AMYNTAS.
23
Then may her triumph be increased, to find
My tale is known to all the neighbouring swains,
Is known to many a traveller who by chance
Bends to the melancholy spot his way.
And, Thyrsis, may not I presume (alas!
I hope the honour of too great a boon)
That Sylvia, one day, will repent her harshness;
Will feel her heart melt with too late compassion;
Will love my memory, and by oft comparing
Amyntas living with Amyntas dead,
Comparison which kills the worst resentments,
Break into some such tender exclamation—
"—Oh! were he yet on earth; and were he mine!"
Now, Thyrsis, hear.
My tale is known to all the neighbouring swains,
Is known to many a traveller who by chance
Bends to the melancholy spot his way.
And, Thyrsis, may not I presume (alas!
I hope the honour of too great a boon)
That Sylvia, one day, will repent her harshness;
Will feel her heart melt with too late compassion;
Will love my memory, and by oft comparing
Amyntas living with Amyntas dead,
Comparison which kills the worst resentments,
Break into some such tender exclamation—
"—Oh! were he yet on earth; and were he mine!"
Now, Thyrsis, hear.
THYRSIS.
Proceed; I mark thee well;
Haply for better purpose than thou weenest.
Proceed; I mark thee well;
Haply for better purpose than thou weenest.
AMYNTAS.
When yet I was a boy; when yet my hand
Could hardly reach to seize the luscious fig,
When yet I was a boy; when yet my hand
Could hardly reach to seize the luscious fig,
Depen-
