Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ON THE AUTHOR OF BRITANNIA'S PEERLESS PASTORALS, by JOHN DYNHAM First Line: Cease, skilful orpheus, whose mellifluous strains Last Line: Thou sing'st britannia's praise, britannia thine. Subject(s): Browne, William (1591-1645) | ||||||||
CEASE, skilful Orpheus, whose mellifluous strains Have erst made stones and trees skip o'er the plains; A sweeter harmony invites our ears Than e'er was sent from the celestial spheres. Clear Tavy now his silver head may raise, A shepherd of his own can sing his praise. Sweet-tongu'd Arion, strive not with such odds, Thy song mov'd but the dolphins: his the gods. O hadst thou deign'd to move thy sweeter tongue, The wolf had stay'd to hearken to thy song; Had Pan's ears suck'd the nectar of thy breath, For thy sake Cælia had been free from death, But that the Fates denied, as who should say By Willy's pen her fame shall live for aye. Walla a garland will compose no more To crown her Tavy's temples as before; But as to them that best deserve the praise, She'll give to thee the garland and the bays; And if a verse thy glory may confine, Thou sing'st Britannia's praise, Britannia thine. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ODE ENTREATING HIM ... IN THE CONTINUATION OF BRITANNIA'S PASTORALS by NICHOLAS BRETON TO HIS FRIEND THE AUTHOR UPON HIS POEM by CHRISTOPHER BROOKE TO HIS FRIEND THE AUTHOR by AUGUSTUS CAESAR TO MY NOBLE FRIEND THE AUTHOR by UPTON CROKE TO MY BROWNE, YET BRIGHTEST SWAIN / THAT WOONS, OR ... PLAIN by JOHN DAVIES (1565-1618) IDEM AND EUNDEM; AN ODE by NICHOLAS DOWNEY TO THE UNPARALLELED AUTHOR OF THE SEQUENT POEMS, W.B. by NICHOLAS DOWNEY COMMENDATORY VERSE TO WILLIAM BROWNE OF TAVISTOCK by MICHAEL DRAYTON TO MY NOBLE FRIEND MASTER WILLIAM BROWNE: OF THE EVIL TIME by MICHAEL DRAYTON BRER RABBIT, YOU'S DE CUTES' OF 'EM ALL by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON |
|