Virgin's Choice, or, Youth Preferred to Old Age/Let Ambition Fire Thy Mind

 

Let Ambition Fire Thy Mind.

LET ambition fire thy mind,
 thou wert born o'er men to reign,
Not to follow flocks design'd;
 scorn thy crook, and leave the plain.

Crowns I'll throw beneath thy feet,
 thou on necks of kings shall tread;
Joys incircling, joys shall meet,
 which way e'er thy fancy lead.

Let not spoils of empire fright;
 toils of empire pleasure are;
Thou shalt only know delight,
 all the joy but not the care.

Shepherd, if thou'lt yield the prize,
 for the blessings I bestow,
Joyful I'll ascend the skies,
 happy thou shalt reign below.