The Despairing Shepherd

ALEXIS shunn'd his fellow swains,
Their rural sports, and jocund strains,
(Heav'n guard us all from Cupid's bow!)
He lost his crook, he left his flocks ;
And wand'ring through the lonely rocks,
He nourish'd endless woe.

The nymphs and shepherds round him came :
His grief some pity, others blame ;
The fatal cause all kindly seek :
He mingled his concern with theirs ;
He gave 'em back their friendly tears :
He sigh'd, but would not speak.

Clorinda came among the rest ;
And she too kind concern exprest,
And ask'd the reason of his woe :
She ask'd, but with an air and mien,
That made it easily foreseen,
She fear'd too much to know.

The shepherd rais'd his mournful head ;
And will you pardon me, he said,
While I the cruel truth reveal ?
Which nothing from my breast should tear ;
Which never should offend your ear,
But that you bid me tell.

'Tis thus I rove, 'tis thus complain,
Since you appear'd upon the plain ;
You are the cause of all my care :
Your eyes ten thousand dangers dart :
Ten thousand torments vex my heart :
I love, and I despair.

Too much, Alexis, I have heard :
'Tis what I thought ; 'tis what I fear'd :
And yet I pardon you, she cried :
But you shall promise ne'er again
To breathe your vows, or speak your pain :
He bow'd, obey'd, and died.