 | Poems on several occasions |  |
189
Apollo and Daphne.
A CANTATA.
RECIT.
Wild as Despair, the tim'rous Daphne flewWhile am'rous Phoebus closely did pursue;
But when the God had follow'd long in vain,
At last, in soft melodious Strain,
He thus assay'd, the cruel Fair to gain:
190
AIR.
Dearest Daphne, do not fly me,All thy needless Fears remove;
Do not, do not thus deny me,
But reward Apollo's Love.
When unconstant Men are Woers,
Virgins may maintain the Field;
But when Gods become Pursuers,
Ev'ry Fair should gladly yield.
RECIT.
This said, he rudely seiz'd the trembling Maid,Who loudly call'd to Heav'n for Aid;
When lo! (by Pow'r divine) she grew
A Lawrel, ever blooming, ever new;
From whose immortal Trunk these Accents came,
His frustrate Hopes to mock, his Love to blame.
191
AIR.
Phæbus while you're such a Rover,
Small Success in Love you'll find;
'Till you are grown a constant Lover,
Virgins never will be kind.
Small Success in Love you'll find;
'Till you are grown a constant Lover,
Virgins never will be kind.
Leave this wanton way of Wooing,
Fickle Courtship is but vain;
While you all are thus pursuing,
You perhaps may none obtain.
Fickle Courtship is but vain;
While you all are thus pursuing,
You perhaps may none obtain.
| Poems on several occasions | |