I. I DID but see her, and she's snatch'd away, I find I did but happy seem; So small a while did my contentments stay, As short and pleasant as a dream: Yet such are all our satisfactions here, They raise our hopes, and then they disappear. II. Ill-natur'd Stars, that evermore conspire To quench poor Strephon's flame, To stop the progress of his swift desire, And leave him but an aery name; Why art thou doom'd (of no pretences proud) Ixion-like thus to embrace a cloud? III. Yet why should Strephon murmur, why complain, Or envy Phyllis her delight, Why should her pleasures be to him a pain, Easier perhaps out of his sight? No, Strephon, no! If Phyllis happy be, Thou shouldst rejoice, whate'er becomes of thee. IV. Amidst the charming glories of the spring In pleasant fields and goodly bowers, Indulgent Nature seems concern'd to bring All that may bless her innocent hours, While thy disastrous Fate has tied thee down To all the noise and tumult of the Town. V. Strephon that for himself expects no good To Phyllis wishes everywhere A long serenity without a cloud, Sweet as these smiles of th' infant year. May Halcyons in her bosom build their nest, Whatever storms shall discompose my breast. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...INSPIRATION by SAMUEL JOHNSON (1822-1882) ONCE I PASS'D THROUGH A POPULOUS CITY by WALT WHITMAN EPITAPH by LASCELLES ABERCROMBIE REMINISCENCE by DOROTHY ALLISON WHITE SNOW by GUILLAUME APOLLINAIRE NEW YEAR'S EVE by GEORGE ARNOLD SHE IS SO PRETTY by PIERRE JEAN DE BERANGER |