1The shepherd Corydon burned for lovely Alexis, his master's darling, and had nothing to hope for; 3only, among the dense beeches with their shady tops, he would come constantly. 4There, alone, he would fling these artless words to the mountains and woods in fruitless passion: O cruel Alexis, do you care nothing for my songs? 7Have you no pity for me? 7In the end you will drive me to my death. 8now even the flocks seek the shade and the cool; 9now even the thorn-brakes hide the green lizards, and Thestylis pounds garlic and thyme, pungent herbs, for the reapers weary from the scorching heat. 12but with me, as I trace your footsteps, the orchards echo under the burning sun with hoarse cicadas.
14Would it not have been better to endure Amaryllis' sullen anger and her proud disdain, would it not have been better to endure Menalcas, though he was dark, though you were fair? 17O lovely boy, do not trust too much to colour! 18The white privets fall, the dark hyacinths are gathered. 19You despise me, Alexis, and do not ask who I am, how rich in flocks, how abounding in snow-white milk. 21a thousand lambs of mine wander on the Sicilian hills; 22I lack no fresh milk in summer, none in the cold; 23I sing what Dircaean Amphion used to sing, whenever he called his herds, on Attic Aracynthus. 25Nor am I so ugly: I saw myself on the shore lately, when the sea stood calm, unruffled by the winds; 26I would not fear Daphnis, with you as judge, if the reflection never lies.
28O if only you would be pleased to live with me in the humble countryside and lowly cottages, and to shoot the deer, and drive the flock of kids to the green mallow! 31Together with me in the woods you will imitate Pan in singing. 32Pan first taught men to join several reeds with wax; 33Pan cares for the sheep and the masters of the sheep. 34Nor should you regret having chafed your lip on the reed: to learn this same art, what did Amyntas not do? 36I have a pipe made of seven hemlock stalks of unequal length, which Damoetas once gave me as a gift, and said as he died: 'You are its second master now.' 39So said Damoetas; foolish Amyntas was envious.
40Besides, two young roes, which I found in a valley not safe to enter, their hides even now dappled with white, drain a ewe's two udders every day; 42I am keeping them for you: Thestylis has long been begging to take them away from me; 44and she will, since my gifts seem mean to you. 45Come here, O lovely boy: look, the Nymphs bring you lilies in full baskets; 46for you the fair Naiad, plucking pale violets and poppy-heads, joins the narcissus and the flower of sweet-smelling dill; 49then, weaving them with cassia and other sweet herbs, she sets off the soft hyacinths with yellow marigold. 51I myself will gather quinces, pale with tender down, and chestnuts, which my Amaryllis used to love; 53I will add waxen plums: this fruit too shall have its honour; 54and you, O laurels, I will pluck, and you, myrtle, their neighbour, since, so placed, you mingle sweet scents.
56You are a rustic, Corydon: Alexis cares nothing for gifts, nor, if you were to compete in gifts, would Iollas give way. 58Alas, alas, what have I wished on my wretched self! 58Lost that I am, I have let the south wind in upon my flowers and the boars into my clear springs. 60Whom are you fleeing, ah, madman? 60The gods too have dwelt in the woods, and Dardanian Paris. 61Let Pallas herself dwell in the citadels she founded; 62as for us, let the woods please us above all. 63The grim lioness pursues the wolf; 63the wolf himself the she-goat; 64the frisky she-goat pursues the flowering clover; 65Corydon pursues you, O Alexis: each is drawn by his own delight.
66Look, the bullocks bring home the ploughs hanging from the yoke, and the setting sun doubles the lengthening shadows: yet love burns me; 68for what limit can there be to love? 69Ah, Corydon, Corydon, what madness has seized you! 70You have a half-pruned vine on a leafy elm; 71why do you not rather at least set about weaving something your needs require, from osiers and pliant rushes? 73You will find another Alexis, if this one scorns you.