Moschus Poems

Alpheus, gliding by old Pisa's towers,
Deep in the sea his eager way pursues
With sacred dust, and olive-leaves, and flowers,
With which he hastens to his Arethuse.
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When on the wave the breeze soft kisses flings,
I rouse my fearful heart and long to be
Floating at leisure on the tranquil sea;
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His torch and quiver down sly Eros flung,
An ox-goad took in hand, a wallet slung,
Then yoked strong bulls and made the plough to train,
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When lately I offer'd Eunica to kiss,
She fleer'd and she flouted, and took it amiss;
'Be gone, you great Booby,' she cry'd, with a Frown,
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Cypris, when all but shone the dawn's glad beam,
To fair Europa sent a pleasant dream;
When sleep, upon the close-shut eyelids sitting,
Sweeter than honey, is eye-fetters knitting,
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Ye mountain valleys, pitifully groan!
Rivers and Dorian springs, for Bion weep!
Ye plants drop tears; ye groves, lamenting moan!
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Pan Echo loved; she loved the frisky Faun;
The Faun to Lyda by strong love was drawn;
As Echo Pan, the Faun did Echo burn,
And Lyda him; all felt in love in turn.
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When winds that move not its calm surface sweep
The azure sea, I love the land no more;
The smiles of the serene and tranquil deep
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Pan loved his neighbour Echo- but that child
Of Earth and Air pined for the Satyr leaping;
The Satyr loved with wasting madness wild
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Her Eros thus proclaimed the Cyprian Queen;-
'If any one has in the highway seen
My straying Eros, and reports to me
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