Daphne to Apollo. Imitated From The First Book Of Ovid's Metamorphosis
Apollo.
Abate, fair fugitive, abate thy speed,
Dismiss thy fears, and turn thy beauteous head;
With kind regard a panting lover view;
Less swiftly fly, less swiftly I'll pursue;
Pathless, alas! and rugged is the ground,
Some stone may hurt thee, or some thorn may wound.
Daphne
aside
]
This care is for himself as pure as death;
One mile has put the fellow out of breath:
He'll never go, I'll lead him th' other round;
Washy he is, perhaps not over sound.
Apollo
You fly, alas! not knowing whom you fly;
Nor ill-bred swain, nor rusty clown am I:
I Claros' isle and Tenedos command -
Daphne
Thank ye, I would not leave my native land.
Apollo
What is to come be certain arts I know.
Daphne
Pish! Partridge has a fair pretence as you.
Apollo
Behold the beauty of my locks -
Daphne
---------- A fig ---------
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poem by Matthew Prior
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