Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


DAMELUS' SONG TO HIS DIAPHENIA by HENRY CONSTABLE

Poem Explanation

First Line: DIAPHENIA, LIKE THE DAFFADOWN DILLY
Last Line: THEN IN REQUITE, SWEET VIRGIN, LOVE ME.
Subject(s): LOVE;

Diaphenia, like the daffadowndilly
White as the sun, fair as the lily,
Heigh ho, how I do love thee!
I do love thee as my lambs
Are beloved of their dams;
How blest were I if thou would'st prove me!

Diaphenia, like the spreading roses,
That in thy sweets all sweets encloses,
Fair sweet, how I do love thee!
I do love thee as each flower
Loves the sun's life-giving power;
For dead, thy breath to life might move me.

Diaphenia, like to all things blessed
When all thy praises are expressed,
Dear joy, how I do love thee!
As the birds do love the spring,
Or the bees their careful king:
Then in requite, sweet virgin, love me.



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