University of Virginia Library

SONG the Second.

Collin.
Be still, O ye winds, and attentive, ye swains,
'Tis Phebe invites, and replies to my strains;
The sun never rose on, search all the world through,
A shepherd so blest, or a fair one so true.

Phebe.
Glide softly, ye streams, O ye nymphs, round me throng,
'Tis Collin commands, and attends to my song;
Search all the world over, you never can find
A maiden so blest, or a shepherd so kind.

Both.
'Tis love, like the sun, that gives light to the year,
The sweetest of blessings that life can endear;
Our pleasures it brightens, drives sorrow away,
Gives joy to the night, and enlivens the day.

Collin.
With Phebe beside me, the seasons how gay!
Then Winter's bleak months seem as pleasant as May;
The Summer's gay verdure springs still as she treads,
And linnet's and nightingales sing through the meads.

Phebe
When Collin is absent 'tis Winter all round,
How faint is the sunshine, how barren the ground!
Instead of the linnet and nightingale's song,
I hear the hoarse raven croak all the day long.

Both.
'Tis love, like the sun, &c.

Collin.
O'er hill, dale and valley my Phebe and I
Together will wander, and love shall be by:
Her Collin shall guard her safe all the long day,
And Phebe at night all his pains shall repay.

Phebe.
By moonlight, when shadows glide over the plain,
His kisses shall chear me, his arm shall sustain;
The dark haunted grove I can trace without fear,
Or sleep in a church-yard, if Collin is near.

Both.
'Tis love, like the sun, &c.

Collin.
Ye shepherds that wanton it over the plain,
How fleeting your transports, how lasting your pain!
Inconstancy shun, and reward the kind she,
And learn to be happy of Phebe and me.

Phebe.
Ye nymphs, who the pleasures of love never try'd,
Attend to my strains, and take me for your guide;
Your hearts keep from pride and inconstancy free,
And learn to be happy of Collin and me.

Both.
'Tis love, like the sun, that gives light to the year,
The sweetest of blessings that life can endear;
Our pleasures it brightens, drives sorrow away,
Gives joy to the night, and enlivens the day.