Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ENTERTAINMENT GIVEN BY LORD KNOWLES: SONG OF THREE VOICES by THOMAS CAMPION

Poet Analysis

First Line: CAN YOU, THE AUTHOR OF OUR JOY
Last Line: BUT THE WORD OF PARTING NEVER.

1.

Can you, the author of our joy,
So soon depart?
Will you revive, and straight destroy?
New mirth to tears convert?
O that ever cause of gladness
Should so swiftly turn to sadness!

2.

Now as we droop, so will these flowers,
Barred of your sight:
Nothing avail them heavenly showers
Without your heav'nly light.
When the glorious sun forsakes us,
Winter quickly overtakes us.

3.

Yet shall our prayers your ways attend,
When you are gone;
And we the tedious time will spend,
Remembering you alone.
Welcome here shall you hear ever
But the word of parting never.



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