But feigns a laugh to see me search around, DAPHNIS. The sprightly Sylvia trips along the green, She runs, but hopes she does not run unseen; While a kind glance at her pursuer flies, 55 How much at variance are her feet and eyes! 60 STREPHON. O'er golden sands let rich Pactolus flow, And trees weep amber on the banks of Po; Bright Thames's shores the brightest beauties yield, Feed here my lambs, I'll seek no distant field. VARIATIONS. Ver. 61. It stood thus at first, Let rich Iberia golden fleeces boast, Her purple wool the proud Assyrian coast, Ver. 61. Originally thus in the MS. Go, flow'ry wreath, and let my Silvia know, P. Compar'd to thine how bright her Beauties show; DAPHNIS. Go, tuneful bird, that pleas'd the woods so long, Of Amaryllis learn a sweeter song; To Heav'n arising then her notes convey, IMITATIONS. Ver. 58. She runs, but hopes] Imitation of Virgil, "Malo me Galatea petit, lasciva puella, Et fugit ad salices, sed se cupit ante videri." Warburton. P. DAPHNIS. Celestial Venus haunts Idalia's groves; If Windsor-shades delight the matchless maid, STREPHON. 65 All nature mourns, the skies relent in show'rs, Hush'd are the birds, and clos'd the drooping flow'rs; If Delia smile, the flow'rs begin to spring, The skies to brighten, and the birds to sing. DAPHNIS. 70 All nature laughs, the groves are fresh and fair, The sun's mild lustre warms the vital air; If Sylvia smiles, new glories gild the shore, STREPHON. 75 In spring the fields, in autumn hills I love, At morn the plains, at noon the shady grove, But Delia always; absent from her sight, Nor plains at morn, nor groves at noon delight. 80 VARIATIONS. Ver. 69, &c. These verses were thus at first: IMITATIONS. Ver. 69. All nature mourns,] "Aret ager, vitio moriens sitit aëris herba," &c. P. 66 Phyllidis adventu nostræ nemus omne virebit." Virg. P. DAPHNIS. Sylvia's like autumn ripe, yet mild as May, More bright than noon, yet fresh as early day; Ev'n spring displeases, when she shines not here; But blest with her, 'tis spring throughout the year. STREPHON. Say, Daphnis, say, in what glad soil appears, 85 A wondrous Tree that sacred Monarchs bears; Tell me but this, and I'll disclaim the prize, And give the conquest to thy Sylvia's eyes. DAPHNIS. Nay tell me first, in what more happy fields The Thistle springs, to which the Lily yields: 90 And then a nobler prize I will resign; For Sylvia, charming Sylvia shall be thine. DAMON. Cease to contend; for, Daphnis, I decree The bowl to Strephon, and the lamb to thee. NOTES. Ver. 86. A wondrous Tree that sacred Monarchs bears;] An allusion to the Royal Oak, in which Charles II. had been hid from the pursuit after the battle at Worcester. IMITATIONS. P. Ver. 90. The Thistle springs, to which the Lily yields :] Alludes to the device of the Scots Monarchs, the Thistle, worn by Queen Anne; and to the arms of France, the Fleur de lys. The two riddles are in imitation of those in Virg. Ecl. iii. "Dic quibus in terris inscripti nomina Regum P. Now rise, and haste to yonder woodbine bow'rs, Ver. 99. was originally, VARIATIONS. The turf with country dainties shall be spread, And trees with twining branches shade your head. P. SUMMER: THE SECOND PASTORAL, OR ALEXIS. TO DR. GARTH. A SHEPHERD'S Boy (he seeks no better name) Led forth his flocks along the silver Thame, Where dancing sun-beams on the waters play'd, And verdant alders form'd a quiv'ring shade. NOTES. Ver. 3. The Scene of this Pastoral by the river side, suitable to the heat of the season; the Time, noon. VARIATIONS. Ver. 1, 2, 3, 4, were thus printed in the first edition : Where gentle Thames his winding waters leads Ver. 3. Originally thus in the MS. There to the winds he plain'd his hapless love, IMITATIONS. Ver. 1. Spenser's Shepherd's Calendar, January: P. P. Warburton. When Winter's wasteful spight was almost spent, Led forth his flock, that had been long ypent. Bowles. |