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The Shepherds Lottery

A Musical Entertainment
  
  

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SCENE V, and LAST.


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SCENE V, and LAST.

To them Colin and Daphne.
Phillis.
You come, my Daphne, in an happy Hour;
Each Cloud's dispell'd, and Tempests cease to lour.

Daphne.
Joy to my dear, but unexperienc'd Friend!
Who thinks that Love and Raptures know no end.

Colin.
Joy to my Thyrsis! and to thee, my Fair!
The Yoke is lasting that you're doom'd to wear.
May Love and Hymen never be at odds!
For both are young, and wond'rous testy Gods.

Thyrsis.
Haste to the Urn, there, there your Fortune try.

Colin.
I humbly thank you, but indeed, not I;
This kind of Lott'ry does not hit my Taste;
A Wife is no such mighty Prize, at last.
AIR.
How giddy is Youth! yet above all Advice:
You counsel, and counsel in vain:
I've try'd what is Wedlock, and like it so well
That I'll never be marry'd again.

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The Spouse that I pitch'd on was comely and young,
And sweet as the Flow'rs of the Plain:
She was wise, as they tell me; perhaps it might be;
But I'll never be marry'd again.
I saw the poor Creature laid deep in the Grave;
My Tears they came pouring like Rain:
But as Sun-shine, you know, will foul Weather succeed,
I quickly recover'd again.
Like the Castles of Fairies, it seems to the Sight;
And Fancy indulges the Rein:
But alas! when you try it, 'tis all a mere Cheat,
And the same dull Tale over again.

Daphne.
Recit.
Once more, well met, polite engaging Swain;
What Maid but must adore thy soothing Strain!
DUET.
O say! must I sigh and pine, my Love?
O say, must I sigh, and pine?
You're cruel, I swear,
As a Tiger, or Bear,
If you don't to my Wish incline, my Love;
If you don't to my Wish incline.

Colin.
So much I delight in thee, my Dear;
So much I delight in thee;

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Thou may'st sigh, pine, and moan,
Or may'st let it alone;
'Tis all the same to me, my Dear;
'Tis all the same to me.

Daphne.
But say, should I break my Heart, my Love?
But say, should I break my Heart?
Would you not be dismay'd
To have murder'd a Maid
With Cupid's keenest Dart, my Love?
With Cupid's keenest Dart.

Colin.
I should not be much dismay'd, my Dear;
I should not be much dismay'd:
If you think that I lye,
You had better go try,
I am not much afraid, my Dear;
I am not much afraid.

Daphne.
Since nothing, I find, will do, my Love;
Since nothing I find will do;
My Heart I'll break—
No, I'll live for your sake;
And I'll live to laugh at you, my Love;
And live to laugh at you.

Thyrsis.
Recit.
Cease all your Jars, while we, my gentle Maid,
Pursue true Pleasure in the rosy Shade:

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But hasten, Swains, your annual Homage pay,
And hail with jolly Sounds the youthful May.

AIR.
Thyrsis.
Now the Snow-drop lifts her Head;
Cowslips rise from golden Bed;
Silver Lillies paint the Grove:
Welcome May, and welcome Love.

Phillis.
Hark! the merry Finches sing,
Heralds of the blooming Spring;
And the artless Turtle-dove
Coes at once to May and Love.

Thyrsis.
Long the clay-cold Maid denies,
Nor regards her Shepherd's Sighs:
Now your fond Petitions move,
May's the Season form'd for Love.

Phillis.
While adown the slopy Hill
Tinkles soft the gushing Rill,
Balmy Scents perfume the Grove,
May unbends the Soul to Love.

Daphne.
Now the Bee, on silv'ry Wings,
Flow'ry Spoils unweary'd brings;
Spoils that Nymphs and Swains approve,
Soft as May, and sweet as Love.

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And the Swallow's chirping Brood,
Skim around the crystal Flood:
Then in wanton Circlets rove,
Playful as the God of Love.

Colin.
On the Fair that deck our Isle,
May each Grace and Virtue smile!
And our happy Shepherds prove
Days of Ease, and Nights of Love.

[Exeunt omnes.
A Dance of Shepherds, &c.