followed my herds upon the hillside, bright songs that Rumour,
perchance, has brought even to the throne of Zeus. But of them all
this is far the most excellent, wherewith I will begin to do thee
honour: nay listen as thou art dear to the Muses.'

The Song of Simichidas.

For Simichidas the Loves have sneezed, for truly the wretch loves
Myrto as dearly as goats love the spring. {43} But Aratus, far the
dearest of my friends, deep, deep his heart he keeps Desire,--and
Aratus's love is young! Aristis knows it, an honourable man, nay of
men the best, whom even Phoebus would permit to stand and sing lyre
in hand, by his tripods. Aristis knows how deeply love is burning
Aratus to the bone. Ah, Pan, thou lord of the beautiful plain of
Homole, bring, I pray thee, the darling of Aratus unbidden to his
arms, whosoe'er it be that he loves. If this thou dost, dear Pan,
then never may the boys of Arcady flog thy sides and shoulders with
stinging herbs, when scanty meats are left them on thine altar. But
if thou shouldst otherwise decree, then may all thy skin be frayed
and torn with thy nails, yea, and in nettles mayst thou couch! In
the hills of the Edonians mayst thou dwell in mid-winter time, by the
river Hebrus, close neighbour to the Polar star! But in summer mayst
thou range with the uttermost AEthiopians beneath the rock of the
Blemyes, whence Nile no more is seen.

And you, leave ye the sweet fountain of Hyetis and Byblis, and ye
that dwell in the steep home of golden Dione, ye Loves as rosy as red
apples, strike me with your arrows, the desired, the beloved; strike,
for that ill-starred one pities not my friend, my host! And yet
assuredly the pear is over-ripe, and the maidens cry 'alas, alas, thy