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Nor at first fight, like moft, admires the fair

alone shall share

For
you he lives; and you
His laft affection, as his early care.

Besides, he's lovely far above the rest,

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With youth immortal, and with beauty blest. Add, that he varies ev'ry shape with ease, And tries all forms that may Pomona please. 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 supplies; You, only you, can move the God's defire : Oh crown fo conftant and fo pure a fire! Let soft 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; 109 Nor winds, when first your florid orchard blows, Shake the light bloffoms from their blafted boughs!

105

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 straight affum'd his native form again; Such, and fo bright an aspect now he bears, As when thro' clouds th' emerging fun appears, 115 And thence exerting his refulgent ray,

119

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
Of charming features, and a youthful face!
In her foft breaft confenting paffions move,
And the warm maid confefs'd a mutual love.

grace

IMITATIONS

O F

ENGLISH POETS.

Done by the AUTHOR in his Youth.

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