Earl of Rochester

Adriaen van der Werff. Shepherd and Shepherdess, 1689.


A Dialogue Between Strephon and Daphne.

Stre: Prethy now fond foole give o're; Since my heart is gon before To what purpose should I stay? Love Commands another Way. Daph: Perjur'd swaine I knew the time      5 When dissembling was your Crime: In pitty now Imploy that art Which first betrai'd to ease my heart. Stre: Women can with pleasure faine; Men disemble still with paine.                 10 What Advantage will it prove If I Lye who cannot Love? Daph: Tell me then the reason why; Love from hearts in Love does fly; Why the Bird will build a Nest                15 Where he ne're intends to rest. Stre: Love Like other Little boyes Cryes for hearts as they for toyes Which when gained in Childish play Wantonly are throwne away.                  20 Daph: Still on Wing or on his knee's Love does nothing by degrees; Basely flying when most priz'd, Meanly fawning when despis'd, Flatt'ring or Insulting Ever,                      25 Generous and gratefull never; All his Joyes are Fleeting dreames, All his Woes severe Extreames. Stre: Nymph unjustly you enveigh: Love Like us must fate obey.                  30 Since tis Natures Law to Change, Constancy alone is strange. See the Heav'ns in Lightnings breake, Next in stormes of Thunder speake Till a kinde Raine from above                 35 Makes a Calme, soe tis in Love. Flames begin our first addresse: Like meeting Thunder wee embrace. Then you know the showers that fall Quench the fire and quiet all.                  40 Daph: How should I these showers forget? T'was soe pleasant to be Wett. They kil'd Love I know it well: I dy'd all the while they fell. Say at Leastt what Nimph it is                45 Rob's my brest of soe much bliss. If she is faire I shall be eas'd: Through my Ruine, you'l be pleas'd. Stre: Daphne never was soe faire, Strephon scarcely soe Sincere,               50 Gentle, Innocent and free, Ever pleas'd with only mee. Many Charmes my heart enthrall But there's one above 'em all: With aversion she does fly                      55 Tedious Trading constancy. Daph: Cruell Sheppard I submit: Doe what Love and you thinke fitt. Change is Fate and not designe— Say you would have still bin mine.          60 Stre: Nymph I can not: tis too true Change has greater Charmes than you. Be by my Example Wise: Faith to pleasure sacrifice. Daph: Silly swaine I'le have you know    65 T'was my practice Long agoe: Whilst you Vainely thought me true I was falce in scorn of you. By my teares my hearts disguise I thy Love and thee despise.                  70 Woman kinde more Joy discover's Making Fooles then keeping Lovers.

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