Poem by Matthew Prior

* * *

   A Song

If wine and music have the power
To ease the sickness of the soul,
Let Phoebis every string explore,
And Bacchus fill the sprightly bowl:
Let them their friendly aid employ
To make my Cloe's absense light,
And seek for pleasure to destroy
The sorrows of this live-long night.

But she to-morrow will return:
Venus, be thou to-morrow great;
Thy myrtles strow, thy odours burn,
And meet thy favourite nymph in state,
Kind goddess, to no other powers
Let us to-morrow's blessings own,
Thy darling Loves shall guide the hours,
And all the day be thine alone.

1. A Song (In vain you tell your parting lover)
2. An Ode - Inscribed to the Memory of the Hon. Colonel George Villiers
3. An Ode - Presented to the King, on His Majesty's Arrival in Holland, after the Queen's Death
4. An Extempore Invitation to the Earl of Oxford, Lord High Treasurer
5. To the Author of the Foregoing Pastoral - (Love and Friendship)

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