
THE MAIDEN.
The Young Woman.
What, what to my old father must I say?
What should I say to my old dad?
DAPHNIS.
Daphnis.
Soon as he hears my name he'll not say nay.
As soon as he hears my name, he won't say no.
THE MAIDEN.
THE YOUNG WOMAN.
Speak it: by e'en a name we're oft beguiled.
Speak it: even a name can often deceive us.
DAPHNIS.
Daphnis.
I'm Daphnis, Lycid's and Nomæa's child.
I'm Daphnis, the child of Lycid and Nomæa.
THE MAIDEN.
THE LADY.
Well-born indeed: and not less so am I.
Well-born, indeed; and I am no less so.
DAPHNIS.
Daphnis.
I know—Menalcas' daughter may look high.
I know—Menalcas' daughter might seem stuck-up.
THE MAIDEN.
The Young Woman.
That grove, where stands your sheepfold, shew me please.
That grove, where your sheepfold is, please show me.
DAPHNIS.
Daphnis.
Nay look, how green, how tall my cypress-trees.
Nay look, how green, how tall my cypress trees.
THE MAIDEN.
The Young Woman.
Graze, goats: I go to learn the herdsman's trade.
Graze, goats: I'm going to learn how to be a shepherd.
DAPHNIS.
Daphnis.
Feed, bulls: I shew my copses to my maid.
Feed, bulls: I show my woods to my girl.
THE MAIDEN.
The Young Woman.
Satyr, what mean you? You presume o'ermuch.
Satyr, what do you mean? You’re assuming too much.
DAPHNIS.
Daphnis.
This waist is round, and pleasant to the touch.
This waist is round and feels nice to touch.
THE MAIDEN.
THE GIRL.
By Pan, I'm like to swoon! Unhand me pray!
By Pan, I could just faint! Please let me go!
DAPHNIS.
Daphnis.
Why be so timorous? Pretty coward, stay.
Why be so afraid? Coward, just stay.
THE MAIDEN.
The Girl.
This bank is wet: you've soiled my pretty gown.
This bank is wet: you've gotten my nice dress dirty.
DAPHNIS.
Daphnis.
See, a soft fleece to guard it I put down.
See, I laid down a soft blanket to protect it.
THE MAIDEN.
THE VIRGIN.
And you've purloined my sash. What can this mean?
And you've stolen my sash. What does this mean?
DAPHNIS.
Daphnis.
This sash I'll offer to the Paphian queen.
This sash I'll give to the queen of Paphos.
THE MAIDEN.
THE GIRL.
Stay, miscreant—some one comes—I heard a noise.
Stay, you troublemaker—someone's coming—I heard a noise.
DAPHNIS.
DAPHNIS.
'Tis but the green trees whispering of our joys.
It's just the green trees whispering about our joys.
THE MAIDEN.
THE GIRL.
You've torn my plaidie, and I am half unclad.
You've ripped my tartan, and I'm half undressed.
DAPHNIS.
Daphnis.
Anon I'll give thee a yet ampler plaid.
Anon I'll give you a bigger plaid.
THE MAIDEN.
The Young Woman.
Generous just now, you'll one day grudge me bread.
Generous now, but one day you’ll resent giving me bread.
DAPHNIS.
Daphnis.
Ah! for thy sake my life-blood I could shed.
Ah! For you, I would gladly shed my blood.
THE MAIDEN.
THE GIRL.
Artemis, forgive! Thy eremite breaks her vow.
Artemis, forgive me! Your hermit is breaking her vow.
DAPHNIS.
Daphnis.
Love, and Love's mother, claim a calf and cow.
Love and Love's mother claim a calf and a cow.
THE MAIDEN.
THE GIRL.
A woman I depart, my girlhood o'er.
A woman I leave behind, my childhood is over.
DAPHNIS.
Daphnis.
Be wife, be mother; but a girl no more.
Be a wife, be a mother; but no longer a girl.
Thus interchanging whispered talk the pair,
Thus, the pair exchanged whispered conversations,
Their faces all aglow, long lingered there.
Their faces all glowing, they stayed there for a long time.
At length the hour arrived when they must part.
At last, the time came when they had to say goodbye.
With downcast eyes, but sunshine in her heart,
With downcast eyes, but sunshine in her heart,
She went to tend her flock; while Daphnis ran
She went to take care of her flock; while Daphnis ran
Back to his herded bulls, a happy man.
