THE SHEPHERD OF NYMPHS

By Henry Van Dyke

The nymphs a shepherd took

To guard their snowy sheep;

He led them down along the brook,

And guided them with pipe and crook,

Until he fell asleep.

But when the piping stayed,

Across the flowery mead

The milk-white nymphs ran out afraid:

O Thyrsis, wake! Your flock has strayed,—

The nymphs a shepherd need.