by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
Cymon and Iphegenia
Language: English
Near a thick grove whose deep embow'ring shade Seem'd most for love and contemplations made, A crystal stream with gentle murmur flows, Whose flow'ry banks are formed for soft repose. Thither retired from Phoebus' sultry ray And lulled in sleep, fair Iphigenia lay. Cymon, a clown who never dreamt of love, By chance was stumping to a neighb'ring grove: He trudg'd along unknowing what he thought And whistled as he went for want of thought. But when he first beheld the sleeping maid, He gap'd, he star'd, her lovely form survey'd, And while with artless voice he softly sung, Beauty and Nature thus informed his tongue: The stream that glides in murmurs by, Whose glassy bosom shews the sky, Completes the rural scene. But in thy bosom, charming maid, All heav'n itself is sure displayed, Too lovely Iphigene. She wakes and starts, Poor Cymon trembling stands, Down falls the staff from his unnerved hands. "Bright excellence", said he, "Dispel all fear, Where honour's present sure no danger's near." Half rais'd, with gentle accent she replies, "O Cymon, if it's you I need not rise, Thy honest heart no wrong can entertain. Pursue thy way, and let me sleep again." The clown, transported, was hot silent long, But thus with extasy pursued his song Thy jetty locks that careless break In wonton ringlets down thy neck, Thy love inspired mien. Thy swelling bosom, skin of snow And taper shape enchant me so. I die for Iphigene. Amazed she listens, nor can trace from whence The former clod is thus inspired with sense; She gazes, finds him comely tall and straight, And thinks he might improve his awkward gait; Bids him be secret, and next day arttend At the same hour to meet his faithful friend. Thus mighty Love can teach a clown to plead, And Nature's language surest will succeed. Love's a pure, a sacred fire, Kindling gentle chaste desire, Love can rage itself control, And elevate the human soul. Depriv'd of that our wretched state Had made our lives of too long date. But blest with beauty and with love We taste what angels do above. Fall asleep or hearing die.
Authorship:
- by Anonymous / Unidentified Author [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Thomas Augustine Arne (1710 - 1778), "Cymon and Iphegenia" [text verified 1 time]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2009-11-16
Line count: 54
Word count: 361