““DISTRACTED with care For Phillis the fair, Since nothing could move her, Poor Damon, her lover, Resolves in despair No longer to languish Nor bear so much anguish; But, mad with his love, To a precipice goes, Where a leap from above Would soon finish his woes. When in rage he came there, Beholding how steep The sides did appear, And the bottom how deep; His torments projecting, And sadly reflecting That a lover forsaken A new love may get, But a neck when once broken can never be set: And that he could die Whenever he would, But that he could live But as long as he could: How grievous soever The torment might grow, He scorned to endeavour To finish it so; And bold, unconcerned At thoughts of the pain, He calmly returned To his cottage again.””
