Poetics Or, a series of poems, and disquisitions on poetry. By George Dyer |
 | I. |
|
| 1. |
| I. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. | ODE VIII. INVOCATION TO MAY.
|
 | 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
 | Poetics |  |
39
ODE VIII. INVOCATION TO MAY.
ON A YOUNG COUPLE MARRIED ON MAY-DAY.
Let April go, capricious Thing,
With many a smile, yet many a frown;
Why should we call her child of spring?
Why deck her locks with flowery crown?
With many a smile, yet many a frown;
Why should we call her child of spring?
Why deck her locks with flowery crown?
Yes go inconstant as the wind,
And chilling midst her amorous play;
A nymph more constant I would find;
And therefore call on lovely May.
And chilling midst her amorous play;
A nymph more constant I would find;
And therefore call on lovely May.
Wake all thy flow'rs, and bid them wear,
Oh! queen of sweets, their brightest dyes;
Spread the full blossom of the year;
And let us view no fickle skies.
Oh! queen of sweets, their brightest dyes;
Spread the full blossom of the year;
And let us view no fickle skies.
And tell thy minstrel of the grove,
Her amorous descant to prolong;
Dear is this day to wedded love,
And I must have her softest song.
Her amorous descant to prolong;
Dear is this day to wedded love,
And I must have her softest song.
For lovers tried, O May so sweet,
Thou hear'st me claim these honours due,
Oh! then, this day as sacred treat,
And I will consecrate it too.
Thou hear'st me claim these honours due,
40
And I will consecrate it too.
But shouldst e'en thou, oh! May, be found,
As thou, alas! art sometimes seen,
To strew thy blossoms on the ground,
With froward look and frolic mien;
As thou, alas! art sometimes seen,
To strew thy blossoms on the ground,
With froward look and frolic mien;
Yet spare, oh! spare, this genial day;
Let no rude blight disturb its bliss:
But, if thou must the wanton play,
Choose any other day than this.
Let no rude blight disturb its bliss:
But, if thou must the wanton play,
Choose any other day than this.
| Poetics | |