CON A PASTORAL. BY CUNNINGHAM. O'ER moorlands and mountains, rude, barren and bare, A gentle young shepherdess sees my despair, Yellow sheaves from richCeres her cottage hadcrown'd, Green rushes were strew'd on her floor, Her casement sweet woodbines crept wantonly round, And deck'd the sod seats at her door. O'ER moorlands and mountains, rude, barren and bare, A gentle young shepherdess sees my despair, Yellow sheaves from richCeres her cottage hadcrown'd, Green rushes were strew'd on her floor, Her casement sweet woodbines crept wantonly round, And deck'd the sod seats at her door. We sat ourselves down to a cooling repast, Fresh fruits!-and she cull'd me the best; Whilst, thrown from my guard by some glances she cast, Love slily stole into my breast. I told my soft wishes-she sweetly reply'd, (Ye virgins her voice was divine!) "I've rich ones rejected, and great ones deny'd; Yet take me, fond shepherd-I'm thine." Her air was so modest, her aspect so meek, Now jocund together we tend a few sheep; Together we range o'er the slow-rising hills, Or rest on the rock whence the streamlet distils, To pomp or proud titles she ne'er did aspire, The cottager Peace is well known for her sire, And shepherds have nam'd her, Content. A PRAYER FOR INDIFFERENCE. BY MRS. GREVILLE. OFT I've implor'd the gods in vain, And pray'd till I've been weary; For once I'll try my wish to gain Of Oberon the fairy. Sweet airy being, wanton sprite, If e'er thy pitying heart was mov'd, And for th' Athenian maid who lov'd, Oh! deign once more t'exert thy power; Sov'reign as juice of western flower, I ask no kind return of love, No tempting charm to please: Far from the heart those gifts remove, That sighs for peace and ease. H 153353 |