Obdurate as you are, oh, hear at least Then loose the knot, and take me from the place, O envy not the dead, they feel not bliss! Laft, let my Tomb this fad Infcription bear, A wretch whom Love has kill'd lies buried here: Oh, Passengers, Aminta's Eyes beware. Thus Thus having faid, and furious with his Love; He heav'd with more than human force, to move A weighty Stone, (the labour of a Team,) And rais'd from thence he reach'd the Neighbouring Around its bulk a fliding knot he throws; (Beam: And fitted to his Neck the fatal Noofe: Then spurning backward took a fwing, 'till death Lovers farewell, Revenge has reacht my Scorn; F DAPHNIS From Theocritus, Idyll. 27. By Mr. DRYDEN. Daphnis. He Shepheard Paris bore the Spartan Bride TBy force away, and then by force enjoy dis But I by free consent can boast a Bliss; Chloris. Kisses are empty joys, and soon are o're. But wifely use it e're you pafs your prime. Chlo. Blown Rofes hold their sweetness to the last. And Raifins keep their luscious native taste. Daph. The Sun's too hot,thofe Olive shades are near; I fain wou'd whisper fomething in your ear. Chlo. Chlo. 'Tis honeft talking where we may be feen; My Pipe's in tune, if you're dispos'd to hear. Chlo. Play by your felf, I dare not venture thither: You, and your naughty Pipe go hang together. Daph. Coy Nymph beware, left Venus you offend. Chlo. I fhall have chafte Diana ftill to friend. Daph. You have a Soul, and Cupid has a Dart. Chlo. Diana will defend, or heal my heart. .. Nay, fie, what mean you in this open place? Unhand me, or, I fwear I'll fcratch your face. Let go for fhame; you make me mad for spight; My mouth's my own; and if you kifs I'll bite. Daph. Away with your diffembling Female tricks: What wou'd you'fcape the fate of all your Sex? Chlo. I fwear I'll keep my Maidenhead till death, And die as pure as Queen Elizabeth. Daph. Nay mum for that; but let me lay thee down; Better with me,than with fome nauseousClown. Chlo. I'de have you know, if I were so inclin❜d, I have been woo'd by many a wealthy Hind; But never found a Husband to my mind. Daph. But they are abfent all, and I am here. And Marriage is a woful word to hear. Marriage has joys; and you fhall have a fay. Chlo. Sour fawce is often mix'd with our delight, } You kick by day more than you kifs by night. Daph. Sham ftories all; but fay the worst you can, A very Wife fears neither God nor Man. Chlo. But Child-birth is, they say, a deadly pain; It costs at least a Month to knit again, Daph. Diana cures the wounds Lucina made; Your Goddess is a Midwife by her Trade. Chlo. But I fhall spoil my Beauty if I bear. Daph. But Mam and Dad are pretty names to hear. Chlo. But there's a Civil Question us❜d of late, Where lies my Jointure,where your ownEstate? Daph. My Flocks, my Fields, my Wood, my Paftures take, With fettlement as good as Law can make. Chlo Swear then you will not leave me on the common But marry me, and make an honest Woman. Daph.Ifwear by Pan(tho' he wears horns you'll fay) Cudgell'd and kick'd, I'll not be forc'd away. Chle. |