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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
CHARON AND PHILOMEL [PHYLOMEL], A DIALOGUE SUNG, by ROBERT HERRICK Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Charon! O gentle charon! Let me woo thee Last Line: Who els with tears wo'd doubtles drown my ferry. Subject(s): Birds; Charon; Styx (river) | |||
Ph. Charon! O gentle Charon! let me wooe thee, By tears and pitie now to come unto mee. Ch. What voice so sweet and charming do I heare? Say what thou art. Ph. I prithee first draw neare. Ch. A sound I heare, but nothing yet can see, Speak where thou art. Ph. O Charon pittie me! I am a bird, and though no name I tell, My warbling note will say I'm Phylomel. Ch. What's that to me, I waft nor fish or fowles, Nor Beasts (fond thing) but only humane soules. Ph. Alas for me! Ch. Shame on thy witching note, That made me thus hoist saile, and bring my Boat: But Ile returne; what mischief brought thee hither? Ph. A deale of Love, and much, much Griefe together. Ch. What's thy request? Ph. That since she's now beneath Who fed my life, I'le follow her in death. Ch. And is that all? I'm gone. Ph. By love I pray thee, Ch. Talk not of love, all pray, but few soules pay me. Ph. Ile give thee vows & tears. Ch. can tears pay skores For mending sails, for patching Boat and Oares? Ph. I'le beg a penny, or Ile sing so long, Till thou shalt say, I've paid thee with a song. Ch. Why then begin, and all the while we make Our slothfull passage o're the Stygian Lake, Thou & I'le sing to make these dull Shades merry, Who els with tears wo'd doubtles drown my ferry. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CHARON'S COSMOLOGY by CHARLES SIMIC VARIATIONS ON A THEME by ALFRED GOLDSWORTHY BAILEY A GHOST SPEAKS ON THE STYX by JOHN DRINKWATER ALCESTIS: SCENE 2 by EURIPIDES GALSWORTHY TAKES THE FERRY by ELMER GUSTAFSON THE NEW CHARON, UPON THE DEATH OF HENRY LORD HASTINGS by ROBERT HERRICK A MOCK CHARON; DIALOGUE: CHARON, WHARTON by RICHARD LOVELACE BIBO AND CHARON by MATTHEW PRIOR A CHRISTMAS CAROL, SUNG TO THE KING IN THE PRESENCE AT WHITEHALL by ROBERT HERRICK A MEDITATION FOR HIS MISTRESS by ROBERT HERRICK A TERNARIE OF LITTLES, UPON A PIPKIN OF JELLIE by ROBERT HERRICK |
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