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PASTORAL POEMS

(BUCOLICA)

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PASTORAL POEMS.

THESE ten short pieces, the earliest authentic works of Virgil, treat of pastoral subjects, the loves and songs of herdsmen (Bovkóλoi), and hence are called BUCOLICS. They were published under the title of ECLOGUES (èkλoyaí, selections). In form they are chiefly imitations, often translations, of the IDYLS (eidúλia, or picture poems) of Theocritus and the other Greek pastoral poets; but the scenes often belong to Italy, the occasions to the history of the time, and the incidents to the poet's own life.

In a highly artificial period, such as that under the Empire, or in the lull after great convulsions like those which marked the downfall of the Roman Republic, the simplicity and quiet of rustic life have often from contrast had a special charm, and set the standard of literary taste. It was probably this that made Virgil at once a wellestablished favorite, and chief of the new literary era. But these first poetic essays—though imitations of far superior originals — have, by their perfection of form, delicacy of treatment, and charm of diction, taken rank, in the judgment of every age since, as models in their kind.

ECLOGUE I.

IN this poem Virgil sings his gratitude to Augustus for restoring the farm of which he had been robbed to reward the soldiery of the triumvirs (see Life). The poet himself, however, is only dimly shadowed in the person of Tityrus, a herdsman, in dialogue with another, Melibœus, who represents Virgil's less fortunate neighbors. The whole scene with its incidents, thus removed to the mythical domain of pastoral poetry, gives a peculiar delicacy to the praise.

MELIBUS. TITYRUS.

TITYRE, tu patulae recubans sub tegmine fagi

silvestrem tenui Musam meditaris avena;

nos patriae fines et dulcia linquimus arva:

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PASTORAL POEMS.

THESE ten short pieces, the earliest authentic works of Virgil, treat of pastoral subjects, the loves and songs of herdsmen (Bovkóλoi), and hence are called BUCOLICS. They were published under the title of ECLOGUES (exλoyaí, selections). In form they are chiefly imitations, often translations, of the IDYLS (eidúλλia, or picture poems) of Theocritus and the other Greek pastoral poets; but the scenes often belong to Italy, the occasions to the history of the time, and the incidents to the poet's own life.

In a highly artificial period, such as that under the Empire, or in the lull after great convulsions like those which marked the downfall of the Roman Republic, the simplicity and quiet of rustic life have often from contrast had a special charm, and set the standard of literary taste. It was probably this that made Virgil at once a wellestablished favorite, and chief of the new literary era. But these first poetic essays-though imitations of far superior originals — have, by their perfection of form, delicacy of treatment, and charm of diction, taken rank, in the judgment of every age since, as models in their kind.

ECLOGUE I.

IN this poem Virgil sings his gratitude to Augustus for restoring the farm of which he had been robbed to reward the soldiery of the triumvirs (see Life). The poet himself, however, is only dimly shadowed in the person of Tityrus, a herdsman, in dialogue with another, Melibœus, who represents Virgil's less fortunate neighbors. The whole scene with its incidents, thus removed to the mythical domain of pastoral poetry, gives a peculiar delicacy to the praise.

MELIBUS. TITYRUS.

TITYRE, tu patulae recubans sub tegmine fagi

silvestrem tenui Musam meditaris avena;

nos patriae fines et dulcia linquimus arva:

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