6
PASTORALS.
Lobbin, a Shepherd-boy, one evening fair,
As western winds had cool'd the sultry air,
His numb'red sheep within the fold now pent,
Thus plain'd him of his dreery discontent; 12
Beneath a hoary poplar's whisp'ring boughs,
He, solitary, sat to breathe his vows,
Venting the tender anguish of his heart,
As passion taught, in accents free of art: 16
And little did he hope, while, night by night,
His sighs were lavish'd thus on Lucy bright.
As western winds had cool'd the sultry air,
His numb'red sheep within the fold now pent,
Thus plain'd him of his dreery discontent; 12
Beneath a hoary poplar's whisp'ring boughs,
He, solitary, sat to breathe his vows,
Venting the tender anguish of his heart,
As passion taught, in accents free of art: 16
And little did he hope, while, night by night,
His sighs were lavish'd thus on Lucy bright.
"Ah, well a day! how long must I endure
"This pining pain? Or who shall speed my cure? 20
"Fond love no cure will have, seeks no repose,
"Delights in grief, nor any measure knows:
"And now the moon begins in clouds to rise;
"The brightening stars increase within the skies; 24
"The winds are hush; the dews distil; and sleep
"Hath clos'd the eyelids of my weary sheep:
"I only with the proling wolf constrain'd
"All night to wake: with hunger is he pain'd, 28
"And I, with love. His hunger he may tame;
"But who can quench, O cruel Love, thy flame?
"This pining pain? Or who shall speed my cure? 20
"Fond love no cure will have, seeks no repose,
"Delights in grief, nor any measure knows:
"And now the moon begins in clouds to rise;
"The brightening stars increase within the skies; 24
"The winds are hush; the dews distil; and sleep
"Hath clos'd the eyelids of my weary sheep:
"I only with the proling wolf constrain'd
"All night to wake: with hunger is he pain'd, 28
"And I, with love. His hunger he may tame;
"But who can quench, O cruel Love, thy flame?
"Whilom
