The Shepherd's Garden By William Davies |
 |
THE SHEPHERD INVOKES THE WOODLAND BIRD TO TELL
HIM OF HIS MISTRESS. |
 | The Shepherd's Garden |  |
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THE SHEPHERD INVOKES THE WOODLAND BIRD TO TELL HIM OF HIS MISTRESS.
Dainty sweet bird that sittest on a spraySinging in gallant strain the livelong day,
Hast thou not seen a maiden passing fair
Go by this way to take the morning air?
Her step was light as is the thistle-down
By toying zephyrs o'er the meadows blown;
Her hands a silken whiteness showed to view,
Like maps of Paradise enamelled blue
With veinèd rivers: he who kiss them might
Would count himself to reach joy's topmost height.
Within the garden of her face were set
The rose, the lily, and the violet,
Therein did beauty wage a smiling war
Through budding lips of curious cinnabar;
And as for all her tresses orient gold,
My languid art must leave their wealth untold;
Nor fed with inward glory, may my breath
Make air of any slightest word she saith.—
Oh tell me, lusty bird, if thou hast seen
This beauteous goddess that I call my queen;
So may these woods be echo to thy song
Through many a mirthful summer bright and long!
| The Shepherd's Garden | |