T HIRSIS .

Why , Damon , write you Laura 's Name
In snowy Letters? prithee, say:
Was it her Coldness to express,
Or shew thy Love wou'd melt away?
Or, rather, was it This? Because
When She is nam'd you burn and glow ,
Therefore in Hopes to cool your Breast
You writ the Charmer's Name in Snow?

D AMON ,

Thirsis , since Ink wou'd blot her Charms,
In Snow I chose her Name to write;
Since only Snow like her is pure ,
Is soft alone, alone is white .
Perhaps the Air her Name may freeze ,
And every Letter grow a Gem ;
Fit Characters to blaze her Charms,
And owe their Rays to Stella 's Name.
A Monarch for the precious Name
Might then with half his Kingdom part,
Despise the Jewels on his Crown,
To wear my Laura near his Heart.

T HIRSIS .

In vain. Behold the Noontide Sun
Dissolves it with his amorous Flame: —
The liquid Syllables are lost:
Now, Damon , where is Laura 's Name?

D AMON .

Too true: yet tho' her Name dissolves;
The shining Drops shall not be lost:
I'll drink Them as They weep away,
And still her Name shall be my Toast .