8
ALPHESIBOEUS
my lover's saner senses, whereunto
there lacketh nothing save the power of song.
90
Songs can the very moon draw down from heaven
circe with singing changed from human form
the comrades of Ulysses, and by song
is the cold meadow-snake, asunder burst.
95
These triple threads of threefold colour first
I twine about thee, and three times withal
around these altars do thine image bear:
uneven numbers are the god's delight.
100
Now, Amaryllis, ply in triple knots
the threefold colours; ply them fast, and say
this is the chain of Venus that I ply.
As by the kindling of the self-same fire
harder this clay, this wax the softer grows,
so by my love may Daphnis; sprinkle meal,
and with bitumen burn the brittle bays.
Me Daphnis with his cruelty doth burn,
110
I to melt cruel Daphnis burn this bay.
As when some heifer, seeking for her steer
