John Dryden (1631–1700). The Poems of John Dryden. 1913.
Songs from the PlaysCalm was the Even, and clear was the Sky, from An Evenings Love
C
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!
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.
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.