IDYL XII. THE FRIEND. ART come, dear youth? Two days and nights away! In fleece the sheep her lamb; the maid in sweetness So much thy longed-for presence cheers my mind. The traveller, when from the heaven's reach To all hereafter times the theme of song! That either friend did in the other see A dearer than himself. They lived of old, O father Zeus! ageless Immortals all! This to my mind, and this good news deliver: To find thou never didst intend the pain, And, ye Megarians, at Nisæa dwelling, Th' Athenian Diocles, to friendship true, Ye celebrate. With the first blush of spring The youth surround his tomb: there who shall bring The sweetest kiss, whose lip is purest found, IDYL XIII. HYLAS. ARGUMENT. The poet describes the abduction of Hylas by the fountainnymphs. The youth attended Hercules, who was one of the worthies that accompanied Jason, when he sailed in the good ship Argo in quest of the golden fleece. When the vessel arrived at the territory of the Cianians, who dwelt on the shore of the Propontis; the band of heroes went ashore, and are described as messing there in pairs. Hylas was sent to bring water from a neighbouring fountain for Hercules and his messmate Telamon; but the nymphs of the fountain, becoming enamoured of him, drew him into it. The distraction of Hercules at his loss is described; and the other heroes at last sail away without him, stigmatising him as a ship-deserter. |