| SEE with what simplicity | |
| This Nimph begins her golden daies! | |
| In the green Grass she loves to lie, | |
| And there with her fair Aspect tames | |
| The Wilder Flow'rs, and gives them names: | 5 |
| But only with the Roses playes; | |
| And them does tell | |
| What Colour best becomes them, and what Smell. | |
| |
| Who can foretel for what high cause | |
| This Darling of the Gods was born! | 10 |
| Yet this is She whose chaster Laws | |
| The wanton Love shall one day fear, | |
| And, under her command severe, | |
| See his Bow broke and Ensigns torn. | |
| Happy, who can | 15 |
| Appease this virtuous Enemy of Man! | |
| |
| O then let me in time compound, | |
| And parly with those conquering Eyes; | |
| Ere they have try'd their force to wound, | |
| Ere, with their glancing wheels, they drive | 20 |
| In Triumph over Hearts that strive, | |
| And them that yield but more despise. | |
| Let me be laid, | |
| Where I may see thy Glories from some Shade. | |
| |
| Mean time, whilst every verdant thing | 25 |
| It self does at thy Beauty charm, | |
| Reform the errours of the Spring; | |
| Make that the Tulips may have share | |
| Of sweetness, seeing they are fair; | |
| And Roses of their thorns disarm: | 30 |
| But most procure | |
| That Violets may a longer Age endure. | |
| |
| But O young beauty of the Woods, | |
| Whom Nature courts with fruits and flow'rs, | |
| Gather the Flow'rs, but spare the Buds; | 35 |
| Lest Flora angry at thy crime, | |
| To kill her Infants in their prime, | |
| Do quickly make th' Example Yours; | |
| And, ere we see, | |
| Nip in the blossome all our hopes and Thee. | 40 |
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