7
and, if you have an idle hour to spare,
rest here beneath the shade. Hither the steers
will through the meadows, of their own free will,
untended come to drink. Here Mincius hath
15
with tender rushes rimmed his verdant banks,
and from yon sacred oak with busy hum
the bees are swarming.” What was I to do?
No Phyllis or Alcippe left at home
had I, to shelter my new-weaned lambs,
20
and no slight matter was a singing-bout
'twixt Corydon and Thyrsis. Howsoe'er,
I let my business wait upon their sport.
So they began to sing, voice answering voice
in strains alternate—for alternate strains
25
the Muses then were minded to recall—
first Corydon, then Thyrsis in reply.
CORYDON
“Libethrian Nymphs, who are my heart's delight,
grant me, as doth my Codrus, so to sing—
next to Apollo he—or if to this
30
we may not all attain, my tuneful pipe
