University of Virginia Library

An imitation of a PASTORAL of Mrs. Killegrew's.

MYRTILLA.
Let fragrant eastern breezes round thee play,
And op'ning blossoms still adorn thy way;
Let bubbling fountains murmur to thy sleep,
And Pan himself the while protect thy sheep;
Thy wanton herds thro' verdant pastures stray,
Pastures like thee, all flourishing and gay.
And when with guiltless sports, the rival swains,
For rural glory strive upon the plains,
Still, young Alexis, may the prize be thine,
And on thy brows the fairest garland shine.

ALEXIS.
Unfading wreaths may'st thou, Myrtilla, gain,
And deathless honours by thy verse obtain;
May such smooth numbers warble from thy tongue,
As late the skilful Melibœus sung.

MYRTILLA.
No such ambitious aim my mind pursues;
'Tis love, O charming youth! inspires my muse:
Could I but please thee with my artless lays,
I proudly shou'd neglect all other praise;
Would'st thou be grateful, ev'ry grove, and stream,
And hill, and lawn shou'd echo with thy name;
Each rock, each winding cavern and retreat,
The soft, inchanting accents shou'd repeat:
And if my muse immortal fame cou'd give,
Thy name in deathless numbers shou'd survive.

ALEXIS.
Secure of fame, he needs no further crave,
Who such a lasting monument may have:
But oh! his glory ne'er can be improv'd,
Who by the bright Lycoris has been lov'd.

MYRTILLA.
Fond youth, in yonder solitary shade,
I saw Narcissus with the perjur'd maid;
A thousand tender things she look'd, and said;
Her ravish'd eyes upon his beauty fed;
With flow'rs his graceful flowing hair she drest,
And ev'ry smile her secret flame confest.

ALEXIS.
What pass'd before I saw my lovely fair,
Deserves not now my jealousy or care:
Had I at first the fickle beauty known,
She had been constant then, and all my own.