Matthew Prior. Dialogues of the Dead and Other Works in Prose and Verse. The Text Edited by A. R. Waller |
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 | Matthew Prior. Dialogues of the Dead and Other Works |  |
176
ON MY BIRTH-DAY.
I.
I my dear, was born to day,So all my jolly comrades say;
They bring me music, wreaths, and mirth,
And ask to celebrate my birth:
Little, alas! my comrades know
That I was born to pain and wo;
To thy denial, to thy scorn,
Better I had ne'er been born,
I wish to die ev'n whilst I say,
I, my dear, was born to day.
II.
I, my dear, was born to day,Shall I salute the rising ray?
Wellspring of all my joy and woe,
Clotilda, thou alone dost know.
Shall the wreath surround my hair?
Or shall the music please my ear?
Shall I my comrades mirth receive,
And bless my birth, and wish to live?
Then let me see great Venus chace
Imperious anger from Thy face;
Then let me hear Thee smiling say,
Thou, my dear, wer't Born to Day.
| Matthew Prior. Dialogues of the Dead and Other Works | |