Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, AMPHITRYON: PASTORAL DIALOGUE, by JOHN DRYDEN


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AMPHITRYON: PASTORAL DIALOGUE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Thyrsis: fair iris and her swain
Last Line: And fear not to be poor.
Subject(s): Death; Fate; Kisses; Plays & Playwrights ; Dead, The; Destiny; Dramatists


I

Thyrsis. Fair Iris and her Swain
Were in a shady Bow'r;
Where Thyrsis long in vain
Had sought the Shepherd's hour.
At length his Hand advancing upon her snowy Breast,
He said, O kiss me longer,
And longer yet and longer,
If you will make me Blest.

II

Iris. An easie yielding Maid
By trusting is undone;
Our Sex is oft betray'd,
By granting Love too soon.
If you desire to gain me, your Suff'rings to redress;
Prepare to love me longer,
And longer yet, and longer,
Before you shall possess.

III

Thyrsis. The little Care you show,
Of all my Sorrows past,
Makes Death appear too slow,
And Life too long to last.
Fair Iris kiss me kindly, in pity of my Fate;
And kindly still, and kindly,
Before it is too late.

IV

Iris. You fondly Court your Bliss,
And no Advances make;
'Tis not for Maids to kiss,
But 'tis for Men to take.
So you may kiss me kindly, and I will not rebell;
But kindly still, and kindly,
But Kiss me not and tell.

V

A RONDEAU

Chorus. Thus at the Height we love and live,
And fear not to be poor:
We give, and give, and give, and give,
Till we can give no more:
But what to day will take away,
To Morrow will restore.
Thus at the heighth we love and live,
And fear not to be poor.





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