On hastened time, that brings all things to end. Whence grew my love, divinest Moon! attend: At Timagetus' school watch, bring him me, Whence grew my love, divinest Moon! attend : That sleeping infants to their mothers whine; Like a wax-doll, the girl-child's dear delight. Whence grew my love, divinest Moon! attend: The heartless minion first on me did bend His eager eyes, then sitting on the bed He turned them on the ground, and softly said :- (Whence grew my love, divinest Moon! attend :) "For, by sweet Eros! with a second friend, Or with a third, I should have come to-night, Bringing sweet apples, crowned with poplar white, Careful the wreath with purple stripes to blend:" "Had (Whence grew my love, divinest Moon! attend :) you received me. well; for me, 'mid all, The handsome, active bachelor they call; A kiss from those rich lips, that sweetly pout, Had been enough; but had you shut me out, And your barred doors had interposed delay, Axes and torches then had forced a way." (Whence grew my love, divinest Moon! attend :) "To Cypris first in gratitude I bend, Thou, next to her, hast snatched me from the fire, In calling me half burnt with fierce desire; For Eros oft a fiercer flame awakes Than those Sicilian fires Hephæstus makes." (Whence grew my love, divinest Moon! attend :) "He from her bed the virgin oft doth send, Stung by his furies; and the new-made bride Scares from the warm couch and her husband's side." These words he spoke; but I with credulous mind, Held his dear hand, and on the bed reclined : Our bodies did by touching warmer grow, And on our cheeks there came a hotter glow : Sweetly we whispered; and, in short, dear Moon! By Eros fired, we gained Cythera's boon. Nor any blame on me could Delphis lay, Nor haply I on him 'till yesterday. I only learned to-day his yester ill: While yet up-prancing the high eastern hill, D There came the mother of the festive pair, Sweet-voiced Philista and Melixo fair, But whom I know not; yet enamoured so, With philtres will I try his soul to move; He shall, by fate! the door of Hades knock. Thy steeds to ocean now, bright Queen, direct; Farewell, clear Moon! and skyey cressets bright, IDYL III. AMYRILLIS. ARGUMENT. A goatherd, enamoured of Amaryllis, having given his flock in charge to Tityrus, goes to her cave, and, after complaining of her changed disposition towards him, attempts to revive her former attention to his suit with gifts, and entreaties, and finally with threats of self-destruction. At last, in the hope of attracting her notice, he sings a song recalling the memory of some happy mortals, whom Venus had favoured. Finding her inflexible, he ceases despondingly. The scene is changed from the place where his flock is at pasture, to the cavern. home of Amaryllis. |