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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
PASTORALE AFTER MENDELSSOHN, by THOMAS WALSH
First Line: Pipe, mellow reed, once more the ancient plaint
Last Line: O cruel night, take pity, 'tis for love!
Alternate Author Name(s): Gill, Roderick; Strange, Garrett
Subject(s): Love - Complaints; Reeds
First Line: Pipe, mellow reed, once more the ancient plaint
Last Line: O cruel night, take pity, 'tis for love!
Alternate Author Name(s): Gill, Roderick; Strange, Garrett
Subject(s): Love - Complaints; Reeds
PIPE, mellow reed, once more the ancient plaint
Wherewith the close-cropped slopes of Arcady
Were resonant; pipe the sweet airs and faint
That lovers' griefs have taught you, now for me.
The moist-eyed stars arch 'round me questioning
What lovely stripling now has come to sighs;
But you, dark mists, close o'er me as I sing
Lest they my humble shepherd mien despise.
Would'st thou behold still other lovers' tears,
Red moon, arising on the cloudy plain?
What note of mine can please thy careless ears
That heard the sweet complaints of gods in vain!
My heavy fingers stumble on the reed,—
My voice can barely rise a sigh above;
'Tis not the singer's wreath for which I plead,
O cruel night, take pity, 'tis for love!
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