THEOCRITUS II, 20–44
a filthy drab like thee may crow over? On, on with the meal, and say “These be Delphis' bones I throw.”
Wryneck, wryneck, draw him hither.
As Delphis hath brought me pain, so I burn the bay against Delphis. And as it crackles and then lo! is burnt suddenly to nought and we see not so much as the ash of it, e’en so be Delphis’ body whelmed in another flame.
Wryneck, wryneck, draw him hither.
As this puppet melts for me before Hecat, so melt with love, e'en so speedily, Delphis of Myndus.[1] And as this wheel of brass turns by grace of Aphrodite, so turn he and turn again before my threshold.
Wryneck, wryneck, draw him hither.
Now to the flames with the bran. O Artemis, as thou movest the adamant that is at the door of Death, so mayst thou move all else that is unmovable. Hark, Thestylis, where the dogs howl in the town. Sure the Goddess is at these cross-roads. Quick, beat the pan.
Wryneck, wryneck, draw him hither.
Lo there! now wave is still and wind is still, though never still the pain that is in my breast; for I am all afire for him, afire alas! for him that hath made me no wife and left me to my shame no maid.
Wryneck, wryneck, draw him hither.
Thrice this libation I pour, thrice, Lady, this prayer I say: be woman at this hour or man his
- ↑ Myndus a town of Caria, opposite Cos. “Turn and turn again before my threshold”: waiting to be let in; cf. 7. 122.
