Air—in the Shepherd's Artifice

Since artful man so oft betrays, By subtle wiles, and hardy ways, Our weak unguarded sex; By oaths, dissembl'd sigh's and fears, To melt the heart, to charm our ears, And still our minds perplex: In revenge I'm determin'd to treat him with scorn, And shew him a nymph can perplex in her turn.

But Strephon's heart with purest fire, With kindest love, and fond desire, Has ever warmly glow'd: Yet his mny be like all the rest, A treach'rous bait to snare the breast, And so my fears forbode: Those fears then shall teach me to treat him with scorn And shew him a nymph can insnare in her turn.