Milton,
Lycidas
(1638).
Da'mon, a goat-herd in Virgil's third Eclogue. Walsh introduces the same name in his Eclogues also. Any rustic, swain, or herdsman.
Damon and Delia. Damon asks Delia why she looks so coldly on him. She replies because of his attention to Belvidêra. He says he paid these attentions at her own request, "to hide the secret of their mutual love." Delia confesses that his prudence is commendable, but his acting is too earnest. To this he rejoins that she alone holds his heart; and Delia replies:
Tho' well I might your truth mistrust,
My foolish heart believes you just;
Reason this faith may disapprove,
But I believe, because I love.
Lord Lyttleton.