A Shepherd seeking with his Lass <br />To shun the Heat of Day; <br />Was seated on the shadow'd Grass, <br />Near which a flowing Stream did pass, <br />And Fish within it play. <br /> <br />The Phillis he an Angle gave, <br />And bid her toss the Line; <br />For sure, quoth he, each Fish must have, <br />Who do's not seek to be thy Slave, <br />A harder Heart than mine. <br /> <br />Assemble here you watry Race, <br />Transportedly he cries; <br />And if, when you behold her Face, <br />You e'er desire to quit the Place, <br />You see not with my Eyes. <br /> <br />But you, perhaps, are by the Ear, <br />More easie to be caught; <br />If so, I have my Bagpipe here, <br />The only Musick that's not dear, <br />Nor in great Cities bought. <br /> <br />So sprightly was the Tune he chose, <br />And often did repeat; <br />That Phillis, tho' not up she rose, <br />Kept time with every thrilling Close, <br />And jigg'd upon her Seat. <br /> <br />But not a Fish wou'd nearer draw, <br />No Harmony or Charms, <br />Their frozen Blood, it seems, cou'd thaw, <br />Nor all they heard, nor all they saw <br />Cou'd woo them to such Terms. <br /> <br />The angry Shepherd in a Pett, <br />Gives o'er his wheedling Arts, <br />And from his Shoulder throws the Net, <br />Resolv'd he wou'd a Supper get <br />By Force, if not by Parts. <br /> <br />Thus stated Laws are always best <br />To rule the vulgar Throng, <br />Who grow more Stubborn when Carest, <br />Or with soft Rhetorick addrest, <br />If taking Measures wrong.<br /><br />Anne Kingsmill Finch<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-shepherd-piping-to-the-fishes-2/
