Page:Breton Wither Browne.djvu/58



when the pretty rill a place espies,

Where with the pebbles she would wantonize,

And that her upper stream so much doth wrong her

To drive her thence, and let her play no longer;

If she with too loud mutt'ring ran away,

As being much incens'd to leave her play,

A western, mild and pretty whispering gale

Came dallying with the leaves along the dale,

And seem'd as with the water it did chide.

Because it ran so long unpacified:

Yea, and methought it bade her leave that coil,

Or he would choke her up with leaves and soil:

Whereat the riv'let in my mind did weep,

And hurl'd her head into a silent deep.

soft, ye silver floods,

And every spring:

Within the shady woods

Let no bird sing!

Nor from the grove a turtle-dove

Be seen to couple with her love;

But silence on each dale and mountain dwell,

Whilst Willy bids his friend and joy farewell.

But (of great Thetis' train)

Ye mermaids fair,

That on the shores do plain

Your sea-green hair,

As ye in trammels knit your locks,

Weep ye; and so enforce the rocks

In heavy murmurs through the broad shores tell

How Willy bade his friend and joy farewell.