They land at eve; in pairs their mess they keep;
And many strow a high and rushy heap:
A meadow broad convenient lay thereby,
With various rushes prankt abundantly.
And gold-tressed Hylas is for water gone
For Hercules and sturdy Telamon,

Who messmates were: a brazen urn he bore,
And soon perceived a fountain straight before.
It was a gentle slope, round which was seen
A multitude of rushes, parsley green,

And the close couch-grass, creeping to entwine
Green maiden-hair, and pale-blue celandine.
Their choir the wakeful nymphs, the rustics dread,

In the mid sparkle of the fountain led;

Malis, and young Nachæa looking spring,

And fresh Eunica. There the youth did bring,

And o'er the water hold his goodly urn,

Eager at once to dip it and return.

The nymphs all clasped his hand; for love seized all,
Love for the Argive boy; and he did fall
Plumping at once into the water dark,
As when a meteor glides with many a spark
Plumping from out the heavens into the seas

And then some sailor cries: " a jolly breeze,
Up with the sail, boys!" Him upon their knees
The nymphs soft held; him dropping many a tear
With soft enticing words they tried to cheer.

Anxious Alcides lingered not to go,

Armed like a Scythian with his curved bow.
He grasped his club; and thrice he threw around
His deep, deep voice at highest pitch of sound;
Thrice called on Hylas; thrice did Hylas hear,
And from the fount a thin voice murmured near ;
Though very near, it very far appeared:

As when a lion, awful with his beard,

Hearing afar the whining of a fawn,

Speeds to his banquet from the mountain-lawn ;
In suchwise, Hercules the boy regretting,

Off at full speed through pathless brakes was setting.
Who love, much suffer: what fatigue he bore!

What thickets pierced! what mountains clambered o'er ! What then to him was Jason's enterprise?

With sails aloft the ship all-ready lies;

Midnight they sweep the decks and oft repeat,
"Where, where is Hercules ?" Where'er his feet

Convey him, there the frantic mourner hurries, For a fierce god his liver tears and worries. Fair Hylas thus is numbered with the blest:

Their friend, as ship-deserter, all the rest Reproach; while trudges he (and sad his case is) To Colchos and inhospitable Phasis.

IDYL XIV.

CYNISCA.

ARGUMENT.

One Eschines recounts to his friend, Thyonicus, the circumstances which caused his paramour, Cynisca, to leave him. He had invited a few friends to a jollification at his farm: he entertained them right hospitably; and they were all mirthfully engaged with their cups, when it was proposed that they should each drink to the health of his favourite lass, giving her name. Æschines gives Cynisca, who is present, but she takes no notice of him, and does not even say "thank you." He is nettled at this; and one of the company speaks a proverb, which has a special meaning to her conscience. She reddens with vexation; and, when the jest is repeated, bursts into tears. Eschines then boxes both of her cheeks; she quietly tucks up her dress and bolts. Poor Eschines still loves the jade, but though he has whistled for her, she would not return to him. He says that he knows no other remedy for unhappy love, but going across the seas. His friend Thyonicus, who is a sort of Job's comforter, recommends him, if he should go abroad, to take service with Ptolemy; on whom he pronounces a splendid eulogy.