Fringilla

Glycera
"I know a wood-nymph, who her dwelling hath
Among the leaves, and far beyond the path,
With myrtle and with jasmin roofed across,
Enlaced with vine, and carpeted with moss,
Whose only threshold is a plaited brook,
Whereby the primrose at herself may look;
While birds of song melodious make the air—
But oh! I must not take a stranger there."

Pausias
"Nay, but a friend   No stranger now am I.
Good art is pledge of perfect modesty.
From chastened heights the painter glanceth down;
No maid can fear a youth who loves renown."

Glycera
"Thy words are trim, If mother deems them true,
Thou shalt come with me.  But till then, adieu!"  [Exit.

Pausias
"O! where am I?   The mind is all for art—
But one warm breath transforms it into heart."

Scene II:—A wood near Sicyon.   Pausias with his

easel, &c.   Glycera carrying flowers.

Pausias
"Confounded tangle!   Who could paint all this?
A bear might hug him, or a serpent hiss!
For love of nature justly am I famed;
But when she goes so far as this, she ought to be ashamed."

Glycera
"Nay, be not frightened by a small affray,
Pure love of nature cannot pave its way.
But lo, where yonder coney-tracks begin,
My nymph hath made her favourite bower within.
Yon oak hath reared its rugged antlers thus,
Before Deucalion lived, or Daedalus.
Inside her woodland Majesty doth keep
A world of wonders—if one dared to peep—
Of things that burrow, elide, spin webs, or creep;
Strange creatures, which before they live must die,
And plants that hunt for prey, and flowers that fly!"

Pausias
"My love of nature freezes in a trice;
I loathe all earwigs, beetles, and wood-lice.
Outside her bower the lady must remain,
If she doth wish to have her portrait taen."

Glycera
"Tis not the lady thou must paint—but me."

Pausias
"Aha, that will I, with a glow of glee.
But when I offered, somebody was vexed,
And blushed, and frowned, and longed to say,
'Whatnext?'"

Glycera
"A painter's tongue hath learnt to paint, I trow.
But oh that order—I remember now—
For twenty chaplets, from the priest of Zeus!
Ah, what a grand majestic Hiereus!"
So pleased he was that morning with those three,
And such a customer he means to be!

Pausias
"The priest of Dis!a scoundrel with three wives!
I'll pull his triple beard, if he arrives."

Glycera
"High words and threats profane this hallowed place,
Where Time rebukes the fuss of human race.
And gentle sir, what harm hath he done thee?
It is my mother whom he comes to see.
Lo, how the Gods our puny wrath deride,
With peace and beauty spread on every side!
This earth with pleasure of the Spring complete,
Too bright to dwell on, were it not so sweet.
No theft of man it's affluence impairs,
A thousand flowers, without a loss, it spares;
Whose bashful elegance no brush can trace,
Heartfelt delight, and plenitude of grace;
No palettes match their brilliance, although
Pandora filled her box from Iris' bow."

Pausias
"Her want of faith sweet Glycera will rue,
When she hath seen what Pausias can do."

Glycera     "Forgive me, sir;  In truth it was no taunt.
A great man can do anything—but vaunt."

Pausias
"E'en that he can do, if he sees the need.