Poems, Songs and Love-Verses upon several Subjects. By Matthew Coppinger |
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Nobis placeant ante omnia Sylvæ.
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 | Poems, Songs and Love-Verses |  |
Nobis placeant ante omnia Sylvæ.
Hail Sacred Woods, and all the rural Gods,Who in these Coverts make your blest abodes;
Ye Fauns and Satyrs that do here reside,
And Watery Nymphs that neer these springs abide;
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The living emblem of chastest Loves;
May no devouring Hawk e're fly this way,
Of so much Innocence to make a prey:
Let all be happy, chirp sweet Birds, and sing,
And with your Melody these Woods shall ring.
For here I first beheld that Angels Face,
Which to these Coverts gave the greatest Grace.
And thou, old Oak, beneath whose spreading shade
That Heavenly Object did my sight invade,
May no rough Wind e're rend thy aged top,
Or thankless hand thy Beauties glory crop;
Or shivering Winter, which the Woods bereaves,
E're rob thee of thy green and shady Leaves;
But may each year new Strength and Verdure grant.
'Till thou grow young, as when thou wert a Plant;
And may'st thou flourish many Ages more,
And still more green than e're thou wast before.
But when thou must decay, for eating Time
Will not permit thee always thus to shine,
From thy old Trunk may thousand young ones Flower,
Weaving their tender Boughs into a Bower.
And thou great Paphian Goddess, ever bless
This goodly Bower with so much happiness,
That whosoe're shall come within it's shade,
Shall to thy Mystick power be Captive made;
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To taste the happiness of Loves delight;
Thus shall thy fall be greater then thy rise,
And of a Tree become a Paradise.
| Poems, Songs and Love-Verses | |