( 9 )
THENOT.
Slander, we Shepherds count the greatest Wrong;
For, what wounds sorer than an evil Tongue?
Slander, we Shepherds count the greatest Wrong;
For, what wounds sorer than an evil Tongue?
COLINET.
Untoward Lads, who Pleasance take in Spite,
Make mock of all the Ditties I endite.
In vain, O Colinet, thy Pipe, so shrill,
Charms ev'ry Vale, and gladdens ev'ry Hill:
In vain thou seek'st the Cov'rings of the Grove,
In the cool Shade to sing the Heats of Love:
No Passion, but rank Envy, canst, thou move.
Sing what thou wilt, ill Nature will prevail;
And ev'ry Elf has Skill enough to rail.
Untoward Lads, who Pleasance take in Spite,
Make mock of all the Ditties I endite.
In vain, O Colinet, thy Pipe, so shrill,
Charms ev'ry Vale, and gladdens ev'ry Hill:
In vain thou seek'st the Cov'rings of the Grove,
In the cool Shade to sing the Heats of Love:
No Passion, but rank Envy, canst, thou move.
Sing what thou wilt, ill Nature will prevail;
And ev'ry Elf has Skill enough to rail.
But yet, tho' poor and artless is my Vein,
Menalcas seems to like my simple Strain;
And long as he is pleas'd to hear my Song,
That to Menalcas does of right belong;
Nor Night, nor Day, shall my rude Musick cease;
I ask no more, so I Menalcas please.
Menalcas seems to like my simple Strain;
And long as he is pleas'd to hear my Song,
That to Menalcas does of right belong;
Nor Night, nor Day, shall my rude Musick cease;
I ask no more, so I Menalcas please.
THENOT.
Menalcas, Lord of all the neighb'ring Plains,
Preserves the Sheep, and o'er the Shepherds reigns.
For him our Yearly Wakes and Feasts we hold,
And chuse the fattest Firstling from the Fold.
He, good to all, that good deserve, shall give
Thy Flock to feed, and thee at Ease to live;
Shall curb the Malice of unbridled Tongues,
And with due Praise reward thy Rural Songs.
Menalcas, Lord of all the neighb'ring Plains,
Preserves the Sheep, and o'er the Shepherds reigns.
For him our Yearly Wakes and Feasts we hold,
And chuse the fattest Firstling from the Fold.
He, good to all, that good deserve, shall give
Thy Flock to feed, and thee at Ease to live;
Shall curb the Malice of unbridled Tongues,
And with due Praise reward thy Rural Songs.
COLINET.
First then shall lightsome Birds forget to fly,
The Briny Ocean turn to Pastures dry,
And ev'ry rapid River cease to flow,
E'er I unmindful of Menalcas grow.
First then shall lightsome Birds forget to fly,
The Briny Ocean turn to Pastures dry,
And ev'ry rapid River cease to flow,
E'er I unmindful of Menalcas grow.
THENOT.
This Night thy Cares with me forget; and fold
Thy Flock with mine, to ward th' injurious Cold.
Sweet Milk and clouted Cream, soft Cheese and Curd,
With some remaining Fruit of last Year's Hoard,
This Night thy Cares with me forget; and fold
Thy Flock with mine, to ward th' injurious Cold.
Sweet Milk and clouted Cream, soft Cheese and Curd,
With some remaining Fruit of last Year's Hoard,
Shall
