Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, CHARON AND PHILOMEL [PHYLOMEL], A DIALOGUE SUNG, by ROBERT HERRICK


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CHARON AND PHILOMEL [PHYLOMEL], A DIALOGUE SUNG, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Charon! O gentle charon! Let me woo thee
Last Line: Who els with tears wo'd doubtles drown my ferry.
Subject(s): Birds; Charon; Styx (river)


Ph. Charon! O gentle Charon! let me wooe thee,
By tears and pitie now to come unto mee.
Ch. What voice so sweet and charming do I heare?
Say what thou art. Ph. I prithee first draw neare.
Ch. A sound I heare, but nothing yet can see,
Speak where thou art. Ph. O Charon pittie me!
I am a bird, and though no name I tell,
My warbling note will say I'm Phylomel.
Ch. What's that to me, I waft nor fish or fowles,
Nor Beasts (fond thing) but only humane soules.
Ph. Alas for me! Ch. Shame on thy witching note,
That made me thus hoist saile, and bring my Boat:
But Ile returne; what mischief brought thee hither?
Ph. A deale of Love, and much, much Griefe together.
Ch. What's thy request? Ph. That since she's now beneath
Who fed my life, I'le follow her in death.
Ch. And is that all? I'm gone. Ph. By love I pray thee,
Ch. Talk not of love, all pray, but few soules pay me.
Ph. Ile give thee vows & tears. Ch. can tears pay skores
For mending sails, for patching Boat and Oares?
Ph. I'le beg a penny, or Ile sing so long,
Till thou shalt say, I've paid thee with a song.
Ch. Why then begin, and all the while we make
Our slothfull passage o're the Stygian Lake,
Thou & I'le sing to make these dull Shades merry,
Who els with tears wo'd doubtles drown my ferry.





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