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 |
The Idyllia, Epigrams, and Fragments, of Theocritus, Bion, and Moschus | ||
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IDYLLIUM the FIFTH. The CHOICE.
When o'er the blue Wave Zephyr blows,I cannot on the Land repose;
And when a Calm hath hush'd the Seas,
'Tis more inviting than the Breeze:
But when the foaming Waters roar,
And the long Surges lash the Shore;
To Earth I turn my eager Eye,
And from the billowy Thunder fly.
Then, more secure on Land, I hail
The Pine-tree, in the darksome Vale;
Tho', tossing to the Storm, it flings
Its Cones around, and wildly sings.
Sure, most of human Ills the Mark,
The Fisher lives, his House a Bark;
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The finny Race his fickle Spoil!
But O for me, how sweet to sleep
Beneath the Foliage cool and deep
Of a dim Plane, and soothe my Ear
With pebbly Rills, that tinkle near!
How sweet, by no pale Fear allay'd,
Such Pleasure in the rustic Shade!
The Idyllia, Epigrams, and Fragments, of Theocritus, Bion, and Moschus | ||