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226 POEMS.
I love thy courage yet, and bold emprife;
But here thy fword can do thee little fteadj
Far other arms, and other weapons muft
Be thofe that quell the might of helliih charms:
He with his bare wand can unthread thy joints,
And crumble all thy finews.
ELDER BROTHER.
Why prithee, fhepherd,
How durft thou then thyfelf approach fo near,
As to make this relation?
SPIRIT.
Care and utmoft fhifts
How to fecure the lady from furprifal,
Brought to my mind a certain fhepherd lad,
Of fmall regard to fee to, yet well fkill'd
In every virtuous plant and healing herb,
That fpreads her verdant leaf to th' morning ray:
He lov'd me well, and oft would beg me fing.
Which when I did, he on the tender grafs
Would fit, and hearken ev"n to ecftafy,
And in requital ope his leathern fcrip,
And fhow me fimples of a thoufand names,
Telling their ftrange and vigorous faculties:
Amongft the reft a fmall unfightly root,
But of divine effeft, he cull'd me out ;
The leaf was darkifh, and had prickles on it,
But in another country, as he faid,
Bore a bright golden flow'r, but not in this foil :
Unknown, and like efteem'd, and the dull fwain
Treads on it daily with his clouted fhoon;
And yet more med'cinal is it than that moly