ECLOGUE VIII.
THE SORCERESS.
Now let me tell of the two shepherds' muse,
Damon the first—Alphesibœus next:
The gazing heifers wondered at their strife
Unmindful of rich pasture, while their song
Hushed the fierce lynx; the rivers stayed their course.
Of these two shepherds I will sing the lay.
Will that day ever dawn, Oh, Pollio, when
I may aspire to tell of thy great deeds?
Of broad Timavus dost thou climb the rocks
Or sailest by the shores of the Illyrian sea?
Ah! when may I to the whole world make known
Thy verse, which can with Sophocles compare?
Thou didst inspire me first—with thee I end.
Accept the songs begun at thy command,
And let the ivy round thy brow be twined
Amidst the laurels of thy victories.
Hardly had night's cold shadow left the sky
When the dew-laden grass tempts most the flocks,
Damon began—leaning on olive staff.
"Now, Lucifer, arise! Before the dawn!
35