Back to his herd of bulls, a happy man.
IDYLL XXVIII.
Distaff, blithely whirling distaff, azure-eyed Athena's gift
Distaff, happily spinning distaff, blue-eyed Athena's gift
To the sex the aim and object of whose lives is household thrift,
To the people whose main goal in life is saving money at home,
Seek with me the gorgeous city raised by Neilus, where a plain
Seek with me the beautiful city built by Neilus, where a
Roof of pale-green rush o'er-arches Aphroditè's hallowed fane.
Roof of pale green rushes arches over Aphrodite's sacred temple.
Thither ask I Zeus to waft me, fain to see my old friend's face,
Thither ask I Zeus to waft me, fain to see my old friend's face,
Nicias, o'er whose birth presided every passion-breathing Grace;
Nicias, under whom every passion-filled Grace watched over his birth;
Fain to meet his answering welcome; and anon deposit thee
Fain to meet your friendly greeting; and soon place you
In his lady's hands, thou marvel of laborious ivory.
In his lady's hands, you marvel of intricate ivory.
Many a manly robe ye'll fashion, much translucent maiden's gear;
Many a manly robe you'll create, much sheer maiden's attire;
Nay, should e'er the fleecy mothers twice within the selfsame year
Nay, if the woolly mothers ever do it twice in the same year
Yield their wool in yonder pasture, Theugenis of the dainty feet
Yield their wool in that pasture, Theugenis of the delicate feet.
Would perform the double labour: matron's cares to her are sweet.
Would do the double work: the matron's responsibilities are sweet to her.
To an idler or a trifler I had verily been loth
To a slacker or someone who wastes time, I truly had been unwilling
To resign thee, O my distaff, for the same land bred us both:
To let you go, O my distaff, since we were both born in the same land:
In the land Corinthian Archias built aforetime, thou hadst birth,
In the land where Corinthian Archias built long ago, you were born,
In our island's core and marrow, whence have sprung the kings of earth:
In the heart and essence of our island, where the kings of the earth have emerged:
To the home I now transfer thee of a man who knows full well
To the home I now bring you of a man who knows very well
Every craft whereby men's bodies dire diseases may repel:
Every skill that can help people fight off serious illnesses:
There to live in sweet Miletus. Lady of the Distaff she
There to live in sweet Miletus. Lady of the Distaff she
Shall be named, and oft reminded of her poet-friend by thee:
Shall be named, and often reminded of her poet-friend by you:
Men shall look on thee and murmur to each other, 'Lo! how small
Men will look at you and whisper to each other, 'Wow! How small
Was the gift, and yet how precious! Friendship's gifts are priceless all.'
Was it a gift, and yet how precious! The gifts of friendship are priceless all.
IDYLL XXIX.
'Sincerity comes with the wine-cup,' my dear:
'Sincerity comes with the wine cup,' my dear:
Then now o'er our wine-cups let us be sincere.
Then let’s be honest now over our wine glasses.
My soul's treasured secret to you I'll impart;
My soul's most cherished secret, I'll share with you;
It is this; that I never won fairly your heart.
It's this: I never truly won your heart in a fair way.
One half of my life, I am conscious, has flown;
One half of my life, I realize, has passed;
The residue lives on your image alone.
The leftover exists solely in your image.
You are kind, and I dream I'm in paradise then;
You’re so kind, and I dream that I’m in paradise then;
You are angry, and lo! all is darkness again.
You’re angry, and suddenly everything is dark again.
It is right to torment one who loves you? Obey
It is right to hurt someone who loves you? Obey
Your elder; 'twere best; and you'll thank me one day.
Your elder; it would be best; and you'll appreciate it one day.
Settle down in one nest on one tree (taking care
Settle down in one nest on one tree (making sure
That no cruel reptile can clamber up there);
That no cruel reptile can climb up there);
As it is with your lovers you're fairly perplext;
As it is with your lovers, you're pretty confused;
One day you choose one bough, another the next.
One day you pick one branch, the next day you pick another.
Whoe'er at all struck by your graces appears,
Whoever is touched by your charms seems,
Is more to you straight than the comrade of years;
Is there more to you than just a long-time friend?
While he's like the friend of a day put aside;
While he's like a friend you set aside for a day;
For the breath of your nostrils, I think, is your pride.
For the breath of your nostrils, I believe, is your pride.
