IDYL VIII. THE BUCOLIC SINGERS. ARGUMENT. The cowherd Daphnis and the shepherd Menalcas sing alternately.> A goatherd is the judge between them; he awards the prize to Daphnis. IDYL VIII. THE BUCOLIC SINGERS. DAPHNIS AND MENALCAS. MENALCAS met, while pasturing his sheep, Menalcas, with demeanour frank and free, Spoke first: "Good Daphnis, will you sing with me? I can out-sing you, whensoe'er I try, Just as I please." Then Daphnis made reply: DAPHNIS. Shepherd and piper! that may never be, H MENALCAS. Ah, will you see it, and a wager make? DAPHNIS. I will to see this, and to pledge a stake. MENALCAS. And what the wager, worthy fame like ours? DAPHNIS. A calf my pledge, a full-grown lamb be yours. MENALCAS. At night my cross-grained sire and mother use To count the sheep that pledge I must refuse. What shall it be then? DAPHNIS. What the victor's prize? MENALCAS. I'll pledge a nine-toned pipe, that even lies This will I pledge- and not my father's things. DAPHNIS. I, too, have got a pipe that nine-toned rings, But who shall judge which has the better skill? MENALCAS. Suppose we call that goatherd hither Yon white dog at his kids barks lustily. see! He came when called; and, hearing their request, Was willing to decide which sung the best. Each in his turn, but first Menalcas sung. MENALCAS. Ye mountain-vales and rivers! race divine! If aught Menalcas ever sung was sweet, Feed ye When Daphnis drives them to this dear retreat. these lambs; and feed no less his kine, |