Menalcas. The pipe, the fair pipe with nine stops, that I made
myself, fitted with white wax, and smoothed evenly, above as below.
This would I readily wager, but never will I stake aught that is my
father's.

Daphnis. See then, I too, in truth, have a pipe with nine stops,
fitted with white wax, and smoothed evenly, above as below. But
lately I put it together, and this finger still aches, where the reed
split, and cut it deeply.

Menalcas. But who is to judge between us, who will listen to our
singing?

Daphnis. That goatherd yonder, he will do, if we call him hither,
the man for whom that dog, a black hound with a white patch, is
barking among the kids.

Then the boys called aloud, and the goatherd gave ear, and came, and
the boys began to sing, and the goatherd was willing to be their
umpire. And first Menalcas sang (for he drew the lot) the sweet-
voiced Menalcas, and Daphnis took up the answering strain of pastoral
song--and 'twas thus Menalcas began:

Menalcas. Ye glades, ye rivers, issue of the Gods, if ever Menalcas
the flute-player sang a song ye loved, to please him, feed his lambs;
and if ever Daphnis come hither with his calves, nay he have no less
a boon.

Daphnis. Ye wells and pastures, sweet growth o' the world, if
Daphnis sings like the nightingales, do ye fatten this herd of his,