 | A Collection of Original Poems |  |
41
THETIS and PELEUS.
A PASTORAL.
Recitative.
Near the auspicious sea where Venus rose,An antient wood of nodding cedar grows;
Within whose verge fair Thetis sleeping lay,
While thither youthful Peleus chanc'd to stray.
Air.
He look'd, he wonder'd, and was aw'd;His breast with passion glow'd;
Behind her stood Love's frolic god,
And fresher charms bestow'd:
Her high-heaving breasts such fond wishes inspire,
That Cupid himself almost glows with desire.
42
Directing right his aim;
Peleus felt it at his heart,
And hug'd the pleasing flame;
Then softly approach'd, and attempted to sip
The sweets of the Hybla that dwelt on her lip.
Recitative.
Wak'd by the step she view'd him with surprize,And quick the wily arts of Proteus tries;
None, threat'ning danger, could like him evade;
A lion's angry form belied the maid;
But, conscious of her art, he dauntless stood,
And in soft accents gentle pity su'd.
Air.
Why my fond embrace do'st fly,Soul of beauty, tell me, why,
Can a lover fear impress?
He who begs from thee redress.
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Bless his wishes, or he dies.
Can so bright a form contain
A heart that joys in giving pain?
Not the tyger's angry glare,
Not the savage you appear,
Half the terrors can bestow,
Which from thy indifference flow.
Recitative.
While the sad youth his passion thus express'd,And fruitlesly the brutal form address'd;
Old Proteus rising sooth'd the lover's care,
Reviv'd his heart, yet chid his tardy pray'r.
Air.
Away with this distance; timidity's vainWhen for the coy heart of a female you sue;
Tho' really she loves, she'll affect to disdain:
Be bold, to secure you success, when you woo.
44
From the raptur'd embrace, the fates have decreed,
With the hero Achilles, the nymph shall be bless'd,
And the world shall acknowledge so glorious a deed.
Recitative.
Such was the counsel skilful Proteus gave,Then plunging slowly sought his mossy cave.
The man who shrinks from danger,
But falls a prey to flight;
The heart to fear a stranger,
Still conquers in the fight.
'Tis thus when love surprises,
That boldness gives redress;
For Venus always prizes
The man who most can press.
45
Recitative.
Nerv'd with new courage, to the nymph he flies;Love warm'd his heart, and lighten'd up his eyes;
With arms resolv'd, he clasps the beauteous dame,
Nor tardy words his passion now proclaim.
She toils in vain, the hero holds her fast;
Till weary'd, she obeys the god at last.
Air.
Beauty warmest flame inspiring,Should with equal flame be sought;
Boldness aids the fond desiring,
And dispels the gloom of thought.
Thou the joys of love pursuing,
Snatch the blessing ere it dies;
Youth and charms are lost in viewing,
Fortune fled for ever flies.
| A Collection of Original Poems | |