Meliboeus, Eclogue VII

While Daphnis sate beneath a whispering shade, Thyrsis and Corydon together fed Their mingling flocks; his sheep with softest wool Were cloath'd, his goats of sweetest milk were full. Both in the beauteous spring of blooming youth, The worthy pride of blest Arcadia both; Each with like art his tuneful voice could raise, Each answer readily in rural lays; Hither the father of my flock had stray'd, While shelters I for my young myrtles made; Here I fair Daphnis saw; when me he spy'd, Come hither quickly, gentle youth! he cry'd. Your goat and kids are safe, O seek not those, But, if you've leisure, in this shade repose: Hither to water the full heifers tend, When lengthening shadows from the hills descend, Mincius with reeds here interweaves his bounds, And from that sacred oak a busy swarm resounds. What should I do? Nor was Alcippe there, Nor Phyllis, who might of my lambs take care; Yet to my business I their sports prefer. For the two swains with great ambition strove, Who best could tune his reed, or best could sing his love; Alternate verse their ready Muses chose, In verse alternate each quick fancy flows; These sang young Corydon, young Thyrsis those.