CODRUS WHY, Damon, did Arcadian Pan ordain To drive our flocks from that meridian plain, Where Cloris' perpendicular shot beams Scorch'd up our lawns, but that cool Charwell's streams Might here abate those flames, which higher were, Than the faint moisture of our flocks could fear? DAMON Codrus, I wot the dog that tended there Our flocks, was he which in the heavenly sphere So hotly hunts the Lion, that the trace Of Virgo scarce his fiery steps allays; Into our veins a fever he convey'd, And on our vital spirits fiercely prey'd. CODRUS Oh, why then brought she back her torrid zone? Conquer'd her trophies? Let us not alone After so many deaths? renew'd our flame, When 'twas impossible to quench the same? It is the punishment of Hell, to show The tortur'd souls those joys they must not know! DAMON Though my flock languish under her aspect; My panting dog his office too neglect; Though I refuse repast, and by her eyes Inflam'd, prostrate myself her sacrifice, I shall yet covet still her dubious rays, Whose light revives as much as her heat slays. CODRUS If Thyrsis slept not in her shady hair, If in his arms her snow not melted were, We might expect a more successful day, And to some hopes our willing hearts betray, Which now live desperate without joy of light; Her black eyes shed on us perpetual night. DAMON Codrus, because his ragged flock was thin, His sheep-walk bare, and his ewes did not yean, His noble Love (hear this, O swains) resign'd His eyes' delight, a wealthier mate to find; But she (rash in her choice) gave her embrace To one whose bread coarser than Codrus' was. CODRUS Damon (than whom none e'er did longer burn; Nor at his rate, upon so small return), Damon (the pride and glory of the mead, When nymphs and swains their tuned measures tread) Begg'd of her that a better choice might prove She lov'd herself, since him she could not love. DAMON Had Thyrsis' flocks in milk abounded more, I should not with such grief my loss deplore. CODRUS Could Thyrsis' pipe more worthily resound, Cloris, oh Cloris! I had comfort found. BOTH That our heart-racking sighs no gain bequeath To Cloris, is a dying after death. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...GENEVIEVE AND ALEXANDRA (2) by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS by GREGORY I THE CROSS OF SNOW by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW THE WRECK OF THE HESPERUS by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 94. AL-HADI by EDWIN ARNOLD TWELVE SONNETS: 5. GLAD SEASONS by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) THE BRIDES' TRAGEDY: ACT 2, SCENE 1 by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES |