Gay France fhall make the Fan her artist's care, 175 180* While Venus fpoke, joy fhone in Strephon's eyes; Proud of the gift, he to Corinna flies. But Cupid (who delights in amorous ill, Wounds hearts, and leaves them to a woman's will) Lo, Strephon comes! and, with a fuppliant bow, When the the fate of Niobe beheld, Why has my pride against my heart rebell'd? 185 190 195 200 She learns Leander's paffion to defpife, Narciffus' change to the vain virgin fhows, 205 210 Thus Pallas taught her. Strephon weds the dame; And Hymen's torch diffus'd the brightest flame. THE THE PROE ME TO THE COURTEOUS READER. GREAT marvel hath it been (and that not un worthily) to diverfe worthy wits, that in this our Island of Britain, in all rare fciences fo greatly abounding, more especially in all kinds of Poefy highly flouTithing, no Poet (though otherwife of notable cunning in roundelays) hath hit on the right fimple Eclogue after the true ancient guife of Theocritus, before this mine attempt. Other Poet travailing in this plain highway of Pastoral know I none. Yet, certes, fuch it behoved a Paftoral to be, as Nature in the country affordeth; and the manners, alfo meetly copied from the ruftical folk therein. In this alfo my love to my native country Britain much pricketh me forward, to defcribe aright the manners of our own honest and laborious ploughmen, in no wife fure more unworthy. a British Poet's imitation, than those of Sicily or Arcadie; albeit, not ignorant I am, what a rout and rabblement of critical gallimawfry hath been made of late days by certain young |