Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE MOURNING-GARMENT: SONG OF COUNTRY SWAIN AT THE RETURN OF PHILADOR, by ROBERT GREENE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE MOURNING-GARMENT: SONG OF COUNTRY SWAIN AT THE RETURN OF PHILADOR, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The silent shade had shadow'd every tree
Last Line: "and therefore farewell the follies of my youth."
Variant Title(s): Menalcas - The Prodigal's Return
Subject(s): Youth


THE silent shade had shadow'd every tree,
And Phœbus in the west was shrouded low;
Each hive had home her busy-labouring bee,
Each bird the harbour of the night did know:
Even then,
When thus
All things did from their weary labour lin,
Menalcas sat and thought him of his sin:

His head on hand, his elbow on his knee;
And tears, like dew, be-drench'd upon his face,
His face as sad as any swain's might be;
His thoughts and dumps befitting well the place:
Even then,
When thus
Menalcas sat in passions all alone,
He sighèd then, and thus he gan to moan.

"I that fed flocks upon Thessalia-plains,
And bade my lambs to feed on daffodil,
That liv'd on milk and curds, poor shepherds' gains,
And merry sat, and pip'd upon a pleasant hill;
Even then,
When thus
I sat secure, and fear'd not Fortune's ire,
Mine eyes eclips'd, fast blinded by desire.

"Then lofty thoughts began to lift my mind,
I grudg'd and thought my fortune was too low;
A shepherd's life 'twas base and out of kind;
The tallest cedars have the fairest grow:
Even then,
When thus
Pride did intend the sequel of my ruth,
Began the faults and follies of my youth.

"I left the fields and took me to the town,
Fold sheep who list, the hook was cast away;
Menalcas would not be a country clown,
Nor shepherd's weeds, but garments far more gay:
Even then,
When thus
Aspiring thoughts did follow after ruth,
Began the faults and follies of my youth.

"My suits were silk, my talk was all of state,
I stretch'd beyond the compass of my sleeve;
The bravest courtier was Menalcas' mate,
Spend what I would, I never thought on grief:
Even then,
When thus
I lash'd out lavish, then began my ruth,
And then I felt the follies of my youth.

"I cast mine eye on every wanton face,
And straight desire did hale me on to love;
Then lover-like I pray'd for Venus' grace,
That she my mistress' deep affects might move:
Even then,
When thus
Love trapp'd me in the fatal bands of ruth,
Began the faults and follies of my youth.

"No cost I spar'd to please my mistress' eye,
No time ill-spent in presence of her sight;
Yet oft she frown'd, and then her love must die,
But when she smil'd, O, then a happy wight!
Even then,
When thus
Desire did draw me on to deem of ruth,
Began the faults and follies of my youth.

"The day in poems often did I pass,
The night in sighs and sorrows for her grace;
And she, as fickle as the brittle glass,
Held sun-shine showers within her flattering face:
Even then,
When thus
I spied the woes that women's loves ensu'th,
I saw and loath['d] the follies of my youth.

"I noted oft that beauty was a blaze,
I saw that love was but a heap of cares;
That such as stood, as deer do, at the gaze,
And sought their wealth amongst affection's snares,
Even such
I saw
With hot pursuit did follow after ruth,
And foster'd up the follies of their youth.

"Thus clogg'd with love, with passions, and with grief,
I saw the country life had least molest;
I felt a wound, and fain would have relief,
And this resolv'd I thought would fall out best:
Even then,
When thus
I felt my senses almost sold to ruth,
I thought to leave the follies of my youth.

"To flocks again! away the wanton town,
Fond pride avaunt! give me the shepherd's hook,
A coat of grey! I'll be a country clown;
Mine eye shall scorn on beauty for to look:
No more
Ado;
Both pride and love are ever pain'd with ruth,
And therefore farewell the follies of my youth."





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