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And lo! she pelts the watch-dog-with a bound He barking starts, and angry looks around

Then bays the sea; the waves soft-murmuring show An angry dog fast running to and fro.

Take heed he leap not on her, coming fresh

From the sea-wave, and tear her dainty flesh.
But like the thistle-down, when summer glows,
The sportive nymph, soft moving, comes and goes;
Pursues who flies her, her pursuer flies,

And moves the landmark of love's boundaries.

What is not lovely, lovely oft doth seem

To the bewildered lover, Polypheme."

Preluding then, Damotas began.

DAMETAS.

"I saw her pelt my flock, by mighty Pan!
Not unobserved by my dear single eye,
Thro' which I see, and shall see till I die.
Prophet of ill! let Telemus at home

Keep for his own sons all his woes to come.
I, to provoke her, look not in return,
And say that for another girl I burn.

At hearing which with envy, by Apollo!

The sea-nymph pines; and her eye-quest doth follow,
Leaping from out the sea like one that raves,
Amid my flocks, and peeps into the caves.
I make the dog bark just to discompose her;
He, when I loved her, whining used to nose her.
Noting my action, she perchance will find
Some messenger to let me know her mind.
I'll shut my door, till she on oath agree

To make her sweet bed on this isle with me.
Nor am I that unsightly one they say:

For in the calm, smooth wave the other day
I saw myself: and handsome was my beard,
And bright, methought, my single eye appeared.
And from the beautiful sea-mirror shone

My white teeth, brighter than the Parian stone.
To screen myself from influence malign,
Thrice on my breast I spat. This lesson fine
I learned from that wise crone Cotyttaris."

This sung, Damætas gave his friend a kiss. Of pipe and flute their mutual gifts they madeDaphnis the pipe, the flute Damotas played. Thereto the heifers frisked in gambols rude: And neither conquered; both were unsubdued.

IDYL VII.

THALYSIA.

ARGUMENT.

Simichidas and two others are travelling to a harvest-home; on their way they fall in with Lycidas, who sings for them at the request of Simichidas. The latter also favours his companions with a song. Lycidas gives a crook to Simichidas, and then pursues his journey, while the others turn off to the harvestfeast; the scene and the entertainment are described.

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