IDYL III



A goatherd, leaving his goats to feed on the hillside, in the charge
of Tityrus, approaches the cavern of Amaryllis, with its veil of
ferns and ivy, and attempts to win back the heart of the girl by
song. He mingles promises with harmless threats, and repeats, in
exquisite verses, the names of the famous lovers of old days,
Milanion and Endymion. Failing to move Amaryllis, the goatherd
threatens to die where he has thrown himself down, beneath the trees.

Courting Amaryllis with song I go, while my she-goats feed on the
hill, and Tityrus herds them. Ah, Tityrus, my dearly beloved, feed
thou the goats, and to the well-side lead them, Tityrus, and 'ware
the yellow Libyan he-goat, lest he butt thee with his horns.

Ah, lovely Amaryllis, why no more, as of old, dust thou glance
through this cavern after me, nor callest me, thy sweetheart, to thy
side. Can it be that thou hatest me? Do I seem snub-nosed, now thou
hast seen me near, maiden, and under-hung? Thou wilt make me
strangle myself!

Lo, ten apples I bring thee, plucked from that very place where thou
didst bid me pluck them, and others to-morrow I will bring thee.

Ah, regard my heart's deep sorrow! ah, would I were that humming bee,
and to thy cave might come dipping beneath the fern that hides thee,