10 When Winter thus in night no longer lours, Twelve noble virgins, blooming, young, and fair, 50 60 35. Thus Solomon's Song, ch. ii. ver. 11. Lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. 18. speaking of the Leviathan we read, His eyes are like the eye-lids of the Morning. conclusion of this Idyllium. As Theocritus lived looketh forth as the Morning, Solomon's Song, 37. The rising Morning, &c.] Who is she that at the polite court of Ptolemy Philadelphus, dur-ch, vi. ver. 10. and in the book of Job, ch. xli. ver. ing the time that the seventy interpreters resided there, he would probably, by reading their translation of the Old Testament, borrow some beautiful images from the Scriptures, conceived in oriental magnificence; a few specimens of these will be found in the notes on this Idyllium. 6. Thus Horace,―Junctque Nymphis Gratiæ decentes Here the marks of imitation appear very strong. 41. Pines the garden grace] Virgil has, Faxinus in sylvis pulcherrima, pinus in hortis. Ecl. 7. 65. 42. As steeds of Thessaly, &c.] Theocritus still Alterno terram quatiunt pede. B. 1. o. 4. seems to borrow from the royal author: I have 22. Cupid sneez'd, &c.] Sneezing was sometimes reckoned a lucky omen. See Potter's Archæo-in Pharaoh's chariots, Solomon's Song, ch. i. compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses logia, ch. 17, and Catullus de Acme et Septimio; ver. 9.-The original literally signifies, I have -Hoc ut dixit, Amor sinistram, ut ante compared thee to my mare, &c. Nor ought we to think the comparison coarse or vulgar, if we consider what beautiful and delicate creatures the eastern horses are, and how highly they are valued. See Percy on Solomon's Song. 53. A thousand little Loves, &c.] Thus Hero is described in Musæus, Dextram, sternuit approbationem. Then with a short repast relieve their toil, Pope. Εις δε τις Ηρες Οφθαλμος γελόων. κ 5. A. Ver. 64. When Hero smiles, a thousand Graces rise, Sport on her check, and revel in her eyes. F. F. 63. Flowers of lote] Miller says the leaves of the lote-tree, or nettle-tree, are like those of the nettle; the flower consists of five leaves, expanded in form of a rose, containing many short stamina in the bosom; the fruit, which is a roundish berry, grows single in the bosom of its leaves. Dr. Martyn says, it is more probable, that the lotus of the Lotophagi is what we call zizyphus or the jujubetree: the leaves of this are about au inch and But first from silver shells shall unguents flow, Bedew the spreading plane and all the flowers below: And on the rind we'll write, that all may see, Rise with the blushing morning, nor forget IDYLLIUM XIX*. THE HONEY-STEALER. ARGUMENT. plains to his mother, that so small an animal should inflict so great a wound; she immediately answers, that he himself is but little like a bee, yet the wounds he gives are grievous. As Cupid, the slyest young wanton alive, 70 Of its hoard of sweet honey was robbing a hive, The sentinel bee buzz'd with anger and grief, And darted his sting in the hand of the thief. He sobb'd, blew his fingers, stamp'd hard on the ground, 80 As Cupid is stealing honey from a bee-hive, he is stung by a bee; on which he runs and comhalf in length, and an inch in breadth, of a shin ing green colour, and serrated about the edges: the fruit is of the shape and size of olives, and the pulp of it has a sweet taste like honey; and therefore cannot be the nettle-tree, the fruit of which is far from that delicacy which is ascribed to the lotus of the ancients. See Martyn on the Geor. b. 2. 84. But the lotus here spoken of is most probably an herb, the same Homer describes in the Odyssey, b. 9, and which Eustathius takes to be an herb; he says, there is an Egyptian lotus which grows in great abundance along the Nile, in the time of its inundations. Prosper Alpinus, an author of good credit, who travelled into Egypt, assures us, that the Egyptian lotus does not at all differ from our great white water-lily. 67. The custom of writing on the bark of trees was very common among the ancients, thus Virgil; Certum est in sylvis, inter spelæa ferarum Malle pati, tenerisque meos incidere amores Arboribus: crescent illæ, crescetis amores. Ecl. 10. See Ovid in Oenone, Propertius, b. 1. Eleg. 18, &c. Nothing can be more beautifully pastoral than this inscription on the bark of the plane-tree, as also the simile at the 61st and 62d verses. 75. Mutual love inspire] 2uce spirabat amores. Hor. b. 4. O. 11. $1. Again we'll greet, &c.] The chorus of virrins here promise to return early in the morning, and sing the Carmen Eyiguxov. 82. O Hymen, &c.] Thus Catullus, Carm. Nup. Hymen, O Hymenæe, Hymen ades, O Hymenæe In this small poem Theocritus has copied the 40th ode of Anacreon, in every thing but the measure of his verse: the original of this is in hexameter, and therefore I thought it improper to give it Anacreontic numbers. I shall take the liberty And leaping in anguish show'd Venus the wound; IDYLLIUM XX*. EUNICA, OR THE NEATHERD. ARGUMENT. 