CALM WAS THE EVEN AND CLEAR WAS THE SKY

(from An Evening's Love)
John Dryden 1631-1700

Calm was the even, and clear was the sky, 

      And the new budding flowers did spring, 

When all alone went Amyntas and I 

      To hear the sweet nightingale sing; 

I sate, and he laid him down by me; 

      But scarcely his breath he could draw; 

For when with a fear, he began to draw near, 

      He was dash'd with A ha ha ha ha! 

He blush'd to himself, and lay still for a while, 

      And his modesty curb'd his desire; 

But straight I convinc'd all his fear with a smile, 

      Which added new flames to his fire. 

O Silvia, said he, you are cruel, 

      To keep your poor lover in awe; 

Then once more he press'd with his hand to my breast, 

      But was dash'd with A ha ha ha ha! 

I knew 'twas his passion that caus'd all his fear; 

      And therefore I pitied his case: 

I whisper'd him softly, there's nobody near, 

      And laid my cheek close to his face: 

But as he grew bolder and bolder, 

      A shepherd came by us and saw; 

And just as our bliss we began with a kiss, 

      He laugh'd out with A ha ha ha ha!

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