Amyntas

 Amyntas: A Sylvan Fable by Torquato Tasso, translated by Frederic Whitmore, 72 pages

Amyntas, also known as Aminta, is a short verse play by the author of Jerusalem Delivered, centering on the young shepherd Amyntas and the nymph Sylvia, the object of his unrequited love.

     A simple girl, heedless as she is fair,

     And ignorant how hot are beauty's arms

     To sear, how edged to pierce; whose smiles and tears

     Slay, and slay all un'ware e'en that they wound.

Despite the efforts of the other shepherds and nymphs to convince Sylvia to submit herself to Love, she refuses, until unexpected events finally melt her hardened heart.  But will it be too late?

     In sooth, the laws of Love wherewith he rules

     In lasting sway, are ne'er unjust and hard;

     His works fulfilled with foresight, mystical,

     We blindly do condemn.  What skill is his!