Glen Collection of printed music > Printed text > Harp of Renfrewshire

But now tlieii' bleating brethren of the beard;
Apollo gaz'd, and on a rock he spied
Myrtillus seated, Alceus by his side.
In groves, not oft profan'd by mortal feet,
Myrtillus lov'd to ruminate ; his seat
Of moss, beside the stream, he oft employ'd,
And draughts, as pure as the brook's pink, enjoy'd.
His train of thought was of no common kind,
But modesty o'ershadow'd all his mind :
Oft would he change his loves ; (thus fitful boys,
Cast from their sight, their lately fondled toys ;)
Now would Almine's charms his bosom fire,
Now would Alciste kindle fresh desire.
By varying heifers drawn from side to side.
Thus black and brown, the bull's strong heart divide.
Ye frowning fair, let me apologise,
Turn far from me, your disapproving eyes ;
To Virtue, much your rigid natures owe.
That fiends, in human form, would overthrow ;
Yet on Myrtillus think in lenient mood.
His arduous spirits clias'd his boiling blood ;
Spare, in your kind forgiving natures, spare,
And pray the gentle youth may have an heir.
Their bright discourse, on various subjects flow'd.
Of fashions, and the most prevailing mode ;
With what address their last intrigue was wound,
Where beauties in extensive groups are found ;
The town was pictur'd too, replete with charms.
Where Love might grasp a thousand in his arms.
The town — but now my gadding Muse will run
From grots and bowers, and hated Helicon ;
Frenzied, like other nymphs, with city shows,
She nauseates rural joys, and sighs for those.
Her aerial images she bids intrude,
And thus she furnishes the interlude.