 | Poems on Several Occasions |  |
SONG.
[The sun in virgin lustre shone]
I
The sun in virgin lustre shone,May morning put its beauties on;
The warblers sung in liv'lier strain,
And sweeter flow'rets deck'd the plain.
When love, a soft intruding guest,
That long had dwelt in Damon's breast,
Now whisper'd, To the nymph, away!
For this is nature's holiday.
II
The tender impulse wing'd his haste;The painted mead he instant pass'd;
161
Where beauty slept, and silence reign'd:
Awake, my fair! the shepherd cries,
To new-born pleasure ope' thine eyes;
Arise, my Sylvia! hail the may,
For this is nature's holiday.
III
Forth came the maid, in beauty bright,As Phœbus in meridian light;
Entranc'd in rapture, all confess'd,
The shepherd clasp'd her to his breast;
Then gazing, with a speaking eye,
He snatch'd a kiss, and heav'd a sigh;
A melting sigh, that seem'd to say,
Consider youth's our holiday.
IV
Ah, soft, she said, for pity's sake,What kiss one ere I'm well awake?
For this so early came you here?
And hail you thus the rising year?
162
We'll haste to joy, the swain reply'd;
In pleasure's flow'ry fields we'll stray,
And this shall be love's holiday.
V
A crimson glow warm'd o'er her cheek;She look'd the things she dar'd not speak;
Consent own'd nature's soft command,
And Damon siez'd her trembling hand:
His dancing heart in transports play'd,
To church he led the blushing maid;
Then bless'd the happy morn of may,
And now their life's all holiday.
| Poems on Several Occasions | |