Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE DREAM, by APHRA BEHN


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE DREAM, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: The grove was gloomy all around
Last Line: For I was still a slave.
Alternate Author Name(s): Astraea; Behn, Afara; Behn, Apharra; Amis, Ayfara
Subject(s): Dreams; Nightmares


The grove was gloomy all around,
Murmuring the stream did pass,
Where fond Astraea laid her down
Upon a bed of grass;
I slept and saw a piteous sight,
Cupid a-weeping lay,
Till both his little stars of light
Had wept themselves away.
Methought I asked him why he cried;
My pity led me on, --
All sighing the sad boy replied,
"Alas! I am undone!
As I beneath yon myrtles lay,
Down by Diana's springs,
Amyntas stole my bow away,
And pinioned both my wings."
"Alas!" I cried, "'twas then thy darts
Wherewith he wounded me?
Thou mighty deity of hearts,
He stole his power from thee?
Revenge thee, if a god thou be,
Upon the amorous swain,
I'll set thy wings at liberty,
And thou shalt fly again;
And, for this service on my part,
All I demand of thee,
Is, wound Amyntas' cruel heart,
And make him die for me."
His silken fetters I untied,
And those gay wings displayed,
Which gently fanned, he mounting cried,
"Farewell, fond easy maid!"
At this I blushed, and angry grew
I should a god believe,
And waking found my dream too true,
For I was still a slave.






Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net