Song XXIV., pp.274-275.

[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. 

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