54
AMYNTAS.
And scruples not to crush it; the fierce boar
With whetted tusk destroys; nay even weak woman,
So fearful in appearance, and so gentle,
Kills with a look, or with a graceful motion,
Whene'er she would extend her amorous empire.
These rightly act as nature hath impressed them.
And should I foolishly reject her bounty,
And let her providence lie dead in me?
No:—Since with strength resistless I'm endowed,
I will employ that strength; I will extort
The bliss which a capricious nymph denies me,
As the just recompence of ardent love.
A trusty goat-herd who for me observes
The secret haunts and practices of Sylvia,
Hath told me that it is her frequent custom,
Tired with the chace, to seek a silver fountain,
And there, unnoticed as she thinks, to bathe
Her snowy limbs in the translucent stream.
I know the place; my vassal showed it me:
With whetted tusk destroys; nay even weak woman,
So fearful in appearance, and so gentle,
Kills with a look, or with a graceful motion,
Whene'er she would extend her amorous empire.
These rightly act as nature hath impressed them.
And should I foolishly reject her bounty,
And let her providence lie dead in me?
No:—Since with strength resistless I'm endowed,
I will employ that strength; I will extort
The bliss which a capricious nymph denies me,
As the just recompence of ardent love.
A trusty goat-herd who for me observes
The secret haunts and practices of Sylvia,
Hath told me that it is her frequent custom,
Tired with the chace, to seek a silver fountain,
And there, unnoticed as she thinks, to bathe
Her snowy limbs in the translucent stream.
I know the place; my vassal showed it me:
Thi-
