TO THE AUTHOR OF THE Foregoing PASTORAL. By Silvia if thy charming Self be meant; If Friendship be thy Virgin Vows Extent; O! let me in Aminta's Praises join: Her's my Esteem shall be, my Passion Thine. When for Thy Head the Garland I prepare; A second Wreath shall bind Aminta's Hair: And when my choicest Songs Thy Worth proclaim; Alternate Verse shall bless Aminta's Name: My Heart shall own the Justice of Her Cause; And Love himself submit to Friendship's Laws. But if beneath thy Numbers soft Disguise, Some favor'd Swain, some true Alexis lyes; If Amaryllis breaths thy secret Pains; And thy fond Heart beats Measure to thy Strains: May'st thou, howe'er I grieve, for ever find The Flame propitious, and the Lover kind: May Venus long exert her happy Pow'r, And make thy Beauty, like thy Verse, endure: May ev'ry God his friendly Aid afford; Pan guard thy Flock, and Ceres bless thy Board. But if by chance the Series of thy Joys Permit one Thought less chearful to arise; Piteous transfer it to the mournful Swain, Who loving much, who not belov'd again, Feels an ill-fated Passion's last Excess; And dies in Woe, that Thou may'st live in Peace.