ECLOGUE II.
ALEXIS.
The Shepherd Corydon felt truest love
For fair Alexis, but found no return
Of his fond friendship, for the youth had gained
His master's favour; still the faithful swain
Would tell his sorrow to the hills and woods
Wand'ring beneath the beech trees' kindly shade.
"Cruel Alexis, dost not love my songs?
No pity hast thou? Must I now expire?
Even the cattle seek the coolest shade
And spiny thickets hide the lizards green.
For the tired reapers, spent with ardent heat
Thestylis crushes garlic, fragrant herbs
And sweet wild thyme: but I, companionless,
Under the blazing sun, thy footsteps track,
Whilst with shrill crickets' chirp the grove resounds.
Were it not better to endure the scorn
Of Amaryllis, and her gloomy ire?
Or dark Menalcas, dark as thou art fair?
O charming boy, trust not too much thy looks.
See the white privet blossom quickly shed,
And the dark hyacinths, so gladly plucked.
Thou dost neglect me, nor dost even stoop
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