Nor at first fight, like most, admires the fair

For

you he lives; and you alone shall share His last affection, as his early care.

Befides, he's lovely far above the rest,
With youth immortal, and with beauty blest.
Add, that he varies ev'ry fhape with ease,
And tries all forms that Pomona please.

may

But what should moft excite a mutual flame,

Your rural cares, and pleasures are the fame: 95
To him your orchards early fruits are due,
(A pleasing 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 th' 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 fo 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 first your florid orchard blows,

105

109

Shake the light bloffoms from their blasted boughs!

Haec ubi nequicquam formas Deus aptus in

omnes,

Edidit; in juvenem rediit: et anilia demit
Inftrumenta fibi: talifque adparuit illi,

Qualis ubi oppofitas nitidiffima folis imago 115
Evicit nubes, nullaque obftante reluxit.

Vimque parat: fed vi non eft opus; inque figura Capta Dei Nympha eft, et mutua vulnera fentit.

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

Difpels 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 surveys him, and beholds the
Of charming features, and a youthful face!
In her foft breast consenting paffions move,
And the warm maid confess'd a mutual love.

grace

121

IMITATIONS

O F

ENGLISH POETS.

Done by the AUTHOR in his Youth.