DAMON: Or, The Shepherd's PARADISE

Where Pines and Cedars form a Wood, On either side a Chrystal Flood; Where CUPID makes his chief Abode, And softest Scenes of Love. Where Innocence adorns the Swain, Where FLORA crowns the verdant Plain, And PHILOMELA tunes a main, The Bounties of great JOVE.

Where Plenty crowns each smiling Brow, Without the toilsome Help of Plow, The Flocks do bleat, and Oxen low, While Birds melodious Sing; And warble forth Dame Nature's Praise, Where Phoebus sheds his brightest Rays, Bestowing on those happy Days, An everlasting Spring.

Here wou'd I chuse some rural Fair, The only Object of my Care, Nor be forsworn, nor yet despair, By modern Arts betray'd. Her Choice shou'd fix her Love on me, Her Words and Actions all be free, If GRATIANA such wou'd be, My Happiness were made.

Her Eyes wou'd give a chearful Day, Her Smiles make ev'ry Shade look gay, While at her Sight the Flocks wou'd play, And Linnets stretch their Voice; And sure where'er my VENUS moves The Shrubs shou'd rise to Myrtle Groves, And I'd supply a Train of Loves, And get a Race of Boys.