When bashfull day-light now was gone,
And Night that hides a blush came on,
Six pretty Nymphs to wash away
The sweating of a summers day,
In Chams fair streams did gently swim,
And naked bathe each curious limbe.
O who had this blest sight but seene
Would think that they had Claelia's been.
A Scholler that a walk did take
(Perchance for meditation sake)
This better object chanc'd to find,
Straight all things else were out of mind;
What fitter study in this life,
For Practick or Contemplative .
He thought, poore soule, what he had seen
Diana and her Nymphs had been,
And therefore thought in pitteous feare
Acteons fortunes had been neare.
Or that the water-Nymphs they were
Together met to sport them there.
And that to him such love they bore
As unto Hilas once before.
What could he think but that his eye
Six Nymphs at once did there espye
Rise from the waves? Or that perchance
Fresh-water Syrens came to dance
Upon the streame with tongue and look
To tempt poore Schollers from their book?
He could not think they Graces were
Because their numbers doubled are.
Nor can he think they Muses be,
Because (alas) there wanted three.
I should have rather guest that there
Another brood of Helens were.
The maids betrai'd were in a fright
And blusht, but twas not seen by night.
At last all by the bank did stand,
And he (kind heart) lent them his hand.
Where 'twas his blisse to feel all o're
Soft papps, smooth thighes, and some thing more.
But envious night hid from his eyes
The place where love and pleasure lyes.
Guesse lovers guesse, guesse you that dare
What then might be this Schollers prayer.
That he had been a cat to spy,
Or had he now Tiberius eye.
Yet since his wishes were in vaine
He helpt them d'on their clothes again,
Makes promise there should none be shent,
So with them to the Tavern went.
How they all night did sport and play,
Pardon my Muse , I dare not say,
Guesse you that have a mind to know
Whether he were a fool or no.