II Shepherdess .

Tell me Thirsis, tell your anguish,
Why you sigh, and why you languish;
When the nymph whom you adore
Grants the blessing of possessing,
What can love and I do more?
What can love, what can love and I do more? Shepherd .

Think it's love beyond all measure
Makes me faint away with pleasure;
Strength of cordial may destroy,
And the blessing of possessing
Kills me with excess of joy. Shepherdess .

Thirsis, how can I believe you?
But confess, and I'll forgive you.
Men are false, and so are you;
Never Nature framed a creature
To enjoy and yet be true;
Never Nature framed a creature
To enjoy and yet be true,
To enjoy and yet be true,
And yet be true. Shepherd .

Mine's a flame beyond expiring,
Still possessing, still desiring,
Fit for love's imperial crown;
Ever shining and refining,
Still the more 'tis melted down. Chorus together .

Mine's a flame beyond expiring,
Still possessing, still desiring,
Fit for love's imperial crown;
Ever shining and refining
Still the more 'tis melted down.