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II.
"But I nought strive, poor Colin, to compare
"My Hobbin's, or my Thenot's rustic skill
"To thy deft swains, whose dapper dities rare
"Surpass ought else of quaintest shepherd's quill.
"Ev'n Roman Tityrus, that peerless wight,
"Mote yield to thee for dainties of delight.
"But I nought strive, poor Colin, to compare
"My Hobbin's, or my Thenot's rustic skill
"To thy deft swains, whose dapper dities rare
"Surpass ought else of quaintest shepherd's quill.
"Ev'n Roman Tityrus, that peerless wight,
"Mote yield to thee for dainties of delight.
III.
"Eke when in Fable's flow'ry paths you stray'd,
"Masking in cunning feints truth's splendent face;
"Ne Sylph, ne Sylphid, but due tendence paid,
"To shield Belinda's lock from felon base,
"But all mote nought avail such harm to chace,
"Then Una fair 'gan droop her princely mien,
"Eke Florimel, and all my Faery race:
"Belinda far surpast my beauties sheen,
"Belinda, subject meet for such soft lay I ween.
"Eke when in Fable's flow'ry paths you stray'd,
"Masking in cunning feints truth's splendent face;
"Ne Sylph, ne Sylphid, but due tendence paid,
"To shield Belinda's lock from felon base,
"But all mote nought avail such harm to chace,
"Then Una fair 'gan droop her princely mien,
"Eke Florimel, and all my Faery race:
"Belinda far surpast my beauties sheen,
"Belinda, subject meet for such soft lay I ween.
IV. "Like
