WHEN gay Philander left the Plain,
The Love, the Life of ev’ry Swain;
His Pipe the mournful Strephon took,
By some sad Bank and murm’ring Brook:
Whilst list’ning Flocks forsook their Food,
And Melancholy by him stood;
On the cold Ground himself he laid,
And thus the Mournful Shepherd play’d.
Farewel to all that’s bright and gay,
No more glad Night and chearing Day;
No more the Sun will gild our Plain,
’Till the lost Youth return again:
Then every pensive Heart that now,
With Mournful Willow shades his Brow;
Shall crown’d with chearful Garlands sing,
And all shall seem Eternal Spring.
Say, mighty Pan, if you did know,
Say all ye rural Gods below;
’Mongst all Youths that grac’d your Plain,
So gay so beautiful a Swain:
In whose sweet Air and charming Voice,
Our list’ning Swains did all Rejoyce;
Him only, O ye Gods! restore
Your Nymphs, and Shepherds ask no more.
A SONG.
Set by Mr. Tho. Kingsley.
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