Alexis and Celia

Whilst Alexis lay pressed

In her arms he loved best,

With his hands round her neck,

And his head on her breast,

He found the fierce pleasure too hasty to stay,

And his soul in the tempest just flying away.

When Celia saw this,

With a sigh and a kiss,

She cried, 'Oh, my dear, I am robbed of my bliss;

'Tis unkind to your love, and unfaithfully done,

To leave me behind you, and die all alone.'

The youth, though in haste,

And breathing his last,

In pity died slowly, while she died more fast;

Till at length she cried, 'Now, my dear, let us go:

Now die, my Alexis, and I will die too.'

Thus entranced they did lie,

Till Alexis did try

To recover new breath, that again he might die:

Then often they died; but the more they did so,

The nymph died more quick, and the shepherd more slow.