A Sicilian Story :: :: University of Virginia Library

First Shepherd.
Come hither shepherds. See, Apollo dies.
Some hours ago and who so bright as he?
His proud smile turn'd the waves to silver, and
The half-ripe fruit vermilion'd: It drew sweets
From herb and flower, and on the living earth
Shower'd beauty. Man was pleas'd and laugh'd to find
His blood run quicker and his heart grow warm,
And maids grew joyous, for they knew their cheeks
Wore then a livelier red: and see, he dies.

Second Shepherd.
But we must now forget him; for behold,
Dian is coming. Mark!

First Shepherd.
How fierce she glares!
Thus when in angry mood she stretches forth
Her arm above the waters, doth she look;
And as she bares her breast the wanton waves
Rebel 'gainst Neptune's mastery, and leap up
Far as their silver chains will reach, to do
The night-queen homage. Then, the mariner
Who hath forgot his home-confined bride,
And maid whose thoughts were not of chastity,
The merchant who hath ventures on the sea
And never prayed her help against the storms,
Do feel her wrath.

Second Shepherd.
Look! who is there, Alexas—
There, tow'rd the East?

First Shepherd.
Oh! Pan is by yonder brook:

Thus ever thro' the heats of Summer he
Offers his steaming incense to the moon;
For which she chafes his burning brow, and gives
To his parch'd herbs a freshness. Every thing
That owns his sway then honours her: rivers which
Grew hot i' the sun and silent slipp'd away,
Resume their natural pow'rs and celebrate
With music the first coming of the night.
The solemn owl speaks and the crickets sing,
And from the springing grass there comes a noise,
As tho' to tell that the earth slumbered not.
The nightingale alone seems to complain,
Yet sweetly, and the wanton Zephyrus steals
Rustling amongst the forest leaves, and plays
With the young buds and from the hawthorn branch
Shakes half its bloom—but she unclouds her brow,
And looks propitious. Kneel, ye virgins, kneel!
And stretch your white arms tow'rd the bright'ning sky,
And sing the hymn to Dian. Goddess, hear!