Page:Eclogues of Virgil (1908).djvu/49

 "But what of that? are not sweet violets dark

"And hyacinths deep blue? She would have sung

"And Phyllis plucked sweet-scented Melilot,

"Lycoris, see what fountains cool are here,

"What downy meads, and woodlands that entice

"Lovers to spend their swiftly-passing hours!

"Now, far from me, alas, thou dost remain.

"Lured by mad passion, 'midst the War-God's hosts

"Surrounded by fierce foes, with weapons grim.

"Scarce can I deem it true that thou hast gone

"Far from thy country to the Alpine snows,

"And dwell'st 'mid frosts as cruel as thyself!

"Ah, may the rough ice spare thy tender feet—

"May the keen frost not harm thee! But for me

"I must depart, and learn to sing my verse

"To the Sicilian's shepherd's pipe, and must

"Sternly resolve to suffer, in the woods

"Where roam the wild beasts; there my love I'll carve

"On trees, that as they grow, increase its mark.

"Sometimes I will pursue the savage boar,

"Or, with a troop of nymphs, climb Mœnalus—

"Parthenian glades I'll traverse, with my dogs

"However bleak the winds! Already there

"I seem to be! 'Mid rocks and echoing groves—

"And pleased, in fancy send the Cretan shaft

"From Parthian bow. Ah! if such joys could heal

"Love's lasting madness, or if gods could learn

"To pity all the bitter griefs of men!

"Not Dryads even give me now delight