be necessary to observe, that the following pastorals were translated by an extraordinary character, a man of learning, but a miserly and contracted being. His literary fame might have shone resplendently, had not his selfish disposition blasted every effort any ways allied to liberality, honor, or renown.

ECLOGUE THE THIRD.

ARGUMENT.

This eclogue contains an elegant trial of skill in music and poetry, between two shepherds, in that kind of verse which is termed Amœbæan; and the scene is a grassy plain, and a row of beechen trees at some distance. The time of the day seems to be noon--the season the beginning of summer.

MENALCAS, DAMOETAS, PALAEMON.

MENALCAS.

Ho! are these Melibæus' flocks? declare.

DAMOETAS.

No! Egon's-Egon left them to my care.

MENALCAS.

Ah! sheep still hapless, while he dreads to prove

In fair Neæra, my more happy love:

This alien wretch twice hourly milks the dams,

And drains their strength, and starves the bleating lambs.

DAMOETAS.

On men, at least, these scoffs with caution throw;
Where you were too, and in what cave we know,

What thoughts the goats with luring eyes betray'd, But the mild nymphs with smiles the scene survey'd.

MENALCAS.

Sure my bad hook they saw, and base designs,
While Mycon's grove I cut, and tender vines.

DAMOETAS.

Or where these full grown beeches shade the rock,
Where Daphnis' bow and beauteous shafts you broke;
Which, when you saw, on the lov'd youth bestow'd,
You! wretched swain with inward malice glow'd;
And, if no mischief by some means you'd try'd,
With secret rage and spite you sure had dy'd.

MENALCAS.

When slaves thus dare! how shall their lords behave?
Did I not see thee-base ignoble knave,

Steal Dæmon's goat? his dog loud barking by;
And when I call'd, "Ho! whither does he fly?
Haste Tit'rus, haste, and count the fleecy race;"
Thou sneaking lurk'dst below the sedgy grass.

DAMOETAS.

O'ercome in song, could he the goat refuse,
In contest, gain'd by my excelling muse?
E'en Dæmon's self confess'd my conquering lay,
But own'd the prize beyond his power to pay.

MENALCAS.

Thou claim the prize! thy music's just reward!
Was e'er thy pipe with waxen joints prepar'd?
Thou dunce, confin'd to streets and public ways,
To hiss on screeching straws thy wretched lays.

E

DAMOETAS.

Then let us try if you, Oh shepherd! dare,
And in alternate strains our skill compare;
Lest you refuse, this beauteous cow I lay,
She suckles two sleek younglings, ev'ry day
With swelling dugs twice to the milking goes ;—
Say, if you will an equal stake propose ?

MENALCAS.

Nought from the fold I may with you engage,
I dread at home my sire and stepdame's rage,
Who daily number all our woolly breed,
And own each kid that crops the flow'ry mead;
But I will stake what you far more will prize,
Tho' wilful madness blind your partial eyes,
Two beechen bowls, with finest art adorn'd,
And both by divine Alcimedon turn'd ;
A curling vine is round the sides engrav'd,
With ivy pale, and blooming berries wav'd.
Two beauteous figures in the work appear,
Canon, and he who taught the circling sphere.
When painful ploughmen ply the shining share;
Or when rich crops reward the reaper's care;
Both fresh and sound, I keep conceal'd in store,
Nor lips have touch'd, nor hands their beauty wore.

DAMOETAS.

For me two bowls the same great artist turn'd,

Their handles with Acanthus soft adorn'd;
Full in the midst fam'd Orpheus tunes his lyre,
Him trees pursue, and circling groves admire;
Both fresh and sound, I keep conceal'd in store,
Nor lips have touch'd, nor hands their beauty wore ;

Yet view this heifer with attentive eyes,

And you no more the beauteous bowls will prize.

MENALCAS.

Think not from trial by such shifts to fly !'
Your terms I chuse, and all your arts defy.
Let him decide who comes o'er yonder plains;
Palamon see, shall judge our tuneful strains.

I'll quell your threats, and still your deaf'ning song,
That you no more shall vex the shepherd throng.

DAMOETAS.

Sing if you can, nor fear that I refuse;
No swain I'll fly, nor shun the heavenly muse.
Palæmon come, your well-known skill exert,
This great affair demands your utmost art.

PALAEMON.

Thus on soft grass reclin'd, ye shepherds sing,
Now all the trees and flow'ry pastures spring;
Now lofty groves with swelling leaves are green,
Now the glad year in fairest bloom is seen.
Begin Damoetas, next Menalcas join,
Alternate songs delight the sacred nine.

DAMOETAS.

From Jove ye muses 'wake the sylvan strain ;
All full of Jove, through nature's boundless reign.
With friendly eyes the spacious earth he views,
Protects the fields, and tends my warbling muse.

MENALCAS.

Great Phoebus deigns to bless my tuneful lays,
Still to his name I rear the heavenly bays;

And on our borders, with a tender care,

The sweetly blushing hyacinths prepare.

DAMOETAS.

Young Galatea, lovely sportive fair,

At me an apple throws with scornful air;
Then seeks with hasty steps the willows green,
Yet ere she flies, she wishes to be seen.

MENALCAS.

But willing love my dear Amyntas warms,
Unask'd the charmer rushes to my arms;
His grateful smiles the tenderest wishes tell,
Nor to our dogs is Delia known so well.

DAMOETAS.

For that dear nymph, with whom my bosom glows,

Her love sick swain the prettiest present knows ;

I mark'd a place amidst the woodland shade,

Where two aerial stock-doves nestling play'd.

MENALCAS.

In sylvan wilds a tree sequester'd grows,
Large golden apples load its bending boughs;
Ten, all I could, I sent my lovely care,
As many more to-morrow he shall share.

DAMOETAS.

What charming words, my fair Gal'tea said, How oft the sound confess'd a love-sick maid; Ye balmy winds, while round the world ye rove, Waft parting whispers to the Powers above.

MENALCAS.

What, dear Amyntas, can your shepherd gain?
Tho' you no more despise my tender pain;