University of Virginia Library

SCENE VI.

To them, Colin.
RECITATIVE.
Colin.
Protect me Heav'ns! what play a treach'rous Part?
Is this my Friend, who bore an open Heart?
A sly Design I thought thou wert above:
Know to that Nymph I dedicate my Love.

Streph.
That may be Colin,—yet I b'lieve she's mine.

Colin.
I'm much the better for Advice of thine;
I freely told her Charms, you guess'd the Maid,
And have in haste my Confidence repaid.

Streph.
Was that my Delia?—had you nam'd the Fair,
When you so kindly offer'd me your Share,
When puff'd in Self-Conceit she was your own,
You then from me your poor Success had known.

Colin.
Celestial Nymph! your humble Suppliant hear,
I bring an off'ring am'rous and sincere.

Delia.
Shepherd, your fond-dissembling now suspend;
I can no longer to your Tale attend.

Streph.
Colin, if Wisdom be no Foe to thee,
Incline, and hear the welcome Truth from me:
Month after Month have I this Maid ador'd;
Day after Day have I her Love implor'd;
This present Hour my happy Fate commands;
Our Souls are one, To-morrow joins our Hands.

Colin.
O monstrous! monstrous! it can never be;
Let me from here receive my Destiny.

(To Delia)
Delia.
If you had really Hopes my Heart to gain.
I gave not one, they were self-form'd and vain;
Long was it fix'd ere you pretended Passion,
And lik'd its Choice too well for Alteration.

Colin.
How strange is this!—it is!—it mast be true!

(after a Pause.)
Streph.
Are you convinc'd?

Colin.
Strephon, she is thy due.
What have I done? ah, silly, silly Swain!
How cou'd I hope such Beauties to obtain?
Do I deserve such Excellence, such Worth?
From Vanity the Notion had its Birth.
Hail happy Pair! but for each other meant.
For an Example you to Earth were sent.
My Flame in stronger Friendship shall expire,
And tho' I can't enjoy, I'll still admire.
AIR.

RECITATIVE.
Streph.
Worthy a Shepherd is thy Sense express'd,
But, Colin, formerly—“'Twas all a Jest!”

Colin.
True, long I was a faithless wand'ring Swain,
And Folly saw me busy in her Train,
But, Strephon, when for thy bright Fair I burn'd,
I by her Virtue was a Convert turn'd,
Delia, thou Goddess! pardon each Essay
I try'd, to lead thee in the Wanton's Way:
You baffled all, my fruitless Wiles cou'd see,
And what I would have vanquish'd, conquer'd me.
O cou'd I find a Nymph that wou'd respect!
This honest Heart which justly you reject!

Delia.
Go seek her, whom your Falshoods have distress'd,
And banish'd Peace and Comfort from her Breast;
Implore a Pardon for the worst Offence,
And for wrong'd Innocence make Recompence.
A melting Story's whisper'd round the Plain,
Of a young Maid, woo'd by a youthful Swain:
She knew the Passion with a Warmth divine,
But he conceiv'd a fatal black Design;
And ruin'd her, whose Love was so sincere.

Colin.
Oh, Conscience; view that hated Monster here!

AIR.
Delia.
Think of the deep-felt anxious Cares,
Which ever wait upon her:
Think what a tender Soul she bears.
To love tho' you've undone her.

RECITATIVE.
Colin.
I'll seek her straight, for thine is Wisdom's Voice.
But see! she comes the Object of your Choice.