The Cock now to the Roost is prest:
For he must call up all the rest;
The Sow's fast pegg'd within the Sty,
To still her squeaking Progeny.
Each one has had his Supping Mess,
The Cheese is put into the Press,
The Pans and Bowls clean scalded all,
Rear'd up against the Milk-house Wall.
And now on Benches all are sat
In the cool Air to sit and chat,
Till Phoebus, dipping in the West,
Shall lead the World the way to Rest.
ON Bed of Flowers Endymion sleeping lay,
Tir'd with the Toyl of a long Summers-day,
Whilst softest Winds, and Season of the Year,
Agree to make his Graces all appear:
The wanton Cupids in a Troop descend,
Play with his Horn, and do his Bow unbend,
And Love, this small Assembly came to grace,
Wond'ring to see the Shepherd's charming Face.
The Air to view him could not chuse but stay,
And with his Locks upon his Forehead play.
The Cupids round about him were employ'd,
While some did into Curls his Hair divide;
Others of Flowers, of which they'd pick'd and
brought
Their Hands-full, many various Fancies wrought;
Fetters, as if they would his Feet restrain,
Wreaths for his Head, and for his Wrists a Chain.
This, with his Lips compar'd, a Piony,
Another, a Vermilion Emony;
Then at his Cheeks a Rose and Lily try'd,
The Rose it faded, and the Lily dy'd.
Still was the Wind, the Meadow, Field and Grove, The very Waters were not heard to move.
All things were hush'd, and did a silence keep, As some had whisper'd, Peace, here's Love asleep.
When the bright Goddess of the lowest Orb,
Deck'd with the Rays of Sol her absent Lord,
Of Heav'n the dusky Mantle did unfold,
And silently Earth's wondrous Scene behold;
Then having first disperst in little Showres
The Pearly Dew upon the Grass and Flowres;
Spying this place which such delights could
yield,
Came down to take the Pleasure of the Field.
Quickly the little Cupids disappear,
So soon as e're the Goddess drew but near;
Who seeing the sleeping Youth alone, she stays,
With Passion on his lovely face to gaze:
Till Virgin Modesty quench'd her bold Flame;
Of Folly then convinc'd, she blush'd for shame;
And just was turning to have quit the place,
But was recall'd by that alluring Face.
In through her Eyes a Spark slid to her Heart,
Which fir'd her Soul; Nor could she thence depart,
But nearer by degrees, her steps does guide,
Till she sate down close by the Shepherd's side;
And of the Flowers with which the Cupids plaid,
When Gyves, and Fetters they in Sport had made:
Such Snares she wove, her self was in them ta'ne,
And as the Shepherd's Captive, wore his Chaine.
Straight on his hand an eager Kiss she prest,
Then thousand on his Lips, Cheeks, Eyes and
Breast;
Nor in this Transport could her self contain,
'Till she with Kisses wak'd the sleeping Swain,
Who being amaz'd at that Cœlestial Light,
With Reverence trembled at the Glorious Sight:
He would have gone, when fre'd from his Sur-
prise,
But tho' he strove, she would not let him rise.
Fair Sleeper, would'st thou go, said she, so soon, Be not afraid, Behold it is the Moon,
That comes to sport with thee in this sweet Grove,
Guided by Fate, Necessity and Love:
Be not disturb'd at this unusual Sight,
We silently in Joys will spend the Night:
But if thou tell what I to thee have sed,
Expect Heav'ns utmost Vengeance on thy Head.
Goddess of Night, that tak'st from Sol thy Flame,
I, said the Youth, a silly Shepherd am;
But if thou promise me in Heav'n a Place,
To be translated hence from Humane Race,
Then of my Faith thou may'st assured live,
Of which this Mantle as a Pledge I'll give;
The same my Father Etho gave the Night,
That he his Faith to Calice did plight.
This said, his Mantle quickly he unbound,
That was with Flowers of Pearl embroyder'd round,
Which then he wore o'er his left shoulder slung,
And with two Ends beneath his right Arm hung;
Gave it the Goddess, who had now thrown by
All Sense of Honour and of Modesty:
And like a Frost-nip'd Flower, she by his Charms
Being thus o'rcome, dropt down into his Arms.
Never more closely does the tender Vine,
About the shady Elm her Lover twine,
Nor the green Ivie more Affection bring
When she about her Pine does kindly cling,
Than these two vigorous Lovers there exprest,
Love having shot his Fire through eithers Breast:
With all their Art and Industry they strove,
How they might then enjoy their fill of Love.
Thus Whilst in Wantonness they spend the Night,
And use all Skill that might promote delight;
Now tir'd with what before they ne'er had try'd,
These happy Lovers rested satisfy'd:
When Fair Diana lifting up her Eyes,
Accused her cruel Stars and Destinyes,
That her so long through so much Error drew, And let her rather Beasts than Love pursue.
Ah, Fool! said she, How I too late repent,
That to the woods I e're a Hunting went;
How many Years have I consum'd since then,
Which I must never think to see agen?
How many pretious Minutes ev'ry Day,
Did I in that mad Pastime fool away!
And how much better is one sweet Embrace
Than all the toylsome pleasures of the Chase?
PHILIP AYRES.
A NIGHT-PIECE ON DEATH
By the blue Tapers trembling Light,
No more I waste the wakeful Night,
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