ELICIO. After thou hadst withdrawn so long to dwell, With the nine maidens on Parnassus' crest, In solitude and calm unspeakable; LAUSO. Despite the clang of weapons from the East And Gallic rage, thy lofty spirit lay Tranquil, naught moved it from its peaceful rest. THYRSIS. 'Twas then Heaven willed, upon a mournful day, That the cold hand of wrathful death should come, And with thy life our bliss should snatch away. DAMON. Thy bliss was better, thou didst seek thy home, But we were left to bitterness untold, Unending and eternal was our doom. ELICIO. The sacred maiden choir we did behold Of those that dwell upon Parnassus' height Rending in agony their locks of gold. LAUSO. The blind boy's mighty rival by thy plight Was moved to tears; then to the world below He showed himself a niggard of his light. THYRSIS. Amidst the clash of arms, the fiery glow, By reason of the wily Greek's deceit, The Teucrians sad felt not so great a woe, As those who wept, as those who did repeat Meliso's name, the shepherds, in the hour When of his death the tidings did them greet. DAMON. Their brows with fragrant varied flowers no more Did they adorn, with mellow voice no song Sang they of love as in the days of yore. Around their brows the mournful cypress clung, And in sad oft-repeated bitter moan They chanted lays of grief with sorrowing tongue. ELICIO. Wherefore, since we to-day once more have shown That we are mindful of our cruel wound, Shepherds, your sad and mournful chant intone! The bitter plight that fills with grief profound Our souls, is such that adamant will be The breast wherein no place for tears is found. LAUSO. Let countless tongues the soul of constancy Extol in song, the loyal breast he showed, Undaunted ever in adversity. Against the cruel disdain that ever glowed Within the wrathful breast of Phyllis sweet, Firm as a rock against the sea, he stood. THYRSIS. The verses he hath sung let all repeat, Let them, as tokens of his genius rare, In the world's memory find eternal seat. DAMON. Let Fame, that spreadeth tidings everywhere, Through lands that differ far from ours, his name With rapid steps and busy pinions bear. ELICIO. From his most chaste and love-enraptured flame Let the most wanton breast example take, And that which fire less perfect doth inflame.