Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A SEA DIALOGUE, by JOHN HALL (1627-1656)


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A SEA DIALOGUE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: My antinetta, though thou be
Last Line: That ever after firmer grows.
Alternate Author Name(s): Hall Of Durham, John
Subject(s): Sea; Ocean


PALURUS

MY Antinetta, though thou be
More white than foam wherewith a wave,
Broke in his wrath, besmears the sea,
Yet art thou harder than this cave.

ANTINETTA

Though thou be fairer than the light,
Which doubting pilots only mind,
That they may steer their course aright,
Yet art thou lighter than the wind.

PALURUS

And shall I not be chang'd? When thou
Hast fraught Medorus with thy heart;
And as along the sands we go
To gather shells, dost take his part?

ANTINETTA

What! shall not I congeal to see
Doris, the ballast of thine arms,
(Which have so oft encompass'd me)
Now pinion'd by her faithless charms?

PALURUS

What if I henceforth shall disdain
The golden-tressed Doris' love,
And Antinetta serve again,
And in that service constant prove?

ANTINETTA

Though mighty Neptune cannot stand
Before Medorus, and thou be
Restless as whirlpools, false as sand,
Yet will I live and die with thee.

PALURUS

Nay, live, and lest one single death
Should rack thee, take this life of mine.

ANTINETTA

Thou but exchanged with that breath
Thy Antinetta's soul for thine.

CHORUS

How powerful's love! which, like a flame
That sever'd, reunites more close; 30
Or like a broken limb in frame,
That ever after firmer grows.





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