Poems, chiefly pastoral By John Cunningham. The second edition. With the Addition of several pastorals and other pieces |
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THYRSIS. |
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 | Poems, chiefly pastoral |  |
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THYRSIS.
I
The pendent forest seem'd to nod,In drowsy fetters bound;
And fairy elves in circles trod
The daisy-painted ground:
When Thyrsis sought the conscious grove,
Of slighted vows to tell,
And thus (to sooth neglected love)
Invok'd sad Philomel:
II
“The stars their silver radiance shed,“And silence charms the plain;
“But where's my Philomela fled,
“To sing her love-lorn strain?
“Hither, ah, gentle bird, in haste
“Direct thy hov'ring wing:
“The vernal green's a dreary waste,
“'Till you vouchsafe to sing.
III
“So thrilling sweet thy numbers flow,“(Thy warbling song distrest!)
“The tear that tells the lover's woe
“Falls cold upon my breast.
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“Will soften my despair;
“Then quickly swell the melting strain,
“And sooth a lover's care.”
IV
Give up all hopes, unhappy swain,A list'ning sage reply'd,
For what can constancy obtain,
From unrelenting pride?
The shepherd droop'd—the tyrant, death,
Had seiz'd his trembling frame;
He bow'd, and with departing breath
Pronounc'd Zaphira's name.
| Poems, chiefly pastoral | |