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GERON.
Begin then, Boys, and vary well your Song;
Nor fear, from Geron's upright Sentence, Wrong.
A Boxen Haut-Boy, loud, and sweet of Sound,
All varnish'd, and with brazen Ringlets bound,
I to the Victor give: No small Reward,
If with our usual Country Pipes compar'd.

HOBBINOL.
The Snows are melted, and the kindly Rain
Descends on ev'ry Herb, and ev'ry Grain;
Soft Balmy Breezes breathe along the Sky;
The bloomy Season of the Year is nigh.

LANQUET.
The Cuckoo tells aloud his painful Love;
The Turtle's Voice is heard in ev'ry Grove;
The Pastures change; the warbling Linnets sing:
Prepare to welcome in the gaudy Spring.

HOBBINOL.
When Locusts in the Fearny Bushes cry,
When Ravens pant, and Snakes in Caverns lye;
Then graze in Woods, and quit the burning Plain;
Else shall ye press the spungy Teat in vain.

LANQUET.
When Greens to Yellow vary, and ye see,
The Ground bestrew'd with Fruits off ev'ry Tree,
And stormy Winds are heard; think Winter near,
Nor trust too far to the declining Year.

HOBBINOL.
Full fain, O bless'd Eliza! would I praise
Thy Maiden Rule, and Albion's Golden Days.
Then gentle Sidney liv'd, the Shepherds Friend:
Eternal Blessings on his Shade attend!

LANQUET.
Thrice happy Shepherds now! For Dorset loves
The Country-Muse, and our delightful Groves;
While Anna reigns. O ever may She reign!
And bring on Earth a Golden Age again.

HOBBINOL.