Country craftsmen by Wenceslaus Hollar (Plate 294

May 09, 2021

Country craftsmen by Wenceslaus Hollar (Plate 294 - Scenes from Virgil) 1607-1677

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.

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
her colour bring! Now, the pears;
so shall your children's children pluck their fruit.”
Time carries all things, even our wits, away.
Oft, as a boy, I sang the sun to rest,
but all those songs are from my memory fled,
and even his voice is failing Moeris now;
the wolves eyed Moeris first: but at your wish
Menalcas will repeat them oft enow.

LYCIDAS
Your pleas but linger out my heart's desire:
now all the deep is into silence hushed,
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.
Set down the kids, yet shall we reach the town;
or, if we fear the night may gather rain
ere we arrive, then singing let us go,
our way to lighten; and, that we may thus
go singing, I will case you of this load.

MOERIS
Cease, boy, and get we to the work in hand:
we shall sing better when himself is come.

-Virgil, Eclogues