Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, COMMENDATORY VERSE TO WILLIAM BROWNE OF TAVISTOCK, by MICHAEL DRAYTON


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

COMMENDATORY VERSE TO WILLIAM BROWNE OF TAVISTOCK, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Drive forth thy flock, young pastor, to that plain
Last Line: As thou young shepherd art belov'd of me!
Subject(s): Browne, William (1591-1645)


DRIVE forth thy flock, young pastor, to that plain
Where our old shepherds wont their flocks to feed;
To those clear walks where many a skilful swain
To'ards the calm ev'ning tun'd his pleasant reed.
Those, to the Muses once so sacred, downs,
As no rude foot might there presume to stand:
(Now made the way of the unworthiest clowns,
Digg'd and plough'd up with each unhallowed hand)
If possible thou canst redeem those places,
Where, by the brim of many a silver spring,
The learned maidens and delightful graces
Often have sat to hear our shepherds sing:
Where on those pines, the neighb'ring groves among
(Now utterly neglected in these days),
Our garlands, pipes, and cornamutes were hung,
The monuments of our deserved praise.
So may thy sheep like, so thy lambs increase,
And from the wolf feed ever safe and free!
So may'st thou thrive, among the learned prease,
As thou young shepherd art belov'd of me!





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net