Classic Poem

strephon: Prithee now, fond Fool, give o'er;
Since my Heart is gone before,
To what purpose shou'd I stay?
Love commands another way.

daphne: Perjur'd Swain, I knew the time
When Dissembling was your Crime.
In pity now employ that Art
Which first betray'd, to ease my Heart.

strephon: Women can with pleasure feign:
Men dissemble still with pain.
What advantage will it prove
If I lye, who cannot love?

daphne: Tell me then the reason why,
Love from Hearts in Love does fly?
Why the Bird will build a Nest,
Where he ne'er intends to rest?

strephon: Love, like other little Boys,
Cries for Hearts, as they for Toys:
Which, when gain'd, in Childish Play,
Wantonly are thrown away.

daphne: Still on Wing, or on his Knees,
Love does nothing by degrees:
Basely flying when most priz'd,
Meanly fawning when despis'd:
Flatt'ring or insulting ever,
Generous and grateful never:
All his joys are fleeting Dreams,
All his Woes severe Extreams.

strephon: Nymph, unjustly you inveigh;
Love, like us, must Fate obey.
Since 'tis Nature's Law to Change,
Constancy alone is strange.
See the Heav'ns in Lightnings break,
Next in Storms of Thunder speak;
'Till a kind Rain from above
Makes a Calm,--so 'tis in Love.
Flames begin our first Address,
Like meeting Thunder we embrace:
Then you know the Show'rs that fall
Quench the fire, and quiet all.

daphne: How shou'd I these Show'rs forget,
'Twas so pleasant to be wet?
They kill'd Love, I knew it well,
I dy'd all the while they fell.
Say at least what Nymph it is
Robs my Breast of so much Bliss?
If she is fair, I shall be eas'd,
Thro' my Ruin you'll be pleas'd.

strephon: Daphne never was so fair:
Strephon, scarcely, so sincere.
Gentle, Innocent, and Free,
Ever pleas'd with only me.
Many Charms my Heart enthral,
But there's one above 'em all:
With aversion she does fly
Tedious, trading, Constancy.

daphne: Cruel Shepherd! I submit;
Do what Love and you think fit:
Change is Fate, and not Design;
Say you wou'd have still been mine.

strephon: Nymph, I cannot: 'Tis too true,
Change has greater Charms than you:
Be, by my Example, wise,
Faith to Pleasure sacrifice.

daphne: Silly Swain, I'll have you know,
'Twas my practice long ago:
Whilst you vainly thought me true,
I was false in scorn of you.
By my Tears, my Heart's disguise,
I thy Love and thee despise
Womankind more Joy discovers
Making Fools, than keeping Lovers.