Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ON A BED OF GUERNSEY LILIES, by CHRISTOPHER SMART


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ON A BED OF GUERNSEY LILIES, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Ye beauties! O how great the sum / of sweetness that ye bring
Last Line: That love supports his reign.
Subject(s): Guernsey; Guests; Visiting


YE beauties! O how great the sum
Of sweetness that ye bring;
On what a charity ye come
To bless the latter spring!
How kind the visit that ye pay,
Like strangers on a rainy day,
When heartiness despaired of guests:
No neighbour's praise your pride alarms,
No rival flow'r surveys your charms,
Or heightens, or contests!

Lo, through her works gay nature grieves
How brief she is and frail,
As ever o'er the falling leaves
Autumnal winds prevail.
Yet still the philosophic mind
Consolatory food can find,
And hope her anchorage maintain:
We never are deserted quite;
'Tis by succession of delight
That love supports his reign.





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