 | Poems on several subjects |  |
A SONG, Tune Allan Water.
I
As charming Phillis, all alone,Walk'd on the banks of Illa water;
The fish up to the surface came,
The birds on ev'ry tree did chatter:
All join'd so in the harmony,
As if it was by them concerted
How to engage her to the place,
Or how she should be there diverted.
II
So slowly flow'd the gentle stream,As if it meant she should discover,
By its aversion to depart,
How much it also was her lover.
But when press'd on by the next wave,
Which also made all haste to have her,
It mourn'd and murmur'd all along,
That it should be constrain'd to leave her.
III
Then Phoebus lifted up his headTo see this much admired creature,
He blush'd that she shou'd him exceed,
And spread his rays o'er ev'ry feature;
Thinking, that by his scorching heat
He should have made those eyes to cover,
That him of light and life defeat,
And make each creature her fond lover.
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IV
But whilst she thus did him attack,The nimble deer came out to meet her,
And to their silent shades and groves,
With all their art they do invite her.
With armed heads, and winged heels,
So cheerfully they trip'd before her;
And when she stood, they stopp'd and gaz'd,
As if they humbly would adore her.
V
By accident I passed by,While thus each creature she alarms;
None was more captivate than I,
Nor more engaged to her charms:
I fix'd mine eyes on ev'ry part,
And then I turn'd them up to heav'n,
Wishing the gods may send relief,
To cure the wound that she had giv'n.
| Poems on several subjects | |