Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE DESPAIRING SHEPHERD, by JOHN GAY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The sun was sunk beneath the hill Last Line: Who pays thy worth, must pay with love. Subject(s): Love | ||||||||
I. THE Sun was sunk beneath the Hill, The Western Clouds were edg'd with Gold, The Sky was clear, the Winds were still; The Flocks were penn'd within the Fold, When from the Silence of the Grove Poor Damon thus despair'd of love; II. Who seeks to pluck the fragrant Rose From the bare Rock, or oozy Beach; Who, from each barren Weed that grows, Expects the Grape and blushing Peach; With equal Faith may hope to find The Truth of Love in Womankind. III. I have no Flocks, nor Fleecy care, No Fields that shine with golden Grain, Nor Meadows green, nor Gardens fair, Of Virgins venal Hearts to gain; Then all in vain my Sighs must prove, For I, alas! am nought but Love. IV. How wretched is the faithful Youth, Since Women's Hearts are bought and sold; They ask not Vows of sacred Truth, Whene'er they sigh, they sigh for Gold. Gold can the Frowns of Scorn remove; But I, alas! am nought but Love. V. To buy the Gems of India's Coast, What Wealth, what Riches can suffice? But all their Fire can never boast The living Lustre of her Eyes: For there the World too cheap would prove, But I, alas! am nought but Love. VI. Oh, Sylvia, since nor Gems, nor Oar, Can with thy brighter Charms compare, Consider, that I proffer more, (More seldom found) a Heart sincere. Let Treasure meaner Beauties move; Who pays thy Worth, must pay with Love. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE INVENTION OF LOVE by MATTHEA HARVEY TWO VIEWS OF BUSON by ROBERT HASS A LOVE FOR FOUR VOICES: HOMAGE TO FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN by ANTHONY HECHT AN OFFERING FOR PATRICIA by ANTHONY HECHT LATE AFTERNOON: THE ONSLAUGHT OF LOVE by ANTHONY HECHT A SWEETENING ALL AROUND ME AS IT FALLS by JANE HIRSHFIELD FABLES: 1ST SER. 5. THE WILD BOAR AND THE RAM by JOHN GAY LESSER EPISTLES: TO A LADY ON HER PASSION FOR OLD CHINA by JOHN GAY |
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