The Despairing Shepherd

Alexis shun'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 thro' 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 Their's: 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 Mein, 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 cry'd: But You shall promise ne'er again To breath your Vows, or speak your Pain: He bow'd, obey'd, and dy'd.