Pastorals
Pastorals
Original Text
Alexander Pope, Poetical miscellanies: the sixth part: containing a collection of original poems, with several new translations by the most eminent hands (London: Jacob Tonson, 1709). B-11 6944 Fisher Rare Book Library (Toronto).
59 See what delights in sylvan scenes appear!
60Descending gods have found Elysium here.
61In woods bright Venus with Adonis stray'd,
62And chaste Diana haunts the forest shade.
63Come, lovely nymph, and bless the silent hours,
64When swains from shearing seek their nightly bow'rs;
65When weary reapers quit the sultry field,
66And crown'd with corn their thanks to Ceres yield,
67This harmless grove no lurking viper hides,
68But in my breast the serpent Love abides.
69Here bees from blossoms sip the rosy dew,
70But your Alexis knows no sweets but you.
71Oh deign to visit our forsaken seats,
72The mossy fountains, and the green retreats!
73Where'er you walk, cool gales shall fan the glade,
74Trees, where you sit, shall crowd into a shade;
75Where'er you tread, the blushing flow'rs shall rise,
76And all things flourish where you turn your eyes.
77Oh! how I long with you to pass my days,
78Invoke the Muses, and resound your praise!
79Your praise the birds shall chant in ev'ry grove,
80And winds shall waft it to the pow'rs above,
81But would you sing, and rival Orpheus' strain,
82The wond'ring forests soon should dance again;
83The moving mountains hear the pow'rful call,
84And headlong streams hang list'ning in their fall!
Publication Start Year
1709
RPO poem Editors
N. J. Endicott
RPO Edition
2RP 1.564.
Form