Page:The Shepherd's Week - Gay (1728).djvu/22

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THIRD PASTORAL.
Let hares and hounds in coupling straps unite,[1]The clocking hen make friendship with the kite, 60Let the fox simply wear the nuptial noose,And join in wedlock with the wadling goose;For love hath brought a stranger thing to pass,The fairest shepherd weds the foulest lass. My plaint, ye lasses, with this burthen aid, 65'Tis hard so true a damsel dies a maid. Sooner shall cats disport in waters clear,[2]And speckled mackrels graze the meadows fair,Sooner shall scriech-owls bask in sunny day,And the slow ass on trees, like squirrels, play, 70Sooner shall snails on insect pinions rove,Then I forget my shepherd's wonted love! My plaint, ye lasses, with this burthen aid,'Tis hard so true a damsel dies a maid.Ah! didst thou know what profers I withstood,When late I met the squire in yonder wood! 76To me he sped, regardless of his game,While all my cheek was glowing red with shame;My lip he kiss'd, and prais'd my healthful look,Then from his purse of silk a guinea took, 80Into my hand he forc'd the tempting gold,While I with modest struggling broke his hold.He swore that Dick in liv'ry strip'd with lace,Should wed me soon to keep me from disgrace;But I nor footman priz'd nor golden fee, 85For what is lace or gold compar'd to thee? My plaint, ye lasses, with this burthen aid,'Tis hard so true a damsel dies a maid.
  1. ↑
    Line 59Jungentur jam Gryphes equis; ævoque sequentiCum canibus timidi venient ad pocula Damæ.Virg.
  2. ↑
    67Ante leves ergo pascentur in aethere CerviEt freta destituent nudos in littore Pisces ———Quam nostro illius labatur pectore vultus.Virg.

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