Alciphron and Leucippe. 
By Landor, Walter Savage. 


An ancient chestnut's blossoms threw
Their heavy odour over two:
Leucippe, it is said, was one;
The other then was Alciphron.
"Come, come! why should we stand beneath
This hollow tree's unwholesome breath?"
Said Alciphron, "here's not a blade
Of grass or moss, and scanty shade.
Come; it is just the hour to rove
In the lone dingle shepherds love;
There, straight and tall, the hazel twig
Divides the crooked rock-held fig,
O'er the blue pebbles where the rill
In winter runs, and may run still.
Come then, while fresh and calm the air,
And while the shepherds are not there."

Leucippe

But I would rather go where they
Sit round about and sing and play.
Then why so hurry me? for you
Like play and song, and shepherds too.

Alciphron

I like the shepherds very well,
And song and play, as you can tell.
But there is play I sadly fear,
And song I would not have you hear.

Leucippe

What can it be? What can it be?

Alciphron

To you may none of them repeat
The play that you have played with me,
The song that made your bosom beat.

Leucippe

Don't keep your arm about my waist.

Alciphron

Might you not stumble?

Leucippe

Well then, do.
But why are we in all this haste?

Alciphron

To sing.

Leucippe

Alas! and not play too?