Classic Poem

R ECIT .

Wild as despair the tim'rous Daphne flew,
While amorous Phoebus closely did pursue;
But when the god had follow'd long in vain,
At last in soft melodious strain
He thus essay'd the cruel fair to gain:

A IR

Dearest Daphne, do not fly me,
All thy needless fears remove;
Do not, do not thus deny me,
But reward Apollo's love.
When unconstant men are wooers
Virgins may maintain the field,
But when gods become pursuers
Ev'ry fair should gladly yield.

R ECIT .

This said, he rudely seiz'd the trembling maid,
Who loudly call'd to Heav'n for aid;
When, Lo! by pow'r divine she grew
A laurel, ever blooming, ever new,
From whose immortal trunk these accents came,
His frustrate hopes to mock, his love to blame.

A IR

Phoebus, while you're such a rover
Small success in love you'll find;
Till you are grown a constant lover
Virgins never will be kind.
Leave this wanton way of wooing,
Fickle courtship is but vain;
While you all are thus pursuing
You perhaps may none obtain.