Poems and translations amorous, lusory, morall, divine [collected and translated] by Edvvard Sherburne ...

The Pastorall Wooing. Daphnis, and Shepheardess. Theocrit. Idyl. 28.

Daphnis.

PAris the Swain, away coy Helen bare: And I, a Swain, am kiss'd by one more fair.

Shepheardess.

Brag not rude Hind; Kisses are empty things.

Daphnis.

From empty Kisses yet sweet pleasure springs.

Shepheardess.

I'l wash my mouth, wipe off thy Kisses stain.

Daphnis.

Wip'st thou thy Lips? then let us kiss again.

Shepheardess.

Go kiss your Cows; you fit to kiss a Maid!

Daphnis.

Be not so proud: your youth will quickly fade.

Shepheardess.

Grapes though they're dry, yet still are Grapes we see, And Roses although wither'd, Roses be.

Daphnis.

Let's sit and talk beneath this Myrtles shade.

Shepheardess.

No; your smooth Tongue me once before betraid.

Daphnis.

Beneath these Elms then sit and hear me play.

Shepheardess.

Play to your self; I not your Musick weigh.

Daphnis.

Take heed lest thou the Wrath of Venus find!

Shepheardess.

Venus her worst; be but Diana kind.

Daphnis.

Oh say not so: lest her excited Rage Thee in unextricable Snares ingage.

Shepheardess.

Do what she can, find we Diana's Grace. Hold off your hands, or else I'l scratch your Face.

Daphnis.

Love, which no Maid e'r did, thou must not fly.

Shepheardess.

By Pa•• I will: why dost thou press so nigh?

Daphnis.

I fear he'l make thee stoop to thy first Love.

Shepheardess.

Though woo'd by many, none I did approve.

Daphnis.

Amongst those many, here, behold! I sue.

Shepheardess.

Why, my kind Friend, what would'st thou have me do? The married Life with troubles is repleat.

Daphnis.

No Cares, Joys only Marriage doth beget.

Shepheardess.

They say, Wives of their Husbands live in fear.

Daphnis.

Of whom do Women? rather domineer.

Shepheardess.

But thought of Child-bed Pains makes me afraid.

Daphnis.

Diana, whom thou serv'st, will be thy Aid.

Shepheardess.

But bearing Children will my Beauty wrong.

Daphnis.

In Children thou wilt see thy self still young.

Shepheardess.

What Dowry wilt thou give if I consent?

Daphnis.

My Flocks, my Groves, my Fields, be thou content.

Shepheardess.

Swear, that, when married, thou wilt ne'r forsake me.

Daphnis.

By Pan I will not, so thou please to take me.

Shepheardess.

Thou'lt give me Beds, and House, and Sheep to breed?

Daphnis.

Both House, and Beds, and the fair Flocks I feed.

Shepheardess.

What shall I to my aged Father say?

Daphnis.

He, when he hears my Name, will soon give way.

Shepheardess.

How art thou call'd? for Names do often please.

Daphnis.

Daphnis my Name, my Father's Lycides, My Mother's Nomaea.

Shepheardess.

Of an honest Line Thou com'st, nor we of no more mean than thine.

Daphnis.

Yet not so great to make your Pride aspire, For, as I tak't, Menalcas is your Sire.

Shepheardess,

Shew me your Stalls, and Groves.

Daphnis.

Come let thine Eyes VVitness how high my Cypress Trees do rise.

Shepheardess.

Feed Goats whilst I survay the Shepheard's Bounds.

Daphnis.

Graze Bullocks whilst I shew the Nymph my Grounds.

Shepheardess.

VVhat do'st? why thrust'st thy hand into my Brest?

Daphnis.

Thus thy soft, swelling Bosome should be prest.

Shepheardess.

Help Pan! I faint; Swain, take thy hand away.

Daphnis.

Fear not sweet Nymph; nor tremble with dismay.

Shepheardess.

'Twill spoyle my Coat should I i'th' durt be thrown.

Daphnis.

No; see! on this soft hide I'l lay thee down.

Shepheardess.

Ah Me! why hast thou loos••d my Virgin Zone?

Daphnis.

To Venus this be an Oblation.

Shepheardess.

Heark! see! some body comes; I hear a Noise.

Daphnis.

The Cypress Trees are whispering of our Joyes.

Shepheardess.

Th'hast torn my Cloaths, and me quite naked layd.

Daphnis.

I'l give thee better.

Shepheardess.

VVords no deeds e'r paid.

Daphnis.

Would I could send my soul into thee now!

Shepheardess.

Oh Phoebe, pardon! I have broke my Vow.

Daphnis.

A Calf to Love, a Bull to Venus burn.

Shepheardess.

A Maid I came, a Woman shall return.

Daphnis.

And be a Mother-Nurse to pretty Boyes.

Shepheardess.

Thus intertalk'd they mid'st the active Joyes Of closs Embraces; when at length they rose, And being up, to feed her Flock she goes With blushing Face, but with a lightsome Heart, Whilst to his Heards he no less pleas'd doth part.