No More Learning

730. CHARON AND PHILOMEL; A DIALOGUE SUNG.

_Ph. _ Charon! O gentle Charon! let me woo thee
By tears and pity now to come unto me.
_Ch. _ What voice so sweet and charming do I hear?
Say what thou art. _Ph. _ I prithee first draw near.
_Ch. _ A sound I hear, but nothing yet can see;
Speak, where thou art. _Ph. _ O Charon pity me!
I am a bird, and though no name I tell,
My warbling note will say I'm Philomel.
_Ch. _ What's that to me? I waft nor fish or fowls,
Nor beasts, fond thing, but only human souls.
_Ph. _ Alas for me! _Ch. _ Shame on thy witching note
That made me thus hoist sail and bring my boat:
But I'll return; what mischief brought thee hither?
_Ph. _ A deal of love and much, much grief together.
_Ch. _ What's thy request? _Ph. _ That since she's now beneath
Who fed my life, I'll follow her in death.
_Ch. _ And is that all?