Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ON SIX MAIDS BATHING THEMSELVES IN A RIVER, by THOMAS RANDOLPH Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: When bashful daylight once was gone Last Line: Whether he were a fool or no. Subject(s): Baths & Bathing | ||||||||
WHEN bashful daylight once was gone, And night, that hides a blush, came on, Six pretty nymphs, to wash away The sweating of a summer's day, In Cham's fair streams did gently swim, And naked bathe each curious limb. O, who had this blest sight but seen, Would think that they had Cloelias been. A scholar that a walk did take (Perchance for meditation's sake) This better object chanc'd to find: Straight all things else were out of mind; What fitter study in this life For practice or contemplative? He thought (poor soul) what he had seen Fair Dian and her nymphs had been, And therefore thought in piteous fear Actaeon's fortune had been near. Or that the water-nymphs they were Together met to sport them there. And that to him such love they bore, As unto Hylas once before. What could he think but that his eye Six nymphs at once did there espy Rise from the waves? Or that, perchance, Fresh-water Syrens came to dance Upon the stream with songs and looks To tempt poor scholars from their books? He could not think they Graces were, Because their numbers doubled are, Nor can he think they Muses be, Because (alas!) they wanted three. I should have rather guess'd that there Another brood of Helens were, Begot by Jove upon the plains, Hatch'd by some Leda of the swans. The maids betray'd were in a fright, And blush'd, but 'twas not seen by night. At last all by the bank did stand, And he (kind heart) lent them his hand. Where 'twas his bliss to feel all o'er Soft paps, smooth thighs, and something more. But envious night hid from his eyes The place where love and pleasure lies. Guess, lovers, guess, whate'er you are, What then might be this scholar's prayer. That he had been a cat to spy, Or had but now Tiberius' eye. Yet since his wishes were in vain, He help'd them don their clothes again, Makes promise there should none be shent; So with them to the tavern went. How they all night did sport and play, Pardon my muse, I dare not say. Guess you that have a mind to know, Whether he were a fool or no. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SECRET FLAME: CAPRICE by JOSEPHINE JACOBSEN THE BATHERS by JOSEPHINE JACOBSEN SPRING DAY: BATH by AMY LOWELL HUNGER TO THE TABLE (2) by CLAUDIA RANKINE THE LOVE POEMS OF MARICHIKO: 27 by KENNETH REXROTH FIVE WOMEN BATHING IN MOONLIGHT by RICHARD WILBUR GLOIRE DE DIJON by DAVID HERBERT LAWRENCE FAIRIES' SONG by THOMAS RANDOLPH ODE TO MASTER ANTHONY STAFFORD [TO HASTEN HIM INTO COUNTRY] by THOMAS RANDOLPH |
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