A
ROMANTIC
SCENE
Which
happened
in
the
year
1746.
Phenes
and
Hero
far
retir'd
,
Without
one
wish
to
be
admir'd
,
Liv'd
in
a
lonely
den
;
Of
equal
birth
in
friendship
blest
,
A
mutual
passion
both
confest
,
And
shun'd
the
paths
of
men
.
The
charms
of
nature
were
their
pride
,
The
winding
wood
,
the
water
side
,
The
chief
of
their
delight
;
How
pleas'd
,
how
fondly
would
they
stray
,
At
early
dawn
,
or
beaming
day
,
Or
mark
the
solemn
night
.
These
lovely
maids
,
with
equal
grace
,
Did
differ
far
in
form
and
face
,
But
both
completely
fair
;
And
angel
smil'd
on
Phenes
'
lips
,
Her
bloom
did
every
rose
eclipse
,
And
yellow
was
her
hair
.
But
Hero
pale
as
winter
snow
,
Did
each
expressive
feature
show
,
That
made
fair
Helen
shine
;
Her
glossy
hair
,
as
black
as
jet
,
Hung
almost
waving
to
her
feet
;
She
seem'd
or
was
divine
.
'Twas
on
the
softest
morn
in
Spring
,
When
hearts
at
ease
elated
sing
,
To
hail
the
rising
year
,
The
dew
drops
hung
from
every
flower
,
They
rose
and
left
their
little
bower
,
And
wander'd
void
of
fear
.
At
length
they
reach'd
a
lofty
hill
;
They
climb'd
a
rock
—
then
both
stood
still
To
view
the
rising
sun
;
Not
distant
far
they
spied
a
swain
;
They
felt
a
sort
of
pleasing
pain
,
But
strove
the
path
to
shun
.
O
!
such
a
youth
is
seldom
seen
,
In
belted
plaid
and
vest
of
green
,
With
looks
of
manly
pride
;
All
gay
in
ancient
grandeur
drest
,
A
brilliant
star
adorn'd
his
breast
,
A
sword
hung
by
his
side
,
They
turn'd
with
modest
looks
and
shy
;
He
stood
,
he
gaz'd
,
he
came
not
nigh
;
He
held
his
wounded
heart
.
Nor
did
he
know
,
nor
could
he
tell
Which
lovely
maid
did
most
excell
,
Or
who
had
shot
the
dart
.
Fair
Phenes
'
beauty
he
admir'd
;
Her
smiles
,
her
bloom
,
his
bosom
fir'd
,
Her
soft
her
easy
air
;
But
when
he
gaz'd
on
Hero's
eyes
,
He
felt
such
strong
emotions
rise
,
It
was
too
much
to
bear
.
Now
homeward
as
they
bent
their
course
,
The
first
time
e'er
they
felt
the
force
Of
Love's
resistless
power
,
They
blush'd
;
they
knew
not
what
to
say
;
They
walk'd
in
silence
all
the
way
,
And
slowly
reach'd
their
bower
.
Unknown
to
every
low
disguise
,
They
scarce
could
meet
each
other's
eyes
,
So
strangely
did
they
feel
;
O
needless
care
,
it
was
in
vain
!
For
love
,
of
every
other
pain
,
No
woman
can
conceal
.
Their
tender
passion
both
confest
;
Night
drew
apace
,
they
fought
for
rest
But
sleep
had
flown
away
.
His
image
was
a
waking
dream
;
When
Luna
show'd
her
pallid
beam
They
thought
it
break
of
day
.
Says
Hero
,
Phenes
,
will
you
go
,
To
yonder
lofty
hill
you
know
,
And
taste
the
morning
breeze
;
Again
I
think
to
tread
the
place
Where
we
beheld
that
angel
face
,
Would
give
my
bosom
ease
.
O
no
!
replied
the
other
maid
,
For
me
I'll
seek
the
darkest
shade
,
Nor
trust
the
hills
again
It
would
but
fill
my
heart
with
grief
;
Can
barren
mountains
give
relief
,
When
absent
is
the
swain
?
While
thus
they
argued
,
all
around
They
heard
soft
music's
melting
sound
,
Sent
in
a
moving
strain
:
Then
hand
in
hand
they
walk'd
along
,
To
join
its
echoes
with
a
song
,
And
wander'd
o'er
the
plain
.
But
ah
!
what
pleasure
and
surprise
,
When
lo
!
before
their
wishing
eyes
Appear'd
the
handsome
youth
At
once
amaz'd
they
see
the
moon
;
It
was
as
they
had
met
too
soon
,
Too
late
to
hide
the
truth
.
