Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Arthur Quiller-Couch, comp. The Oxford Book of Victorian Verse. 1922.

Echoes from Theocritus: I. Summer Day in Old Sicily

Edward Cracroft Lefroy (1855–1891)

GODS, what a sun! I think the world ’s aglow.

This garment irks me. Phoebus, it is hot!

’Twere sad if Glycera should find me shot

By flame-tipp’d arrows from the Archer’s bow.

Perchance he envies me,—the villain! O

For one tree’s shadow or a cliff-side grot!

Where shall I shelter that he slay me not?

In what cool air or element?—I know.

The sea shall save me from the sweltering land:

Far out I’ll wade, till creeping up and up,

The cold green water quenches every limb.

Then to the jealous god with lifted hand

I’ll pour libation from a rosy cup,

And leap, and dive, and see the tunnies swim.