On a strict league of Friendship we agree,
For I was sad, and as forlorn as she;
To all her Humours, I conform my own,
Together Sigh, together Weep, and Moan;
Like her to Woods and Fountains I retreat,
And urge the pitying Eccho's to repeat
My tale of Love, and at each Period found
Aminta's name, and bear it all around,
Whilst listening Voices do the charm reply,
And lost in mixing Air, together dye.
There minutes like dull days creep slowly on,
And every day I drag an Age along;
The coming hours cou'd no more pleasures hast,
Than those so insupportably I'd past.
I rav'd, I wept, I wisht, but all in vain,
The distant Maid, nor saw, nor eas'd my pain;
With my sad tale, each tender Bark I fill,
This—soft complaints, and that—my Ravings tell;
This bears vain Curses on my cruel fate,
And Blessings on the Charming Virgin, that;
The Willow by the lonely Spring that grows,
And o're the Stream bends his forsaken Boughs,
I call Lisander; they, like him, I find,
Murmur and ruffl'd are with every Wind.
On the young springing Beech that's straight and tall,
I Carve her name, and that Aminta call;
But where I see an Oak that Climbs above
The rest, and grows the Monster of the Grove;
Whose pow'rful Arms when aiding Winds do blow,
Dash all the tender twining Shades below,
And even in Calms maliciously do spread,
That naught beneath can thrive, imbrace or breed;
Whose mischiefs far exceed his fancy'd good,
Honour I call him: Tyrant of the Wood.
Thus rove from Thought to Thought without relief:
A change 'tis true; but 'tis from Grief to Grief;
Which when above my silence they prevail, }
With Love I'm froward, on my Fortune rail, }
And to the Winds breathe my neglected Tale. }
To LOVE.
I.
Fond Love thy pretty Flatteries cease,
That feeble Hope you give;
Unless 'twould make my happiness,
In vain, dear Boy; in vain you strive,
It cannot keep my tortur'd Heart alive.
II.
Tho' thou shou'dst give me all the Joys,
Luxurious Monarch's do possess,
Without Aminta 'tis but empty noise,
Dull and insipid happiness;
And you in vain invite me to a Feast,
Where my Aminta cannot be a Guest.
III.
Ye glorious Trifles, I renounce ye all,
Since she no part of all your splendour makes;
Let the Dull unconcern'd obey your call,
Let the gay Fop, who his Pert Courtship takes;
For Love, whilst he profanes your Deity,
Be Charm'd and Pleas'd with all your necessary vanity.
IV.