What is the summary of poem

In a little cottage, the speaker tells us, lives a simple shepherdess. She is described as being cheerful, and as caring for her flock with “noblest care”. She is also very beautiful, and draws many suitors. But the shepherdess turns down all of these men because she is in love with Silvander, who lives in the nearby village.

Silvander is a very kind and gentle person, known throughout the village for being charitable and giving freely to others. He loves to play the pipe and sing, and the speaker tells us that listening to his music “all our cares beguiled”.

One day Silvander is heard playing his pipe and singing his songs, and he draws a large group of people. Some ask him about the weather, while others ask him to sing or to join them in their games. But Silvander says that he is too sad to comply. He has been refused by the shepherdess, and his grief is so overwhelming that he falls to the ground.

Seeing his distress the shepherdess comes out of her cottage and, taking Silvander's hand, asks him why he is so sad. She loves him, and he makes her heart so glad that he could “turn my joy to pain.” Silvander is so happy that he takes the shepherdess into his arms, and the speaker ends by telling us that “two so true/ ne’er taste with woe”