Then, from the Branches, with officious

Hafte,

She plucks the Fruits, which yield a sweet

Repaft:

That done, fhe, with her Bow, explores the Wood;

Pierc'd with her Shaft, the Fowl resigns his
Blood.

Then back she hastens to her cool Retreat,
And for Avaro drefs'd the grateful Meat:
To flake his Thirft, fhe next directs his Way,
Where crystal Streams in wild Meanders ftray :
Nor lets him there, expos'd to Foes remain ;
But to the Cave conducts him fafe again.

So doats Amanda on the Merchant, while
She fcorns the Lovers of her native Isle :
For all the Heroes of her Country strove,
With Emulation, to attract her Love;
And, when they could the painted Fowls in-
fnare,

Or pierce the favage Beaft in fylvan War, The Skins and Feathers, Trophies of their

Fame,

They gave for Prefents to the Royal Dame;
All which fhe to her lov'd Avare brought,
And with them gayly deck'd his fhining Grot:
The spotted Panther here fhe hung; and there
With Paws extended, frown'd the fhaggy

Bear;

Here

Here gaudy Plumes appear, in Luftre bright; There Shells and Pearls diffuse a sparkling Light.

As when, to grace fome Royal Prince's Hall, The skilful Painter animates the Wall; Here warlike Heroes frown in martial Arms, There a foft Nymph difplays her blushing

Charms;

A pleasing Landscape next invites our Eye,
And the Room glows with sweet Variety.

Yet, ftill to give her Lover more Delight,
(Left what he daily faw, should pall the Sight)
When Sal with Purple cloath'd the western
Sky,

And Shades extended fhew'd the Ev❜ning nigh, She to fome verdant Grove the Youth convey'd,

Where Nightingales harmonious Music made : Soft Flow'rets were their Couch; and, all around,

Diffufive Sweets perfum'd the fragrant Ground. There oft fhe would his fnowy Bofom bare, Oft round her Fingers wind his filver Hair; Charm'd with the Contraft, which their Colours made,

More pleafing than the Tulip's Light and
Shade.

Nor was the Youth infenfible; but foon
Repaid her Love by fhewing of his own:

Oft

Oft would his Bofom heave with speaking Sighs;

Oft would he gaze, and languish with his Eyes;

Now on her panting Breaft his Head repofe, To meet his Head her panting Breast arose; While in her Soul ecftatic Raptures glow'd, And her fond Arms believ'd they clafp'd a God.

So liv'd the happy Pair obferv'd by none, Till both had learnt a Language of their own; In which the Youth, one Ev'ning in the Shade, Beguiles the harmless unfufpicious Maid; Leans on her Breaft, and, with a Kifs, betrays;

Then vents his fpecious Fraud in Words like these :

Witness, ye Gods, and all ye Blefs'd above, (For ye can witness beft how well I love) If e'er among our blooming Nymphs, I knew Such Pleasures, as my Soul receives from you! O dear Amanda! could I but, with thee, Once more my happy native Country see, You fhould not there in lonely Caves retreat, Nor trace the burning Sands with naked Feet; Your Limbs, which now the Sun and Wind invade,

Should neatly be in fofteft Silks array'd;

In gilded Houses gayly should you ride,
Horses drawn, which prancing Side by

By

Side,

Neigh, foam, and champ the Bit with graceful Pride;

Our Time, in Pomp and Peace, should flide away,

And blooming Pleasures crown the smiling

Day;

And, when the fetting Sun forfook the Skies, Approaching Night fhould but increase our Joys:

We would not on the chilling Ground embrace,

Nor Foes, as now, fhould interrupt our Peace; But both repofing on fome easy Bed,

Soft, as the fleecy Down, that decks thy Head, The fportive God of Love fhould round us play,

While we, in Raptures, pafs'd the Night away:
Then let us carefully, my Dear, explore
The Haven, where I first approach'd the Shore.
Perhaps we shall some floating Ship furvey,
Safe to conduct us o'er the watry Way.
Nor let the foaming Waves your Steps retard;
I'll guard you o'er, and be a faithful Guard."
How oft, alas! is Innocence betray'd,
When Love invites, and Flatterers perfuade?
How could the Dame, a Stranger to Deceit,
Imagine fuch a heav'nly Form a Cheat?

She

She paus'd, fhe figh'd; then, with a penfive Look,

Half loth, and half confenting, thus fhe spoke :

Once has Avaro 'scap'd the raging Main : Why would you tempt the fickle Seas again? To feek new Dangers, when in Safety here, Would but provoke the Deities you fearSometimes, I own, we've been surpriz'd by Foes,

Whose nightly Walks have wak'd you from
Repose:

Yet ftill I guard your facred Life fecure,
And always willWhat can Amanda more?
Thus faid, fhe clafp'd him in her loving
Arms,

Embrac'd his Neck, and doated on his Charms :
And now both fhew their Paffions in their

Look,

And now connubial Hymen both invoke ;
In fportive Joys they clos'd the genial Day,
While Philomela fung the Nuptial Lay ;
Till foon the Youth inclin'd upon her Breast,
And golden Slumbers feal'd their Eyes to Reft.

Soon as the Sun began to gild the Day,
And on the Hills emit a trembling Ray;
Amanda, from her flow'ry Bed awoke ;
Sad was her Heart, and discompos'd her Look;
The briny Torrent flows a-down her Cheeks,
While thus fhe to her dear Avaro speaks: