Classic and Contemporary Poetry
CITY LYRICS, by NATHANIEL PARKER WILLIS Poet's Biography First Line: Come out, love - the night is enchanting! Last Line: Is not more unhappy than I! Subject(s): Courtship; New York City - 19th Century | ||||||||
COME out, love -- the night is enchanting! The moon hangs just over Broadway; The stars are all lighted and panting -- (Hot weather up there, I dare say!) 'Tis seldom that "coolness" entices, And love is no better for chilling -- But come up to Thompson's for ices, And cool your warm heart for a shilling! What perfume comes balmily o'er us? Mint juleps from City Hotel! A loafer is smoking before us -- (A nasty cigar, by the smell!) Oh Woman! thou secret past knowing! Like lilachs that grow by the wall, You breathe every air that is going, Yet gather but sweetness from all! On, on! by St. Paul's, and the Astor! Religion seems very ill-plann'd! For one day we list to the pastor, For six days we list to the band! The sermon may dwell on the future, The organ your pulses may calm -- When -- pest! -- that remember'd cachucha Upsets both the sermon and psalm! Oh, pity the love that must utter While goes a swift omnibus by! (Though sweet is I scream when the flutter Of fans shows thermometers high) -- But if what I bawl, or I mutter, Falls into your ear but to die, Oh, the dew that falls into the gutter Is not more unhappy than I! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BRONX, 1818 by JOSEPH RODMAN DRAKE ODE TO FORTUNE by FITZ-GREENE HALLECK MANHATTAN ARMING by WALT WHITMAN FITZ-GREENE HALLECK, AT THE UNVEILING OF HIS STATUE by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER TO THE LADY IN THE CHIMSETTE WITH BLACK BUTTONS by NATHANIEL PARKER WILLIS TWO WOMEN by NATHANIEL PARKER WILLIS THE 'STAY AT HOME'S' PLAINT, 1878 by GEORGE AUGUSTUS BAKER JR. EMPORIUM VERSUS NEW YORK, 1854 by JACOB BIGELOW THE MARCH OF THE REGIMENT, 1861 by HENRY HOWARD BROWNELL ANDRE'S LAST REQUEST [OR, REQUEST TO WASHINGTON] [OCTOBER 1, 1780] by NATHANIEL PARKER WILLIS |
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