You ask me, Phillis, why I still pursue,
And court no other Nymph but you;
And why with Looks and Sighs I still betray
A Passion which I dare not say.
'Tis all, Because I do: you ask me why,
And with a Woman's Reason, I reply.
II.
You ask what Argument I have to prove,
That my Unrest proceeds from Love,
You'll not believe my Passion till you know,
A better Reason why 'tis so.
Then, Phillis, let this Reason go for one,
I know I love because my Reason's gone.
III.
You say a Love like mine must needs declare
The Object so belov'd not fair;
That neither Wit nor Beauty in her dwell,
Whose Lover can no Reason tell,
What 'tis that he adores, and why he burns:
Phillis, let those give such that have returns.
IV.
And by the very Reasons that you use,
Damon might justly you accuse;
Why do you Scorn, and with a proud Disdain
Receive the Vow, and slight the Swain?
You say you cannot Love, you know no Cause:
May I not prove my Love by your own Laws?
V.
Am not I Youthful, and as gay a Swain,
As e'er appeared upon the Plain?
Have I not courted you with all th' Address
An am'rous Shepherd cou'd profess?
And add to this, my Flocks and Herds are great,
But Phillis only can my Joy compleat.
VI.