1

Nor at firft fight, like moft, admires the fair;

For

you he lives; and you alone shall share His last affection, as his early care.

90

Befides, he's lovely far above the rest,
With youth immortal, and with beauty blest.
Add, that he varies ev'ry shape with ease,
And tries all forms that may Pomona please.
But what should moft excite a mutual flame,
Your rural cares, and pleasures are the fame: 95
To him your orchards early fruits are due,
(A pleafing off'ring when 'tis made by you)
He values thefe; but yet (alas) complains,
That still the best and deareft gift remains..
Not the fair fruit that on yon' branches glows 100
With that ripe red th' autumnal fun bestows;
Nor tasteful herbs that in these gardens rise,
Which the kind foil with milky fap fupplies;
You, only you, can move the God's defire:
Oh crown fo conftant and so pure a fire!
Let foft compaffion touch your gentle mind;
Think, 'tis Vertumnus begs you to be kind!
So may no frost, when early buds appear,
Deftroy the promise of the youthful year;

105

Nor winds, when first florid orchard blows,

your

Shake the light bloffoms from their blasted boughs!

Haec ubi nequicquam formas Deus aptus in

omnes,

Edidit; in juvenem rediit: et anilia demit
Inftrumenta fibi: talifque adparuit illi,
Qualis ubi oppofitas nitidiffima folis imago
Evicit nubes, nullaque obftante reluxit.

115

Vimque parat: fed vi non eft opus; inque figura Capta Dei Nympha eft, et mutua vulnera fentit.

appears,

This when the various God had urg'd in vain,
He strait affum'd his native form again;
Such, and fo bright an aspect now he bears, 114
As when thro' clouds th' emerging fun
And thence exerting his refulgent ray,
Difpels the darkness, and reveals the day.
Force he prepar'd, but check'd the rash design;
For when, appearing in a form divine,

The Nymph furveys him, and beholds the grace
Of charming features, and a youthful face! 121
In her soft breast confenting paffions move,
And the warm maid confefs'd a mutual love.