THE SIXTH PASTORAL

OR, SILENUS

THE ARGUMENT

Two young shepherds, Chromis and Mnasylus, having been often promis'd a song by Silenus, chance to catch him asleep in this pastoral; where they bind him hand and foot, and then claim his promise. Silenus, finding they would be put off no longer, begins his song, in which he describes the formation of the universe, and the original of animals, according to the Epicurean philosophy; and then runs thro' the most surprising transformations which have happen'd in Nature since her birth. This pastoral was design'd as a compliment to Syro the Epicurean, who instructed Virgil and Varus in the principles of that philosophy. Silenus acts as tutor, Chromis and Mnasylus as the two pupils.

I FIRST transferr'd to Rome Sicilian strains; Nor blush'd the Doric Muse to dwell on Mantuan plains.

But when I tried her tender voice, too young,

And fighting kings and bloody battles sung, Apollo check'd my pride, and bade me feed My fatt'ning flocks, nor dare beyond the

reed.

Admonish'd thus, while every pen prepares
To write thy praises, Varus, and thy wars,
My past'ral Muse her humble tribute brings,
And yet not wholly uninspir'd she sings. 10
For all who read, and, reading, not disdain
These rural poems, and their lowly strain,
The name of Varus oft inscrib'd shall see
In every grove, and every vocal tree,
And all the sylvan reign shall sing of
thee:

Thy name, to Phœbus and the Muses known,

Shall in the front of every page be shown; For he who sings thy praise secures his

BENEATH a holm repair'd two jolly swains (Their sheep and goats together graz'd the plains),

Both young Arcadians, both alike inspir'd To sing, and answer as the song requir'd. Daphnis, as umpire, took the middle seat, And fortune thether led my weary feet; For, while I fenc'd my myrtles from the cold, The father of my flock had wander'd from the fold.

Of Daphnis I enquir'd: he, smiling, said: "Dismiss your fear;" and pointed where he fed;

ΙΟ

"And, if no greater cares disturb your mind, Sit here with us, in covert of the wind. Your lowing heifers, of their own accord, At wat'ring time will seek the neighb'ring ford.

Here wanton Mincius winds along the meads, And shades his happy banks with bending reeds.

And see, from yon old oak that mates the skies,

How black the clouds of swarming bees arise."

What should I do! Nor was Alcippe nigh, Nor absent Phyllis could my care supply, 20 To house, and feed by hand my weaning

lambs,

And drain the strutting udders of their dams.

Great was the strife betwixt the singing

swains;

And I preferr'd my pleasure to my gains. Alternate rhyme the ready champions chose: These Corydon rehears'd, and Thyrsis those.

CORYDON

Ye Muses, ever fair, and ever young,
Assist my numbers, and inspire my song.
With all my Codrus, O inspire my breast!
For Codrus, after Phoebus, sings the best. 30
Or, if my wishes have presum'd too high,
And stretch'd their bounds beyond mortal-
ity,

The praise of artful numbers I resign,
And hang my pipe upon the sacred pine.

THYRSIS

Arcadian swains, your youthful poet crown With ivy wreaths; tho' surly Codrus frown: Or, if he blast my Muse with envious praise, Then fence my brows with amulets of bays, Lest his ill arts, or his malicious tongue, 39 Should poison, or bewitch my growing song.