Classic Poem

LYCON .

S TREPHON and Damon's flocks together fed,
Two charming swains as e'er Arcadia bred;
Both fam'd for wit, and fam'd for beauty both;
But in the lustre of their blooming youth:
No sullen cares their tender thoughts remove,
No passions discompose their souls, but love.
Once, and but once alone, as story goes,
Between the youths a fierce dispute arose;
Not for the merit of their tuneful lays
(Though both deserv'd, yet both despis'd, that praise);
But for a cause of greater moment far,
That merited a lover's utmost care.
Each swain the prize of beauty strove to gain,
For the bright shepherdess that caus'd his pain.
Lycon they chose, the difference to decide,
Lycon, for prudence and sage counsel try'd;
Who love's mysterious arts had study'd long,
And taught, when old, what he had practis'd young.
For the dispute alternate verse they choose,
Alternate verse delights the rural Muse.
STREP . To Flavia, love, thou justly ow'st the prize,
She owns thy power, nor does thy laws reprove.
DAM . Though Sylvia, for herself, love's power
What crowds of vassals has shemade to love!
STREP . When Flavia comes attir'd for rural games, defies,
Each curl, each flower she wears, a charm express.
DAM . Sylvia without a foreign aid, inflames;
Charm'd with her eyes, we never mind her dress.
STREP . Have you seen Flavia with her flaxen hair?
She seems an image of the queen of love!
DAM . Sylvia's dark hairlike Leda's lock appear,
And yet, like her, has charms to conquer Jove.
STREP . Flavia by crowds of lovers is admir'd;
Happy that youth who shall the fair injoy!
DAM . Sylvia neglects her lovers, lives retir'd!
Happy, that could her lonely thoughts employ!
STREP . Flavia, where'er she comes, the swains subdues,
And every smile she gives conveys a dart.
DAM . Sylvia the swains with native coldness views
And yet what shepherd can defend his heart?
STREP . Flavia's bright beauties in an instant strike:
Gazers before they think of it, adore.
DAM . Sylvia's soft charms, as soon as seen, we like,
But still the more we think, we love the more.
STREP . Who is so stupid, that has Flavia seen,
As not to view the nymph with vast delight?
DAM . Who has seen Sylvia, and so stupid been,
As to remember any other sight?
STREP . What thoughts has Flavia, when with care she views
Her charming graces in the crystal lakes?
DAM . To see hers, Sylvia need no mirrors use,
She sees them by the conquests that she makes.
STREP . With what assurance Flavia walks the plains!
She knows the nymphs must all their lovers yield.
DAM . Sylvia with blushes wounds the gazing swain;
And while she strives to fly, she wins the field.
STREP . Flavia at first young Melibaeus lov'd:
For me she did that charming youth forsake.
DAM . Sylvia's relentless heart was never mov'd:
Gods! that I might the first impression make!
STREP . Should Flavia hear that Sylvia vy'd with her
What indignation would the charmer shew!
DAM . Sylvia would Flavia to herself prefer:
There we alone her judgment disallow.
STREP . If Sylvia's charms with Flavia's can compare
Why is this crowded still, and that alone?
DAM . Because their ways of life so different are;
Flavia gives all men hopes, and Sylvia none.
LYCON . Shepherds, enough; now cease your amorous war,
Or too much heat may carry both too far:
I well attended the dispute, and find
Both nymphs have charms, but each in different kind.
Flavia deserves more pains than she will cost;
As easily got, were she not easily lost.
Sylvia is much more difficulty to gain;
But, once possess'd, will well reward the pain.
We wish them Flavias all when first we burn;
But, once possess'd, wish they would Sylvias turn,
And, by the different charms in each exprest,
One we should soonest love, the other best.