Blest Age! when ev'ry Purling Stream Ran undisturb'd and clear, When no scorn'd Shepherds on your Banks were seen, Tortur'd by Love, by Jealousie, or Fear; When an Eternal Spring drest ev'ry Bough, And Blossoms fell, by new ones dispossest; These their kind Shade affording all below, And those a Bed where all below might rest. The Groves appear'd all drest with Wreaths of Flowers, And from their Leaves dropt Aromatick Showers, Whose fragrant Heads in Mystick Twines above, Exchang'd their Sweets, and mix'd with thousand Kisses, As if the willing Branches strove To beautifie and shade the Grove Where the young wanton Gods of Love Offer their Noblest Sacrifice of Blisses.

Calm was the Air, no Winds blew fierce and loud, The Skie was dark'ned with no sullen Cloud; But all the Heav'ns laugh'd with continued Light, And scattered round their Rays serenely bright. No other Murmurs fill'd the Ear But what the Streams and Rivers purl'd, When Silver Waves o'er Shining Pebbles curl'd; Or when young Zephirs fan'd the Gentle Breez, Gath'ring fresh Sweets from Balmy Flow'rs and Trees, Then bore 'em on their Wings to perfume all the Air: While to their soft and tender Play, The Gray-Plum'd Natives of the Shades Unwearied sing till Love invades, Then Bill, then sing again, while Love and Musick makes the Day.

The stubborn Plough had then, Made no rude Rapes upon the Virgin Earth; Who yielded of her own accord her plentious Birth, Without the Aids of men; As if within her Teeming Womb, All Nature, and all Sexes lay, Whence new Creations every day Into the happy World did come: The Roses fill'd with Morning Dew, Bent down their loaded heads, T'Adorn the careless Shepherds Grassy Beds While still young opening Buds each moment grew And as those withered, drest his shaded Couch a new; Beneath who's boughs the Snakes securely dwelt, Not doing harm, nor harm from others felt; With whom the Nymphs did Innocently play, No spightful Venom in the wantons lay; But to the touch were Soft, and to the sight were Gay.