136 GILBERT WHITE OF SELBORNE 1763 



the House & Park the House stands deplorably some views 

 from the Park are very fine. 



Monday August 1^* after Breakfast we went out a Riding 

 at Newton Gate we were all seized with a sudden panick & 

 dismounted sent our Horses home & walk'd into the High 

 Wood from there to the Hermitage where we sat for some 

 time ; as we were coming down the Zig-Zag what should we 

 spy in Punt field but Strephon & Collin return'd oh the Poor 

 bewitched men. Went home to dinner afterwards we went 

 into the Hayfield underneath our garden then went over the 

 way to tea after tea walk to the Priory had a most delightful 

 walk thro' Woods & hay fields. 



Tuesday 2"^ after Breakfast musick till dinner time 

 Corrydon & Strephon here Mr. White etc. drank tea here 

 & supt danced & sung merry & happy as usual. 



Wed 3 before breakfast Strephon came in and presented 

 me with an elegy upon my departure * after breakfast went 

 over to Mr. White's for a little while then came back all 



* Carefully preserved by the Diarist, with some "Relicts of the dear 

 Hermitage," are the following verses addressed to her by Harry White: — 



"DAPHNE'S DEPARTURE; 



"an elegy WKITTEN at SELBOniN, 1763. 



1. 



' ' Too plain my Heart forbodes that fatal Hour, 

 When dearest Daphne leaves the happy Vale ; 

 Let then this Breast own Love's resistless pow'r, 

 Nor longer strive its anguish to conceal. 



2. 

 " In vain stern Reason bids me check my Woe, 

 Or stay the Current of these fruitless Tears ; 

 For thee dear Nymph ! they must for ever flow, 

 Fed by the fountain of thy Strephon's fears. 



" Ah ! wretched Selbourn ! what avail thy Shades 

 Thy lofty Hills with waving Beeches crown'd ; 

 Their boasted Glory now for ever fades. 

 And endless Winter shall thy Vales surround. 



