William Stanley Braithwaite, ed. The Book of Restoration Verse. 1910.
Song betwixt a Shepherd and a ShepherdessJohn Dryden (1631–1700)
Shepherdess
TWhy you sigh, and why you languish;
When the nymph whom you adore
Grants the blessing
Of possessing,
What can love and I do more?
Shepherd
Think it’s love beyond all measureMakes me faint away with pleasure;
Strength of cordial may destroy,
And the blessing
Of possessing
Kills me with excess of joy.
Shepherdess
Thyrsis, how can I believe you?But confess, and I’ll forgive you:
Men are false, and so are you.
Never Nature
Framed a creature
To enjoy, and yet be true.
Shepherd
Mine’s a flame beyond expiring,Still possessing, still desiring,
Fit for Love’s imperial crown;
Ever shining
And refining
Still the more ’tis melted down.
Chorus
Mine’s a flame beyond expiring,Still possessing, still desiring,
Fit for Love’s imperial crown;
Ever shining
And refining
Still the more ’tis melted down.