NIGHTINGALE. 221 



the old English poets,) "Lovers' Melan- 

 choly." 



"Men. I day by day frequented silent groves 

 And solitary walks. One morning early 

 This accident encountered me: I heard 

 The sweetest and most ravishing contention 

 That art and nature ever were at strife in. 



P- 

 Amet. I cannot yet conceive what you infer 



By art and nature ? 



Men. I shall soon resolve you. 



A sound of music touch'd mine ears, or rather, 



Indeed, entranced my soul: as I stole nearer, 



Invited by the melody, I saw 



This youth, this fair faced youth, upon his lute, 



With strains of strange variety and harmony, 



Proclaiming, as it seemed, so bold a challenge 



To the clear choristers of the woods, the birds, 



That, as they flock'd about him, all stood silent, 



Wond'ring at what they heard. I wonder'd too. 



Jlmet. And so do I; good! on 



Men. A Nightingale, 



Nature's best skill'd musician, undertakes 



The challenge, and for every several strain 



