1763 



A LITTLE JOURNAL 137 



came with us walk'd round the sweet Garden came into 

 dinner no stomach to it at half an hour after one left 

 the happy valley with a heavy heart the whole company 

 cry'd Strephon, Corydon & Collin rid with the post-Chaise 

 parted with poor Strephon & Collin at the Wheatsheaf 

 with Corydon at Alton, here the scene closes the play is 

 done the pleasing dream is oer & tomorrow I must awake 

 & find myself in London. Adieu happy Vale enchanting 

 Hermitage much loved stump beauteous Hanger sweet Lythe 



"How sweetly I, at close of Summer's Day, 



While thy dear presence blessed these happy Bowers, 

 Could lost in rapture with my Daphne stray, 

 Or in soft converse pass the fleeting Hours. 



5. 



" The mazy Zigzag — or th' inclianting Cell — 



But Scenes like these no longer chear my Eyes ; 

 Nor shining Lake, nor wild romantic Dell, 

 Nor craggy Mountains soaring to the Skies. 



6. 

 " The hoary Hermit in his calm Retreat, 



No longer safe from her resistless Charms ; 

 "With trembling Hand, dim Eye, and faultering Feet, 

 Sighs out his Dotage o'er her snowy Arras ! 



7. 



*' Alas ! how changed ! already seems the Scene, 

 Where Pleasure erst triumphant held her Sway ; 

 No more her jocund Train with Smile serene 



Shall chear each mournfid — each long lingering Day. 



8. 

 " Then, let me, Fairest ! fly this once lov'd Place, 

 Forlorn to vent my sighs in hopeless Grief ; 

 E'en thy dear Image from my Soul efface. 

 And in Oblivion seek a sad relief. 



9. 



*• But see ! — my Charmer drops the pitying Tear ! 



Oh may she prove indulgent to my Pain ! 



This Heart that loves her with a Flame sincere. 



Shall then its wonted Chearfulness regain. 



"Strephon." 



