User4/draft/Virgil the second eclogue - Revision history

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User4 at 17:22, 4 April 2016

2016-04-04T17:22:59Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:22, 4 April 2016
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	Below is a modern, free translation that captures the spirit of the poem, rather than the letter. This translator sees the Second Eclogue as a gentle satire of boylove (or rather homosexuality). For him, the very over-the-top style of the poem comments on the doomed nature of Corydon's feelings. Boylove, in this view, is always adolescent: passionate, slightly funny, and wildly romantic.</font></p><p>		Below is a modern, free translation that captures the spirit of the poem, rather than the letter. This translator sees the Second Eclogue as a gentle satire of boylove (or rather homosexuality). For him, the very over-the-top style of the poem comments on the doomed nature of Corydon's feelings. Boylove, in this view, is always adolescent: passionate, slightly funny, and wildly romantic.</font></p><p>

	</p~~><hr align="left" size="3"><p>~~		<p>

	~~<font size="4"~~>

	The beautiful shepherd, Corydon <i>ardebat</i> -- <br>		The beautiful shepherd, Corydon <i>ardebat</i> -- <br>
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	Corydon goes alone to a dense beech grove,<br>		Corydon goes alone to a dense beech grove,<br>
	and there in the soothing umbrousness complains<br>		and there in the soothing umbrousness complains<br>
	in shreds of song...</font></p><p>~~<font size="4">~~		in shreds of song...</font></p><p>


	: It is passive, even reflexive,<br>		: It is passive, even reflexive,<br>
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	Nothing can come of them but shreds of song,<br>		Nothing can come of them but shreds of song,<br>
	to which there may be the useless elegance<br>		to which there may be the useless elegance<br>
	that all of us try for.</font></p><p>~~<font size="4">~~		that all of us try for.</font></p><p>


	: Certainly you remember<br>		: Certainly you remember<br>
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	feelings you had, suddenly there in the language<br>		feelings you had, suddenly there in the language<br>
	and real in a way you had never known before.<br>		and real in a way you had never known before.<br>

	Most men outgrow it as soon as they learn that women<br>		Most men outgrow it as soon as they learn that women<br>
	don't need the poems, don't even want them much.<br>		don't need the poems, don't even want them much.<br>
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	that women translate to mean whatever they like.<br>		that women translate to mean whatever they like.<br>
	And men, being practical, give up what doesn't work.<br>		And men, being practical, give up what doesn't work.<br>
	Most do.</font></p><p>~~<font size="4">~~		Most do.</font></p><p>


	: But some of us keep it up,<br>		: But some of us keep it up,<br>
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	the songs, the sound of one's own raised voice<br>		the songs, the sound of one's own raised voice<br>
	will do, sometimes. Perhaps you have to be crazy,<br>		will do, sometimes. Perhaps you have to be crazy,<br>
	or queer, or maybe just young.</font></p><p~~><font size="4"~~>		or queer, or maybe just young.</font></p><p>

	: But at the end<br>
			But at the end<br>
	he leaves the grove, goes back to his unpruned vines,<br>		he leaves the grove, goes back to his unpruned vines,<br>
	and tells himself that there will be others to love.<br>		and tells himself that there will be others to love.<br>
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	grow, tower like Corydon's beech grove.<br>		grow, tower like Corydon's beech grove.<br>
	It's not what the beeches are for, but what's the harm.<br>		It's not what the beeches are for, but what's the harm.<br>
	Those initials tourists make never kill the trees.</font></p><p~~><font size="4"~~>		Those initials tourists make never kill the trees.</font></p><p>

	</font>		</font>
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	<a name="virgil">Virgil</a> -- The Second Eclogue</center></h2><p>		<a name="virgil">Virgil</a> -- The Second Eclogue</center></h2><p>

