Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, IDYLL 5. THE CHOICE, by MOSCHUS



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

IDYLL 5. THE CHOICE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: When on the wave the breeze soft kisses flings
Last Line: Delight the rural ear and not affray.
Subject(s): Fish & Fishing


WHEN on the wave the breeze soft kisses flings,
I rouse my fearful heart, and long to be
Floating at leisure on the tranquil sea;
But when the hoary ocean loudly rings,
Arches his foamy back and spooming swings
Wave upon wave, his angry swell I flee:
Then welcome land and sylvan shade to me,
Where, if a gale blows, still the pine-tree sings.

Hard is his life whose nets the ocean sweep,
A bark his house—shy fish his slippery prey;
But sweet to me the unsuspicious sleep
Beneath a leafy plane—the fountain's play,
That babbles idly, or whose tones, if deep,
Delight the rural ear and not affray.





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