Reliques of ancient English poetry: consisting of old heroic ballads ...

ANDBALLADS. 263
VII.
THE STEDFAST SHEPHERD.
Thefe beautiful Stanzas were 'written by George
Wither, of whom fome account 'was given in theformer
fart of this Volume ; fee the fong intitled, The Shepherds
Resolution,^. 190. In our firfl Edition only
afmall Fragment of this Sonnet had been recovered, hut we
are now able to give it more perfecl and intire by the infertion
offive additional Stanzas : T'hefe are extractedfrom
Wither' s Paftoral Poem, The Mistress of Phil arete;
of which this Song makes a part. There were two or three
other Stanzas, but as they appeared to be of inferior merit?
were not adopted.
HENCE
away, you Syrens, leave me,
And unclafpe your wanton armes ;
Sugred words mall ne'er deceive me,
(Though * you' prove a thoufand charmes).
Fie, fie, forbeare ; £
No common fnare
Could ever my affe&ion chaine :
Your painted baits,
Andpoore deceits,
Are all bellowed on me in vaine, 1®
Fir, 4. thou P. C.
S 4 Fme