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PALAEMON
Say on then, since on the greensward we sit,
and now is burgeoning both field and tree;
now is the forest green, and now the year
at fairest. Do you first, Damoetas, sing,
then you, Menalcas, in alternate strain:
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alternate strains are to the Muses dear.
DAMOETAS
“From Jove the Muse began; Jove filleth all,
makes the earth fruitful, for my songs hath care.”
MENALCAS
“Me Phoebus loves; for Phoebus his own gifts,
bays and sweet-blushing hyacinths, I keep.”
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DAMOETAS
“Gay Galatea throws an apple at me,
then hies to the willows, hoping to be seen.”
MENALCAS
“My dear Amyntas comes unasked to me;
not Delia to my dogs is better known.”
DAMOETAS
“Gifts for my love I've found; mine eyes have marked
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where the wood-pigeons build their airy nests.”
MENALCAS
“Ten golden apples have I sent my boy,
all that I could, to-morrow as many more.”
DAMOETAS
“What words to me, and uttered O how oft,
hath Galatea spoke! waft some of them,
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