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. Cloe Jealous
2. Upon This Passage In Scaligeriana
3. On My Birthday, July 21
4. An Ode to Mr. Howard
5. On a Fart - Let in the House of Commons

Print

1198 Views

Last Poems

To Russian version