A PASTORAL BALLAD. Mary Robinson (née Darby) Alexander Huber Editor Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Broad Street Oxford OX1 3BG UK
Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive
Taylor Institution Library St Giles' Oxford OX1 3NA UK info@eighteenthcenturypoetry.org https://www.eighteenthcenturypoetry.org/
Oxford This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. T100118 Robinson, Mary, 1758-1800. Poems by Mrs. Robinson [poems only]. London Printed for C. Parker, the Upper Part of New Bond-Street 1775 pp. [1]-10. [8],134p.,plate; 8⁰.

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A PASTORAL BALLAD .
I Ye Shepherds who sport on the plain , Drop a tear at my sorrowful tale , My heart was a stranger to pain , Till pierc'd by the pride of the vale . When deck'd with his pipe and his crook , A garland his temples did bind , So sweetly the Shepherd did look , I thought he cou'd not be unkind . II But alas ! t'other day at the fair , ( Sad story for me to relate , ) He bought ribbons for Phillis's hair , For Phillis , the nymph that I hate . Sweet songs to beguile the dull hours , A crook , and a garland so fine , A posie of May-blowing flowers , Adorn'd with green myrtle and thyme . III Last week as they sat in the grove , Such sweetness his looks did impart , Their converse I'm sure was of love , And I fear , that it flow'd from his heart . I heard the soft words that he sung , Such tender , such amorous lays , Each accent that fell from his tongue , Was blended with Phillis's praise . IV " My charmer , said he , is more fair , " Then the jessamine twin'd round my bow'r , " What's thyme with her breath to compare , " Or lavender after a show'r . " The rose when compar'd with her cheek , " Drooping downward with envy it dies , " When Sol thro' a shower doth break — " He's not half so bright as her eyes . " V Alas ! if they never had met , I had not endur'd such keen woes , I wish he would Phillis forget , And yield my poor heart some repose . Each day wou'd I sing thro' the grove , Each moment devote to my swain . But if he has settled his love , My bosom is destin'd to pain . VI Adieu , to contentment and rest , Adieu , to my once lov'd repose , For I fear I can never be bless'd , Till death puts an end to my woes . To the grave will I carry my truth , Take heed ah ! ye nymphs by my fate , Be careful to shun the false youth , And with pity my story relate .
PART THE SECOND . I Come join all ye nymphs of the grove , And sing of the change that I find , At length I have conquer'd my love , And taught the dear youth to be kind . My bow'r shall with chaplets be dress'd , My lambkins no longer shall stray , For my bosom no more is oppress'd , Henceforth I'll be happy , and gay . II Oh jealousy , merciless foe , How did'st thou invade my fond breast , Each day , was a compound of woe , Each night , it depriv'd me of rest . I envied the nymphs and the swains , With malice and hatred I pin'd , Because they were strangers to pain , And felt not such torture as mine . III Young Daphne the sprightly and gay , Admir'd for her beauty and grace , With Damon did wantonly play , O ! I wish'd to have been in her place . I fear'd that her charms would beguile , That her song would enchant the dear swain , I could not allow him to smile , For his smiles were the cause of my pain . IV Gay Colin by all is approv'd , And said to be witty and fair , He has often declar'd that he lov'd , Yet none can with Damon compare . But why do I muse on past woe , And my happiness idly destroy , What blessing can heaven bestow , Superior to that I enjoy . V No danger or peril I fear , No trouble my bliss can remove , While bless'd in the smiles of my dear , In the smiles of the youth that I love . Together we sport all the day , By the stream that meanders along , Or else o'er the meadows we stray , And Damon enchants with his song . VI Adieu to all anguish and care , To malice , and envy adieu , No longer will Delia despair , For Damon is faithful and true . Then join all ye nymphs of the grove , And sing of the change that I find , At length I have conquer'd my love , And taught the dear youth to be kind .