Marinda Poems and Translations upon Several Occasions [by Mary Monck] |
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ECLOGUE.
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 | Marinda |  |
ECLOGUE.
In return to the foregoing Tale.
Ægon
and Strephon, both, the gentlest Swains,
The Glory and the Envy of our Plains,
Had from Fair Cloe's Hand each such a Test
Of Love receiv'd, as either wou'd have bless'd
If singly given, but giv'n to both in sight,
Each of his Rival dasht the sweet Delight:
The Nymph on Strephon's Brow, her Chaplet bound,
With Ægon's Garland she her Temples crown'd;
Hence a fierce Contest grew; Our Fields and Groves,
That whilome ecchoed with these Shepherds Loves,
Rang with their Feuds; and now all Peace was lost,
Our Nymphs and Swains were into Parties tost;
Till tir'd of Broils, and weary even of Life,
They made Palæmon Umpire of their Strife;
Under a Beach's Shade th'old Shepherd sat,
And with Attention heard the grand Debate,
That he might end the Quarrel, and declare
Which Youth in Cloe's Heart had greatest share;
Strephon began—Shepherd, there needs no Art
To prove, that I possess the Fair one's Heart,
This Wreath I on my joyful Temples wear,
Shews that I reign without a Rival there.
The Glory and the Envy of our Plains,
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Of Love receiv'd, as either wou'd have bless'd
If singly given, but giv'n to both in sight,
Each of his Rival dasht the sweet Delight:
The Nymph on Strephon's Brow, her Chaplet bound,
With Ægon's Garland she her Temples crown'd;
Hence a fierce Contest grew; Our Fields and Groves,
That whilome ecchoed with these Shepherds Loves,
Rang with their Feuds; and now all Peace was lost,
Our Nymphs and Swains were into Parties tost;
Till tir'd of Broils, and weary even of Life,
They made Palæmon Umpire of their Strife;
Under a Beach's Shade th'old Shepherd sat,
And with Attention heard the grand Debate,
That he might end the Quarrel, and declare
Which Youth in Cloe's Heart had greatest share;
Strephon began—Shepherd, there needs no Art
To prove, that I possess the Fair one's Heart,
This Wreath I on my joyful Temples wear,
Shews that I reign without a Rival there.
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Cou'd I the Paint of Words, like Strephon, use,
The Aid of their false Varnish I'd refuse;
The Garland by my Beauteous Cloe worn
Shews where her Love is plac'd and where her Scorn.
STREPHON.
Swain, had you seen, but how the lovely Maid
Her flowry Chaplet twin'd around my Head,
With what kind Softness she the Present grac'd;
You ne'er had doubted where her Love was plac'd.
ÆGON.
O had Palæmon seen the Nymph, how pleas'd,
How eagerly she on my Lawrel seiz'd,
What a triumphant Joy about her play'd;
His Sentence had not been thus long delay'd.
STREPHON.
No sooner Cloe did her Strephon spye,
But miss'd his Wreath, (Love has so quick an Eye)
To bind my Brow th'impatient Maid did tear
The Garland from her lovely flowing Hair.
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Soon as my Garland did approach her sight,
The Shepherdess began her own to slight;
She thought no Chaplet could her Head adorn
So well, as that was by her Shepherd worn.
STREPHON.
I'll urge no more, for never Nymph cou'd give,
Or Shepherd e'er a dearer Pledge receive,
Than this blest Wreath by her own Fingers wove,
With which she deck'd my Head, and crown'd my Love.
ÆGON.
When she her Chaplet did on thee bestow,
Which withers now, and dies upon thy Brow,
Alas! 'twas only to give Place to mine,
Which on her Head do's with fresh Lustre shine.
PALÆMON.
The Gods forbid my Sentence shou'd decide
This noble Strife, or injure either side;
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That each seems worthy of the Beauteous Maid;
Did the Great Pan himself in Judgment sit,
To Cloe he wou'd back the Cause remit;
'Tis she, and only she, that can declare,
Which Shepherd in her Heart has greatest share;
The happy Youth that Cloe's Chaplet bore,
Or the blest Swain, whose Garland Cloe wore.
| Marinda | |