THE COTTAGER's DAUGHTER

Ah tell me ye swains have you seen my Pastora, O say have you met the sweet nymph in your way? Transcendant as Venus and blith as Aurora, From Neptune's bed rising to hail the new day. Forlorn do! wander, and long time have sought her, The fairest the rarest, forever my theme; A goddess in form though a Cottager's daughter, That dwells on the borders of Aln's winding stream.

Tho'lordlings so gay & young 'squires have sought her To link her fair hand in the conjugal chain, Devoid of ambition the Cottager's daughter Convinc'd them that flattery and offers were vain. When first I beheld her I fondly besought her, My heart did her homage, and love was my theme, She vow'd to be mine, the sweet Cottager's daughter, That dwells on the borders of Aln's winding stream.

Then why thus alone does she leave me to languish? Pastora to splendor could ne'er give her hand; Ah no, she returns to remove my fond anguish, O'er her heart, love and truth retain the command. The wealth of Golconda could never have bought her, For love truth and constancy still is her theme, Then give me kind heaven the Cottager's daughter, That dwells on the borders of Aln's winding stream.