PASTORALS.
39
"His utmost powers, determin'd once to try
"How art, exerting, might with nature vy;
"For vy could none with either in their part,
"With her in nature, nor with him in art. 60
"He draws in breath, his rising breast to fill:
"Throughout the wood his pipe is hear'd to shrill.
"From note to note, in haste, his fingers fly;
"Still more and more the numbers multiply: 64
"And now they trill, and now they fall and rise,
"And swift and slow they change with sweet surprise.
"Attentive she doth scarce the sounds retain;
"But to herself first conns the puzzling strain, 68
"And tracing, heedful, note by note repays
"The shepherd in his own harmonious lays,
"Through every changing cadence runs at length,
"And adds in sweetness what she wants in strength: 72
"Then Colin threw his fife disgrac'd aside,
"While the loud triumph sings, proclaiming wide
"Her mighty conquest, and within her throat
"Twirls many a wild unimitable note, 76
"To foil her rival. What could Colin more?
"A little harp of maple-ware he bore:
"The little harp was old, but newly strung,
"Which, usual, he across his shoulders hung. 80
"How art, exerting, might with nature vy;
"For vy could none with either in their part,
"With her in nature, nor with him in art. 60
"He draws in breath, his rising breast to fill:
"Throughout the wood his pipe is hear'd to shrill.
"From note to note, in haste, his fingers fly;
"Still more and more the numbers multiply: 64
"And now they trill, and now they fall and rise,
"And swift and slow they change with sweet surprise.
"Attentive she doth scarce the sounds retain;
"But to herself first conns the puzzling strain, 68
"And tracing, heedful, note by note repays
"The shepherd in his own harmonious lays,
"Through every changing cadence runs at length,
"And adds in sweetness what she wants in strength: 72
"Then Colin threw his fife disgrac'd aside,
"While the loud triumph sings, proclaiming wide
"Her mighty conquest, and within her throat
"Twirls many a wild unimitable note, 76
"To foil her rival. What could Colin more?
"A little harp of maple-ware he bore:
"The little harp was old, but newly strung,
"Which, usual, he across his shoulders hung. 80
"Now
