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. An Ode - Inscribed to the Memory of the Hon. Colonel George Villiers
2. Bibo and Charon
3. Written in an Ovid
4. Songs Set to Music: 1. Set by Mr. Abel
5. Seeing the Duke of Ormond's Picture, at Sir Godfrey Kneller's

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