Virgil · a new plain-English translation from the Latin
1| [Menalcas] Tell me, Damoetas, whose flock is this? Meliboeus'?
2| [Damoetas] No, it's Aegon's; Aegon handed it over to me recently.
3| [Menalcas] Poor sheep, always an unlucky flock! While he himself fondles Neaera and worries that she may prefer me to him, this hired keeper milks the ewes twice an hour, and the juice is drained from the flock and the milk from the lambs.
7| [Damoetas] Remember, though, to be more sparing in throwing such things at men. We know who did what to you, while the he-goats looked on askance, and in which shrine — but the easygoing Nymphs just laughed.
10| [Menalcas] That was when, I suppose, they saw me hacking Micon's orchard and his young vines with a wicked pruning hook.
12| [Damoetas] Or here by the old beeches, when you broke Daphnis' bow and arrows; you were sore, you spiteful Menalcas, when you saw them given to the boy, and if you hadn't done him some harm you would have died.
16| [Menalcas] What can masters do, when thieves are so bold? Didn't I see you, you villain, catching Damon's goat in an ambush, while Lycisca barked her head off? And when I shouted, "Where is he off to now? Tityrus, round up the flock!" you were hiding behind the sedge.
21| [Damoetas] Well, when he lost the singing match, shouldn't he have handed over the goat my pipe had won with its songs? In case you don't know, that goat was mine; Damon himself admitted it to me, but said he couldn't pay up.
25| [Menalcas] You beat him at singing? Did you ever even own a pipe joined with wax? Weren't you the one, you ignoramus, who used to murder a wretched tune at the crossroads on a screeching straw?
28| [Damoetas] So do you want us to try, turn and turn about, what each of us can do? I stake this heifer — in case you refuse, she comes to the milking pail twice a day and feeds two calves at her udder. You tell me what stake you'll match me with.
32| [Menalcas] I wouldn't dare stake anything from the flock against you. I have a father at home, and an unfair stepmother, and they both count the flock twice a day, and one of them counts the kids. But since you're so keen to make a fool of yourself, I'll stake something you yourself will admit is worth much more: beechwood cups, the carved work of the divine Alcimedon. On them a pliant vine, added with a deft lathe, clothes clusters of berries spread out with pale ivy. In the middle are two figures, Conon and — who was the other, who marked out the whole world for the nations with his rod, and the seasons the reaper should keep and the stooping ploughman? I have not yet put my lips to them, but keep them stored away.
44| [Damoetas] The same Alcimedon made two cups for me too; he wrapped soft acanthus round the handles and set Orpheus in the middle with the woods following him. I have not yet put my lips to them, but keep them stored away. If you look at the heifer, there is nothing to praise in cups.
49| [Menalcas] You'll never get away today; I'll come wherever you call me. Only let someone hear us — look, here comes Palaemon. I'll make sure that after this you don't challenge anyone to sing.
52| [Damoetas] Come on, then, if you have anything; there will be no delay on my part, and I don't run from anyone. Only, neighbor Palaemon, take this to heart — it is no small matter.
55| [Palaemon] Sing, then, since we are sitting on the soft grass. Now every field, now every tree is in bud; now the woods are in leaf, now the year is at its loveliest. Begin, Damoetas; then you follow, Menalcas. You will sing in turns: the Muses love alternation.
60| [Damoetas] From Jupiter is the Muse's beginning; all things are full of Jupiter; he cares for the earth; my songs are his concern.
62| [Menalcas] And Phoebus loves me; I always have Phoebus' own gifts by me, laurels and the sweetly blushing hyacinth.
64| [Damoetas] Galatea, a playful girl, pelts me with an apple, and runs off to the willows — but wants to be seen first.
66| [Menalcas] But my flame, Amyntas, offers himself to me unasked, so that now even Delia is no better known to my dogs.
68| [Damoetas] I have found gifts for my love; for I have marked the place myself where the airy wood pigeons have built their nest.
70| [Menalcas] I have sent my boy what I could, ten golden apples picked from a tree in the woods; tomorrow I will send ten more.
72| [Damoetas] Oh, how often, and what things, Galatea has said to me! Winds, carry some part of them to the ears of the gods.
74| [Menalcas] What good is it, Amyntas, that you do not scorn me in your heart, if you hunt the boars while I keep watch over the nets?
76| [Damoetas] Send me Phyllis; it is my birthday, Iollas. When I sacrifice a heifer for the crops, come yourself.
78| [Menalcas] I love Phyllis above all others; for she wept when I left, and said a long "Goodbye, goodbye, handsome," Iollas.
80| [Damoetas] The wolf is a grim thing to the folds, rain to ripe crops, wind to trees, and to me the anger of Amaryllis.
82| [Menalcas] Moisture is sweet to the sown fields, the arbutus to weaned kids, the pliant willow to the pregnant flock, and to me Amyntas alone.
84| [Damoetas] Pollio loves my Muse, rustic though she is: Pierian Muses, fatten a heifer for your reader.
86| [Menalcas] Pollio himself makes new songs too: fatten a bull, one that already butts with his horn and scatters the sand with his hooves.
88| [Damoetas] Whoever loves you, Pollio, let him come where he is glad you too have come; let honey flow for him, and the rough bramble bear spice.
90| [Menalcas] Whoever does not hate Bavius, let him love your songs, Maevius, and let the same man yoke foxes and milk he-goats.
92| [Damoetas] You who gather flowers and strawberries springing from the ground, run away from here, boys: a cold snake is lurking in the grass.
94| [Menalcas] Don't go too far, sheep: it is not good to trust the bank; even the ram himself is still drying his fleece.
96| [Damoetas] Tityrus, drive the grazing goats back from the river; when it is time, I will wash them all in the spring myself.
98| [Menalcas] Round up the sheep, boys: if the heat dries up their milk, as it did recently, we will squeeze the udders with our hands in vain.
100| [Damoetas] Alas, alas, how thin my bull is in the rich vetch! The same love is ruin to the herd and to the herd's master.
102| [Menalcas] These of mine — and love is surely not the cause — barely hold together at the bones; some evil eye or other is bewitching my tender lambs.
104| [Damoetas] Tell me in what land — and you will be great Apollo to me — the space of the sky is no more than three ells wide.
106| [Menalcas] Tell me in what land flowers grow inscribed with the names of kings — and have Phyllis to yourself.
108| [Palaemon] It is not for me to settle so great a contest between you: you deserve the heifer, and so does he, and so does anyone who will fear the sweetness of love or taste its bitterness. Close the channels now, boys: the meadows have drunk enough.
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