Classic Poem

A Cantata

R ECITATIVE

As Damon watch'd his harmless sheep
Within a silent shade,
Lock'd in the bands of downy sleep
He saw his charmer laid,
And thus he hail'd the beauteous maid.

A IR

Close not those charming eyes,
My life, my only dear!
'Tis night till they arise,
'Tis day when they appear.

R ECIT .

Charm'd with the tuneful accents of his voice,
The lovely virgin rear'd her head,
For Damon's song made sorrow's self rejoice,
So sweet, 'twould e'en recall the dead:
Nor was the nymph coquette or coy;
Too well she knew the artless boy.
With fervour not to be express'd
She clasp'd him to her snowy breast,
Who thus sang forth his joy.

A IR

While in her arms my charmer holds me
I think the queen of love enfolds me;
Less lovely Venus is than she,
Adonis far less blest than me.