Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE MIDNIGHT OIL, by AUSTIN PHILIPS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE MIDNIGHT OIL, by                    
First Line: I sought to sing of chloe's eyes
Last Line: I took the hint, and went to bed!
Subject(s): Poetry & Poets


I SOUGHT to sing of Chloe's eyes
In vain; and next to Daphne's hair
Began poetic eulogies
Without success; would fain prepare
A triolet to Doris.
Doris, disdainful, did refuse
To serve as subject for my Muse,
And so did cruel Chloris.
Undaunted yet, I next essayed
A sonnet to a serving-maid,
Whose name, of course, was Phyllis;
But Phyllis, equally unkind,
To be a poet's theme declined,
As likewise Amaryllis.
Persistent still, though oft denied,
Another flame I found and tried
A ballad upon Phoebe;
Yet Phoebe, obviously huffed
To be so late a choice, rebuffed
Me: Next on Dianème
A would-be rondeau turned to prose.

My muse and I had come to blows,
But that the lamp went out. Instead,
I took the hint, and went to bed!





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