Strephon and Cloris,
OR,
The Coy Shepherd and Kind Shepherdess.
Hes fearful that his Flocks should go astra[y]
And from her kind embrace; would away,
But she with charms doth him so fetter,
That for to stay he finds it is the better
When flocks & herds & concerns do fail
Love must be satisfied and will prevail.
To the Tune of, Love will find out the way. This may be printed, R.P.
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AH, Cloris awake,
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it is all abroad day,
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If you sleep any longer,
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our Flocks they will stray:
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Lye still my dear Shepherd,
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and do not rise yet,
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For tis a cold windy Morning,
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and besides it is wet.
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My Cloris make haste,
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for it is no such thing,
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Our time we do waste,
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for the Lark is on Wing:
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Besides I do fancy
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I hear the young Lambs,
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Cry, ba, ba, ba, ba,
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for the loss of their Dams.
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MY Shepherd I come,
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though im all over sorrow,
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But I swear Ill not love you,
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if you rise so to morrow;
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For methinks tis unkind,
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thus early to rise,
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And not bid me good-morrow,
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brings tears from my eyes.
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O hark my dear Cloris,
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before thou shalt weep,
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Ill stay to embrace thee,
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neglecting my sheep:
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My Flocks they may wander
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one hour, two, or three,
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But if I loose thy favour,
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I ruind shall be.
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I joy my dear Shepherd,
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to hear thee say so,
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It eases my heart of
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much sorrow and woe:
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And for thy reward
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I will give thee a kiss,
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And then thou shalt taste
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of a true lovers Bliss.
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But Cloris behold how
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bright Phoebus his Beams,
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Invites us to go
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to the murmering streams:
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I hear the brave Huntsmen
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doth follow the Cry,
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And makes the Woods ring,
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yet how sluggish am I.
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The Hounds and the Huntsmen,
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may follow the Chase,
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Whilst we enjoy pleasure
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in a far better place:
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Thou knowst my dear shepherd,
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there is no delight,
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Like Lovers enjoyment
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from Morning till Night.
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Alas! my dear Cloris,
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what dost thou require,
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The care of my Flocks
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doth abate my desire;
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The Lambs are new yeaned,
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and tender for prey,
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And I fear the slye Woulf
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he should bear them away.
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My love do not fear it,
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the Woolf he is fled,
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To take up his Lodging
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in his Mossy Bed;
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Then let me Imbrace thee,
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whilst we do agree,
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And I do promise to go,
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thou shalt after be free.
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Ah! Cloris thy words
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are so powerful to me,
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That I could be willing
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to tarry with thee:
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Therefore to content thee,
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one hour I will stay,
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But I vow by God Cupid,
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I will then go away.
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Now I have my wishes,
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dear Shepherd wel part,
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Although thou dost carry
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away my poor heart:
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I bless the great Gods
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that to Lovers are kind,
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To bring us together,
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such Bliss for to find.
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Then farewel dear Cloris,
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till I see thee again,
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For now I will haste to
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my Flocks on the Plain;
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Where I will record
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thy true love in such Rhimes,
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For Shepherds do admire
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in succeding times.
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