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Upon Cloris her visit after Marriage,
A pastorall Dialogue betwixt Codrus and Damon forsaken rivalls.
Codrus.Why (Damon) did Arcadian Pan ordain
To drive our Flocks from that Meridian plain
Where Cloris perpendicular shot beames
Scorch'd up our lawnes but that cool Charwells streams
Might here abate those flames which higher were
Then the faint moisture of our Flocks could bear?
Damon.
Codrus, I wot the dog that tended there
Our Flocks was he which in the heavenly sphear
So hotly hunts the Lyon that the trace
of Virgo scarse his fiery steps allaies;
Into our vaines a feavour he convey'd,
And on our vitall Spirits fiercely prey'd.
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Oh why then brought she back her torred Zone?
Conquer'd her Trophyes? Let us not alone
After so many deaths? renew'd our flame
When twas impossible to quench the same?
It is the punishment of Hell to show
The torturd soules those joyes they must not know?
Damon.
Though my Flock languish under her aspect;
My panting Dog his office too neglect;
Though I refuse repast, and by her eyes
Inflam'd, prostrate my selfe her sacrifice,
I shall yet covet still her dubious rayes,
Whose light revives as much as her heat slayes.
Codrus.
If Thyrcis slept not in her shady haire,
If in his armes her snow not melted were,
We might expect a more successfull day,
And to some hopes our willing hearts betray,
Which now live desperate without joy of light;
Her black eyes shed on us perpetuall night.
Damon.
Codrus because his ragged flock was thin,
His Sheep walk bare, and his Ewes did not yene,
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His eyes delight a wealthier mate to find;
But she (rash in her choice) gave her embrace
To one whose bread courser then Codrus was.
Codrus.
Damon (then whom none e're did longer burne;
Nor at his rate, upon so small returne)
Damon (the pride and glory of the mead
When Nymphs and Swaines their tuned measures tread)
Begg'd of her that a better choice might prove
She lov'd her selfe, since him she could not love.
Damon.
Had Thyrsis flocks in milke abounded more,
I should not with such grief my losse deplore.
Codrus.
Could Thyrsis pipe more worthily resound
Cloris, oh Cloris, I had comfort found.
Both.
That our heart-wracking sighs no gaine bequeath
To Cloris, is a dying after death.
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