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Matthew Prior - The Despairing Shepherd
Work rating: Low

Alexis shun`d his Fellow Swains,
Their rural Sports, and jocund Strains:
(Heav`n guard us all from Cupid`s Bow!)
He lost his Crook, He left his Flocks;
And wand`ring thro` the lonely Rocks,
He nourish`d endless Woe.
The Nymphs and Shepherds round Him came:
His Grief Some pity, Others blame:
The fatal Cause All kindly seek.
He mingled his Concern with Their`s:
He gave `em back their friendly Tears:
He sigh`d, but would not speak.
Clorinda came among the rest:
And She too kind Concern exprest,
And ask`d the Reason of his Woe:
She ask`d, but with an Air and Mein,
That made it easily foreseen,
She fear`d too much to know.
The Shepherd rais`d his mournful Head:
And will You pardon Me, He said,
While I the cruel Truth reveal?
Which nothing from my Breast should tear;
Which never should offend Your Ear;
But that You bid Me tell.
`Tis thus I rove, `tis thus complain;
Since You appear`d upon the Plain:
You are the Cause of all my Care:
Your Eyes ten thousand Dangers dart:
Ten thousand Torments vex My Heart:
I love, and I despair.
Too much, Alexis, I have heard:
`Tis what I thought; `tis what I fear`d:
And yet I pardon You, She cry`d:
But You shall promise ne`er again
To breath your Vows, or speak your Pain:
He bow`d, obey`d, and dy`d.
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