THEOCRITUS I, 59–79
yet hath it touched my lip; it still lies unhandselled by. Yet right welcome to it art thou, if like a good fellow thou’lt sing me that pleasing and delightful song. Nay, not so; I am in right earnest. To’t, good friend; sure thou wilt not be hoarding that song against thou be’st come where all’s forgot?
THYRSIS (sings)
Country-song, sing county-song, sweet Muses.
’Tis Thyrsis sings, of Etna, and a rare sweet voice hath he.
Where were ye, Nymphs, when Daphnis pined? ye Nymphs, O where were ye?
Was it Peneius’ pretty vale, or Pindus’[1] glens? ’twas never
Antipus’ flood nor Etna’s pike nor Acis’[2] holy river.
Country-song, sing county-song, sweet Muses.
When Daphnis died the foxes wailed and the wolves they wailed full sore,
The lion from the greenwood wept when Daphniswas no more.
Country-song, sing county-song, sweet Muses.
O many the lusty steers at his feet, and many the heifers slim,
Many the calves and many the kine that made theirmoan for him.
Country-song, sing county-song, sweet Muses.
Came Hermes first, from the hills away, and said “O Daphnis, tell,
“Who is’t that fretteth thee, my son? whom lovest thou so well?"
Country-song, sing county-song, sweet Muses.
