Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A SIMPLE PASTORAL, by GEORGE ALEXANDER STEVENS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A SIMPLE PASTORAL, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Aurora, lady grey, / hides her face in blushes
Last Line: To our falls and risings.
Alternate Author Name(s): Stevens, G. A.
Subject(s): Navy - Great Britain; Sailing & Sailors; Soldiers; English Navy


AURORA, lady grey,
Hides her face in blushes;
Budding, blanching May
Whitens hawthorn bushes.

See the clouds transparent,
See the sunshine rising;
London rakes, I warrant,
Would think this surprising.

See the sturdy swains
Trenching-ploughs are holding;
Some on pebbly plains
Last night's pens unfolding.

How the swineyards woo!
How the herds are lowing!
While the pigeons coo,
Barndoor fowls are crowing.

Here are Flora's dressings,
Air-filled perfume here is,
Here Pomona's blessings,
Here the gifts of Ceres.

Hark! the tinkling rills,
And the bubbling fountains,
Cascade o'er the hills,
Tumble down the mountains.

See! at welcome wakes,
Show-folks fire-eating;
While, with ale and cakes,
Jack his Gill is treating.

Hark! the distant drum,
Lasses all look frighted;
But, when soldiers come,
Girls, how you're delighted.

Night her shutters closing,
All the village still is,
Save where, unreposing,
Captain calls on Phillis.

While she lets her spark in,
Shooting-stars are sailing,
Farmer's dogs are barking,
Comets dreadful trailing.

For, to scholars thinking,
Omens must be telling
Whether worlds are sinking,
Or if waists are swelling.

But, my lads and lasses,
Mind a friend's advisings;
Let us fill our glasses
To our falls and risings.





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