Shepherd ADONIS;
OR,
The Contented LOVERS.
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SHepherd Adonis, being weary of his sport,
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Return'd to the woods where he us'd to resort,
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He let fall his crook, and he laid himself down,
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He envy'd no Monarch, he wish'd 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 care was free:
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He valu'd no nymph, was she ever so fair,
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No pride nor ambition had he, nor no care.
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But as it fell out in one evening clear,
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A charming sweet voice he chanced to hear;
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He stood like a stone, not one foot could he move,
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He knew not what ail'd him, but fear'd 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 to him did say,
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How now, Mr. Shepherd, how came you this way?
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The Shepherd reply'd, and to her he said,
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I ne'er was surpriz'd 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'm a 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 that's great,
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And distract your brain, that you ne'er 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 beauty's so great that I can't it withstand;
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Then pity my case, and yield me some joy,
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O pity, O pity a young wounded boy.
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The nymph she reply'd 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, or 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 glympse
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Of thy beauty celestial, so charming and fair,
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They beauty indeed is beyond all compare.
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O don't prove my downfall! why will you, O why,
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Will you let your shepherd thus languishing lie?
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If you grant me not love, all the world can't me save,
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Tho' once I did slight you, 'twill bring me to the grave
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With that poor Adonis let fall some few tears,
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His face looked pale, which discover'd his cares:
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The nymph looked red, and blushing did cry,
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O no, sweet Adonis, for me you shan't die.
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Then take your Shepherdess, I'll 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 reviv'd poor Adonis's heart.
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His troubles were fled, and he felt no more smart;
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The nymph she receiv'd him with looks most kind,
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And from her shepherd she comfort did find.
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Then close he embrac'd 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 soft within his fond arms,
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Her face and her features discover'd 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 God 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 live 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, in 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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All 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, t'other plays with his flute,
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Whilst one is employ'd, 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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