Page:Eclogues and Georgics (Mackail 1910).djvu/19

ll. 15–63.] and who was that other whose compass marked out, on all the peopled globe, what seasons the reaper, what the bending ploughman should keep? nor yet have I put lip to them, but keep them laid by.

D.—And for us too Alcimedon made two cups, and wreathed the handles round with soft acanthus; and in the middle set Orpheus and the following woods: nor yet have I put lip to them, but keep them laid by. If thou lookest to the heifer in comparison, small praise is in the cups.

M.—Not to-day shalt thou escape me: I will come anywhere to thy challenge. Let one but hear us now—even he who approaches, lo! Palaemon. I will make thy voice henceforth cease from troubling.

D.—Nay come with what thou hast, there shall be no delay with me: nor do I shrink from any one: only, neighbour Palaemon, this is no small matter, lay it well to heart.

P.—Say on; since we are seated on soft grass, and now all the field, now all the tree is burgeoning, now the woodland is leafy, now is the fairest of the year. Begin, Damoetas: thou shalt follow on, Menalcas: you shall sing turn by turn as the Muses love.

D.—From Jove is the Muse's beginning: all things are full of Jove. He keeps the world: he gives ear to my songs.

J.—And me Phoebus loves: Phoebus' own gifts are ever by me, bays and the sweet flushed hyacinth.