EBBA 31679
University of Glasgow Library - Euing
Ballad XSLT Template
The Complaint of the Shepherd Harpalus,
To a New Tune.
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POOR Harpalus opprest with Love
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sat by a Christial brook,
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Thinking his sorrows to remove
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oft times therein did look:
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And hearing how on pibble stones
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the murmuring River ran,
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As if he had bequeathd his groans
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unto it thus he began.
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Fair streams quoth he that pities me,
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and hears my matchless moan,
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If thou be going to the Sea
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as I now suppone,
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Attend my plaints past all relief
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which dolefully I breath,
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Acquaint the Sea Nymps with thee grief
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which still procures my death.
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Who sitting in the clifty Rocks
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may in their Songs expresse
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While as they comb their golden locks
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poor Harpalus distresse;
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And so perhaps some passengers
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that passeth by the way,
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May stay and listen for to hear
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them sing this doleful lay.
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Poor Harpalus a Shepherd Swain
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more rich in youth then store,
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Lovd fair Philenea haplesse man
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Philenea O therefore.
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Who still remorcelesse hearted Maid
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took pleasure in his pain,
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And his good will poor soul repaid
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with undeservd disdain.
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Ner Shepherd loved Sheperdesse
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more faithfully then he
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Ner Shepherd yet beloved lesse
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of Shepherdesse could be.
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How oft did he with dying looks
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to her his woes impart,
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How oft his sight did testifie
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the dolor of his heart.
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How oft from Vallies to the Hills
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did he his grief rehearse,
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How often ecchoed they his ills
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aback again alas.
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How oft on barks of stately pines,
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of Beech, of Holly green,
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Did he ingage on mournful lines,
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the grief he did sustain.
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Yet all his plaints could have no place,
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to change Philenas mind,
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The more his sorrows did increase,
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the more she provd unkind.
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The thought thereof hath wearied care,
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poor Harpalus did move,
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That overcome with high despair
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he lost both life and love.
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Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere, and F. Wright.
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