			==literal translation==



	</p><ul>		</p><ul>

User4 at 17:19, 4 April 2016

2016-04-04T17:19:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:19, 4 April 2016
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	Virgil, The Second Eclogue<p>		Virgil, The Second Eclogue<p>
	~~<font color="GREEN">~~See a [~~the following~~ for a] literal translation ~~here</a>~~ of this poem about Corydon's love for the boy Alexis, from the year 42 B.C.</font></p><p><font color="GREEN">		See [what follows this for a] literal translation of this poem about Corydon's love for the boy Alexis, from the year 42 B.C.</font></p><p><font color="GREEN">
	Below is a modern, free translation that captures the spirit of the poem, rather than the letter. This translator sees the Second Eclogue as a gentle satire of boylove (or rather homosexuality). For him, the very over-the-top style of the poem comments on the doomed nature of Corydon's feelings. Boylove, in this view, is always adolescent: passionate, slightly funny, and wildly romantic.</font></p><p>		Below is a modern, free translation that captures the spirit of the poem, rather than the letter. This translator sees the Second Eclogue as a gentle satire of boylove (or rather homosexuality). For him, the very over-the-top style of the poem comments on the doomed nature of Corydon's feelings. Boylove, in this view, is always adolescent: passionate, slightly funny, and wildly romantic.</font></p><p>

User4 at 17:18, 4 April 2016

2016-04-04T17:18:50Z

User4: Created page with " Virgil, The Second Eclogue
See a [the following for a] literal translation here of this poem about Corydon's love for the boy Alexis, from the year..."

2016-04-04T17:17:43Z

Created page with " Virgil, The Second Eclogue See a [the following for a] literal translation here</a> of this poem about Corydon's love for the boy Alexis, from the year..."

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Virgil, The Second Eclogue
See a [the following for a] literal translation here</a> of this poem about Corydon's love for the boy Alexis, from the year 42 B.C.
Below is a modern, free translation that captures the spirit of the poem, rather than the letter. This translator sees the Second Eclogue as a gentle satire of boylove (or rather homosexuality). For him, the very over-the-top style of the poem comments on the doomed nature of Corydon's feelings. Boylove, in this view, is always adolescent: passionate, slightly funny, and wildly romantic.

<hr align="left" size="3">



The beautiful shepherd, Corydon ardebat -- 
ardently loved. "Ardeo here acquires 
a transitive signification and takes the accusative." 
But does it? There is nothing transitive there. 
Corydon loves Alexis, a gorgeous boy 
who belongs to his master, a plaything, a delice... 
Corydon goes alone to a dense beech grove, 
and there in the soothing umbrousness complains 
in shreds of song...

It is passive, even reflexive, 
as all these homosexual passions are. 
Nothing can come of them but shreds of song, 
to which there may be the useless elegance 
that all of us try for.

Certainly you remember 
your first love, or your second, and all the poems 
you wrote, you read, you copied out, the intense 
feelings you had, suddenly there in the language 
and real in a way you had never known before. 
Most men outgrow it as soon as they learn that women 
don't need the poems, don't even want them much. 
Silence will do, or a kind of opaque speech 
that women translate to mean whatever they like. 
And men, being practical, give up what doesn't work. 
Most do.

But some of us keep it up, 
not to seduce girls, but to hang on 
to that intensity, that feeling of bursting 
with the ponderous importance of being young. 
It doesn't work, but there is Corydon, 
alone in the grove, the shadows soft as beds, 
singing the pieces of song that come to mind 
as if one kind of beauty had something to do 
with other kinds -- unkind Alexis' kind. 
And there is some relation. The grove, the air, 
the songs, the sound of one's own raised voice 
will do, sometimes. Perhaps you have to be crazy, 
or queer, or maybe just young.

But at the end 
he leaves the grove, goes back to his unpruned vines, 
and tells himself that there will be others to love. 
It's laughable, of course, a faggot joke... 
But nobody laughs. We have all hid in our rooms, 
reading Blake and Keats, or early Yeats, 
laundering our emotions in poetry, 
or wallowing in poems, hoping to drown. 
And out of that human humus, poems sprout, 
grow, tower like Corydon's beech grove. 
It's not what the beeches are for, but what's the harm. 
Those initials tourists make never kill the trees.



Translated by David Slavitt (Baltimore, 1971).

<a name="virgil">Virgil</a> -- The Second Eclogue</center></h2>

<ul>

<li>Virgil, The Second Eclogue
This poem about Corydon's love for the boy Alexis was written by the Roman poet Virgil (in Latin) in the year 42 B.C., two years after the death of Julius Caesar. Virgil wrote ten Eclogues, or "Selections"; this is the second in the book.

