 | The Rover ; Or, Happiness at Last |  |
SCENE V.
Strephon, Delia.RECITATIVE.
Delia.
How can you thus persist to plague one still?
Streph.
Delia, I must my Fortune know, and will.
AIR.
This Heart (if I may call it mine)
Is fix'd eternally to thine:
If Constancy can claim Regard,
If Love sincere shou'd meet Reward,
Then sooth my ev'ry am'rous Care:
And be at once as kind as fair.
Is fix'd eternally to thine:
If Constancy can claim Regard,
If Love sincere shou'd meet Reward,
Then sooth my ev'ry am'rous Care:
And be at once as kind as fair.
Although thy Form has magick Pow'r,
Thy inward graces touch me more:
Thy Sense shall live when Beauty dies;
Thy Wit shine longer than thy Eyes;
Tho' Age thy youthful Bloom may blast,
Thy more intrinsick Worth shall last.
Thy inward graces touch me more:
Thy Sense shall live when Beauty dies;
Thy Wit shine longer than thy Eyes;
Tho' Age thy youthful Bloom may blast,
Thy more intrinsick Worth shall last.
18
What can the gen'rous Flame controul,
When Reason renders up the Soul?
Thy Charms which ne'er can fade inspire
My gentle Love, and soft Desire.
These Town-bred teazing Arts refrain;
Oh, please thyself! and bless thy Swain!
When Reason renders up the Soul?
Thy Charms which ne'er can fade inspire
My gentle Love, and soft Desire.
These Town-bred teazing Arts refrain;
Oh, please thyself! and bless thy Swain!
RECITATIVE.
Delia.
Strephon, of all whom Hymen has ally'd,
They fare the best, who Conduct make their Guide.
AIR.
A prudent Nymph shou'd try
The Passion of her Youth,
Nor on his Vows rely,
Till Time has prov'd his Truth.
The Passion of her Youth,
Nor on his Vows rely,
Till Time has prov'd his Truth.
But, ah! we all are weak,
And to the Flame resign;—
Forgive my glowing Cheek!
I'm thine and only thine.
And to the Flame resign;—
Forgive my glowing Cheek!
I'm thine and only thine.
RECITATIVE.
Streph.
Oh, Delia! Delia! Words can't speak my Bliss,
Be gone my Fears! what Extacy is this!
Boast, boast, your Joys ye lawless ranging Crew!
They're stupid all! compar'd to mine in view!
When shall the wish'd-for Knot be ty'd?—reveal.
Delia.
To-morrow then.
Streph.
Let this the Promise seal.
(Kisses her.)
DUET.
[Streph.]
Whilst, wanton, on the verdant Plain,
Our snowy Flocks shall play,
I'll tune my swelling oaten Read,
To please thee all the Day;
Or speak of some fond hapless Youth,
Who vainly draws each Sigh;
Then snatch perhaps a tender Kiss,
And say how bless'd am I.
19
If e'er, in am'rous Talk, you tell
The Tale of some poor Fair,
Decoy'd by an ungentle Swain,
To Shame and deep Despair,
While Pity in my Bosom moves,
I'll cast a Smile on thee;
Then thank the kind propitious Gods,
Who made so happy me,
Streph.
At Noon-Tide, when faint Nature pants,
With Sol's excessive Heat,
Straight, to some thick-set Shade we'll hie,
And 'joy the calm Retreat:
There if a gentle Slumber shou'd
Thy wearied Senses take,
I'll softly steal my Face to thine,
And watch thee till awake.
Delia.
When dusky Clouds the Æther skim,
And vernal Show'rs descend;
When scarce a feather'd Warbler flies,
And none their Musick lend:
While shelter'd, in the leafy Scene,
Around our Lambkins lye,
I'll listen to thy Pipe or Song,
And cheat the gloomy Sky.
Streph.
When Phæbus does with golden Hue
The ruddy West adorn,
We'll penn our fleecy Care in Fold,
'Till next enliv'ning Morn;
And safe, within my circling Arms,
Shalt thou recline to Rest;
I'll screen thee from from the noxious Air,
Clasp'd to my faithful Breast.
Delia.
When Hills and Dales, with wint'ry Frosts,
Shall silver'd o'er appear;
When all seem dull, our Loves shall smile,
And glad us thro' the Year.
Together.
Tho' Time all Nature's Works can change,
Our Passion scorns his Pow'r;
Beyond the Date of Life we'll love,
Till Time shall be no more.
| The Rover ; Or, Happiness at Last | |