A PASTORAL. [As Thirsis and Daphne, upon the new hay]
18th Century Elizabeth Hands EnglishA PASTORAL. [As Thirsis and Daphne, upon the new hay]
As Thirsis and Daphne, upon the new hay Were seated, surveying the plain; No guilt in their bosoms their joys to allay, Or give them a moment of pain.
Not Venus, but Virtue had made them her care, She taught them her innocent skill; The swain knew no art, but to pleasure the fair That Nature had form'd to his will.
Inspired by love, on his pipe he did play; O Virtue! how happy the swain! While sweet Robin-red-breast that perch'd on the spray, And Daphne was pleas'd with the strain.
How pleasing the prospect, how cooling the breeze; The sun shone delightfully 'round; And apples half ripe, grew so thick on the trees, The boughs almost bent to the ground.
Thus happily seated, by sympathy bound, How pleasing the mutual chain; When either is absent, the prospects around Display all their beauties in vain.
They sat till the mist that arose from the brook, Inform'd them the ev'ning was nigh; The swain shook his head with a languishing look, And 'rose from his seat with a sigh.
His flute he disjointed, and silent a while He gaz'd on his maid with delight; Then gave her his hand, she arose with a smile, He kiss'd her, and bid her good night.