Page:Poems of Anne Countess of Winchilsea 1903.djvu/514

 376 THE POEMS OF ANNE �But welcome good Arcasius with that Bait, �Which shall be soon dispers'd among the Soldiers: �And if it win them to my great Design, �'Tis worth the Kingdoms which its Price might ransom. �[Exeunt tvith the Casket followed by Arcasius. �Enter Thseta and Lamia. �Lamia. The Dews are falling, and the Sun declin'd, Whilst from this neighb'ring Grove are heard the Notes 160 Of that sweet Bird, that warbles to the Night, Now telling us her Shadows are approaching: And yet the tardy Shepherds are not come. �Thceta. When all our Hours were gay, it was not thus: But who can haste to break his chearful Pipe, Tear the sweet Garland, made by her he sighs for, And sing of Death, when Love is all his Passion? �Lamia. Now thou dost talk of Love, yet ere we part, Or fall into our melancholy Strains, �Lend to that Eccho, greedy of thy Voice, 170 �Some moving Words, upon so soft a subject. �Thceta. Rather that Song I'd chuse, which do's prefer To all things else the Joys of these sweet Plains ; Since, now perhaps, we must too soon forsake them. �Lamia. A better can't be chose ; haste to perform it, Lest the sad Ceremony break our purpose. �THE SONG. �(1.) She Sings A young Shepherd his Life, �In soft Pleasure still leads, Tunes his Voice to his Reed, �And makes Love in the Shades. 180 �To be Great, to be Wise, To be Rich, to be Proud, ��� �