Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1900.djvu/691

 570. On Catullus

Tell me not what too well I know About the bard of Sirmio. Yes, in Thalia's son Such stains there are—as when a Grace Sprinkles another's laughing face With nectar, and runs on.

571. Dirce

Stand close around, ye Stygian set, With Dirce in one boat convey'd! Or Charon, seeing, may forget That he is old and she a shade.

572. Alciphron and Leucippe

An ancient chestnut's blossoms threw Their heavy odour over two: Leucippe, it is said, was one; The other, then, was Alciphron. 'Come, come! why should we stand beneath This hollow tree's unwholesome breath?' Said Alciphron, 'here's not a blade Of grass or moss, and scanty shade. Come; it is just the hour to rove In the lone dingle shepherds love; There, straight and tall, the hazel twig Divides the crookèd rock-held fig, O'er the blue pebbles where the rill In winter runs and may run still. Come then, while fresh and calm the air, And while the shepherds are not there.'