Page:The Amyntas of Tasso (1770) - Percival Stockdale.djvu/180

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148
AMYNTAS.
My guilt may expiate, and entitle me
To join my shepherd in the shades below.

CHORUS.
Take comfort, Sylvia; for this accident
We should ascribe to fortune, not to thee.
The violence of grief that wrings thy soul
Would make tears flow from the most finty nature.

SYLVIA.
Shepherds, why weep you? do you weep for me?
You prostitute your pity, if you do;
For I had no compassion for Amyntas.
For him more justly if your tears you shed,
Wipe them away; they suit not the occasion;
Too trivial an effect from such a cause.
And thou, my Daphne, too, wipe thine away;
They wound me, Daphne, and they're unavailing.
And if thy Sylvia raises this emotion,
I beg thou mayst suppress it to oblige me,

And