| Alexander Pope (1688–1744). Complete Poetical Works. 1903. | | | | Early Poems: Imitations of English Poets | | Waller: On a Fan of the Author’s Design |
| | In Which Was Painted the Story of Cephalus and Procris, with the Motto ‘Aura Veni’ |
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COME, gentle air! th’ Æolian shepherd said, | |
| While Procris panted in the secret shade; | |
| Come, gentle air! the fairer Delia cries, | |
| While at her feet her swain expiring lies. | |
| Lo, the glad gales o’er all her beauties stray, | 5 |
| Breathe on her lips, and in her bosom play; | |
| In Delia’s hand this toy is fatal found, | |
| Nor could that fabled dart more surely wound: | |
| Both gifts destructive to the givers prove; | |
| Alike both lovers fall by those they love. | 10 |
| Yet guiltless too this bright destroyer lives, | |
| At random wounds, nor knows the wounds she gives; | |
| She views the story with attentive eyes, | |
| And pities Procris while her lover dies. | | | |
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