OLD Menalcas, on a day, As in field this shepherd lay, Tuning of his oaten pipe, Which he hit with many a stripe, Said to Coridon that he Once was young and full of glee. "Blithe and wanton was I then: Such desires follow men. As I lay and kept my sheep, Came the god that hateth sleep, Clad in armour all of fire, Hand in hand with Queen Desire, And with a dart that wounded nigh Pierc'd my heart as I did lie; That, when I woke, I gan swear Phillis' beauty palm did bear. Up I start, forth went I, With her face to feed mine eye: There I saw Desire sit, That my heart with love had hit, Laying forth bright beauty's hooks To entrap my gazing looks. Love I did, and gan to woo, Pray and sigh: all would not do; Women, when they take the toy, Covet to be counted coy. Coy she was, and I gan court; She thought love was but a sport; Profound hell was in my thought; Such a pain desire had wrought, That I su'd with sighs and tears; Still ingrate she stopp'd her ears, Till my youth I had spent. Last a passion of repent Told me flat, that desire Was a brand of love's fire, Which consumeth men in thrall, Virtue, youth, wit, and all. At this saw back I start, Bet desire from my heart, Shook off love, and made an oath To be enemy to both. Old I was when thus I fled Such fond toys as cloy'd my head; But this I learn'd at Virtue's gate,— The way to good is never late." |