Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A BUCOLICK BETWIXT TWO: LACON AND THYRSIS, by ROBERT HERRICK



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A BUCOLICK BETWIXT TWO: LACON AND THYRSIS, by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: For a kiss or two, confess
Last Line: Earth afford ye flowers to strew.
Subject(s): Country Life


Lacon. For a kiss or two, confesse,
What doth cause this pensiveness?
Thou most lovely Neat-heardesse:
Why so lonely on the hill?
Why thy pipe by thee so still,
That ere while was heard so shrill?

Tell me, do thy kine now fail
To fulfill the milkin-paile?
Say, what is't that thou do'st aile?

Thyr. None of these; but out, alas!
A mischance is come to pass,
And I'le tell thee what it was:
See mine eyes are weeping ripe.
Lacon. Tell, and I'le lay down my Pipe.

Thyr. I have lost my lovely steere,
That to me was far more deer
Then these kine, which I milke here.
Broad of fore-head, large of eye,
Party colour'd like a Pie;
Smooth in each limb as a die;
Clear of hoof, and clear of horn;
Sharply pointed as a thorn:
With a neck by yoke unworn.
From the which hung down by strings,
Balls of Cowslips, Daisie rings,
Enterplac't with ribbanings.
Faultless every way for shape;
Not a straw co'd him escape;
Ever gamesome as an ape:
But yet harmless as a sheep.
(Pardon, Lacon if I weep)
Tears will spring, where woes are deep.
Now (ai me) (ai me.) Last night
Came a mad dog, and did bite,
I, and kil'd my dear delight.

Lacon. Alack for grief!
Thyr. But I'le be brief,

Hence I must, for time doth call
Me, and my sad Play-mates all,
To his Ev'ning Funerall.
Live long, Lacon, so adew.
Lacon. Mournfull maid farewell to you;
Earth afford ye flowers to strew.





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