Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ON MY BIRTHDAY, JULY 21, by MATTHEW PRIOR


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ON MY BIRTHDAY, JULY 21, by             Poem Explanation         Poet's Biography
First Line: I, my dear, was born today
Last Line: Thou, my dear, wert born to-day.'
Subject(s): Birthdays; Death; Life; Mythology - Classical; Venus (goddess); Dead, The


I, MY dear, was born to-day --
So all my jolly comrades say:
They bring me music, wreaths, and mirth,
And ask to celebrate my birth:
Little, alas! my comrades know
That I was born to pain and woe;
To thy denial, to thy scorn,
Better I had ne'er been born:
I wish to die, even whilst I say --
'I, my dear, was born to-day.'
I, my dear, was born to-day:
Shall I salute the rising ray,
Well-spring of all my joy and woe?
Clotilda, thou alone dost know.
Shall the wreath surround my hair?
Or shall the music please my ear?
Shall I my comrades' mirth receive,
And bless my birth, and wish to live?
Then let me see great Venus chase
Imperious anger from thy face;
Then let me hear thee smiling say --
'Thou, my dear, wert born to-day.'





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