IDYL I.

THYRSIS.

ARGUMENT.

The shepherd Thyrsis and a goatherd are introduced, praising each other. Thyrsis then entreats the goatherd to play on the pipe, which he declines doing from fear of Pan; but requests Thyrsis to sing for him the song on the death of Daphnis, promising to reward him with a milch-goat and a highly wrought cup, which is minutely described. Thyrsis invokes the nymphs, and proceeds with his song. Wild animals, and the herds, wail for Daphnis; Mercury and Priapus, the guardians of the country and visit him and endeavour to enliven him. He does not answer them, but when Venus taunts him with his incapacity to resist love, he breaks out into invectives against her. He finally bids farewell to life, which ceases with his words, Venus in vain endeavouring to resuscitate him.

of shepherds,

IDYL I.

THYRSIS.

THYRSIS AND A GOATHERD.

THYRSIS.

SWEET is the music which the whispering pine
Makes to the murmuring fountains; sweet is thine,
Breathed from the pipe: the second prize thy due
To Pan, the horned ram; to thee, the ewe;
And thine the yearling, when the ewe he takes
A savoury mess the tender yearling makes.

GOATHERD.

Sweeter thy song than yonder gliding down
Of water from the rock's o'erhanging crown;

IDYL I.

THYRSIS.

THYRSIS AND A GOATHERD.

THYRSIS.

SWEET is the music which the whispering pine
Makes to the murmuring fountains; sweet is thine,
Breathed from the pipe: the second prize thy due—
To Pan, the horned ram; to thee, the ewe;
And thine the yearling, when the ewe he takes
A savoury mess the tender yearling makes.

GOATHERD.

Sweeter thy song than yonder gliding down
Of water from the rock's o'erhanging crown;