10 A rough neatherd complains of the pride and insolence of a city girl, who refused to let him kiss her, and rallied his awkward figure: he appeals to the neighbouring shepherds, and asks them if he is not handsome; if his voice is not sweet, and his songs enchanting; and relates examples of goddesses that have been enamoured of herdsmen. In this Idyllium the poet is thought to be severe on those who with arrogance despise the sweetness and simplicity of bucolic mumbers. It is strange, that the commentators will not allow this piece to be styled a pastoral: surely it is bucolical enough. to insert a translation of the Teian bard's little poem, that the English reader may have the pleasure to see the manner in which the ancient poets copied their predecessors. Once as Cupid, tir'd with play, A rude bee, that slept unseen, Venus thus replied, and smil'd; "Dry those tears, for shame! my child; If a bee can wound so deep, Causing Cupid thus to weep, Think, O think, what cruel pains He that's stung by thee sustains!" *This Idyllium has by Daniel Heinsius, and other learned critics, been ascribed to Moschns, and for that reason I published a translation of it some time ago, along with a version of the other F. F. WHEN lately I offer'd Eunica to kiss, She ficer'd, and she flouted, and took it amiss; "Begone, you great booby," she cry'd with a frown, "Do you think that I long to be kiss'd by a clown? The sparks of the city my kis es esteem; You never shall kiss me, no, not in a dream. How pleasing your look! and how gently you play! How soft is your voice! and what fine things you say! So neat is your beard, and so comely your hair! Your hands are so white, and your lips, a sweet pair! 10 But on your dear person I never shall doat; Look'd proud of her charms, with an insolent sneer, 20 But, am I not handsome, ye shepherds, say true? Or has any god alter'd my person anew? beautiful pieces of that, and of four other Greek poets, viz. Anacreon, Sappho, Bion, and Musæus; but as in all probability Theocritus is the real author, I here insert it with several alterations and corrections, as I shall entirely omit it in the second edition of my work above mentioned, which will shortly be published; the first having been very favourably received by the public. 5. The sparks of the city, &c.] The Greek is, μεμάθηκε άτυχα χειλεα θλίβειν, Didici urbana labra terere, which Virgil seems to have had an eye to, when he says, Calamo trivisse labellum; on which Mr. Warton observes, there is a fondness in mentioning this circumstance of wearing his lip. The constant effect of playing on the fistula, which is used to this day in the Grecian islands, is making the lips thick and callous. Mr. Dawkins assured me he saw several shepherds with such lips. 13. View'd me all round] Virgil has something similar, Talia dicentem jamdudum aversa tuetur, Huc illuc volvens oculos, totumque pererrat Luminibus tacitis. An. b. 4. 362. 14. Thrice spit on the ground] The Greek is, τρις εις τον επτυξε κολπον, and should be rendered, She thrice spit into her bosom. Archbishop Potter observes, see Archæol. ch. 17, it was customary for the ancient Grecians to spit three times into their bosoms at the sight of a madman, or one troubled with an epilepsy; this they did in defiance, as it were, of the omen; for spitting was a sign of the greatest contempt and detestation, whence TTU, to spit, is put for to contemn. 22. Has any god alter'd, &c.] The poet here seems to allude to a passage in Homer's Odys. b. 13, where Minerva changes Ulysses into the figure of an old beggar. She spake, and touch'd him with her powerful wand: The skin shrunk up, and wither'd at her hand: My songs are enchanting; nor ought can exceed Refus'd my sweet kisses, and call'd me a clown. Ev'n Cybele mourn'd for a herdsman; and Jove 50 27. My lips, &c.] This is entirely taken from Solomon's Song, ch. iv. 11. Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb; honey and milk are under thy tongue. 40. And dead, &c.] See Bion's beautiful Idyllium on the death of Adonis. 41. Endymion] tibi, Luna, rubori. Latmius Endymion non est Ovid Art. Aman. 3. 85. 54. Always alone] Sappho, with the most elegant simplicity, complains, that she is deserted and left alone. ÍDYLLIUM XXI. THE FISHERMEN. ARGUMENT. This piece is a dialogue between two fishermen, which for its singular simplicity of sentiment, as well as character, is peculiarly beautiful and regular: one of them relates his dream, which was, that he had caught a large fish of solid gold, on which he resolves to follow his laborious occupation no longer, but live luxuriously: in the morning his fish and his hopes vanish, and necessity compels him to return to his accustomed labours. This Idyllium admonishes every one to rest content with his lot; and under the shadow of a golden dream, beautifully displays the vanity of all human hopes and desires. NEED, Diophantus, ready wit imparts, Is Labour's mistress, and the nurse of arts: 10 And nets of various sorts, and various