Page:Eclogues and Georgics (Mackail 1910).djvu/41

ll. 18–67.] L.—How of what I once heard thee singing alone under the clear night? I remember the notes, had I the words.

M.—Daphnis, why gaze up on the ancient risings of the signs? lo the star of Caesar, Dione's child, has advanced, the star whereunder fields should rejoice in corn and the grape gather colour on sunny hills. Engraft thy pear-trees, Daphnis; thy children's children shall pluck their fruit.

Time runs away with all things, the mind too: often I remember how in boyhood I outwore long sunlit days in singing: now I have forgotten so many a song: Moeris is losing his voice too; wolves have caught first sight of Moeris; but yet Menalcas will repeat them to thee oft enough.

L.—Thy talking prolongs our desire: and now, see, all the mere is smooth and still, and all the windy murmur of the breeze, look, is sunk away. Just from this point is half our road, for Bianor's tomb begins to show: here, where rustics strip the thick-leaved sprays, here, Moeris, let us sing; here set down thy kids; for all that, we shall reach the town. Or if we fear lest night ere then gather to rain, we may go singing all the way, and the road weary us the less: that we may go singing, I will lighten thee of this bundle.

M.—Cease thou further, O boy, and let us do our present business: when he is come himself, we will sing his songs better then.