Below is a literal translation of the Latin. Also see <a href="virgil2.html">this free translation</a>, which evokes the spirit of the poem but in modern language.

After the brief introduction, Corydon talks to Alexis as though he were present, appealing, admonishing, and, as he thinks, enticing...

<hr align="left" size="3">

FORMOSUM PASTOR CORYDON ARDEBAT ALEXIM...

The shepherd Corydon burned with love for the beautiful Alexis! 
his master's favorite, and he knew he had no hope. 
Only, he used to walk each day among the dense 
Shady-topped beeches. There, alone, in empty longing, 
He hurled these artless words at hills and woods:

"O cruel Alexis, have you no time for my songs? 
No pity for me? You'll be the death of me at last. 
Now even the cattle cast about for cool and shade, 
Now even green lizards hide among the hawthorn brakes 
And Thestylis, for reapers faint from the fierce heat, 
Is crushing pungent pot-herbs, garlic and wild thyme. 
But I, while vineyards buzz with the cicadas' scream, 
Retrace your steps, alone, beneath the burning sun. 
Had I not better wait for the wrath of Amaryllis, 
Her high-and-mighty moods? Better endure Menalcas, 
However black he were and you however blond?

O lovely boy, don't trust complexion too much: 
White privet flowers fall, black hyacinths are picked. 
You scorn me, Alexis, you don't even ask about me, 
How rich in flocks, how wealthy in snowy milk. 
My thousand ewe-lambs range the hills of Sicily; 
Come frost, come summer, never do I lack fresh milk. 
I play the tunes Amphion used, when he called cattle, 
Dircean Amphion on Actean Aracynthus.

I'm not that ugly: on the beach I saw myself 
Lately when sea stood wind-becalmed. With you as judge 
I'd not be scared of Daphnis, if mirrors tell the truth. 
O if you'd only fancy life with me in country 
Squalor, in a humble hut, and shooting fallow deer, 
And shepherding a flock of kids with green hibiscus! 
Piping beside me in the woods you'll mimic Pan 
(Pan pioneered the fixing fast of several reeds 
With beeswax; sheep are in Pan's care, head-shepherds too); 
You'd not be sorry when the reed calloused your lip: 
What pains Amyntas took to master this same art!

I have a pipe composed of seven unequal stems 
Of hemlock, which Damoetas gave me when he died, 
A while ago, and said, "Now now you are its second master," 
Damoetas said; Amyntas envied me, the fool. 
Two chamois kids, besides, I found in a steep valley 
Their hides are dappled even now with white; they drain 
One ewe's udder each a day; I'm keeping them for you, 
Though Thestylis has long desired to take them from me; 
She'll do it too, since you regard my gifts as crude!

Come here, O lovely boy: for you the nymphs bring lilies, 
Look, in baskets full; for you the fair naiad, 
plucking pale violets and poppy heads, combines 
Narcissus with them, and the flower of fragrant dill; 
Then, weaving marjoram in, and other pleasant herbs, 
Colors soft hyacinths with yellow marigold.

Myself, I'll pick the grey-white apples with tender down, 
And chestnuts, which my Amaryllis used to love; 
I'll add the waxy plum (this fruit too shall be honored), 
And I'll pluck you, O laurels, and you, neighbor myrtle, 
For so arranged you mingle pleasant fragrances.

Corydon, you're a yokel. Alexis scorns your gifts. 
Nor could you beat Iollas in a giving-match. 
Alas, what I have I done, poor lunatic, unleashing 
Auster on flower-beds and wild boar on clear springs!

Ah, you are mad to leave me. Gods have dwelt in woods, 
Trojan Paris too. Pallas can keep her cities, 
But let the woods beyond all else please you and me! 
Grim lions pursue the wolf, wolves in their turn the goat, 
Mischievous goats pursue the flowering lucerne --

-- and Corydon, you pursue Alexis -- each at pleasure's pull. 
Look, oxen now bring home their yoke-suspended plows, 
And the sun, going down, doubles growing shadows; 
But I burn in love's fire: can one set boundaries to love?

Ah, Corydon, Corydon, what madness mastered you! 
You've left a vine half-pruned upon a leafy elm: 
Why not at least prepare to weave of twigs and supple rushes 
Something practical you need? 
You will find another Alexis, if this one scorns you."

