FRAGMENTS OF BION. I. ON HYACINTHUS. PHOEBUS tried all his means, and thought of new, Scarce knowing what he did in his distress; With nectar bathed him, with ambrosial dew; But Fate made remedies remediless. II. Yourself to artists always to betake, And on yourself in nothing to rely Is misbeseeming: friend! your own pipe makeThe work is easy, if you will but try. III. May Love the Muses evermore invite, The Muses bring me Love! and to requite My passion may they give sweet song to me, Than which no sweeter remedy can be. IV. When drop on drop, they say, doth ever follow, "Twill wear the stone at last into a hollow. V. I to the sandy shore and seaward slope Will go, and try with murmured song to bend The cruel Galatea: my sweet hope I'll cast away-when life itself doth end. VI. Artists aim Oh, leave me not unhonoured! And reach at excellence, provoked by Fame. IDYL I. THE RUNAWAY LOVE. HER Eros thus proclaimed the Cyprian Queen : "If any one has in the highway seen My straying Eros, and reports to me His whereabout, he shall rewarded be; A kiss for him; but if it shall betide One bring him me, a kiss—and more beside. Not fair, but flamy, is his dazzling hue; Sharp are his eyes, and flame their glances fleet; His word is honey, and his meaning gall. He is a mischievous, deceitful child; Beguiles with falsehood, laughs at the beguiled. |