Sylvæ, or, The second part of Poetical miscellanies

DAPHNIS. From Theocritus Idyll. 27.

Daphnis.

THe Shepheard Paris bore the Spartan Bride By force away, and then by force enjoy'd; But I by free consent can boast a Bliss, A fairer Helen, and a sweeter kiss.

Chloris

Kisses are empty joyes and soon are o're.

Daph.

A Kiss betwixt the lips is something more.

Chlo.

I wipe my mouth, and where's your kissing then?

Daph,

I swear you wipe it to be kiss'd agen.

Chlo.

Go tend your Herd, and kiss your Cows at home; I am a Maid, and in my Beauties bloom▪

Daph.

'Tis well remember'd, do not waste your time; But wisely use it e're you pass your prime.

Chlo.

Blown Roses hold their sweetness to the last, And Raisins keep their luscious native taste.

Daph.

The Sun's too hot; those Olive shades are near; I fain wou'd whisper something in your ear.

Chlo.

'Tis honest talking where we may be seen, God knows what secret mischief you may mean; I doubt you'l play the Wag and kiss agen.

Daph.

At least beneath you Elm you need not fear; My Pipe's in tune, if you'r dispos'd to hear.

Chlo.

Play by your self, I dare not venture thither: You, and your naughty Pipe go hang toge∣ther.

Daph.

Coy Nymph beware, lest Venus you offend:

Chlo.

I shall have chaste Diana still to friend.

Daph.

You have a Soul, and Cupid has a Dart;

Chlo.

Diana will defend, or heal my heart. Nay, sie what mean you in this open place; Unhand me, or, I sware, I'le scratch your face. Let go for shame; you make me mad for spight; My mouth's my own; and if you kiss I'le bite.

Daph.

Away with your dissembling Female tricks: What wou'd you 'scape the fate of all your Sex?

Chlo.

I swear I'le keep my Maidenhead till death, And die as pure as Queen Elizabeth.

Daph.

Nay mum for that; but let me lay thee down; Better with me, than with some nauseous Clown.

Chlo.

I'de have you know, if I were so inclin'd, I have bin wo'd by many a wealthy Hind; But never found a Husband to my mind.

Daph.

But they are absent all; and I am here;

Chlo.

The matrimonial Yoke is hard to bear; And Marriage is a woful word to hear,

Daph.

A scar Crow, set to frighten fools away; Marriage has joys; and you shall have a say.

Chlo.

Sour sawce is often mix'd with our delight, You kick by day more than you kiss by night.

Daph.

Sham stories all; but say the worst you can, A very Wife fears neither God nor Man.

Chlo.

But Child-birth is they say, a deadly pain; It costs at least a Month to knit again,

Daph.

Diana cures the wounds Lucina made; Your Goddess is a Midwife by her Trade.

Chlo.

But I shall spoil my Beauty if I bear.

Daph.

But Mam and Dad are pretty names to hear.

Chlo.

But there's a Civil question us'd of late? Where lies my jointure, where your own Estate?

Daph.

My Flocks, my Fields, my Wood, my Pa∣stures take, With settlement as good as Law can make.

Chlo.

Swear then you will not leave me on the common, But marry me, and make an honest Woman.

Daph.

I swear by Pan (tho' he wears horns you'll say) Cudgell'd and kick'd, I'le not be forc'd away.

Chlo,

I bargain for a wedding Bed at least, A house, and handsome Lodging for a guest.

Daph,

A house well furnish'd shall be thine to keep; And for a flock bed I can sheer my Sheep.

Chlo.

What Tale shall I to my old Father tell?

Daph.

'Twill make him Chuckle thou'rt bestow'd so well.

Chlo.

But after all, in troth I am to blame To be so loving, e're I know your Name. A pleasant sounding name's a pretty thing:

Daph.

Faith, mine's a very pretty name to sing; They call me Daphnis: Lycidas my Syre, Both sound as well as Woman can desire. Nomaea bore me; Farmers in degree, He a good Husband, a good Houswife she.

Chlo.

Your kindred is not much amiss, 'tis true, Yet I am somewhat better born than you.

Daph.

I know your Father, and his Family; And without boasting am as good as he Menelaus; and no Master goes before.

Chlo.

Hang both our Pedigrees; not one word more; But if you love me let me see your Living, Your House and Home; for seeing is be∣lieving.

Daph.

See first you Cypress Grove, (a shade from noon;)

Chlo.

Browze on my goats; for I'le be with you soon.

Daph.

Feed well my Bulls, to whet your appetite; That each may take a lusty Leap at Night.

Chlo.

What do you mean (uncivil as you are,) To touch my breasts, and leave my bosome bare?

Daph.

These pretty bubbies first I make my own.

Chlo.

Pull out your hand, I swear, or I shall swoon.

Daph.

Why does thy ebbing blood forsake thy face?

Chlo.

Throw me at least upon a cleaner place: My Linnen ruffled, and my Wastcoat soyling What do you think new Cloaths, were made for spoyling?

Daph.

I'le lay my Lambskins underneath thy back

Chlo.

My Head Geer'es off; what filthy work you make!

Daph.

To Venus first, I lay these offrings by;

Chlo.

Nay first look round, that no body be nigh: Methinks I hear a whisp'ring in the Grove:

Daph.

The Cypress Trees are telling Tales of love.

Chlo.

You tear off all behind me, and before me; And I'm as naked as my Mother bore me.

Daph.

I'le buy thee better Cloaths than these I tear, And lie so close, I'le cover thee from Air.

Chlo

Y' are liberal now; but when your turn is sped, You'l wish me choak'd with every crust of Bread.

Daph.

I'le give thee more, much more than I have told; Wou'd I cou'd coyn my very heart to Gold.

Chlo.

Forgive thy handmaid (Huntress of the wood,) I see there's no resisting flesh and blood!

Daph.

The noble deed is done; my Herds I'le cull; Cupid, be thine a Calf; & Venus, thine a Bull.

Chlo.

A Maid I came, in an unlucky hour, But hence return, without my Virgin flour.

Daph.

A Maid is but a barren Name at best; If thou canst hold, I bid for twins at least.

Thus did this happy Pair their love dispence With mutual joys, and gratifi'd their sense; The God of Love was there a bidden Guest; And present at his own Mysterious Feast. His azure Mantle underneath he spred, And scatter'd Roses on the Nuptial Bed; While folded in each others arms they lay, He blew the flames, and furnish'd out the play, And from their Foreheads wip'd the balmy sweat away.

First rose the Maid and with a glowing Face, Her down cast eyes beheld her print upon the grass; Thence to her Herd she sped her self in haste: The Bridgroom started from his Trance at last, And pipeing homeward jocoundly he past.