[Tea-Table Miscellany Contents]
ALexis shunn’d his fellow swains,
Their rural sports and jocund strains,
(Heaven guard us all from Cupid’s Bow;)
He lost his crook, he left his flocks,
And wand’ring through the lonely rocks,
He nourish’d endless woe.
–
The nymphs and shepherds round him came,
His grief some pity, others blame;
The fatal cause all kindly seek:
He mingled his concern with theirs,
He gave them back their friendly tears,
He sigh’d; but could not speak.
–
Clorinda came among the rest,
And she too, kind concern exprest,
And as’d the reason of his woe;
She ask’d; but with an air and mein,
As made it easily forseen,
She fear’d to much to know.
–
The shepherd rais’d his mournful head,
And will you pardon me, he said,
While I the cruel truth reveal;
Which nothing from my breast should tear,
Which never should offend your car,
But that you bid me tell.
–
‘Tis thus I rove, ‘tis thus complain,
Since you appear’d upon the plain;
You are the cause of all my care:
Your eyes ten thousand dangers dart;
Ten thousand torments vext my heart;
I love, and I despair.
–
Too much, Alexis, I have heard,
‘Tis what I thought, ‘tis what I fear’d;
And yet I pardon you, she cry’d:
But you shall promise, ne’er again
To breath your vows, or speak your pain.
He bow’d, obey’d, and dy’d.
