| John Dryden (1631–1700). The Poems of John Dryden. 1913. | | | | Songs, Odes, and Lyrical Pieces | | The Lady’s Song |
| | I A QUIRE 1 of bright Beauties in Spring did appear, | |
| To chuse a May-lady to govern the Year; | |
| All the Nymphs were in White, and the Shepherds in Green, | |
| The Garland was giv’n, and Phillis was Queen; | |
| But Phillis refus’d it, and sighing did say, | 5 |
| I’ll not wear a Garland while Pan is away. | |
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II While Pan, and fair Syrinx, are fled from our Shore, | |
| The Graces are banish’d, and Love is no more: | |
| The soft God of Pleasure that warm’d our Desires | |
| Has broken his Bow, and extinguish’d his Fires, | 10 |
| And vows that himself, and his Mother, will mourn, | |
| Till Pan and fair Syrinx in Triumph return. | |
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III Forbear your Addresses, and Court us no more, | |
| For we will perform what the Deity swore: | |
| But, if you dare think of deserving our Charms, | 15 |
| Away with your Sheephooks, and take to your Arms; | |
| Then Lawrels and Myrtles your Brows shall adorn, | |
| When Pan, and his Son, and fair Syrinx, return. | |
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