OPE, to whose reed beneath the beechen fhade, POPE The nymphs of Thames a pleas'd attention paid; VOL. II. A Wilt Wilt thou, indulgent, hear my verse relate To the green margin of a lonely wood, Full of the image of his beauteous maid : His flock far off, unfed, untended lay, To ev'ry favage a defenceless prey; No fenfe of int'reft could their mafter move, But tho' his voice was mute his looks complain'd; Ye Nymphs, he cry'd, ye Dryads, who fo long Have favour'd, Damon, and infpir'd his fong; For whom, retir'd, I fhun the gay reforts Of fportful cities, and of pompous courts; In vain I bid the restless world adieu, To feek tranquillity and peace with you. Tho' wild Ambition, and deftructive Rage, No Factions here can form, no Wars can wage; Tho' Envy frowns not on your humble fhades, Nor Calumny your innocence invades, Yet cruel Love, that troubler of the breaft, Too often violates your boafted reft; With inbred ftorms disturbs your calm retreat, Ah luckless day! when firft with fond furprize Thought cou'd not guard, nor will reftore thy peace: And footh the pain thou know'st not how to cure. Still in my fong found fomething to admire. By none but her my crook with flow'rs was crown'd, The world that Damon was her choice believ'd, When laft I faw her, and declar'd my fire In fuch a gentle, fuch a gen'rous mind : A maid brought up the woods and wilds among, 'Twas only modesty that seem'd disdain, And her heart fuffer'd when the gave me pain. Pleas'd with this flatt'ring thought, the love-fick boy Felt the faint dawnings of a doubtful joy; Back to his flock more cheerful he return'd, When now the fetting fun lefs fiercely burn'd, HOPE. |