Poems on Several Occasions :: :: University of Virginia Library

Come my Thyrsis, come away,
Don't your Joy and mine delay;
But to make 'em both compleat,
Come and taste of my retreat.
'Tis not such as Hermits boast,
When by men or Fortune crost,
To some Cell the Fools repair,
And imagine blessings there.
Make their virtue a pretence,
For ill nature and offence.

Shun the World which in return,
Treats them with neglect and scorn.
Nothing looks in my retreat,
Discontented or unsweet.
True—'tis private, and you know,
Love and Friendship should be so,
Solitude dissolves the mind,
Makes it pleasant, free, and kind;
All our nicest beauties here,
Scorn th' appearance of severe.
Seldom, very seldom known,
To be fierce, or force a frown:
Seldom are untimely coy,
When invited to the joy;
But with wondrous ease comply,
Or with equal Grace deny.
When from my Caresses free,
Love shall force thy thoughts from me;

Happy in such sweet amours,
We will pass our hasty hours.
You with Sylvia, or with Phillis,
Constant I, with Amaryllis,
Court and Kiss 'em all the Day;
All the Ev'ning toy and play,
All the night-hold—None shall know,
What at night we mean to do.
Be it how it will, you'll find
Nature only makes 'em kind,
Oft such pleasures may be known,
You have felt 'em in the Town;
Yet my, my Thyrsis, you'll confess,
Fears and Dangers make 'em less.
Crouds, Diseases, feuds and noise,
Render 'em imperfect joys;
But in shades and silence given,
Every Extasy is Heaven.