“Calm was the Even, and clear was the Sky,” from An Evening’s Love

CALM was the Even, and clear was the Sky,

And the new-budding Flowers did spring,

When all alone went Amyntas and I

To hear the sweet Nightingal sing;

I sate, and he laid him down by me;

But scarcely his breath he could draw;

For when with a fear, he began to draw near,

He was dash’d with A ha ha ha ha!

He blush’d to himself, and lay still for a while,

And his modesty curb’d his desire;

But straight I convinc’d all his fear with a smile,

Which added new Flames to his Fire.

O Sylvia, said he, you are cruel,

To keep your poor Lover in awe;

Then once more he prest with his hand to my brest

But was dash’d with A ha ha ha ha.

I knew ’twas his passion that caus’d all his fear;

And therefore. I pity’d his Case:

I whisper’d him softly, there’s no body here

And laid my Cheek close to his Face:

But as he grew bolder and bolder,

A Shepheard came by us and saw;

And just as our bliss we began with a Kiss,

He laugh’d out with A ha ha ha ha.