Dearest Helen/Ianthe the Lovely
IANTHE THE LOVELY.
Ianthe the lovely, the joy of her swain,
By Iphis was lov’d, and lov’d Iphis again;
She lived in the youth, and the youth in the fair;
Their pleasure was equal, and equal their care;
No delight, no enjoyment, their dotage withdrew,
But the longer they lived, still the fonder they grew.
A passion so happy alarm’d all the plain,
Some envy’d the nymph but more envy’d the swain,
Some swore 'twould be a pity their loves to invade,
That the lovers alone for each other were made
But all, all consented, that none ever knew
A nymph be more kind, or a shepherd so true
Love saw them ,with pleasure, and vowed take care
Of the faithful, the tender, the innocent pair;
What either might want, he bid either to move
But they wanted nothing but ever to love,
He said all to bless them his godhead cou’d do
That they still should be kind, and for ever true.
FINIS.