 | The Shepherd's Garden |  |
25
A MADRIGAL.
In fair Arcadia it fell upon a merry morning,When Flora's hands the fields and meads with blossoms were adorning,
Phillis sat beside a bank with all her swains around her,
Who, by her lovely looks allured, with wistful steps had found her:
Full silently they sat and sighed, for none did dare discover
The hapless fire that burned within to call himself her lover;
And one looked up and one looked down, whilst Phillis smiled upon them,
And little birds amongst the boughs with chirpings did bemoan them.
Then from her throne of rushes,
She said, with maiden blushes,
The tender wishes of her heart with modesty unmasking,
He shall not bear away the bell who waits to kiss for asking.
| The Shepherd's Garden | |