Page:Eclogues of Virgil (1908).djvu/8

 I call to mind, erewhile was prophesied

To our slow sense, by lightning-scathed oaks

(As oft the crow from hollow ilex warns

Of black disaster.) Tityrus, now tell

Of this thy god, to us, who know him not.

The city they call Rome, O Melibœus,

I likened in my foolish mind to ours,

Where we are wont to drive our new-weaned lambs.

So one compares the little things with large

Kids with their mothers, puppies with their sires;

But, as the cypress towers o'er hedgerow shrubs.

So lifts fair Rome her head o'er other towns.

And what great cause led to thy seeing Rome?

The cause was Freedom; she though late did yet

At length regard her tardy follower.

Such long delay—his beard was whitening fast!

Until she looked, and after long time came.

Since Amaryllis holds and Galatea yields!

For I confess, whilst Galatea reigned

No hope of freedom had I, nor of gain.

Though many victims from my folds were sent

To the unthankful town, and from my press

Good store of cheeses rich, but never yet

With my hand full of coin did I return.

Ah, Amaryllis, I had wondered much

Why thou so sadly didst adjure the gods?

Why was the fruit left hanging on the trees?

Tityrus wandered far. Yes, e'en the pines,

The springs, the orchards, called for Tityrus.