IDYL V. COMATAS AND LACON. ARGUMENT. A goatherd and a shepherd, both hirelings, assail each other with vile reproaches. They challenge one another to sing for a wager; and a wood-gatherer is called to decide between them. Comatas obtains the prize. IDYL V. COMATAS AND LACON. COMATAS. LACON my goat-skin filched; by timely flight Avoid, my goats! the thievish Sybarite. LACON. Lambs from the fountain, do you not perceive Comatas, who my pipe did lately thieve? COMATAS. What sort of pipe? when, slave of Sybaris! LACON. 'Twas Lycon's gift, good freeman! worthy one! From you! when and what sort of skin stole I? Your master has not one whereon to lie. COMATAS. The gift of Crocylus, when late he gave LACON. No! no! by the shore-guarding Pan I swear Or from that rock into the waters deep Of rapid Crathis may I madly leap! COMATAS. Nor, by the Nymphs, the guardians of the lake, Did ever I the pipe of Lacon take So may the Nymphs look kindly to my weal. LACON. If I believe you, be it mine to feel The griefs of Daphnis! will you stake a kid (It is none enterprise to men forbid), And I'll out-sing you, till you cry "enough !" COMATAS. Athene challenged by a sow of scruff! Here is my kid, which, when you beat me, take; A lamb, fat from the pasture, be your stake. LACON. How is this fair? in this you are no fool; COMATAS. Who has for conquest a prevailing itch, LACON. Softly! you are not walking over fire: Here you may sing whate'er your muse inspire |