Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE SONG OF ORPHEUS by THOMAS RANDOLPH

Poet Analysis

First Line: HAIL, SACRED DESERTS! WHOM KIND NATURE MADE
Last Line: TO PLEASURE MEN, REWARDED WITH A CAGE.

HAIL, sacred deserts! whom kind Nature made
Only to shelter with a loving shade
The now neglected music, glad to see
Lions afford her hospitality,
And tigers bid her welcome, with the rest
Of savage beasts accept her for a guest,
Since men refuse her, and scarce deign an ear
To her high notes; or if they please to hear,
'Tis all; amongst my pupils, you may see
The birds that learn'd their sweetest lays of me;
Those that chant carols in this thankless age
To pleasure men, rewarded with a cage.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net