This is to the crown and blessing of my life，

The much loved husband of a happy wife；

To him whose constant passion found the art

To win a stubborn and ungrateful heart，

And to the world by tenderest proof discovers

They err， who say that husbands can't be lovers.

With such return of passion， as is due，

Daphnis I love， Daphinis my thoughts pursue；

Daphnis， my hopes and joys are bounded all in you.

Even I， for Daphnis' and my promise' sake，

What I in woman censure， undertake.

But this from love， not vanity proceeds；

You know who writes， and I who 'tis that reads.

Judge not my passion by my want of skill：

Many love well， though they express it ill；

And I your censure could with pleasure bear，

Would you but soon return， and speak it here.