University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

LYCIDAS. DIONE. LAURA.
Laura.
—Fly, fly this place;
Beware of love; the proudest of her race
This way approaches: from among the pines,
Where from the steep the winding path declines,
I saw the nymph descend.

Lycidas.
—She comes, she comes;
From her the passing zephyrs steal perfumes,
As from the vi'let's bank; with odours sweet
Breathes ev'ry gale: spring blooms beneath her feet.
Yes, 'tis my fairest; here she's wont to rove.

Laura.
Say, by what signs I might have known thy love?

Lycidas.
My love is fairer than the snowy breast
Of the tall swan, whose proudly-swelling chest
Divides the wave; her traces loose behind,
Play on her neck, and wanton in the wind;
The rising blushes, which her cheek o'er-spread,
Are op'ning roses in the lily's bed.
Know'st thou Parthenia?

Laura.
—Wretched is the slave
Who serves such pride! behold Menalcas' grave!
Yet if Alexis and this sighing swain
Wish to behold the tyrant of the plain,
Let us behind these myrtles twining arms
Retire unseen; from thence survey her charms,
Wild as the chanting thrush upon the spray,
At man's approach she swftly flies, away.
Like the young hare, I've seen the panting maid
Stop, listen, run; of ev'ry wind afraid.

Lycidas.
And wilt thou never from thy vows depart?
Shepherd, beware—now fortify thy heart.

[To Dione.
[Lycidas, Dione, and Laura retire behind the boughs.