University of Virginia Library

A Dialogue.

1
Tell me fair Nymph, canst thou love me?

2
No, 'tis a breach to Liberty:
I yet enjoy a free Estate,
Neither a slave to Love nor Hate.

1
Thou art mis-inform'd in this,
For without Love, no Ioy there is.

2
Alas we know, you Men have skill,
To guild the poyson of the Pill;
But 'tis beyond your utmost Art,
To make the practise on my Heart.

1
True, not in mine; but his that can
Aw ev'n the heart of Mighty Pan,
Soften the rigid Satyres Brest,
And to each troubled Soul give rest:
To Discord he can Concord give,
And teach Society to live;
For wheresoever he doth come,
The Place is made Elizium.

2
What place is that?

1
The place of Rest,
Where Love's in every Sense exprest;
There dying Hearts he doth revive,
And makes them All their Cares survive.
There are no Sighs, nor sign of Tears,
No jealous thoughts, nor panting fears.
But such a lasting Spring of Ioy,
That Age nor Death cannot destroy.
Oh that I might those joys possess!
Love me, and here thou'lt find no less.

2
I would, but know not how.

1
That's fine;
Come warm thy softer Palm in mine,
Now meet a kiss.

2
I'm all one flame.

1
'Tis in Loves pow'r to quench the same.

2
Say Shepherd, say, Canst thou love me?

1
No, 'tis a breach to liberty.

2
Oh do not mock me,

1
Oh do not mock me,

2
Indeed I love.

1
And so do I.

Chorus
There's nothing like Loves liberty.
To which wee'l win the heart of many a Swain,
who knowing not his sweets, their good refrain:
And flinty brested Nymphs soften, till they
by our Example, learn who to obey.
Since Love hath the instinctive Pow'r alone
to tie and fasten thus two Hearts in one.