PASTORAL IX.[301]
OR,
LYCIDAS AND MŒRIS.
ARGUMENT.
When Virgil, by the favour of Augustus, had recovered his patrimony near Mantua, and went in hope to take possession, he was in danger to be slain by Arius the centurion, to whom those lands were assigned by the Emperor, in reward of his service against Brutus and Cassius. This Pastoral therefore is filled with complaints of his hard usage; and the persons introduced are the bailiff of Virgil, Mœris, and his friend Lycidas.
LYCIDAS.
Ho, Mœris! whither on thy way so fast?
This leads to town.
MŒRIS.
O Lycidas! at last
The time is come, I never thought to see,
(Strange revolution for my farm and me!)
When the grim captain in a surly tone
Cries out, "Pack up, ye rascals, and be gone."
Kicked out, we set the best face on't we could; }
And these two kids, t'appease his angry mood, }
I bear,—of which the Furies give him good! }
LYCIDAS.
Your country friends were told another tale,—
That, from the sloping mountain to the vale,
And doddered oak, and all the banks along,
Menalcas saved his fortune with a song.