Theocritus - A Villanelle

Theocritus - A Villanelle

　　O singer of Persephone！

　　In the dim meadows desolate¹

　　Dost thou remember Sicily？

　　Still through the ivy² flits the bee

　　Where Amaryllis lies in state；

　　O Singer of Persephone！

　　Simaetha calls on Hecate

　　And hears the wild dogs at the gate；

　　Dost thou remember Sicily？

　　Still by the light and laughing sea

　　Poor Polypheme bemoans³ his fate；

　　O Singer of Persephone！

　　And still in boyish rivalry⁴

　　Young Daphnis challenges his mate；

　　Dost thou remember Sicily？

　　Slim Lacon keeps a goat for thee，

　　For thee the jocund⁵ shepherds wait；

　　O Singer of Persephone！

　　Dost thou remember Sicily？