Idyll 27

27. The Lovers' Talk Girl

Wise Helen was carried off by Paris, another cowherd.

Daphnis

Rather it was Helen who, of her own will, kissed the cowherd and kept him.

Girl

Do not boast, little satyr; an empty thing, they say, is a kiss.

Daphnis

Even in empty kisses there is a sweet delight.

Girl

I wash my mouth and spit away your kiss.

Daphnis

You wash your lips? Give them again, that I may kiss you.

Girl

It becomes you to kiss your heifers, not an unwedded girl.

Daphnis

Do not boast; for soon your youth passes by like a dream.

Girl

And if I grow somewhat old, I drink, no doubt, honey and milk for that.

Daphnis

. . .

Girl

The grape becomes a raisin, and the dried rose will not perish.

Daphnis

Come here, under the wild olives, that I may tell you a tale.

Girl

I will not; before now you beguiled me with a sweet tale.

Daphnis

Come here, under the elms, that you may hear my pipe.

Girl

Delight your own heart; nothing sad can please me.

Daphnis

Alas, alas, you too, girl, beware the wrath of the Paphian.

Girl

Farewell to the Paphian; only let Artemis be gracious to me.

Daphnis

Do not say it, lest she strike you and you fall into an inextricable net.

Girl

Let her strike as she will; Artemis again will help me.

Daphnis

You do not escape Love, whom no other maiden escaped.

Girl

I escape him, by Pan; but you ever bear his yoke.

Daphnis

I fear lest she give you to a worse man.

Girl

Many have wooed me, but none has won my heart.

Daphnis

I too come here, one of many, your suitor.

Girl

And what shall I do, friend? Marriages are full of troubles.

Daphnis

Marriage holds no pain, no grief, but dancing.

Girl

Yes, but they say women dread their husbands.

Daphnis

Rather they always rule them; whom do women dread?

Girl

I dread childbirth; harsh is the dart of Eileithyia.

Daphnis

But Artemis, your queen, eases the pangs of birth.

Girl

But I dread to bear a child, lest I lose my fair beauty too.

Daphnis

But if you bear dear children, you will see your sons as a new light.

Girl

And what wedding-gift do you bring me, worthy of marriage, if I consent?

Daphnis

All my herd you shall have, all the groves and the pasture.

Girl

Swear that you will not, when the wedding is done, leave me against my will and go.

Daphnis

By Pan himself, no, not even if you should wish to drive me off.

Girl

Will you build me bridal chambers, will you build a house and courtyards?

Daphnis

I will build you bridal chambers; and the fair flocks I tend.

Girl

But to my aged father, what tale shall I tell, what story?

Daphnis

He will approve your marriage, when he hears my name.

Girl

Tell me that name of yours; even a name often gives delight.

Daphnis

I am Daphnis, and Lycidas is my father, and my mother Nomaea.

Girl

You are of good birth; but I am no meaner than you.

Daphnis

I know, you are of the highest honor; and your father is Menalcas.

. . .