University of Virginia Library

To Madam K. P.

A Pastoral Dialogue.

DAMON.
See Strephon see what a refulgent ray
Dispells yon Clouds, and gilds the rising day
The smiling Feilds their early Treasures bring
And warbling Birds proclaim the coming spring
Young tender Plants and swelling buds appear
Whilst Nature smiling seems to bless the Year
Lively the Nymphs and sportive are their Swains
All sorrows Banish'd from the cheerful Plains
Save only what Thy troubl'd Soul contains
Then tell me Strephon, prythee tell me why
Dost Thou in mournful shades obscurely lye?
Why dost Thou sigh, why strike Thy panting breast
And steal from life the needful hours of rest?
Are thy Kids starv'd by rig'rous Winter's frost?
Are any of thy bleating straglers lost?
Have Strangers Cattle trod thy new Plow'd ground
Or (what is worst) has great Joanna frown'd.

STREPHON.
On yonder Hills my bleating straglers play
(Ah! were their Master unconcern'd as they)
No beasts (at Noon I look'd) had trod my ground
Nor have I lost my Kids, nor has Joanna frown'd.

DAMON.
Then stop the lavish fountains of your Eyes
Nor let those Sighs from your swoln bosom rise,
Send all these melancholy thoughts away
And once again rejoice, and once again look gay.

STREPHON.
Ah Damon what can add to Sorrows more
Then thoughts of happyness enjoy'd before?
What more disturbs the slighted Lovers breast
Then sad remembrance how he has been bless'd
What kind reception once his Passion found
And how he flourish'd e'er his fair one frown'd
What more the wretched Exil's soul annoys
Then recollection of his former Joys?
Or what severer Sentence can be giv'n
Then having seen to be excluded Heav'n.

DAMON.
None Shephard none—

STREPHON.
—then cease to chide my Cares
And rather pitty then restrain my Tears,
Those tears, my Damon, which I justly shed
To think how great my Joys, how soon they fled;
I told the[e], Friend (when I forsook those Sheep
Which Thou the while with equal care didst keep)
That I wou'd visit fair Celinda's Shrine
And pay those Vows which gratitude enjeyn
Since then how happy did thy Strephon live
Happy ------
In all kind Heav'n or kinder She cou'd give
Happy as new form'd Man in Paradice
E'er Sin debauch'd his inoffensive bliss
Happy as Heroes after Battles won
Prophets entranc'd or Monarchs on their Throne.
Then chide not if I sometimes drop a Tear
When I remember how I triumph'd there
And with past pleasures present woes compare.

DAMON.
But were those pleasures so extremely vast?
Wonder not then that they so quickly past.
Too happy shou'd we be wou'd smiling Fate
Render one blessing durable and great
But (Ah! the sad Vicisitude) how soon
Unwelcome Night succeeds the chearful Noon
And rigid Winter nips the flow'ry pomp of June.
Then grieve not Friend, like The[e] since all Mankind
A certain change of Joy and sorrows find
Come give thy anxious Soul its wonted peace
And from this Hour let all sad troubles cease
Suppress thy Sighs, those down cast Eyelids raise
Tune thy neglected Harp, and sing the Goddess' praise.