Form a friendship, for life, with some likely young lad;
Form a lifelong friendship with some young guy;
So doing, in honour your name shall be had.
By doing this, your name will be honored.
Nor would Love use you hardly; though lightly can he
Nor would Love use you much; though he can be lighthearted.
Bind strong men in chains, and has wrought upon me
Bind strong men in chains, and has done this to me.
Till the steel is as wax—but I'm longing to press
Till the steel is as soft as wax—but I'm eager to press
That exquisite mouth with a clinging caress.
That beautiful mouth with an intoxicating kiss.
No? Reflect that you're older each year than the last;
No? Think about how you get older each year compared to the last;
That we all must grow gray, and the wrinkles come fast.
That we all have to grow gray, and the wrinkles come quickly.
Reflect, ere you spurn me, that youth at his sides
Reflect before you reject me, that youth at his sides
Wears wings; and once gone, all pursuit he derides:
Wears wings; and once he's gone, he mocks all attempts to find him:
Nor are men over keen to catch charms as they fly.
Nor are men too eager to catch charms as they pass by.
Think of this and be gentle, be loving as I:
Think about this and be kind, be loving just like I am:
When your years are maturer, we two shall be then
When you grow older, we will be together then.
The pair in the Iliad over again.
The pair in the Iliad over again.
But if you consign all my words to the wind
But if you ignore everything I say
And say, 'Why annoy me? you're not to my mind,'
And say, 'Why bother me? You're not my type,'
I—who lately in quest of the Gold Fruit had sped
I—who recently set out in search of the Golden Fruit had hurried
For your sake, or of Cerberus guard of the dead—
For your sake, or of Cerberus, the guardian of the dead—
Though you called me, would ne'er stir a foot from my door,
Though you called me, I would never move a step from my door,
For my love and my sorrow thenceforth will be o'er.
For my love and my sorrow will be gone from now on.
IDYLL XXX.
Cythera saw Adonis
Cythera saw Adonis
And knew that he was dead;
And realized that he was dead;
She marked the brow, all grisly now,
She marked the forehead, all grimy now,
The cheek no longer red;
The cheek isn't red anymore;
And "Bring the boar before me"
And "Bring the boar to me"
Unto her Loves she said.
To her loves, she said.
Forthwith her winged attendants
Immediately her winged attendants
Ranged all the woodland o'er,
Covered all the woods,
And found and bound in fetters
And found and locked in chains
Threefold the grisly boar:
Triple the grisly boar:
One dragged him at a rope's end
One dragged him by a rope.
E'en as a vanquished foe;
Even as a defeated enemy;
One went behind and drave him
One went behind and drove him.
And smote him with his bow:
And struck him with his bow:
On paced the creature feebly;
The creature limped slowly;
He feared Cythera so.
He was so afraid of Cythera.
To him said Aphroditè:
Aphroditè said to him:
"So, worst of beasts, 'twas you
"So, worst of beasts, it was you
Who rent that thigh asunder,
Who split that thigh apart,
Who him that loved me slew?"
Who is it that killed the one who loved me?
And thus the beast made answer:
And then the beast replied:
"Cythera, hear me swear
"Cythera, I swear to you"
By thee, by him that loved thee,
By you, by the one who loved you,
And by these bonds I wear,
And by these ties I wear,
And them before whose hounds I ran—
And those before whose dogs I ran—
I meant no mischief to the man
I had no intention of causing trouble for the man.
Who seemed to thee so fair.
Who seemed so beautiful to you.
"As on a carven statue
"As on a carved statue"
Men gaze, I gazed on him;
Men look, I looked at him;
I seemed on fire with mad desire
I felt consumed by intense desire.
To kiss that offered limb:
To kiss that offered arm:
My ruin, Aphroditè,
My downfall, Aphrodite,
Thus followed from my whim.
So I did it on a whim.
"Now therefore take and punish
"Now, take action and punish."
And fairly cut away
And neatly cut away
These all unruly tusks of mine;
These crazy tusks of mine;
For to what end serve they?
For what purpose do they serve?
And if thine indignation
And if your anger
Be not content with this,
Don't be satisfied with this,
Cut off the mouth that ventured
Cut off the mouth that dared
To offer him a kiss"—
"To give him a kiss"—
But Aphroditè pitied
But Aphroditè felt sorry
And bade them loose his chain.
And told them to unfasten his chain.
