Clorinda and Damon

Updated September 23, 2019 | Infoplease Staff

Clorinda and Damon

Clorinda

Damon come drive thy flocks this way.

Damon

No: 'tis too late they went astray.

Clorinda

I have a grassy Scutcheon spy'd,
Where Flora blazons all her pride.
The grass I aim to feast thy Sheep:
The Flow'rs I for thy Temples keep.

Damon

Grass withers; and the Flow'rs too fade.

Clorinda

Seize the short Joyes then, ere they vade.
Seest thou that unfrequented Cave ?

Damon

That den?

Clorinda

Loves Shrine.

Damon

But Virtue's Grave.

Clorinda

In whose cool bosome we may lye
Safe from the Sun.

Damon

Not Heaven's Eye.

Clorinda

Near this, a Fountaines liquid Bell
Tinkles within the concave Shell.

Damon

Might a Soul bath there and be clean,
Or slake its Drought?

Clorinda

What is 't you mean?

Damon

These once had been enticing things,
Clorinda, Pastures, Caves, and Springs.

Clorinda

And what late change?

Damon

The other day
Pan met me.

Clorinda

What did great Pan say?

Damon

Words that transcend poor Shepherds skill,
But he ere since my Songs does fill:
And his Name swells my slender Oate.

Clorinda

Sweet must Pan sound in Damons Note.

Damon

Clorinda's voice might make it sweet.

Clorinda

Who would not in Pan's Praises meet ?

Chorus

Of Pan the flowry pastures sing,
Caves eccho and the Fountains ring.
Sing then while he doth us inspire;
For all the world is our Pan's Quire.
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