Reely's Poetry Blog

by GILBERT ELLIOT (1722-1777)

My sheep I neglected, I lost my sheep-hook,
And all the gay haunts of my youth I forsook;
No more for Amynta fresh garlands I wove
For ambition, I said, would soon cure me of love.

Oh, why had my youth with ambition to do?
Why left I Amynta? why broke I my vow?
Oh, give me my sheep and my sheep hook restore,
And I'll wander from love and Amynta no more.

Through regions remote in vain do I rove,
And bid the wide ocean secure me from love.
Oh fool! to imagine that aught could subdue
A love so well founded a passion so true!

Alas! 'tis too late at thy fate to repine;
Poor shepherd! Amynta can never be thine.
Thy tears are all fruitless thy wishes are vain,
The moments neglected return not again.