Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


MARIAN'S COMPLAINT by JOHN WOLCOTT

Poet Analysis

First Line: SINCE TRUTH HA' LEFT THE SHEPHERD'S TONGUE
Last Line: IS ALL THAT WILL REMEMBER ME.

SINCE truth ha' left the shepherd's tongue,
Adieu the cheerful pipe and song;
Adieu the dance at closing day.
And, ah, the happy morn of May.

How oft he told me I was fair.
And wove the garland for my hair;
How oft for Marian stripped the bower,
To fill my lap with every flower!

No more his gifts of guile I'll wear,
But from my brow the chaplet tear;
The crook he gave in pieces break,
And rend his ribbons from my neek.

How oft he vowed a constant flame,
And carved on every oak my name!
Blush, Colin, that the wounded tree
Is all that will remember me.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net