Poems on Several Occasions With some Select Essays in Prose. In Two Volumes. By John Hughes; Adorn'd with Sculptures |
1. |
2. |
Poems on Several Occasions | ||
A Pastoral Masque.
SCENE, A Prospect of a Wood.Enter a Shepherd, and sings.
Ye
Nymphs and Shepherds of the Grove,
That know the pleasing Pains of Love,
Eager for th'expected Blessing,
Sighing, panting for possessing!
Leave your Flocks, and haste away,
With solemn State
To celebrate
CUPID and HYMEN's Holiday.
That know the pleasing Pains of Love,
Eager for th'expected Blessing,
Sighing, panting for possessing!
Leave your Flocks, and haste away,
With solemn State
To celebrate
CUPID and HYMEN's Holiday.
152
CHORUS.
From the echoing Hills, and the jovial Plains,
Where Pleasure and Plenty and Happiness reigns,
We leave our Flocks, and haste away,
With solemn State
To celebrate
CUPID and HYMEN's Holiday.
[A DANCE here.]
SCENE opening discovers a pleasant Bower, with the God of Love asleep, attended by Cupids, some playing with his Bow, others sharpening his Arrows, &c. On each side the Bower, Walks of Cypress-Trees, and Fountains playing; a distant Landskip terminates the Prospect.
Verse for a Shepherdess, with Flutes.
See the mighty Pow'r of LoveSleeping in a Cyprian Grove!
Nymphs and Shepherds, gently shed
Spices round his sacred Head;
153
Leaves of Roses, Virgin Lillies,
Cowslips, Vi'lets, Daffadillies,
And with Garlands dress the Bow'r.
Yield to the God of soft Desires!
Whose gentle Influence inspires
Every Creature
Throughout Nature
With sprightly Joys and genial Fires.
Chorus of the Shepherds and Nymphs.
Hail thou potent Deity!Every Creature
Throughout Nature
Owns thy Pow'r as well as we.
HYMEN.
Behold a greater Pow'r than He,
Behold the Marriage Deity!
154
Chorus, by Hymen's Attendants.
Behold the Marriage Deity!smiling.
Behold the God of Houshold Strife,
That spoils the happy Lover's Life,
And turns a Mistress to a Wife!
HYMEN.
Foolish and inconstant Boy!
Thine's a transitory Joy;
Sudden Fits in Pleasure's Fever;
HYMEN's Blessings last for ever.
CUPID.
HYMEN's Bondage lasts for ever;
Love's free Pleasures failing never.
HYMEN.
Love's stol'n Pleasures, insincere,
Purchas'd at a Rate too dear,
Shame and Sorrow will destroy,
If HYMEN license not the Joy.
[Both together.]
Then let us join Hands and unite.
155
Last Chorus of the Shepherds and Nymphs.
How happy, how happy, how happy are we,Where CUPID and HYMEN in Consort agree!
We'll revel all Day with Sports and Delight,
And HYMEN and CUPID shall govern the Night.
Poems on Several Occasions | ||