9
MOERIS
beside the streams pours forth a thousand flowers;
here the white poplar bends above the cave,
55
and the lithe vine weaves shadowy covert: come,
leave the mad waves to beat upon the shore.”
LYCIDAS
What of the strain I heard you singing once
on a clear night alone? the notes I still
remember, could I but recall the words.
60
MOERIS
“Why, Daphnis, upward gazing, do you mark
the ancient risings of the Signs? for look
where Dionean Caesar's star comes forth
in heaven, to gladden all the fields with corn,
and to the grape upon the sunny slopes
65
her colour bring! Now, the pears;
so shall your children's children pluck their fruit.”
LYCIDAS
Your pleas but linger out my heart's desire:
now all the deep is into silence hushed,
75
and all the murmuring breezes sunk to sleep.
We are half-way thither, for Bianor's tomb
begins to show: here, Moeris, where the hinds
are lopping the thick leafage, let us sing.
