Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, NONPAREIL, by MATTHEW PRIOR


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

NONPAREIL, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Let others from the town retire
Last Line: Though I were sure 'twould end in pain.
Subject(s): Beauty; Faces; Flowers; Happiness; Love; Joy; Delight


Let others from the town retire,
And in the fields seek new delight;
My Phillis does such joys inspire,
No other objects please my sight.

In her alone I find whate'er
Beauties a country landscape grace:
No shade so lovely as her hair,
Nor plain so sweet as in her face.

Lilies and roses there combine,
More beauteous than in flowery field;
Transparent is her skin so fine,
To this each crystal stream must yield.

Her voice more sweet than warbling sound,
Though sung by nightingale or lark;
Her eyes such lustre dart around,
Compared to them, the sun is dark.

Both light and vital heat they give:
Cherished by them, my love takes root;
From her kind looks does life receive,
Grows a fair plant, bears flowers and fruit.

Such fruit, I ween, did once deceive
The common parent of mankind;
And made transgress our mother Eve:
Poison its core, though fair its rind.

Yet so delicious is its taste,
I cannot from the bait abstain,
But to the enchanting pleasure haste,
Though I were sure 'twould end in pain.





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