148
Translations, &c.
And while I speak the virgin blushes spread
Her damask beauty with a warmer red.
I vow'd unshaken faith, invoking loud
Venus t' attest the solemn faith I vow'd; 50
Invoking all the radiant lights above,
(But most the lamp that lights the realm of Love)
No more to guide me with their friendly rays,
But leave my ship to perish on the seas,
If the dear charmer ever chanc'd to find 55
My heart disloyal, or my look unkind.
A maid will listen when a lover swears,
And think his faith more real than her fears.
The careful shepherdess secur'd her flocks
From the devouring wolf and wily fox, 60
Yet fell herself an undefended prey
To one more cruel and more false than they.
The nuptial joys we there consummate soon,
Safe in the friendly silence of the moon;
And till the birds proclaim'd the dawning day 65
Beneath a shade of flow'rs in transport lay.
I rose, and, softly sighing, view'd her o'er;
How chang'd I thought from what she was before!
Yet still repeated (eager to be gone)
My former pledges with a fainter tone, 70
And promis'd quick return. The pensive fair
Went with reluctance to her fleecy care,
While I resolv'd to quit my native shore,
Never to see the late-lov'd Malea more.
Her damask beauty with a warmer red.
I vow'd unshaken faith, invoking loud
Venus t' attest the solemn faith I vow'd; 50
Invoking all the radiant lights above,
(But most the lamp that lights the realm of Love)
No more to guide me with their friendly rays,
But leave my ship to perish on the seas,
If the dear charmer ever chanc'd to find 55
My heart disloyal, or my look unkind.
A maid will listen when a lover swears,
And think his faith more real than her fears.
The careful shepherdess secur'd her flocks
From the devouring wolf and wily fox, 60
Yet fell herself an undefended prey
To one more cruel and more false than they.
The nuptial joys we there consummate soon,
Safe in the friendly silence of the moon;
And till the birds proclaim'd the dawning day 65
Beneath a shade of flow'rs in transport lay.
I rose, and, softly sighing, view'd her o'er;
How chang'd I thought from what she was before!
Yet still repeated (eager to be gone)
My former pledges with a fainter tone, 70
And promis'd quick return. The pensive fair
Went with reluctance to her fleecy care,
While I resolv'd to quit my native shore,
Never to see the late-lov'd Malea more.
