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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AMPHITRYON: PASTORAL DIALOGUE by JOHN DRYDEN

Poet Analysis

First Line: THYRSIS: FAIR IRIS AND HER SWAIN
Last Line: AND FEAR NOT TO BE POOR.
Subject(s): DEATH; FATE; KISSES; PLAYS & PLAYWRIGHTS ; DEAD, THE; DESTINY; DRAMATISTS;
I

@3Thyrsis.@1 Fair @3Iris@1 and her Swain
Were in a shady Bow'r;
Where @3Thyrsis@1 long in vain
Had sought the Shepherd's hour.
At length his Hand advancing upon her snowy Breast,
He said, O kiss me longer,
And longer yet and longer,
If you will make me Blest.

II

@3Iris.@1 An easie yielding Maid
By trusting is undone;
Our Sex is oft betray'd,
By granting Love too soon.
If you desire to gain me, your Suff'rings to redress;
Prepare to love me longer,
And longer yet, and longer,
Before you shall possess.

III

@3Thyrsis.@1 The little Care you show,
Of all my Sorrows past,
Makes Death appear too slow,
And Life too long to last.
Fair @3Iris@1 kiss me kindly, in pity of my Fate;
And kindly still, and kindly,
Before it is too late.

IV

@3Iris.@1 You fondly Court your Bliss,
And no Advances make;
'Tis not for Maids to kiss,
But 'tis for Men to take.
So you may kiss me kindly, and I will not rebell;
But kindly still, and kindly,
But Kiss me not and tell.

V

A RONDEAU

@3Chorus.@1 Thus at the Height we love and live,
And fear not to be poor:
We give, and give, and give, and give,
Till we can give no more:
But what to day will take away,
To Morrow will restore.
Thus at the heighth we love and live,
And fear not to be poor.



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