--Trans. Guy Lee (with some changes by myself).

</li></ul>

(Roger Peyrefitte, in his autobiographical "Our Love", tells how he and his twelve-year-old lover made the first line of this poem their motto: "Formosum pastor Corydon ardebat Alexim", "the shepherd Corydon burned with love for the beautiful Alexis". (That was back in the '60s, when French schoolchildren still had to learn Latin in schools. As long as they teach poems like this, I'd have no problem with them reintroducing Latin for boys in the United States!)
On that note, <a href="ourlove.html">here's</a> a selection from that book...)

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:30, 4 April 2016
Line 2:		Line 2:
	Virgil, The Second Eclogue		Virgil, The Second Eclogue

	See [what follows this for a] literal translation of this poem about Corydon's love for the boy Alexis, from the year 42 B.C.<p>		See [what follows this for a] literal translation of this poem about Corydon's love for the boy Alexis, from the year 42 B.C.</p><p>

	Below is a modern, free translation that captures the spirit of the poem, rather than the letter. This translator sees the Second Eclogue as a gentle satire of boylove (or rather homosexuality). For him, the very over-the-top style of the poem comments on the doomed nature of Corydon's feelings. Boylove, in this view, is always adolescent: passionate, slightly funny, and wildly romantic.<p>		Below is a modern, free translation that captures the spirit of the poem, rather than the letter. This translator sees the Second Eclogue as a gentle satire of boylove (or rather homosexuality). For him, the very over-the-top style of the poem comments on the doomed nature of Corydon's feelings. Boylove, in this view, is always adolescent: passionate, slightly funny, and wildly romantic.</p><p>

	The beautiful shepherd, Corydon <i>ardebat</i> -- <br>		The beautiful shepherd, Corydon <i>ardebat</i> -- <br>
Line 68:		Line 68:


	<i>Translated by David Slavitt (Baltimore, 1971).</i><p>		<i>Translated by David Slavitt (Baltimore, 1971).</i></p><p>

	<a name="virgil">Virgil</a> -- The Second Eclogue</center></h2><p>		<a name="virgil">Virgil</a> -- The Second Eclogue</center></h2></p><p>

	==literal translation==		==literal translation==
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	Virgil, The Second Eclogue		Virgil, The Second Eclogue

	This poem about Corydon's love for the boy Alexis was written by the Roman poet Virgil (in Latin) in the year 42 B.C., two years after the death of Julius Caesar. Virgil wrote ten Eclogues, or "Selections"; this is the second in the book.<p>		This poem about Corydon's love for the boy Alexis was written by the Roman poet Virgil (in Latin) in the year 42 B.C., two years after the death of Julius Caesar. Virgil wrote ten Eclogues, or "Selections"; this is the second in the book.</p><p>

	Below is a <b>literal translation</b> of the Latin. Also see <a href="virgil2.html"><b>this free translation</b></a>, which evokes the spirit of the poem but in modern language.<p>		Below is a <b>literal translation</b> of the Latin. Also see <a href="virgil2.html"><b>this free translation</b></a>, which evokes the spirit of the poem but in modern language.</p><p>


	<i>After the brief introduction, Corydon talks to Alexis as though he were present, appealing, admonishing, and, as he thinks, enticing...</i><p>		<i>After the brief introduction, Corydon talks to Alexis as though he were present, appealing, admonishing, and, as he thinks, enticing...</i></p><p>


	FORMOSUM PASTOR CORYDON ARDEBAT ALEXIM...<p>		FORMOSUM PASTOR CORYDON ARDEBAT ALEXIM...</p><p>

	The shepherd Corydon burned with love for the beautiful Alexis!<br>		The shepherd Corydon burned with love for the beautiful Alexis!<br>
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	Only, he used to walk each day among the dense<br>		Only, he used to walk each day among the dense<br>
	Shady-topped beeches. There, alone, in empty longing,<br>		Shady-topped beeches. There, alone, in empty longing,<br>
	He hurled these artless words at hills and woods:<p>		He hurled these artless words at hills and woods:</p><p>

