Classic Poem

Fast by those Banks, where aged Eden glides,
And Trees embow'ring paint his azure Sides,
Young Florio sat; his Lyre the Muses strung,
And to the Streams attun'd the rising Song.
The Birds enchanted, as the Poet play'd,
Perch'd o'er his Head, and peopled all the Shade.
When, lo! descending to the Vocal Grove,
Approach'd the Parent, and the Power of Love:
Quick at his Sight, the Flowers fresh Sweets exhale,
And softer Murmurs dy'd in ev'ry Gale.
While thus the God-head spoke. " Say, Shepherd,
" say,
" Still shall thy stubborn Soul disdain my Sway?
" Still shalt thou brave my All-subduing Dart,
" Nor one sure Arrow pierce thy lawless Heart?
" Have I for this subdu'd fam'd Chiefs of Old,
" Soften'd the Fierce, and Womaniz'd the Bold?
" Shall humbled Monarchs own my mighty Reign,
" And thou, a Boy, the Victor-God disdain?
To hide his Thoughts, in Silence, Florio strove,
Yet even Silence is a Speech in Love:
He watch'd th' unguarded Passage to his Heart,
And unawares deep lodg'd th' envenom'd Dart.