University of Virginia Library

To the E. of D. upon His Marriage.

DAMON.
Let this bless'd day our fruitless Quarrels end
Soften the Rival to the friend
And make our kindness not our skil contend.

LYCIDAS.
Begin, raise Thou thy tuneful Voice
So may my Muse approve thy happy choice.

DAMON.
May Venus so my choice approve
As I begin with mighty things and Love.
When first Heav'ns Eldest offspring Light,
Sprang from the fertile Womb of solid night;
What made the melancholy discord cease
And charm'd the warring Elements to peace?
From what great cause what brooding influence came
This well proportion'd frame?
From Thee, blest Queen of Harmony and Love;
Thou greatest pow'r on Earth, thou brightest star above.

LYCIDAS.
When Loves great Dictates were obey'd,
And Heav'ns last noblest Master Piece was made
To make the new form'd Monarch truly blest
And in one richer Gift compleat the rest
What secret pow'r unlock'd his pregnant side,
To the soft Yoak bow'd his delighted mind
Taught the unpractic'd Lover to be kind
And bless the wound whilst he embrac'd the Bride
'Twas Thou Almighty King of Heav'n and Love
That Govern'st all below, and blesse'st all above.

DAMON.
'Twas Love subdu'd the noble Daphnis heart
Love gave the welcome happy wound,
And with this triumph all his Conquest crown'd
Whilst Daphnis blest the wound and met the Dart
Pleas'd with the grateful bondage more
Then with his early spoyls, and boasted Liberty before.

LYCIDAS.
'Twas Love subdu'd the fair Dorinda's breast
Love to her heart a secret warmth convey'd
With pleasing Pain surpris'd the wond'ring Maid
And kindly for her Joys disturb'd her rest.
Whilst Daphnis stronger charms with Love's conspire
To make her own the Diety and fan the growing fire.

DAMON.
But thy rude Music Swain, my ruder Tongue
The glories they shou'd reach wou'd wrong,
For Daphnis Love
Shou'd only prove
The Theam of Daphnis' Song.

LYCIDAS.
Nor can the Joys of Angells be exprest
Nor know we ought of Heav'n above yon Skies
Which yet we bless with Pray'rs and please with Sacrifice.

DAMON.
Lett's then the hasty Sun arrest
Time will stay till they are blest;

LYCIDAS.
Nay rather blame the Suns too hasty flight
Bid him withdraw his tedious light
And kindly send the wish for night.

DAMON.
May Daphnis wound her with a lure,

LYCIDAS.
And may Dorinda's flames endure
Like Vesta's fires ------

DAMON.
------ for these like them are pure.

LYCIDAS.
Let Heaven its utmost Care employ
To make Their life but one continu'd Joy.

DAMON.
Let Nature all her Tribute bring
To make their Year but one continu'd Spring.

LYCIDAS.
With softest Violetts strow her bed,

DAMON.
With freshest Myrtill crown his head.

LYCIDAS.
With Hymens Tree Apollo's joyn,
And round his brow their mingl'd honors twine
Their mingl'd honors sure to him are due
Who with the Nymph has gain'd the Lawrel too.

DAMON.
The Joys of Harvest crown their Cares,
And stil encrease their Plenty with their Years.

LYCIDAS.
The Joys of Vintage swell their Bowers,
And if they overflow, o'erflow on Ours:

DAMON.
Fly swift the smiling Hours, let each glad Morn
The fruitful pleasures of the last return.

LYCIDAS.
Fly smiling Hours, let each succeeding Night
Improve the transports of the first delight.

DAMON.
In glad Procession let each rolling Year
See the joyful Mother bear
A beauty Second only to her own.

LYCIDAS.
Or if the kinder Gods conspire to crown
Her stronger wishes with a Son
His Parents great Perfections let him share
And prove her Beauty's, and his Virtue's Heir.