	"O cruel Alexis, have you no time for my songs?<br>		"O cruel Alexis, have you no time for my songs?<br>
Line 104:		Line 104:
	Had I not better wait for the wrath of Amaryllis,<br>		Had I not better wait for the wrath of Amaryllis,<br>
	Her high-and-mighty moods? Better endure Menalcas,<br>		Her high-and-mighty moods? Better endure Menalcas,<br>
	However black he were and you however blond?<p>		However black he were and you however blond?</p><p>

	O lovely boy, don't trust complexion too much:<br>		O lovely boy, don't trust complexion too much:<br>
Line 113:		Line 113:
	Come frost, come summer, never do I lack fresh milk.<br>		Come frost, come summer, never do I lack fresh milk.<br>
	I play the tunes Amphion used, when he called cattle,<br>		I play the tunes Amphion used, when he called cattle,<br>
	Dircean Amphion on Actean Aracynthus.<p>		Dircean Amphion on Actean Aracynthus.</p><p>

	I'm not that ugly: on the beach I saw myself<br>		I'm not that ugly: on the beach I saw myself<br>
Line 125:		Line 125:
	With beeswax; sheep are in Pan's care, head-shepherds too);<br>		With beeswax; sheep are in Pan's care, head-shepherds too);<br>
	You'd not be sorry when the reed calloused your lip:<br>		You'd not be sorry when the reed calloused your lip:<br>
	What pains Amyntas took to master this same art!<p>		What pains Amyntas took to master this same art!</p><p>

	I have a pipe composed of seven unequal stems<br>		I have a pipe composed of seven unequal stems<br>
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	One ewe's udder each a day; I'm keeping them for you,<br>		One ewe's udder each a day; I'm keeping them for you,<br>
	Though Thestylis has long desired to take them from me;<br>		Though Thestylis has long desired to take them from me;<br>
	She'll do it too, since you regard my gifts as crude!<p>		She'll do it too, since you regard my gifts as crude!</p><p>

	Come here, O lovely boy: for you the nymphs bring lilies,<br>		Come here, O lovely boy: for you the nymphs bring lilies,<br>
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	Narcissus with them, and the flower of fragrant dill;<br>		Narcissus with them, and the flower of fragrant dill;<br>
	Then, weaving marjoram in, and other pleasant herbs,<br>		Then, weaving marjoram in, and other pleasant herbs,<br>
	Colors soft hyacinths with yellow marigold.<p>		Colors soft hyacinths with yellow marigold.</p><p>

	Myself, I'll pick the grey-white apples with tender down,<br>		Myself, I'll pick the grey-white apples with tender down,<br>
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	I'll add the waxy plum (this fruit too shall be honored),<br>		I'll add the waxy plum (this fruit too shall be honored),<br>
	And I'll pluck you, O laurels, and you, neighbor myrtle,<br>		And I'll pluck you, O laurels, and you, neighbor myrtle,<br>
	For so arranged you mingle pleasant fragrances.<p>		For so arranged you mingle pleasant fragrances.</p><p>

	Corydon, you're a yokel. Alexis scorns your gifts.<br>		Corydon, you're a yokel. Alexis scorns your gifts.<br>
	Nor could you beat Iollas in a giving-match.<br>		Nor could you beat Iollas in a giving-match.<br>
	Alas, what I have I done, poor lunatic, unleashing<br>		Alas, what I have I done, poor lunatic, unleashing<br>
	Auster on flower-beds and wild boar on clear springs!<p>		Auster on flower-beds and wild boar on clear springs!</p><p>

	Ah, you are mad to leave me. Gods have dwelt in woods,<br>		Ah, you are mad to leave me. Gods have dwelt in woods,<br>
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	But let the woods beyond all else please you and me!<br>		But let the woods beyond all else please you and me!<br>
	Grim lions pursue the wolf, wolves in their turn the goat,<br>		Grim lions pursue the wolf, wolves in their turn the goat,<br>
	Mischievous goats pursue the flowering lucerne --<p>		Mischievous goats pursue the flowering lucerne --</p><p>

	-- and Corydon, you pursue Alexis -- each at pleasure's pull.<br>		-- and Corydon, you pursue Alexis -- each at pleasure's pull.<br>
	Look, oxen now bring home their yoke-suspended plows,<br>		Look, oxen now bring home their yoke-suspended plows,<br>
	And the sun, going down, doubles growing shadows;<br>		And the sun, going down, doubles growing shadows;<br>
	But I burn in love's fire: can one set boundaries to love?<p>		But I burn in love's fire: can one set boundaries to love?</p><p>

