University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

A Myrtle Grove.
Enter Oenone, and Florinda.
Oeno.
Hail, Sacred Grove, thou silent, calm Retreat!
Free from the Troubles that attend the Great!
Wou'd Heav'n but smile, and prove so much my Friend,
To make my Fortune on my Wish depend;
The Pomp of Courts shou'd never tempt my Eyes,
And I'd th'Elysian Shades for Thine despise.
How truly is the Nymph, Florinda, blest,
Whom Nature, and not Art hath neatly drest!
Who manages with Care her little Store,
Lives above Want, and wishes for no more!
No anxious Cares, which Others feel, molest
The peaceful Calm that dwells within her Breast.
Whilst on the Grass her Lambkins bleating lye,
Her Loving Swain feasts on her Lovely Eye:
Under some favourite Myrtle's pleasant Shade,
By kind Appointment meets the Tender Maid:
There with repeated Vows his Passion tells,
There She as freely her Pure Flame reveals.
These are the Pleasures of the peaceful Grove,
And I am blest with such a Faithful Love.

Flor.
Yonder, Oenone, comes thy Lovely Swain,
And seems to seek Thee with a pleasing Pain.