Torquato Tasso

“ The gentle nymph whom Cynthia holds so dear!
She that has such sweet eyes, and beautiful hands,
And manners of such grace and friendliness.
NERINA.
Still he must know it; he must make them gather
Her luckless relics, should she be not whole. ”

“ There is no need of death
To bind a great heart fast:
Faith is enough at first, and Love at last.
Nor does a fond desert
Pursue so hard a fame
In following its sweet aim;
Since Love is paid with its own loving heart. ”

“ Cries of a woman in distress; and Daphne
Appeared at the same time, wringing her hands.
The moment she beheld us, she cried out,
"Help, help! Sylvia is forced!" The enamoured boy
As soon as his ear heard, sprung like the pard.
I followed him: and lo! bound to a tree
Was the fair nymph, naked as she was born. ”

“ Terrible enemies to league together!
What could they not? But tell us, pray, more clearly.
THYRSIS.
He loved a nymph too well, who too much hated him.
CHORUS.
Nay, tell us all. This is a thoroughfare;
And while thou talkest, some one may arrive
With news of him, perhaps his very self.
THYRSIS.
Most willingly. For 'tis not just, that such
Extreme and strange ingratitude should miss
Its proper infamy. My friend had learnt
(Alas! 'twas I that told him and conducted him;
I repent now) that Sylvia meant to go
With Daphne to a fount to bathe herself. ”