My Phyllis me with pelted apples plies; } Then tripping to the woods the wanton hies, } And wishes to be seen before she flies. } MENALCAS. But fair Amyntas comes unasked to me, } And offers love, and sits upon my knee. } Not Delia to my dogs is known so well as he. } DAMOETAS. To the dear mistress of my love-sick mind, Her swain a pretty present has designed: I saw two stock-doves billing, and ere long Will take the nest, and hers shall be the young. MENALCAS. Ten ruddy wildings in the wood I found, And stood on tip-toes, reaching from the ground: I sent Amyntas all my present store; And will, to-morrow, send as many more. The lovely maid lay panting in my arms, And all she said and did was full of charms. Winds! on your wings to heaven her accents bear; Such words as heaven alone is fit to hear. MENALCAS. Ah! what avails it me, my love's delight, To call you mine, when absent from my sight? I hold the nets, while you pursue the prey, And must not share the dangers of the day. DAMOETAS. I keep my birth-day; send my Phyllis home; At shearing-time, Iolas, you may come. MENALCAS. With Phyllis I am more in grace than you; } Her sorrow did my parting steps pursue: } "Adieu, my dear!" she said, "a long adieu!" } DAMOETAS. The nightly wolf is baneful to the fold, Storms to the wheat, to buds the bitter cold; But, from my frowning fair, more ills I find, Than from the wolves, and storms, and winter-wind. MENALCAS. The kids with pleasure browze the bushy plain; The showers are grateful to the swelling grain; To teeming ewes the sallow's tender tree; But, more than all the world, my love to me. DAMOETAS. Pollio my rural verse vouchsafes to read: A heifer, Muses, for your patron breed. MENALCAS. My Pollio writes himself:--a bull be bred, With spurning heels, and with a butting head. DAMOETAS. Who Pollio loves, and who his Muse admires, Let Pollio's fortune crown his full desires. Let myrrh instead of thorn his fences fill, And showers of honey from his oaks distil. MENALCAS.