No. 37 Phyllis
Think no evil, have no fear,
If I play with Phyllis;
I am but the guardian dear
Of her girlhood’s lilies,
Lest too soon her bloom should swoon
Like spring’s daffodillies.
All I care for is to play,
Gaze upon my treasure,
Now and then to touch her hand,
Kiss in modest measure;
But the fifth act of love’s game,
Dream not of that pleasure!
For to touch the bloom of youth
Spoils its frail complexion;
Let the young grape gently grow
Till it reach perfection;
Hope within my heart doth glow
Of the girl’s affection.
Sweet above all sweets that are
’Tis to play with Phyllis;
For her thoughts are white as snow,
In her heart no ill is;
And the kisses that she gives
Sweeter are than lilies.
Love leads after him the gods
Bound in pliant traces;
Harsh and stubborn hearts he bends,
Breaks with blows of maces;
Nay, the unicorn is tamed
By a girl’s embraces.
Love leads after him the gods,
Jupiter with Juno;
To his waxen measure treads
Masterful Neptune O!
Pluto stern to souls below
Melts to this one tune O!
Whatsoe’er the rest may do,
Let us then be playing:
Take the pastime that is due
While we’re yet a-Maying;
I am young and young are you;
’Tis the time for playing.
Up to this time, the happiness of love returned and satisfied has been portrayed. The following lyric exhibits a lover pining at a distance, soothing his soul with song, and indulging in visions of happiness beyond his grasp εἰδώλοις κάλλευς κῶφα χλιαινόμενος, as Meleager phrased it on a similar occasion.