Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE STAR-SONG: A CAROL TO THE KING, by ROBERT HERRICK


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THE STAR-SONG: A CAROL TO THE KING, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Tell us, thou clear [cleere] and heavenly tongue
Last Line: Wee'l chuse him king, and make his mother queen.
Subject(s): Stars


The Flourish of Musick: then followed the Song.

1. Tell us, thou cleere and heavenly Tongue,
Where is the Babe but lately sprung?
Lies He the Lillie-banks among?

2. Or say, if this new Birth of ours
Sleeps, laid within some Ark of Flowers,
Spangled with deaw-light; thou canst cleere
All doubts, and manifest the where.

3. Declare to us, bright Star, if we shall seek
Him in the Mornings blushing cheek,
Or search the beds of Spices through,
To find him out?
Star. No, this ye need not do;
But only come, and see Him rest
A Princely Babe in's Mothers Brest.

Chor. He's seen, He's seen, why then a Round,
Let's kisse the sweet and holy ground;
And all rejoyce, that we have found
A King, before conception crown'd.

4. Come then, come then, and let us bring
Unto our prettie Twelfth-Tide King,
Each one his severall offering;

Chor. And when night comes, wee'l give Him wassailing:
And that His treble Honours may be seen,
Wee'l chuse Him King, and make His Mother Queen.





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