minstrels, but I am not so credulous; no, by Earth, for to my mind I
cannot as yet conquer in song that great Sicelidas--the Samian--nay,
nor yet Philetas. 'Tis a match of frog against cicala!'

So I spoke, to win my end, and the goatherd with his sweet laugh,
said, 'I give thee this staff, because thou art a sapling of Zeus,
and in thee is no guile. For as I hate your builders that try to
raise a house as high as the mountain summit of Oromedon, {40} so I
hate all birds of the Muses that vainly toil with their cackling
notes against the Minstrel of Chios! But come, Simichidas, without
more ado let us begin the pastoral song. And I--nay, see friend--if
it please thee at all, this ditty that I lately fashioned on the
mountain side!'

The Song of Lycidas.

Fair voyaging befall Ageanax to Mytilene, both when the Kids are
westering, and the south wind the wet waves chases, and when Orion
holds his feet above the Ocean! Fair voyaging betide him, if he
saves Lycidas from the fire of Aphrodite, for hot is the love that
consumes me.

The halcyons will lull the waves, and lull the deep, and the south
wind, and the east, that stirs the sea-weeds on the farthest shores,
{41} the halcyons that are dearest to the green-haired mermaids, of
all the birds that take their prey from the salt sea. Let all things
smile on Ageanax to Mytilene sailing, and may he come to a friendly
haven. And I, on that day, will go crowned with anise, or with a
rosy wreath, or a garland of white violets, and the fine wine of
Ptelea I will dip from the bowl as I lie by the fire, while one shall