Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

IDYLL 5. THE CHOICE by MOSCHUS

First Line: WHEN ON THE WAVE THE BREEZE SOFT KISSES FLINGS
Last Line: DELIGHT THE RURAL EAR AND NOT AFFRAY.
Subject(s): FISH & FISHING;
WHEN on the wave the breeze soft kisses flings,
I rouse my fearful heart, and long to be
Floating at leisure on the tranquil sea;
But when the hoary ocean loudly rings,
Arches his foamy back and spooming swings
Wave upon wave, his angry swell I flee:
Then welcome land and sylvan shade to me,
Where, if a gale blows, still the pine-tree sings.

Hard is his life whose nets the ocean sweep,
A bark his house—shy fish his slippery prey;
But sweet to me the unsuspicious sleep
Beneath a leafy plane—the fountain's play,
That babbles idly, or whose tones, if deep,
Delight the rural ear and not affray.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net