Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SONG (4) by CHARLES COTTON

Poet Analysis

First Line: FIE, PRETTY DORIS! WEEP NO MORE
Last Line: AND IS BELOV'D BY YOU.
Subject(s): LOVE;
I

FIE, pretty Doris! weep no more,
Damon is doubtless safe on shore,
Despite of wind and wave;
The life is Fate-free that you cherish,
And 'tis unlike he now should perish
You once thought fit to save.

II

Dry (Sweet) at last, those twins of light,
Which whilst eclips'd, with us 'tis night,
And all of us are blind:
The tears that you so freely shed,
Are both too precious for the Dead,
And for the Quick too kind.

III

Fie, pretty Doris! sigh no more,
The gods your Damon will restore,
From rocks and quick-sands free;
Your wishes will secure his way,
And doubtless he, for whom you pray,
May laugh at Destiny.

IV

Still then those tempests of your breast,
And set that pretty heart at rest,
The man will soon return;
Those sighs for Heav'n are only fit,
Arabian gums are not so sweet,
Nor off'rings when they burn.

V

On him you lavish grief in vain,
Can't be lamented, nor complain,
Whilst you continue true:
That man disaster is above,
And needs no pity, that does love
And is belov'd by you.



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