Daphnis and Damoetas, two herdsmen of the golden age, meet by a well-
side, and sing a match, their topic is the Cyclops, Polyphemus, and
his love for the sea-nymph, Galatea.

The scene is in Sicily.

Damoetas, and Daphnis the herdsman, once on a time, Aratus, led the
flock together into one place. Golden was the down on the chin of
one, the beard of the other was half-grown, and by a well-head the
twain sat them down, in the summer noon, and thus they sang. 'Twas
Daphnis that began the singing, for the challenge had come from
Daphnis.

Daphnis's Song of the Cyclops.

Galatea is pelting thy flock with apples, Polyphemus, she says the
goatherd is a laggard lover! And thou dost not glance at her, oh
hard, hard that thou art, but still thou sittest at thy sweet piping.
Ah see, again, she is pelting thy dog, that follows thee to watch thy
sheep. He barks, as he looks into the brine, and now the beautiful
waves that softly plash reveal him, {36} as he runs upon the shore.
Take heed that he leap not on the maiden's limbs as she rises from
the salt water, see that he rend not her lovely body! Ah, thence
again, see, she is wantoning, light as dry thistle-down in the
scorching summer weather. She flies when thou art wooing her; when
thou woo'st not she pursues thee, she plays out all her game and
leaves her king unguarded. For truly to Love, Polyphemus, many a
time doth foul seem fair!

He ended and Damoetas touched a prelude to his sweet song.