Classic Poem

DAMON

Hark , hark! o'er the plains how the merry bells ring,
Asleep while my charmer is laid;
The village is up, and the day on the wing,
And Phillis may yet die a maid.
P HIL . 'Tis hardly yet day, and I cannot away;
O Damon! I'm young and afraid;
To-morrow, my dear! I'll to church without fear,
But let me to-night lie a maid.
Dam . The bridemaids are met, and mamma's on the fret;
All, all my coy Phillis upbraid:
Come open the door, and deny me no more,
Nor cry to live longer a maid.
P HIL . Dear shepherd! forbear, and to-morrow I swear,
To-morrow I'll not be afraid;
I'll open the door, and deny you no more,
Nor cry to live longer a maid.
Dam . No, no, Phillis, no; on that bosom of snow
To-night shall your shepherd be laid:
By morning my dear shall be eas'd of her fear,
Nor grieve she's no longer a maid.
P HIL . Then open the door, 'twas unbolted before;
His bliss silly Damon delay'd;
To church let us go, and if there I say No,
O then let me die an old maid.