snares, 1. Need, &c.] Thus Virgil, Tom variæ venêre artes: labor omnia vincit Then all those arts that polish life succeed; And Persius, Prol. Warton. None visited their shed, save, every tide, Joint labour rous'd the tenants of the shed. ASPHALION. I hold, my friend, that trite opinion wrong, FRIEND. Fair summer-seasons you unjustly blame, ASPHALION. Say, hast thou genius to interpret right 33. Fair summer-seasons, &c.] Here I entirely follow the emendation of Heinsius; the text stands thus: Ασφαλίων, μεμφη το καλόν θερος, ο γαρ ο καιρός, Asphalion, you accuse the fair summer; for that season never willingly passes its bounds: which is nonsense; but by transposing the first word of each verse, thus, Αυτομάτως μεμφη το καλόν θέρος, ο γαρ ο καιρός, In vain and without reason you accuse the fair summer, &c. 42. He's the best judge, &c.] This seems to be taken from that verse of Euripides, which we read in Plutarch, Μαντις δ' άριστος οςις εικαζει καλώς, Which Tully has thus translated, Qui bene conjecit, vatem perhibebo optumum. 46. Prytaneum] The Prytaneum was a commonhall in the cities of Greece, where those that had deserved well of their country were maintained at the public charge; where also the fire consecrated to Vulcan was kept, as that sacred to Vesta at Rome. Cicero de Orat. 1. 54, says, Ut ei victus quotidianus in Prytaneo, publice præberetur. If this be understood of the Prytaneum at Athens, Scaliger observes, that there is great impropriety in Sicilian fishermen mentioning places so far remote from the scene of their labours: but from what follows it appears, there was a place in the neighbourhood, very commodious for fishing, named Prytaneum, on which nocturnal lamps were FRIEND. To thy fast friend each circumstance recite, ASPHALION. FRIEND. Fear not, old friend; you took no oath, for why? Last evening, weary with the toils of day, anon Still do you teise me?" for he plagu'd me sore; 70 IDYLLIUM XXII*. CASTOR AND POLLUX. ARGUMENT. This is a hymn, after the manner of the ancient Arcadians, in praise of Castor and Pollux. The first part describes the combat between Pollux and Amycus, the son of Neptune and king of the Bebrycians, who, valuing himself on his superiority in strength and the art of boxing, used to compel every stranger, that touched upon his coast, to take up the cæstus, and make trial of his skill in the management of that rude instrument of death; for so it proved to many, till Pollux, who arrived there with the Argonauts, encountered him and conquered: Apollonius says, he slew him, but this is denied by other authors. *Virgil, in his description of the contest between Dares and Entellus, has borrowed some circumstances from this encounter between Amycus and Pollux, which shall be specified in their course: Apollonius Rhodius, in his second book of the Argonautics, has likewise described this last mentioned contest, but is, in the opinion of Casaubon, fixed, as was customary, for the convenience of fish-far surpassed by Theocritus; speaking of the first ing by night. Sannazarius was not ignorant of this custom, who in his second piscatory eclogue says, 80 Dumque alii notosque sinus, piscosaque circum While others on the well-known bay, 55. Suspended by my rod, &c.] Ovid has something similar, Nunc in mole sedens moderabar arundine linum. Met. b. 13. 923. 57. Sleeping we image, &c.] There is something very beautiful in what Ovid makes Sappho Bay to Phaon, Tu mihi cura, Phaon; te somnia nostra redu- part of this Idyllium, he says, Porro qui contule- Quantum lenta solent inter viburna cupressi. Warton. And yet Scaliger, in his dogmatical manner, gives the preference to Apollonius; Splendore et arte ab Apollonio Theocritus superatur. Poet. b. 5. c. 6, whose determination the ingenious translator of Virgil's Eclogues and Georgies has adopted; but I am inclined to think, that my friend Mr. Warton, who perhaps admires Apollonius more, and understands him better than any man in the kingdom, may be too partial to his favourite author: I shall not take upon me to decide in this point, but after the Epigrams of Theocritus, I propose to print a translation of the combat between Pollux and Amycus from Apollonius, which 1 hope will be acceptable to the curious reader, as it has never, that I know of, been translated into English; he will then have an opportunity of forming a comparison, and in some sort judging of the merits of the two originals: I profess, withany kind of partiality, I have endeavoured to do all the justice in my power to them both. It Geor. 4. 132. is to be observed, that Apollonius flourished in Which Mr. Pope has greatly improved upon, Oh night more pleasing than the brightest day, When fancy gives what absence takes away, And, dress'd in all its visionary charms, Restores my fair deserter to my arms! 77. Happy as a king, &c.] The expression in the original is remarkable, xgvow Bachy, to reign in riches; speaking of the happiness of the ⚫ld Corycian farmer, Virgil says, Regim æquabat opes animis. out |