The works, in verse and prose, of William Shenstone, Esq In two volumes. With Decorations. The fourth edition |
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 | The works, in verse and prose, of William Shenstone, Esq |  |
The HALCYON.
Why o'er the verdant banks of ooze
Does yonder halcyon speed so fast;
'Tis all because she would not lose
Her fav'rite calm that will not last.
Does yonder halcyon speed so fast;
'Tis all because she would not lose
Her fav'rite calm that will not last.
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The sun with azure paints the skies,
The stream reflects each flow'ry spray;
And frugal of her time she flies
To take her fill of love and play.
The stream reflects each flow'ry spray;
And frugal of her time she flies
To take her fill of love and play.
See her, when rugged Boreas blows,
Warm in some rocky cell remain;
To seek for pleasure, well she knows,
Would only then enhance the pain.
Warm in some rocky cell remain;
To seek for pleasure, well she knows,
Would only then enhance the pain.
Descend, she cries, thou hated show'r,
Deform my limpid waves to-day,
For I have chose a fairer hour
To take my fill of love and play.
Deform my limpid waves to-day,
For I have chose a fairer hour
To take my fill of love and play.
You too, my Silvia, sure will own
Life's azure seasons swiftly roll:
And when our youth, or health is flown,
To think of love but shocks the soul.
Life's azure seasons swiftly roll:
And when our youth, or health is flown,
To think of love but shocks the soul.
Could Damon but deserve thy charms,
As thou art Damon's only theme;
He'd fly as quick to Delia's arms,
As yonder halcyon skims the stream.
As thou art Damon's only theme;
He'd fly as quick to Delia's arms,
As yonder halcyon skims the stream.
| The works, in verse and prose, of William Shenstone, Esq | |