The boar from that day forward
The boar from that day on
Still followed in her train;
Still followed in her wake;
Nor ever to the wildwood
Nor ever to the woods
Attempted to return,
Tried to come back,
But in the focus of Desire
But in the focus of desire
Preferred to burn and burn.
Preferred to keep burning.
IDYLL XXXI.
Ah for this the most accursed, unendurable of ills!
Ah, for this most cursed and unbearable of troubles!
Nigh two months a fevered fancy for a maid my bosom fills.
Nearing two months, I've been filled with a passionate desire for a girl.
Fair she is, as other damsels: but for what the simplest swain
Fair she is, like other young women: but for what the simplest country guy
Claims from the demurest maiden, I must sue and sue in vain.
Claims from the most modest girl, I must pursue and pursue in vain.
Yet doth now this thing of evil my longsuffering heart beguile,
Yet now this thing of evil is deceiving my patient heart,
Though the utmost she vouchsafes me is the shadow of a smile:
Though all she gives me is just a hint of a smile:
And I soon shall know no respite, have no solace e'en in sleep.
And soon I won't have any rest or comfort, even in sleep.
Yesterday I watched her pass me, and from down-dropt eyelids peep
Yesterday, I saw her walk past me, and from her lowered eyelids, she glanced.
At the face she dared not gaze on—every moment blushing more—
At the face she didn't dare to look at—blushing more with every passing moment—
And my love took hold upon me as it never took before.
And my love gripped me like never before.
Home I went a wounded creature, with a gnawing at my heart;
Home I went as a wounded being, with a gnawing feeling in my heart;
And unto the soul within me did my bitterness impart.
And my bitterness affected the soul inside me.
"Soul, why deal with me in this wise? Shall thy folly know no bound?
"Soul, why are you treating me like this? Is your foolishness endless?"
Canst thou look upon these temples, with their locks of silver crowned,
Can you look at these temples, with their silver hair,
And still deem thee young and shapely? Nay, my soul, let us be sage;
And still consider you young and attractive? No, my dear, let's be wise;
Act as they that have already sipped the wisdom-cup of age.
Act like those who have already tasted the wisdom of age.
Men have loved and have forgotten. Happiest of all is he
Men have loved and forgotten. The happiest of them all is he.
To the lover's woes a stranger, from the lover's fetters free:
To the woes of the lover, a stranger, free from the lover's chains:
Lightly his existence passes, as a wild-deer fleeting fast:
Lightly his existence goes by, like a wild deer darting quickly:
Tamed, it may be, he shall voyage in a maiden's wake at last:
Tamed, it might be, he will finally sail in a girl's wake:
Still to-day 'tis his to revel with his mates in boyhood's flowers.
Still today it's his to enjoy with his friends the joys of childhood.
As to thee, thy brain and marrow passion evermore devours,
As for you, your mind and heart are always consumed by passion,
Prey to memories that haunt thee e'en in visions of the night;
Prey to memories that haunt you even in dreams at night;
And a year shall scarcely pluck thee from thy miserable plight."
And a year will hardly pull you out of your miserable situation.
Such and divers such reproaches did I heap upon my soul.
Such various reproaches did I pile upon my soul.
And my soul in turn made answer:—"Whoso deems he can control
And my soul replied:—"Whoever thinks they can control
Wily love, the same shall lightly gaze upon the stars of heaven
Wily love will casually look up at the stars in the sky.
And declare by what their number overpasses seven times seven.
And state how their number exceeds seven times seven.
Will I, nill I, I may never from my neck his yoke unloose.
Will I, won’t I, I may never take his yoke off my neck.
So, my friend, a god hath willed it: he whose plots could outwit Zeus,
So, my friend, a god has decided it: he whose schemes could outsmart Zeus,
And the queen whose home is Cyprus. I, a leaflet of to-day,
And the queen who lives in Cyprus. I, a piece of paper from today,
I whose breath is in my nostrils, am I wrong to own his sway?"
I, whose breath is in my nostrils, am I wrong to acknowledge his power?
FRAGMENT PROM THE "BERENICE."
Ye that would fain net fish and wealth withal,
You who want to catch fish and wealth together,
For bare existence harrowing yonder mere,
For just surviving is a painful experience out there,
To this our Lady slay at even-fall
To this, our Lady kills at dusk.
That holy fish, which, since it hath no peer
That holy fish, which has no equal
For gloss and sheen, the dwellers about here
For shine and sparkle, the people around here
Have named the Silver Fish. This done, let down
Have named the Silver Fish. This done, let down
Your nets, and draw them up, and never fear
Your nets, pull them up, and don’t be afraid.
