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IANTHE, by                    
First Line: "ianthe, the lovely, the joy of her swain"
Last Line: And they still might be true
Subject(s): Love - Beginnings;passion


IANTHE, the lovely, the joy of her swain,
By Iphis was loved, and loved Iphis again;
She lived in the youth, and the youth in the fair,
Their pleasure was equal, and equal their care;
No time, no enjoyment, their dotage withdrew,
But the longer they lived, but the longer they lived,
Still the fonder they grew.

A passion so happy alarmed all the plain,
Some envied the nymph, but more envied the swain.
Some swore 'twould be pity their loves to invade,
That the lovers alone for each other were made;
But all, all consented that none ever knew
A nymph yet so kind, a nymph yet so kind,
Or a shepherd so true.

Love saw'em with pleasure, and vowed to take care
Of the faithful, the tender, the innocent pair;
What either did want, he bid either to move;
But they wanted nothing, but ever to love;
Said 'twas all that to bless 'em his godhead could do,
That they still might be kind, that they still might be kind,
And they still might be true.





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