	Ah, Corydon, Corydon, what madness mastered you!<br>		Ah, Corydon, Corydon, what madness mastered you!<br>
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	Why not at least prepare to weave of twigs and supple rushes<br>		Why not at least prepare to weave of twigs and supple rushes<br>
	Something practical you need?<br>		Something practical you need?<br>
	You will find another Alexis, if this one scorns you."<p>		You will find another Alexis, if this one scorns you."</p><p>

	<i>--Trans. Guy Lee (with some changes by myself).</i><p>		<i>--Trans. Guy Lee (with some changes by myself).</i></p><p>

	(Roger Peyrefitte, in his autobiographical "Our Love", tells how he and his twelve-year-old lover made the first line of this poem their motto: "Formosum pastor Corydon ardebat Alexim", "the shepherd Corydon burned with love for the beautiful Alexis". (That was back in the '60s, when French schoolchildren still had to learn Latin in schools. As long as they teach poems like this, I'd have no problem with them reintroducing Latin for boys in the United States!)<p>		(Roger Peyrefitte, in his autobiographical "Our Love", tells how he and his twelve-year-old lover made the first line of this poem their motto: "Formosum pastor Corydon ardebat Alexim", "the shepherd Corydon burned with love for the beautiful Alexis". (That was back in the '60s, when French schoolchildren still had to learn Latin in schools. As long as they teach poems like this, I'd have no problem with them reintroducing Latin for boys in the United States!)</p><p>

	On that note, <a href="ourlove.html">here's</a> a selection from that book...)</p>		On that note, <a href="ourlove.html">here's</a> a selection from that book...)</p>

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:28, 4 April 2016
Line 1:		Line 1:

	Virgil, The Second Eclogue~~<p>~~		Virgil, The Second Eclogue
	~~See [what follows this for a] literal translation of this poem about Corydon's love for the boy Alexis, from the year 42 B.C.~~

	Below is a modern, free translation that captures the spirit of the poem, rather than the letter. This translator sees the Second Eclogue as a gentle satire of boylove (or rather homosexuality). For him, the very over-the-top style of the poem comments on the doomed nature of Corydon's feelings. Boylove, in this view, is always adolescent: passionate, slightly funny, and wildly romantic.		See [what follows this for a] literal translation of this poem about Corydon's love for the boy Alexis, from the year 42 B.C.<p>

			Below is a modern, free translation that captures the spirit of the poem, rather than the letter. This translator sees the Second Eclogue as a gentle satire of boylove (or rather homosexuality). For him, the very over-the-top style of the poem comments on the doomed nature of Corydon's feelings. Boylove, in this view, is always adolescent: passionate, slightly funny, and wildly romantic.<p>

	The beautiful shepherd, Corydon <i>ardebat</i> -- <br>		The beautiful shepherd, Corydon <i>ardebat</i> -- <br>
Line 67:		Line 68:


	<i>Translated by David Slavitt (Baltimore, 1971).</i>		<i>Translated by David Slavitt (Baltimore, 1971).</i><p>

	<a name="virgil">Virgil</a> -- The Second Eclogue</center></h2><p>		<a name="virgil">Virgil</a> -- The Second Eclogue</center></h2><p>
Line 75:		Line 76:
	</p><ul>		</p><ul>

	~~<li>~~Virgil, The Second Eclogue~~<p>~~		Virgil, The Second Eclogue
	<font color="GREEN">This poem about Corydon's love for the boy Alexis was written by the Roman poet Virgil (in Latin) in the year 42 B.C., two years after the death of Julius Caesar. Virgil wrote ten Eclogues, or "Selections"; this is the second in the book.

