The Idyllia, Epigrams, and Fragments, of Theocritus, Bion, and Moschus with the Elegies of Tyrtaeus, Translated from the Greek into English Verse. To which are Added, Dissertations and Notes. By the Rev. Richard Polwhele |
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| IV. | IV. A VOW to PRIAPUS. |
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 | The Idyllia, Epigrams, and Fragments, of Theocritus, Bion, and Moschus |  |
IV. A VOW to PRIAPUS.
Haply thro' yonder Village if thou bendThy Footsteps, turn thee, Goatherd, by the Grove
Of wide o'er-arching Oaks: There, freshly wrought,
A fig-tree Statue thou wilt find; tho' rough
With Bark, three-legg'd, and void of Ears, yet prompt
For Pleasure's Pranks: While, near, a hallow'd Fane
Low rises; and a sweet perennial Spring
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Thro' bowering Laurel, Myrtles, and the Shrub
Of odour'd Cypress—where the clustering Vine
Diffuses many a Tendril. In these Shades
The vernal Blackbird warbles his clear Note
Yet varied; and the yellow Nightingale,
Responsive in a sweeter Murmur, trills
Her rival Minstrelsy. Amid this Scene
Repose; and to thy God Priapus pray,
That he will free my Bosom from the Power
Of cruel Daphne! So the bleeding Goat
Shall grace his Shrine! Yet haply, if I gain
The Virgin, these fair Victims will I slay—
A Goat, a spotless Heifer, and a Lamb
Fat from the Stall! Propitious may the God
Attend; and crown my Wishes, and thy Prayer!
| The Idyllia, Epigrams, and Fragments, of Theocritus, Bion, and Moschus | |