To find them empty * * * *
To find them empty * * * *
EPIGRAMS AND EPITAPHS.
I.
Yours be yon dew-steep'd roses, yours be yon
Yours are those dew-covered roses, yours are those
Thick-clustering ivy, maids of Helicon:
Thick-clustering ivy, Helicon's nymphs:
Thine, Pythian Pæan, that dark-foliaged bay;
Thy, Pythian Hymn, that dark-leaved bay;
With such thy Delphian crags thy front array.
With those Delphian cliffs before you.
This horn'd and shaggy ram shall stain thy shrine,
This horned and shaggy ram will sully your shrine,
Who crops e'en now the feathering turpentine.
Who is now harvesting the flowing turpentine.
II.
To Pan doth white-limbed Daphnis offer here
To Pan, the white-limbed Daphnis offers here
(He once piped sweetly on his herdsman's flute)
(He once played sweetly on his shepherd's flute)
His reeds of many a stop, his barbèd spear,
His many reeds, his barbed spear,
And scrip, wherein he held his hoards of fruit.
And a script, where he kept his stash of fruit.
III.
Daphnis, thou slumberest on the leaf-strown lea,
Daphnis, you’re sleeping on the leaf-covered meadow,
Thy frame at rest, thy springes newly spread
Thy body at rest, thy traps freshly set
O'er the fell-side. But two are hunting thee:
O'er the hill. But two are hunting you:
Pan, and Priapus with his fair young head
Pan, and Priapus with his handsome young face
Hung with wan ivy. See! they come, they leap
Hung with pale ivy. Look! They arrive, they leap
Into thy lair—fly, fly,—shake off the coil of sleep!
Into your lair—fly, fly,—shake off the coil of sleep!
IV.
For yon oaken avenue, swain, you must steer,
For that oak-lined path, my friend, you need to head.
Where a statue of figwood, you'll see, has been set:
Where you'll see a statue made of figwood has been placed:
It has never been barked, has three legs and no ear;
It has never barked, has three legs and no ear;
But I think there is life in the patriarch yet.
But I think there's still life in the patriarch.
He is handsomely shrined within fair chapel-walls;
He is beautifully encased within lovely chapel walls;
Where, fringed with sweet cypress and myrtle and bay,
Where, bordered with fragrant cypress and myrtle and bay,
A stream ever-fresh from the rock's hollow falls,
A stream constantly flowing from the rock's hollow falls,
And the ringleted vine her ripe store doth display:
And the curly vine shows off her ripe bounty:
And the blackbirds, those shrill-piping songsters of spring,
And the blackbirds, those loud, chirping singers of spring,
Wake the echoes with wild inarticulate song:
Wake the echoes with a wild, inarticulate song:
And the notes of the nightingale plaintively ring,
And the notes of the nightingale ring out sadly,
As she pours from her dun throat her lay sweet and strong.
As she pours from her brown throat her song sweet and strong.
Sitting there, to Priapus, the gracious one, pray
Sitting there, to Priapus, the kind one, pray
That the lore he has taught me I soon may unlearn:
That the knowledge he has taught me I might soon forget:
Say I'll give him a kid, and in case he says nay
Say I'll give him a kid, and if he says no
To this offer, three victims to him will I burn;
To this offer, I will burn three victims for him;
A kid, a fleeced ram, and a lamb sleek and fat;
A kid, a shorn ram, and a smooth, plump lamb;
He will listen, mayhap, to my prayers upon that.
He might listen to my prayers about that.
V.
Prythee, sing something sweet to me—you that can play
Pleaase, sing something sweet to me—you who can play
First and second at once. Then I too will essay
First and second at the same time. Then I will also try.
To croak on the pipes: and yon lad shall salute
To play a tune on the pipes: and that guy will pay his respects
Our ears with a melody breathed through his flute.
Our ears were filled with a melody played on his flute.
In the cave by the green oak our watch we will keep,
In the cave by the green oak, we'll keep our watch.
And goatish old Pan we'll defraud of his sleep.
And we'll rob old Pan of his sleep.
VI.
Poor Thyrsis! What boots it to weep out thine eyes?
Poor Thyrsis! What good does it do to cry your eyes out?
