Kentshire tragedy, or, The constant lovers overthrow/The shepherdess lamenting her drowned lover

YE maids of the village attend
the sorrowful tale I now speak,
Oh! refuse not your comfort to lend,
for my heart is just ready to break!

Ye know my dear Caledon well,
he was sprightly, and handsome, & young,
On his lips what persuasion did dwell?
how melodiously soft was his song!

​He was all my fond heart e'er desir'd;
he was all that was gen'rous and brave;
What pity the charms I admir'd,
from death had no power to save.

But just as the day did approach,
to give the dear youth to my arms,
From the water they brought me his corpse,
how faded were all his gay charms!

As the lily, when drooping with rain,
dejectedly hangs down his head,
So languish'd his beautiful cheek,
and its vermilion was fled.

His voice, that as music was sweet,
no more I enraptur'd shall hear;
No more the fond swain shall repeat,
a tale of soft love in mine ear.

Convey the dear youth to his grave,
lest his beautiful form I adore.
Yet one silent kiss let me have,
for alas! I shall ne'er see him more.

Ye maidens attend on this day,
and strew all the path way with flowers,
And oh! the kind Deities hear!
may their love be more happy than ours.

As for me, I will henceforth beware
how in love I engage my fond heart;
For though love is a joy, how severe
is the pang from a lover to part?