Minor Latin poets; with introductions and English translations

CALPLRNIUS SK LLUS'ECLOGUE IVMeliboeus : Corydox : Amyntasvl.Corydon, why sit you silent with a visage that bodessomething ever and anon? Why sit you in anunwonted place, beneath this plane-tree at whoseroots brawl the prattling waters ? Maybe you likethe watery bank, where the breeze from the neighbouringstream assuages the heat of day ?'.lor long, Meliboeus, have I been pondering verses,\ rrses of no woodland ring but fit to celebrate theuolden age, to praise even that very god who issovereign over nations and cities and toga-clad peace.rl. Sweet of sound are your lays and 'tis not with colddisdain that Apollo looks upon you, young Corydonbut the divinities of mighty Rome are not to beextolled in the same style as the sheepfold ofMenalcas.'.Whate'er my song, though it seem boorish to acritic's ears and worthy of record only in my o\vtivillage, yet, as things are, my awkwardness, even iflacking in poetry's polish and skill, must surely winapproval for its loyalty. Beneath this same rockshaded by the nearest pine-tree, kindred strains tomine are composed by my brother Amyntas, whoseneighbouring years bring his time of birth nearto mine.i. Ah! do you not now stop the lad from joining hisIreeds in bonds of fragrant wax, as with a father-likefrown you often checked him when he tried to playon slender hemlock-stems ? Not once alone, Corydon,have I remarked you giving advice like this" Cf. I. 42 sqq.I 245