Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A FAREWELL TO TOWN, by NICHOLAS BRETON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Since secret spite hath sworn my woe Last Line: Go sing the song of welaway. Subject(s): Farewell; Towns; Parting | ||||||||
SINCE secret Spite hath sworn my woe, And I am driven by Destiny Against my will, God knows, to go From place of gallant company, And, in the stead of sweet delight, To reap the fruits of foul despite: As it hath been a custom long, To bid farewell when men depart, So will I sing this solemn song, Farewell, to some, with all my heart: But those my friends: but to my foes, I wish a nettle in their nose. I wish my friends their hearts' content: My foes, again, the contrary: I wish myself, the time were spent That I must spend in misery: I wish my deadly foe, no worse That want of friends, and empty purse. But, now my wishes thus are done, I must begin to bid farewell: With friends and foes I have begun, And therefore, now I cannot tell Which first to choose, or ere I part, To write a farewell from my heart. First, place of worldly Paradise, Thou gallant court, to thee farewell! For froward Fortune me denies Now longer near to thee to dwell. I must go live, I wot not where, Nor how to live when I come there. And next, adieu you gallant dames, The chief of noble youth's delight! Untoward Fortune now so frames, That I am banished from your sight, And, in your stead, against my will, I must go live with country Jill. Now next, my gallant youths farewell; My lads that oft have cheered my heart! My grief of mind no tongue can tell, To think that I must from you part. I now must leave you all, alas, And live with some odd lobcock ass! And now farewell thou gallant lute, With instruments of music's sounds: Recorder, cittern, harp and flute, And heavenly descants on sweet grounds; I now must leave you all indeed, And make some music on a reed! And now you stately stamping steeds And gallant geldings fair, adieu! My heavy heart for sorrow bleeds, To think that I must part with you: And on a strawen pannel sit, And ride some country carting tit! And now farewell both spear and shield, Caliver, pistol, arquebus, See, see, what sighs my heart doth yield, To think that I must leave you thus; And lay aside my rapier blade, And take in hand a ditching spade! And you farewell, all gallant games, Primero and Imperial, Wherewith I used, with courtly dames, To pass away the time withal: I now must learn some country plays For ale and cakes on holidays! And now farewell each dainty dish, With sundry sorts of sugared wine' Farewell, I say, fine flesh and fish, To please this dainty mouth of mine! I now, alas, must leave all these, And make good cheer with bread and cheese. And now, all orders due, farewell! My table laid when it was noon; My heavy heart it irks to tell My dainty dinners all are done: With leeks and onions, whig and whey, I must content me as I may. And farewell all gay garments now, With jewels rich, of rare device! Like Robin Hood, I wot not how, I must go range in woodman's wise; Clad in a coat of green or grey, And glad to get it if I may. What shall I say, but bid adieu To every dram of sweet delight, In place where pleasure never grew, In dungeon deep of foul despite, I must, ah me! wretch, as I may, Go sing the song of welaway. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE THREE CHILDREN by JOSEPHINE JACOBSEN STUDY #2 FOR B.B.L. by JUNE JORDAN WATCHING THE NEEDLEBOATS AT SAN SABBA by JAMES JOYCE SESTINA: TRAVEL NOTES by WELDON KEES A SWEET LULLABY by NICHOLAS BRETON PHYLLIDA AND CORYDON by NICHOLAS BRETON THE PASSIONATE SHEPHERD: PASTORAL 3. THE HAPPY COUNTRYMAN by NICHOLAS BRETON |
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