Eloisa's Complaint

From the brook and the willow forsaking the plain, Eloisa came mournfully telling her pain; On her trembling hand she reclin'd her sad head, Nor prest her pale cheek, for the colour was fled: Her languid eyes rais'd after many a groan, And thus she began in a faultering tone.

Soft zephyrs and willow, kind brook, lend your aid, Regard the complaint of an unhappy maid; If the man whom I love should here chance to rove, In murm'ring sounds let the brook thus reprove: The maid by persuasion and you, led astray, Came to relate her sad story, one day.

For you ev'ry shepherd she us'd with disdain, And pitch'd upon you for her favourite swain; But when her fond heart you possess'd, you forbore The respect she had always commanded before; For the sake of the nmyph whom you did ensnare, Add a tear to this brook, and a sigh to this tear.