Shirley Sharon-Zisser wrote:
> Dear Andy,
>
> Would you tell me why you think the "reed" is a lute, not Pan's pipe? Does
> not the 1588 translation of Theocritus's eighth eclogue speak of it as a
> "Whistell which I made with note thrise three /Joinde with white waxe"?
>
> thanks,
>
> Shirley Sharon-Zisser
>
> >I I would suggest that the
> >shepherd's "reed" was a pastoral convention for what was, in reality, the
> >proper instrument of Apollo. At the time of Theocritus that would be the
> >lyre or kithara - in Spenser's age, the lute.
I'm afraid I don't have the 1588 translation, though what you quote is quite
similar to the Theocritus that I do have. But that's not the point!
I think "pastoral" involves a certain amount of convention. And I was
suggesting, only, that in Theocritus the "reed" was a "convention" for the
lyre. I could be mistaken, of course. But would you have me believe that
Daphnis and Menaclas are simply shepherds?
Colin, himself, may have fallen upon hard times on occasion, but I doubt he
ever had to offer himself for employment as a real shepherd!
And, dear Shirley, please be kind to me - I'm one of the few, here, who
remains in sympathy with you. (Sometimes, anyway).
Andy
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