THYRSIS.
Amidst the clash of arms, the fiery glow,
By reason of the wily Greek's deceit,
The Teucrians sad felt not so great a woe,
As those who wept, as those who did repeat
Meliso's name, the shepherds, in the hour
When of his death the tidings did them greet.
DAMON.
Their brows with fragrant varied flowers no more
Did they adorn, with mellow voice no song
Sang they of love as in the days of yore.
Around their brows the mournful cypress clung,
And in sad oft-repeated bitter moan
They chanted lays of grief with sorrowing tongue.
ELICIO.
Wherefore, since we to-day once more have shown
That we are mindful of our cruel wound,
Shepherds, your sad and mournful chant intone!
The bitter plight that fills with grief profound
Our souls, is such that adamant will be
The breast wherein no place for tears is found.