SONGS, written chiefly between the Year 1737 and 1742. I SONG I. Told my nymph, I told her true, My fields were finall, my flocks were few; While faultering accents fpoke my fear, That FLAVIA might not prove fincere. Of crops destroy'd by vernal cold, And vagrant sheep that left my fold: Of these she heard, yet bore to hear; And is not FLAVIA then fincere? How chang'd by fortune's fickle wind, How, if she deign'd my love to bless, Go fhear your flocks, ye jovial fwains, Go reap the plenty of your plains; SONG II. The LANDSKIP. OW pleas'd within my native bowers HOW Erewhile I pafs'd the day! Was ever scene fo deck'd with flowers? How fweetly smil'd the hill, the vale, But now, when urg'd by tender woes No more, fince DAPHNE was my theme, That verdant hill, and filver ftream, Divide my love and me. SONG YEge SONG III. gentle nymphs and generous dames, That rule o'er every British mind; ye foothe their amorous flames, Be fure your laws are not unkind. Be fure For hard it is to wear their bloom To mourn the night's oppreffive gloom, And cruel 'twere a free-born fwain, Submits to yours, and yours alone. Nor pointed fpear, nor links of steel, SONG IV. The SKY-LARK, G% O, tuneful bird, that glad'ft the skies, And if the deign thy notes to hear, Tell her, in livelier plumes array'd, The bird from Indian groves may shine; But afk the lovely partial maid, What are his notes compar'd to thine? Then bid her treat yon witlefs beau, And all his flaunting race with fcorn; And lend an ear to DAMON's woe, Who fings her praise, and fings forlorn, SONG SONG V. Ab! ego non aliter triftes evincere morbos O N every tree, in every plain, I trace the jovial spring in vain! Nor flow'ry plain, nor budding tree, What bliss to me can seasons bring? 'Tis true, my vine fo fresh and fair, |