Thy kid was a fair one, I own:
Your kid was a good-looking one, I admit:
But the wolf with his cruel claw made her his prize,
But the wolf with his sharp claw claimed her as his prize,
And to darkness her spirit hath flown.
And her spirit has flown into darkness.
Do the dogs cry? What boots it? In spite of their cries
Do the dogs cry? What does it matter? Despite their cries
There is left of her never a bone.
There isn’t a single bone left of her.
VII.
Far as Miletus travelled Pæan's son;
Far as Miletus traveled Pæan's son;
There to be guest of Nicias, guest of one
There to be the guest of Nicias, guest of one
Who heals all sickness; and who still reveres
Who heals all illness; and who still respects
Him, for his sake this cedarn image rears.
Him, for his sake this cedar image stands tall.
The sculptor's hand right well did Nicias fill;
The sculptor's hand was truly filled by Nicias;
And here the sculptor lavished all his skill.
And here the sculptor poured all his talent.
VIII.
Friend, Ortho of Syracuse gives thee this charge:
Friend, Ortho of Syracuse gives you this message:
Never venture out, drunk, on a wild winter's night.
Never go out, drunk, on a crazy winter night.
I did so and died. My possessions were large;
I did that and died. I had a lot of belongings;
Yet the turf that I'm clad with is strange to me quite.
Yet the ground I stand on feels really strange to me.
IX.
Man, husband existence: ne'er launch on the sea
Man, husband existence: never set sail on the sea
Out of season: our tenure of life is but frail.
Out of season: our time in life is just fragile.
Think of poor Cleonicus: for Phasos sailed he
Think about poor Cleonicus: because of Phasos, he set sail.
From the valleys of Syria, with many a bale:
From the valleys of Syria, with many a bundle:
With many a bale, ocean's tides he would stem
With many bales, he would hold back the ocean's tides.
When the Pleiads were sinking; and he sank with them.
When the Pleiades were setting; he fell with them.
X.
To you this marble statue, maids divine,
To you, this marble statue, divine maidens,
Xenocles raised, one tribute unto nine.
Xenocles raised one tribute for every nine.
Your votary all admit him: by this skill
Your admirer is acknowledged by everyone: through this talent
He gat him fame: and you he honours still.
He earned himself fame, and you still honor him.
XI.
Here the shrewd physiognomist Eusthenes lies,
Here lies the perceptive expert Eusthenes,
Who could tell all your thoughts by a glance at your eyes.
Who could read all your thoughts just by looking into your eyes?
A stranger, with strangers his honoured bones rest;
A stranger, with strangers, his honored remains lie.
They valued sweet song, and he gave them his best.
They appreciated music, and he gave them his best.
All the honours of death doth the poet possess:
All the honors of death the poet holds:
If a small one, they mourned for him nevertheless.
If it was a small one, they still mourned for him.
XII.
The precentor Damoteles, Bacchus, exalts
The precentor Damoteles praises Bacchus.
Your tripod, and, sweetest of deities, you.
Your tripod, and, sweetest of gods, you.
He was champion of men, if his boyhood had faults;
He was a champion of people, even if his childhood had its flaws;
And he ever loved honour and seemliness too.
And he always loved honor and decency too.
XIII.
This statue, stranger, scan with earnest gaze;
This statue, stranger, take a good look at it;
And, home returning, say "I have beheld
And, returning home, say "I have seen
Anacreon, in Teos; him whose lays
Anacreon, in Teos; the one whose songs
Were all unmatched among our sires of eld."
Were all unmatched among our fathers of old.
Say further: "Youth and beauty pleased him best;"
Say further: "He was most pleased by youth and beauty;"
And all the man will fairly stand exprest.
And all the man will clearly stand expressed.
XIV.
Thou hast gone to the grave, and abandoned thy son
You have gone to the grave and left your son behind.
Yet a babe, thy own manhood but scarcely begun.
Yet a baby, your own adulthood has barely started.
Thou art throned among gods: and thy country will take
Thou art throned among gods: and thy country will take
Thy child to her heart, for his brave father's sake.
Your child to her heart, for his brave father's sake.
XV.
Prove, traveller, now, that you honour the brave
Prove, traveler, now, that you respect the brave.
Above the poltroon, when he's laid in the grave,
Above the coward, when he's laid in the grave,
By murmuring 'Peace to Eurymedon dead.'
By softly saying, 'Rest in peace, Eurymedon.'
The turf should lie light on so sacred a head.
