University of Virginia Library

TO CYNTHIA IN TOWN.

Cynthia, the Dryads are in tears,
Because thou visit'st not their groves;
The Graces grieve, and Cupid swears,
And very sullen look the Loves.
The Naiads through the vales declare,
No rill of theirs shall purl away;
The lark too scorns to mount in air,
And vows to keep his nest all day.
The sun resolves to hide his head,
And blot his lustre from the skies;
Yet that were little loss indeed,
While we possess'd that pair of eyes.
Well then, to pique thee, from each lay,
From all my lines I'll blot thy name.
‘Aye, do,’ I hear thee smiling say,
‘And blot what only gives them fame.’