	~~Below is a <b>literal translation</b> of~~ the Latin. ~~Also see <a href="virgil2~~.~~html"><b>this free translation</b></a>~~, ~~which evokes~~ the ~~spirit~~ of the ~~poem but~~ in ~~modern language~~.		This poem about Corydon's love for the boy Alexis was written by the Roman poet Virgil (in Latin) in the year 42 B.C., two years after the death of Julius Caesar. Virgil wrote ten Eclogues, or "Selections"; this is the second in the book.<p>

			Below is a <b>literal translation</b> of the Latin. Also see <a href="virgil2.html"><b>this free translation</b></a>, which evokes the spirit of the poem but in modern language.<p>

	~~<i>After the brief introduction, Corydon talks to Alexis as though he were present, appealing, admonishing, and, as he thinks, enticing...</i>~~

			<i>After the brief introduction, Corydon talks to Alexis as though he were present, appealing, admonishing, and, as he thinks, enticing...</i><p>

	FORMOSUM PASTOR CORYDON ARDEBAT ALEXIM...
			FORMOSUM PASTOR CORYDON ARDEBAT ALEXIM...<p>

	The shepherd Corydon burned with love for the beautiful Alexis!<br>		The shepherd Corydon burned with love for the beautiful Alexis!<br>
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	Only, he used to walk each day among the dense<br>		Only, he used to walk each day among the dense<br>
	Shady-topped beeches. There, alone, in empty longing,<br>		Shady-topped beeches. There, alone, in empty longing,<br>
	He hurled these artless words at hills and woods:		He hurled these artless words at hills and woods:<p>

	"O cruel Alexis, have you no time for my songs?<br>		"O cruel Alexis, have you no time for my songs?<br>
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	Had I not better wait for the wrath of Amaryllis,<br>		Had I not better wait for the wrath of Amaryllis,<br>
	Her high-and-mighty moods? Better endure Menalcas,<br>		Her high-and-mighty moods? Better endure Menalcas,<br>
	However black he were and you however blond?		However black he were and you however blond?<p>

	O lovely boy, don't trust complexion too much:<br>		O lovely boy, don't trust complexion too much:<br>
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	Come frost, come summer, never do I lack fresh milk.<br>		Come frost, come summer, never do I lack fresh milk.<br>
	I play the tunes Amphion used, when he called cattle,<br>		I play the tunes Amphion used, when he called cattle,<br>
	Dircean Amphion on Actean Aracynthus.		Dircean Amphion on Actean Aracynthus.<p>

	I'm not that ugly: on the beach I saw myself<br>		I'm not that ugly: on the beach I saw myself<br>
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	With beeswax; sheep are in Pan's care, head-shepherds too);<br>		With beeswax; sheep are in Pan's care, head-shepherds too);<br>
	You'd not be sorry when the reed calloused your lip:<br>		You'd not be sorry when the reed calloused your lip:<br>
	What pains Amyntas took to master this same art!		What pains Amyntas took to master this same art!<p>

	I have a pipe composed of seven unequal stems<br>		I have a pipe composed of seven unequal stems<br>
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	One ewe's udder each a day; I'm keeping them for you,<br>		One ewe's udder each a day; I'm keeping them for you,<br>
	Though Thestylis has long desired to take them from me;<br>		Though Thestylis has long desired to take them from me;<br>
	She'll do it too, since you regard my gifts as crude!		She'll do it too, since you regard my gifts as crude!<p>

	Come here, O lovely boy: for you the nymphs bring lilies,<br>		Come here, O lovely boy: for you the nymphs bring lilies,<br>
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	Narcissus with them, and the flower of fragrant dill;<br>		Narcissus with them, and the flower of fragrant dill;<br>
	Then, weaving marjoram in, and other pleasant herbs,<br>		Then, weaving marjoram in, and other pleasant herbs,<br>
	Colors soft hyacinths with yellow marigold.		Colors soft hyacinths with yellow marigold.<p>

	Myself, I'll pick the grey-white apples with tender down,<br>		Myself, I'll pick the grey-white apples with tender down,<br>
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	I'll add the waxy plum (this fruit too shall be honored),<br>		I'll add the waxy plum (this fruit too shall be honored),<br>
	And I'll pluck you, O laurels, and you, neighbor myrtle,<br>		And I'll pluck you, O laurels, and you, neighbor myrtle,<br>
	For so arranged you mingle pleasant fragrances.		For so arranged you mingle pleasant fragrances.<p>

	Corydon, you're a yokel. Alexis scorns your gifts.<br>		Corydon, you're a yokel. Alexis scorns your gifts.<br>
	Nor could you beat Iollas in a giving-match.<br>		Nor could you beat Iollas in a giving-match.<br>
	Alas, what I have I done, poor lunatic, unleashing<br>		Alas, what I have I done, poor lunatic, unleashing<br>
	Auster on flower-beds and wild boar on clear springs!		Auster on flower-beds and wild boar on clear springs!<p>

