The idylliums of Moschus and Bion Translated from the Greek. With annotations. To which is prefixed, An Account of their Lives; with some Remarks on their Works; and some Observations upon Pastoral. By Mr. Cooke |
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 | The idylliums of Moschus and Bion |  |
82
Idyllium II.
[A youthful Swain, just taught to draw the Bow]
A youthful Swain, just taught to draw the Bow,
To gain Experience must a Fowling go;
Thirsty for Prey, he hurry'd to the Grove,
There on the Boughs he saw a wanton Love;
Rejoic'd he stopt, among the Leaves he gaz'd,
To see a Bird so large the Youth's amaz'd;
A Shaft he drew, begun his Bow to bend;
But see what Crosses all our Hopes attend!
The sportive Love, to carry on the Jest,
Nestled about, at last sat down to rest;
He draws, the Cupid let him take his Aim;
He then in Thought, almost possess'd the Game;
To rile the Youth, himself divert with Play,
The Wanton starts, and skips from Spray to Spray,
And baulks the Youngster of his hop'd-for Prey.
The Youth enrag'd, away his Arrows threw,
And straitway to the Swain, his Teacher, flew;
He told him all, then brought him to the Grove,
Shew'd him the Boughs, and pointed to the Love.
Soon as the aged Swain the Cupid spy'd,
He smiling shak'd his Head, at last he said:
To gain Experience must a Fowling go;
Thirsty for Prey, he hurry'd to the Grove,
There on the Boughs he saw a wanton Love;
Rejoic'd he stopt, among the Leaves he gaz'd,
To see a Bird so large the Youth's amaz'd;
A Shaft he drew, begun his Bow to bend;
But see what Crosses all our Hopes attend!
The sportive Love, to carry on the Jest,
Nestled about, at last sat down to rest;
He draws, the Cupid let him take his Aim;
He then in Thought, almost possess'd the Game;
To rile the Youth, himself divert with Play,
The Wanton starts, and skips from Spray to Spray,
And baulks the Youngster of his hop'd-for Prey.
83
And straitway to the Swain, his Teacher, flew;
He told him all, then brought him to the Grove,
Shew'd him the Boughs, and pointed to the Love.
Soon as the aged Swain the Cupid spy'd,
He smiling shak'd his Head, at last he said:
Cease your Pursuit, and here no longer stay;
Be gone, for 'tis an evil Beast you see;
Oh! happy you, depriv'd of such a Prey.
Should you approach him near, altho' he fled,
He'd quickly you assault, and nestle on your Head.
Be gone, for 'tis an evil Beast you see;
Oh! happy you, depriv'd of such a Prey.
Should you approach him near, altho' he fled,
He'd quickly you assault, and nestle on your Head.
| The idylliums of Moschus and Bion | |