The Contented LOVERS:
OR,
A pleasant Dialogue between a Shepherd and a Nymph.
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SHepherd Adonis, being weary of his sport,
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Returnd to the woods, where he used to resort,
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He let fall his crook, and he laid himself down,
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He envyd no monarch, nor wishd for no crown.
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He drank of the brook, eat the fruit of the tree,
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Enjoying himself, from all cares was he free:
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He valud no nymph, were she ever so fair;
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No pride, no ambition, had he, nor no care.
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But as it fell out in one evening so clear,
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A charming sweet voice he chanced to hear:
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He stood like a stone, nor one foot could he move,
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He knew not what aild him, but feard it was love.
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The nymph she beheld him with a modest grace,
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Seeing something appear, she disguised her face;
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She disguised her face, and unto him did say,
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How now, Mr. Shepherd, how came you this way?
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The Shepherd replyd, and to her he said,
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I neer was surprizd at the sight of a maid:
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When first I beheld thee, from all care I was free,
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But now I am captive, my dearest to thee.
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O shepherd! O shepherd! leave not your free state,
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For love will entangle you in sorrow thats great,
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And distract your brain, that you neer can have rest
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Then incline not to love, for as yet you are blest.
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Fair nymph of the wood, and thou charmer of man,
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Thy beautys so great, that I cant it withstand;
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Then pity my case, and yield me some Joy;
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O pity, O pity, a wounded young Boy.
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The nymph she replyd, with a languishing look,
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Saying, Shepherd, alas! my way I mistook,
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Or you had never known me, nor I who you were,
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For now I do pity you, I do declare.
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Then sit thee down by me, thou beauteous nymph,
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And let me enjoy thy sweet person, not glimpse
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Of thy beauty celestial, so charming and fair;
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Thy beauty indeed is beyond all compare.
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O dont prove my downfall! why will you? O why
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Will you let your poor shepherd thus languishing lie?
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If you grant me not love, all the world cant me save,
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Tho once I did slight you, twill bring me to my grave.
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With that poor Adonis let fall some few tears,
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His face looked pale, which discoverd his care:
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The nymph looked red, and blushing did cry,
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O no, sweet Adonis! for me you shant die.
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Then take your shepherdess, Ill be no more coy,
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In love let us live, and each other enjoy;
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In groves that are pleasant, under trees that are high,
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In love let us live, and in love let us die.
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This answer revivd poor Adoniss heart,
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His troubles were fled, and he felt no more smart:
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The nymph she receivd him with looks most kind,
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And from her shepherd she comfort did find.
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Then close he embracd her, and soft laid her down,
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The sky was their tester, their bed was the ground:
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He folded her so oft within his fond arms,
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Her face and her features discoverd her charms.
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As charming as Venus was, when she was took
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Along with brave Mars, when the Gods at them look.
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Yet this nymph and this shepherd most beautiful fair,
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Like the light of the sun-beams so charming were.
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Thus in sweet enjoyment, free from care and strife,
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This happy couple do lead a sweet life:
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No wars, nor no battles, no rumours they see,
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In peace, in great comfort, and pleasure they be.
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Among the sweet groves thus they pleasant do live,
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And nothing do want but what nature doth give;
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It is there, it is there, it is there they do keep
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Their quiet, contented, and sweet harmless sheep.
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All the day near to fountains and rivers they rove,
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At night they return to the peaceable grove;
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And thus in the day, as well as the night,
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They live in great pleasure, in joy, and delight.
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One sings with her voice, tother plays with his flute,
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Whilst one is employed, the other stands mute;
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They look at each other so charming and sweet,
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Sometimes interposing their lips they do meet.
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Thus charming, thus loving, they lead a sweet life,
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So free from all care, and so void of all strife;
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If therefore all of you contentment would find,
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Like this happy couple be loving and kind.
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