The THIRD ECLOGUE: Or, PA LÆM 0 N. English'd by Mr. Creech. Menalcas and Dametas upbraid each other with their faults; by and by they challenge one another, and pipe for a Wager. Palemon coming that way by chance, is chofen Fuage; he hears them pipe, but cannot determine the Controverfie. TE MENAL CAS. ELL me Dametas, tell whose Sheep these are? Agon's, for Egon gave 'em to my care. MENALE AS. Whilft he Neara Courts, but courts in vain, DAMETAS. No more of that, Menalcas. I could tell, MEN ALCAS. 'Twas then perhaps, when fome obferv'd the Clown Spoil Mico's Vines, and cut his Olives down. DAMETAS. Or rather when, where those old Beeches grow, But hopes of sweet revenge thy Life supply'd, What will not Mafter Shepherds dare to do, When you lay close, and fnapt rich Damon's Goat? I tell thee Shepherd, 'twas before my own, You pipe with him! thou never hadst a Pipe, And fhall we have a trial of our Skill! I'll lay this Heifer, 'twill be worth your while, I cannot ftake down any of my Flock, My Fold is little, and but small my Stock: My Stepdame curft, and they will find the lofs: } Within two Figures neatly carv'd appear, Alcimedon too made me two Beechen Pots, MENAL CAS. I'll pay thee off, I'm ready, come, let's try, Begin, I'll not refufe the skilful' Swain, PALA MO N.. Since we have chosen a convenient place, [Grafs, Since Woods are cloath'd with Leaves, the Fields with The Trees with Fruit, the Year seems fine and gay, Dametas first, then next Menalcas play, By turns, for Verfe the Mufes love by turns. DAMETAS. My Mufe begin with Jove, all's full of Jove,. And Phoebus mine: on Phoebus I'll beftow DAMETAS. Sly Galatea drives me o'er the Green, MEN ALCAS. But my Amyntas doth his Paffion tell, Our Dogs fcarce know my Delia half fo well. I'll have a Gift for Phyllis e'er 'tis long, MENAL CAS. I pluckt my Boy fine Pears, I fent him ten, 'Twas all I had, but foon I'll send again. DAMETAS. What things my Nymph did speak; what tales of Love! Winds bear their Musick to the Gods above. MENAL CAS.: What boot's it, Boy, you not contemn my Flame My Birth-day comes, fend Phyllis quickly home, MENAL CAS And I love Phyllis, for her Charms excel, Wolves ruin Flocks, Wind Trees, when newly blown MEN ALCAS. Dew fwells the Corn, Kids browz the tender Tree, The Goats love fallow; fair Amyntas me. DAMET AS. Mine Pollio loves, though 'tis a ruftick Song, Nay Pollio writes, and at the King's Command. Let Pollio have what e'er thy with provokes, He that loves Bavius Songs, may fancy thine, DAMET AS. Ye Boys that pluck the Beauties of the Spring, Beware the Stream, drive nor the Sheep too nigh, The Bank may fail, the Rain is hardly dry. DAMETAS. Kids from the River drive, and fling your Hook; Anon I'll wash them in the fhallow Brook. MENAL CAS. Drive to the Shades, when Milk is drain'd by heat, How lean my Bull is in my fruitful Field! Sure these feel ́none of Love's devouring flames, Tell me where Heaven is juft three Inches broad, And I'll believe thee Prophet, or a God. MENAL CAS. Tell me where Names of Kings in rifing Flowers I cannot judge which Youth does moft excel, But my work calls, let's break the meeting off, Boys fhut your ftreams, the Fields have drunk nough. KONKON |