Methought I saw the nymph I would imbrace,
With arms abroad coming to me for help,
A lust-led satyr having her in chase
Which after her about the fields did yelp.
I seeing my love in perplexed plight,
A sturdy bat from off an oak I reft,
And with the ravisher continue fight
Till breathless I upon the earth him left.
Then when my coy nymph saw her breathless foe,
With kisses kind she gratifies my pain,
Protesting never rigour more to show.
Happy was I this good hap to obtain;
But drowsy slumbers flying to their cell,
My sudden joy converted was to bale;
My wonted sorrows still with me do dwell.
I looked round about on hill and dale,
But I could neither my fair Chloris view,
Nor yet the satyr which erstwhile I slew.
XIV
Mournful Amintas, thou didst
pine with care,
Because the fates
by their untimely doom
Of life bereft
thy loving Phillis fair,
When thy love’s
spring did first begin to bloom.
My care doth countervail that
care of thine,
And yet my Chloris
draws her angry breath;
My hopes still
hoping hopeless now repine,
For living she
doth add to me but death.
Thy Phinis, dying, loved thee
full dear;
My Chloris, living,
hates poor Corin’s love,
Thus doth my woe
as great as thine appear,
Though sundry
accents both our sorrows move.
Thy swan-like songs did show
thy dying anguish;
These weeping truce-men show
I living languish.
XV
These weeping truce-men show
I living languish,
My woeful wailings
tells my discontent;
Yet Chloris nought
esteemeth of mine anguish,
My thrilling throbs
her heart cannot relent.
My kids to hear the rimes
and roundelays
Which I on wasteful
hills was wont to sing,
Did more delight
the lark in summer days,
Whose echo made
the neighbour groves to ring.
But now my flock all drooping
bleats and cries,
Because my pipe,
the author of their sport,
All rent and torn
and unrespected lies;
Their lamentations
do my cares consort.
They cease to feed and listen
to the plaint
Which I pour forth unto a
cruel saint.
XVI
Which I pour forth unto a
cruel saint,
Who merciless
my prayers doth attend,
Who tiger-like
doth pity my complaint,
And never ear
unto my woes will lend!
But still false hope dispairing
life deludes,
And tells my fancy
I shall grace obtain;
But Chloris fair
my orisons concludes
With fearful frowns,
presagers of my pain.
Thus do I spend the weary
wand’ring day,
Oppressed with
a chaos of heart’s grief;
Thus I consume
the obscure night away,
Neglecting sleep
which brings all cares relief;
Thus do I pass my ling’ring
life in woe;
But when my bliss will come
I do not know.