DAPHNIS.
Celestial Venus haunts Idalia's groves;65
Diana Cynthus, Ceres Hybla loves;
If Windsor-shades delight the matchless maid,
Cynthus and Hybla yield to Windsor-shade.[46]
STREPHON.
All nature mourns, the skies relent in show'rs,[47]
Hushed are the birds, and closed the drooping flow'rs;70
If Delia smile, the flow'rs begin to spring,
The skies to brighten, and the birds to sing.[48]
DAPHNIS.
All nature laughs,[49] the groves are fresh and fair,
The sun's mild lustre warms the vital air;
If Sylvia smiles, new glories gild the shore,75
And vanquished nature seems to charm no more.[50]
STREPHON.
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
DAPHNIS.
Sylvia's like autumn ripe, yet mild as May,
More bright than noon, yet fresh as early day;[51]
Ev'n spring displeases, when she shines not here;
But blest with her, 'tis spring throughout the year.