Literature Network » John Dryden » The Poetical Works of John Dryden, Vol II » The Tears of Amynta for the death of Damon

The Tears of Amynta for the death of Damon

A SONG.

  1 On a bank, beside a willow,
    Heaven her covering, earth her pillow,
    Sad Amynta sigh'd alone:
    From the cheerless dawn of morning
    Till the dews of night returning,
    Singing thus she made her moan:
            Hope is banish'd,
            Joys are vanish'd,
    Damon, my beloved, is gone!
  2 Time, I dare thee to discover
    Such a youth and such a lover;
    Oh, so true, so kind was he!
    Damon was the pride of nature,
    Charming in his every feature;
    Damon lived alone for me;
            Melting kisses,
            Murmuring blisses:
    Who so lived and loved as we?
  3 Never shall we curse the morning.
    Never bless the night returning,
    Sweet embraces to restore:
    Never shall we both lie dying,
    Nature failing, Love supplying
    All the joys he drain'd before:
            Death come end me,
            To befriend me:
    Love and Damon are no more.

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