Nor at first fight, like moft, admires the fair;
For you he lives; and you alone shall share
His last affection, as his early care.

90

95

Befides, he's lovely far above the rest,
With youth immortal, and with beauty bleft.
Add, that he varies ev'ry fhape with ease,
And tries all forms that may Pomona please.
But what fhould moft excite a mutual flame,
Your rural cares, and pleasures are the fame:
To him your orchards' early fruits are due,
(A pleafing off'ring when 'tis made by you.)
He values these; but yet (alas) complains,
That still the best and dearest gift remains.
Not the fair fruit that on yon' branches glows 100,
With that ripe red the autumnal fun bestows;
Nor tafteful herbs that in these gardens rise,
Which the kind foil with milky fap fupplies;
You, only you, can move the God's defire:
Oh crown fo conftant and so pure a fire!
Let foft compaffion touch your gentle mind;
Think, 'tis Vertumnus begs you to be kind!
So may no froft, when early buds appear,
Destroy the promise of the youthful year;
Nor winds, when firft your florid orchard blows,
Shake the light blossoms from their blasted boughs!

105

109

Haec ubi nequicquam formas Deus aptus in

omnes,

Edidit; in juvenem rediit: et anilia demit

115

Inftrumenta fibi: talifque adparuit illi,
Qualis ubi oppofitas nitidiffima solis imago
Evicit nubes, nullaque obftante reluxit.
Vimque parat: fed vi non eft opus: inque figura
Capta Dei Nympha est, et mutua vulnera fentit,

This when the various God had urg'd in vain, He strait affum'd his native form again; Such, and fo bright an aspect now he bears, 114 As when thro' clouds th' emerging fun appears, And thence exerting his refulgent ray,

Dispels the darkness, and reveals the day.

Force he prepar'd, but check'd the rash design; For when, appearing in a form divine,

The Nymph furveys him, and beholds the

grace

Of charming features, and a youthful face! 121 In her foft breast consenting paffions move,

And the warm maid confess'd a mutual love.

IMITATIONS

O F

ENGLISH POETS.

Done by the AUTHOR in his Youth.