Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE INDIAN EMPEROR: SONG, by JOHN DRYDEN


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE INDIAN EMPEROR: SONG, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Ah fading joy, how quickly art thou past!
Last Line: To gentle slumbers call.
Subject(s): Books; Fate; Peace; Singing & Singers; Reading; Destiny; Songs


AH fading joy, how quickly art thou past!
Yet we thy ruine haste:
As if the Cares of Humane Life were few,
We seek out new,
And follow Fate that does too fast pursue.

See how on ev'ry Bough the Birds express
In their sweet notes their happiness.
They all enjoy and nothing spare;
But on their Mother Nature lay their care:
Why then should Man, the Lord of all below,
Such troubles chuse to know,
As none of all his Subjects undergo?

Hark, hark, the Waters fall, fall, fall
And with a Murmuring sound
Dash, dash, upon the ground,
To gentle slumbers call.





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