	Ah, you are mad to leave me. Gods have dwelt in woods,<br>		Ah, you are mad to leave me. Gods have dwelt in woods,<br>
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	But let the woods beyond all else please you and me!<br>		But let the woods beyond all else please you and me!<br>
	Grim lions pursue the wolf, wolves in their turn the goat,<br>		Grim lions pursue the wolf, wolves in their turn the goat,<br>
	Mischievous goats pursue the flowering lucerne --		Mischievous goats pursue the flowering lucerne --<p>

	-- and Corydon, you pursue Alexis -- each at pleasure's pull.<br>		-- and Corydon, you pursue Alexis -- each at pleasure's pull.<br>
	Look, oxen now bring home their yoke-suspended plows,<br>		Look, oxen now bring home their yoke-suspended plows,<br>
	And the sun, going down, doubles growing shadows;<br>		And the sun, going down, doubles growing shadows;<br>
	But I burn in love's fire: can one set boundaries to love?		But I burn in love's fire: can one set boundaries to love?<p>

	Ah, Corydon, Corydon, what madness mastered you!<br>		Ah, Corydon, Corydon, what madness mastered you!<br>
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	Why not at least prepare to weave of twigs and supple rushes<br>		Why not at least prepare to weave of twigs and supple rushes<br>
	Something practical you need?<br>		Something practical you need?<br>
	You will find another Alexis, if this one scorns you."		You will find another Alexis, if this one scorns you."<p>

	<i>--Trans. Guy Lee (with some changes by myself).</i>		<i>--Trans. Guy Lee (with some changes by myself).</i><p>

	(Roger Peyrefitte, in his autobiographical "Our Love", tells how he and his twelve-year-old lover made the first line of this poem their motto: "Formosum pastor Corydon ardebat Alexim", "the shepherd Corydon burned with love for the beautiful Alexis". (That was back in the '60s, when French schoolchildren still had to learn Latin in schools. As long as they teach poems like this, I'd have no problem with them reintroducing Latin for boys in the United States!)<p>		(Roger Peyrefitte, in his autobiographical "Our Love", tells how he and his twelve-year-old lover made the first line of this poem their motto: "Formosum pastor Corydon ardebat Alexim", "the shepherd Corydon burned with love for the beautiful Alexis". (That was back in the '60s, when French schoolchildren still had to learn Latin in schools. As long as they teach poems like this, I'd have no problem with them reintroducing Latin for boys in the United States!)<p>

	On that note, <a href="ourlove.html">here's</a> a selection from that book...)</p>		On that note, <a href="ourlove.html">here's</a> a selection from that book...)</p>

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:18, 4 April 2016
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	in shreds of song...</font></p><p><font size="4">		in shreds of song...</font></p><p><font size="4">

	It is passive, even reflexive,<br>		: It is passive, even reflexive,<br>
	as all these homosexual passions are.<br>		as all these homosexual passions are.<br>
	Nothing can come of them but shreds of song,<br>		Nothing can come of them but shreds of song,<br>
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	that all of us try for.</font></p><p><font size="4">		that all of us try for.</font></p><p><font size="4">

	Certainly you remember<br>		: Certainly you remember<br>
	your first love, or your second, and all the poems<br>		your first love, or your second, and all the poems<br>
	you wrote, you read, you copied out, the intense<br>		you wrote, you read, you copied out, the intense<br>
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	Most do.</font></p><p><font size="4">		Most do.</font></p><p><font size="4">

	But some of us keep it up,<br>		: But some of us keep it up,<br>
	not to seduce girls, but to hang on<br>		not to seduce girls, but to hang on<br>
	to that intensity, that feeling of bursting<br>		to that intensity, that feeling of bursting<br>
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	or queer, or maybe just young.</font></p><p><font size="4">		or queer, or maybe just young.</font></p><p><font size="4">

	But at the end<br>		: But at the end<br>
	he leaves the grove, goes back to his unpruned vines,<br>		he leaves the grove, goes back to his unpruned vines,<br>
	and tells himself that there will be others to love.<br>		and tells himself that there will be others to love.<br>