Theocritus - A Villanelle

Theocritus - A Villanelle

O singer of Persephone！

In the dim meadows desolate

Dost thou remember Sicily？

Still through the ivy 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 bemoans his fate；

O Singer of Persephone！

And still in boyish rivalry

Young Daphnis challenges his mate；

Dost thou remember Sicily？

Slim Lacon keeps a goat for thee，

For thee the jocund shepherds wait；

O Singer of Persephone！

Dost thou remember Sicily？