His
trembling
lips
forsook
the
flute
;
Resolv'd
no
longer
to
be
mute
,
He
thus
address'd
the
fair
:
I
fear
,
sweet
maids
,
I've
been
too
bold
,
But
in
Cleanthus
you
behold
The
victim
of
despair
.
And
O
my
grief's
of
such
a
kind
,
I
never
must
reveal
my
mind
,
But
pine
in
endless
woe
.
He
said
no
more
,
but
heav'd
a
sigh
,
One
silent
tear
bedew'd
his
eye
,
He
bow'd
,
and
turn'd
to
go
.
Forgetting
all
their
female
pride
,
For
female
weakness
will
not
hide
,
They
caught
him
in
their
arms
:
O
do
not
,
do
not
fly
away
!
At
least
till
noon
with
us
you'll
stay
;
Your
voice
,
your
music
charms
.
Our
dwelling
is
but
small
and
mean
,
A
little
hut
on
yonder
green
,
We
boast
no
princely
hall
.
But
there
all
nature
strews
her
sweets
,
The
tuneful
choir
in
concert
meets
,
And
there
the
waters
fall
.
Then
welcome
,
stranger
,
freely
share
Our
humble
roof
,
our
simple
fare
,
We'll
try
to
soothe
your
woes
.
Or
if
fatigu'd
,
you
wish
to
rest
,
To
ease
the
struggles
of
your
breast
,
We'll
sing
you
to
repose
.
Beyond
his
utmost
hopes
delighted
,
By
Beauty's
self
,
by
Love
invited
,
With
them
he
freely
went
;
Nor
were
they
distant
from
the
spot
,
Where
stood
the
sweet
romantic
cot
,
The
mansion
of
content
.
All
day
the
happy
stranger
staid
;
He
talk'd
,
he
sung
,
his
flute
he
play'd
,
To
charm
each
tender
heart
;
But
O
!
when
Phoebus
hid
his
head
,
The
charm
is
broke
,
the
transport
fled
,
Alas
!
they're
doom'd
to
part
.
Farewell
,
he
cries
!
I
bid
adieu
To
all
I
prize
,
in
leaving
you
I
leave
my
soul
behind
!
For
never
did
I
chance
to
meet
With
maids
so
lovely
and
so
sweet
,
So
killing
,
and
so
kind
.
On
me
does
Fate
and
Fortune
frown
;
Tho'
born
to
reign
,
and
wear
a
crown
,
Alas
I'm
doom'd
to
mourn
:
An
exile
from
my
native
shore
,
I
never
will
behold
you
more
;
I
never
can
return
!
The
blood
forsook
fair
Phenes
'
cheek
,
She
sobb'd
aloud
,
but
could
not
speak
,
She
fear'd
to
bid
him
stay
:
Bright
Hero's
ruby
lips
turn'd
pale
,
She
found
her
vital
spirits
fail
,
She
sunk
,
and
died
away
.
I
see
,
he
said
,
I
have
been
wrong
;
Indeed
,
I
fear
,
I've
stay'd
too
long
,
And
now
I
cannot
go
.
Why
did
I
e'er
thy
dwelling
trace
,
For
ever
let
me
hide
my
face
,
The
cause
of
so
much
woe
.
With
Hero
every
art
they
tried
,
But
Death
their
utmost
skill
defied
,
Her
spotless
soul
had
fled
:
Distracted
for
her
loss
,
they
rave
;
In
Leder
Den
they
dug
her
grave
,
And
laid
her
with
the
dead
.
Cleanthus
staid
a
day
or
two
,
Till
cruel
foes
his
steps
pursue
,
Then
was
he
forc'd
to
fly
:
Now
,
Phenes
,
who
can
paint
thy
grief
,
Without
one
hope
to
give
relief
,
Or
check
the
bursting
sigh
?
Her
friend
,
her
lover
,
ever
lost
,
On
Sorrow's
ample
ocean
tost
,
Her
charms
began
to
fade
;
For
twice
twelve
months
did
Phenes
weep
,
Till
her
fair
eyes
were
clos'd
in
sleep
,
Below
the
silent
shade
.
'Tis
only
Philomel
can
tell
The
time
,
the
place
where
Phenes
fell
,
And
ended
all
her
care
.
Two
gentle
spirits
have
been
seen
,
In
Fairy
dress
,
of
rural
green
,
To
walk
and
wander
there
.