Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE DESPAIRING SHEPHERD, by MATTHEW PRIOR


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE DESPAIRING SHEPHERD, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Alexis shunned his fellow swains
Last Line: He bowed, obeyed, and died!
Subject(s): Death; Love; Nymphs; Shepherds & Shepherdesses; Dead, The


ALEXIS shunned his fellow swains,
Their rural sports, and jocund strains,
(Heaven guard us all from Cupid's bow!)
He lost his crook, he left his flocks;
And wandering through the lonely rocks,
He nourished endless woe.

The nymphs and shepherds round him came:
His grief some pity, others blame,
The fatal cause all kindly seek;
He mingled his concern with theirs,
He gave them back their friendly tears,
He sighed, but would not speak.

Clorinda came among the rest;
And she too kind concern expressed,
And asked the reason of his woe;
She asked, but with an air and mien,
That made it easily foreseen,
She feared too much to know.

The shepherd raised his mournful head;
And will you pardon me, he said,
While I the cruel truth reveal;
Which nothing from my breast should tear,
Which never should offend your ear,
But that you bid me tell?

'Tis thus I rove, 'tis thus complain,
Since you appeared upon the plain;
You are the cause of all my care:
Your eyes ten thousand dangers dart,
Ten Thousand torments vex my heart,
I love and I despair.

Too much, Alexis, I have heard;
'Tis what I thought; 'tis what I feared:
And yet I pardon you, she cried;
But you shall promise ne'er again
To breathe your vows, or speak your pain:
He bowed, obeyed, and died!





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