The grass should rest gently on such a sacred head.
XVI.
Aphrodite stands here; she of heavenly birth;
Aphrodite is here; she who was born from the heavens;
Not that base one who's wooed by the children of earth.
Not that lowly one who's pursued by the children of the earth.
'Tis a goddess; bow down. And one blemishless all,
'Tis a goddess; bow down. And one flawless all,
Chrysogonè, placed her in Amphicles' hall:
Chrysogonè, put her in Amphicles' hall:
Chrysogonè's heart, as her children, was his,
Chrysogone’s heart, like her children, belonged to him,
And each year they knew better what happiness is.
And every year they understood more about what happiness really is.
For, Queen, at life's outset they made thee their friend;
For, Queen, at the beginning of life, they made you their friend;
Religion is policy too in the end.
Religion is a policy as well in the end.
XVII.
Read these lines to Epicharmus. They are Dorian, as was he
Read these lines to Epicharmus. They are Dorian, just like he was.
The sire of Comedy.
The father of Comedy.
Of his proper self bereavèd, Bacchus, unto thee we rear
Of his true self deprived, Bacchus, to you we raise
His brazen image here;
His bold image here;
We in Syracuse who sojourn, elsewhere born. Thus much we can
We in Syracuse who stay here, born elsewhere. This much we can
Do for our countryman,
Help our fellow countryman,
Mindful of the debt we owe him. For, possessing ample store
Mindful of the debt we owe him. For, having plenty
Of legendary lore,
Of legendary tales,
Many a wholesome word, to pilot youths and maids thro' life, he spake:
Many good words, to guide young people through life, he spoke:
We honour him for their sake.
We honor him for their sake.
XVIII.
The babe Medeius to his Thracian nurse
The baby Medeius to his Thracian nurse
This stone—inscribed To Cleita—reared in the midhighway.
This stone—inscribed To Cleita—stood in the middle of the road.
Her modest virtues oft shall men rehearse;
Her simple qualities will often be talked about by people;
Who doubts it? is not 'Cleita's worth' a proverb to this day?
Who doubts it? Isn't "Cleita’s worth" a saying even today?
XIX.
Pause, and scan well Archilochus, the bard of elder days,
Pause, and carefully consider Archilochus, the poet of ancient times,
By east and west
By east and west
Alike's confest
Alike's confessed
The mighty lyrist's praise.
The powerful musician's praise.
Delian Apollo loved him well, and well the sister-choir:
Delian Apollo loved him deeply, and so did the sister-choir:
His songs were fraught
His songs were troubled
With subtle thought,
With careful consideration,
And matchless was his lyre.
And his lyre was unmatched.
XX.
He whom ye gaze on was the first
He whom you look at was the first
That in quaint song the deeds rehearsed
That in charming song the actions recalled
Of him whose arm was swift to smite,
Of him whose arm was quick to strike,
Who dared the lion to the fight:
Who challenged the lion to a fight:
That tale, so strange, so manifold,
That story, so odd and so varied,
Peisander of Cameirus told.
Peisander of Cameirus said.
For this good work, thou may'st be sure,
For this good work, you can be sure,
His country placed him here,
He was placed here by his country.
In solid brass that shall endure
In durable brass that will last
Through many a month and year.
Over many months and years.
XXI.
Behold Hipponax' burialplace,
Check out Hipponax's burial site,
A true bard's grave.
A real bard's grave.
Approach it not, if you're a base
Approach it not, if you're a base
And base-born knave.
And lowborn scoundrel.
But if your sires were honest men
But if your ancestors were honest people
And unblamed you,
And you weren't blamed,
Sit down thereon serenely then,
Sit down there calmly then,
And eke sleep too.
And also sleep too.
Tuneful Hipponax rests him here.
Tuneful Hipponax rests here.
Let no base rascal venture near.
Let no lowly scoundrel come close.
Ye who rank high in birth and mind
You who are highly born and intelligent
Sit down—and sleep, if so inclined.
Sit down—and sleep, if you want to.
XXII.
Not my namesake of Chios, but I, who belong
Not my namesake from Chios, but I, who belong
To the Syracuse burghers, have sung you my song.
To the people of Syracuse, I have sung my song to you.
I'm Praxagoras' son by Philinna the fair,
I'm the son of Praxagoras and the beautiful Philinna,
And I never asked praise that was owing elsewhere.
And I never sought praise that belonged to someone else.
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