Page:Pastorals Epistles Odes (1748).djvu/51

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PASTORALS.
37
And some the joys, and some the pains, of love,
And some to set out strange adventures, strove,
The trade of wizards some, and Merlin's skill,
And whence, to charms, such empire o'er the will. 16
Then Cuddy last (who Cuddy can excel
In neat device?) his tale began to tell.

"When shepherds flourish'd in Eliza's reign,
"There liv'd in high repute a jolly swain, 20
"Young Colin Clout; who well could pipe and sing,
"And by his notes invite the lagging spring.
"He, as his custom was, at leisure laid
"In woodland bower, without a rival play'd, 24
"Soliciting his pipe to warble clear,
"Enchantment sweet as ever wont to hear
"Belated wayfarers, from wake or fair
"Detain'd by musick, hovering on in air: 28
"Drawn by the magick of the inticing sound,
"What troops of mute admirers flock'd around!
"The steerlings left their food; and creatures, wild
"By nature form'd, insensibly grew mild. 32
"He makes the gathering birds about him throng,
"And loads the neighbouring branches with his song:

"There,