Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 1.pdf/144

DAMÆTAS.

Rhymer come on, and do the worst you can:

I fear not you, nor yet a better Man.
With Silence, Neighbour, and Attention wait:
For 'tis a business of a high Debate.80

PALAEMON.

Sing then; the Shade affords a proper place;

The Trees are cloath'd with Leaves, the Fields with Grass;
The Blossoms blow; the Birds on bushes sing;
And Nature has accomplish'd all the Spring.
The Challenge to Damætas shall belong,85
Menalcas shall sustain his under Song:
Each in his turn your tuneful numbers bring;
In turns the tuneful Muses love to sing.

DAMÆTAS.

From the great Father of the Gods above

My Muse begins; for all is full of Jove;90
To Jove the care of Heav'n and Earth belongs;
My Flocks he blesses, and he loves my Songs.

MENALCAS.

Me Phœbus loves; for He my Muse inspires;

And in her Songs, the warmth he gave, requires.
For him, the God of Shepherds and their Sheep,95
My blushing Hyacinths, and my Bays I keep.

DAMÆTAS.

My Phillis Me with pelted Apples plyes;$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$

Then tripping to the Woods the Wanton hies:
And wishes to be seen, before she flies.