Daphnis and Chloe

Daphnis stood pensive in the shade,
With arms across, and head reclined;
Pale looks accused the cruel maid,
And sighs relieved his love-sick mind:
His tuneful pipe all broken lay,
Looks, sighs, and actions seem'd to say,
My Chloe is unkind.

Why ring the woods with warbling throats?
Ye larks, ye linnets, cease your strains;
I faintly hear in your sweet notes,
My Chloe's voice that wakes my pains:
Yet why should you your song forbear?
Your mates delight your song to hear,
But Chloe mine disdains.

As thus he melancholy stood,
Dejected as the lonely dove;
Sweet sounds broke gently through the wood.
I feel the sound; my heart-strings move.
'Twas not the nightingale that sung;
No. 'Tis my Chloe's sweeter tongue.
Hark, hark, what says my love!

How foolish is the nymph (she cries)
Who trifles with her lover's pain!
Nature still speaks in woman's eyes,
Our artful lips were made to feign.
O Daphnis, Daphnis, 'twas my pride,
'Twas not my heart thy love denied,
Come back, dear youth, again.

As t'other day my hand he seized,
My blood with thrilling motion flew;
Sudden I put on looks displeased,
And hasty from his hold withdrew.
'Twas fear alone, thou simple swain,
Then hadst thou prest my hand again,
My heart had yielded too!

'Tis true, thy tuneful reed I blamed,
That swell'd thy lip and rosy cheek;
Think not thy skill in song defamed,
That lip should other pleasures seek
Much, much thy music I approve;
Yet break thy pipe, for more I love,
Much more to hear thee speak.

My heart forebodes that I'm betray'd,
Daphnis I fear is ever gone;
Last night with Delia's dog he play'd,
Love by such trifles first comes on.
Now, now, dear shepherd, come away,
My tongue would now my heart obey.
Ah Chloe, thou art won!

The youth stepp'd forth with hasty pace,
And found where wishing Chloe lay;
Shame sudden lighten'd in her face,
Confused, she knew not what to say.
At last in broken words, she cried;
To-morrow you in vain had tried,
But I am lost to-day!