24
FLORELIO.
The Fates can never change their first decree,
Or sure they would have chang'd this one for thee.
Pan for his Syrinx makes eternal moan,
Ceres her daughter lost, and thou thy son: 180
Thy son for ever now has left the plain,
And is the grief, who was the grace, of ev'ry British swain.
Adieu, ye mossy Caves and shady Groves!
Once happy scenes of our successful loves:
Ye hungry Herds and bleating Flocks! adieu; 185
Flints be your beds, and browze the bitter yew.
Two lambs alone shall be my charge to feed,
For yearly on his grave two lambs shall bleed.
This pledge of lasting love, dear Shade! receive;
'Tis all, alas! a shepherd's love can give; 190
But grief from its own pow'r will set me free,
Will send me soon a willing ghost to thee:
Cropp'd in the flow'ry spring of youth, I'll go,
With hasty joy, to wait thy shade below:
In ever-fragrant meads and jasmine bow'rs 195
We 'll dwell, and all Elysium shall be ours;
Where citron groves ethereal odours breathe,
And streams of flowing crystal purl beneath;
Where all are ever young and heav'nly fair,
As here above thy sister Graces are. 200
Or sure they would have chang'd this one for thee.
Pan for his Syrinx makes eternal moan,
Ceres her daughter lost, and thou thy son: 180
Thy son for ever now has left the plain,
And is the grief, who was the grace, of ev'ry British swain.
Adieu, ye mossy Caves and shady Groves!
Once happy scenes of our successful loves:
Ye hungry Herds and bleating Flocks! adieu; 185
Flints be your beds, and browze the bitter yew.
Two lambs alone shall be my charge to feed,
For yearly on his grave two lambs shall bleed.
This pledge of lasting love, dear Shade! receive;
'Tis all, alas! a shepherd's love can give; 190
But grief from its own pow'r will set me free,
Will send me soon a willing ghost to thee:
Cropp'd in the flow'ry spring of youth, I'll go,
With hasty joy, to wait thy shade below:
In ever-fragrant meads and jasmine bow'rs 195
We 'll dwell, and all Elysium shall be ours;
Where citron groves ethereal odours breathe,
And streams of flowing crystal purl beneath;
Where all are ever young and heav'nly fair,
As here above thy sister Graces are. 200
