Virginia Argus

THE PRINCESS ELIZABETH—Ballad.

Alluding to a story respecting her when she was
a prisoner at Woodstock, in the year 1554.

Will you hear how once repining,
Great Elizabeth captive lay;
Each ambitious thought resigning,
Foe to riches, pomp and sway.

While the nymphs and swains, delighted,
Tript around in all their pride;
Envying joys by others slighted,
Thus the royal maiden cried:

Bred on plains or born in valleys,
Who would bid those scenes adieu?
Stranger to the arts of malice,
Who would ever court pursue.

Malice never taught to treasure,
Censure never taught to bear;
Love is all the shepherd's pleasure
Love is all the damsel's care.

How can they of humble station,
Vainly blame the powers above:
Or accuse the dispensation,
Which allows them all to love.

Love, like air, is wildly given,
Power nor chance can these restrain
Truest, noblest gift of Heaven,
Only purest on the plain.

Peers can no such charms discover,
All in stars and garters drest,
As on Sundays, does the lover,
With his nosegay on his breast.

Pinks and roses in profusion,
Sweet to trade when Chloe's near
Fops may use the same allusion,
But the shepherd is sincere.

Hark to yonder milkmaid singing,
Cheerily o'er the morning dew;
Cowslips all around her springing,
Sweetly paint the golden vale.

Never yet did courtly maiden,
Rove so sprightly, look so fair;
Never breast with jewels laden,
Pour'd a song so void of care.

Would indulgent Heaven had granted
Me some rural damsel's part,
All the empire I had wanted
Then had been my shepherd's heart.

Then with him o'er hills and mountains,
Free from cares might I rove;
Fearless taste the crystal fountains,
Peaceful sleep beneath the grove.

Riches had been more forgiving,
Mournful for my early doom;
None had envied me when living,
None had triumphed o'er my tomb.