THE DESPAIRING SHEPHERD by MATTHEW PRIOR

ALEXIS shunned his fellow swains,
Their rural sports, and jocund strains,
(Heaven guard us all from Cupid's bow!)
He lost his crook, he left his flocks;
And wandering through the lonely rocks,
He nourished 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 theirs,
He gave them back their friendly tears,
He sighed, but would not speak.

Clorinda came among the rest;
And she too kind concern expressed,
And asked the reason of his woe;
She asked, but with an air and mien,
That made it easily foreseen,
She feared too much to know.

The shepherd raised 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 appeared 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 feared:
And yet I pardon you, she cried;
But you shall promise ne'er again
To breathe your vows, or speak your pain:
He bowed, obeyed, and died!

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