WHEN first I here to Cynthia spake my mind, Near these sweet streams, which to our thoughts were kind: Ah, then in perfect harmony we met, And to our concert join'd the rivulet. The flowers, plants, echoes, craggy rocks and dales, The pleasant meads, proud hills, and humble vales, Seem'd then o'erjoy'd at my felicity, Which now condole with me in misery. Yet still the wing'd inhab'tants of the wood Sing, as my change they had not understood: tho' sure the melancholy tunes they vent Are rather notes of grief, than merriment. Oh Nymphs, that in these crystal streams do dwell! And after sport rest quiet in your cell: Once, clear as yours, a happy life I led, Tho' now o'erwhelm'd with grief, and live as dead. Thus we through various turns of Fortune run, And find no certain rest till Life be done. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...VLAMERTINGHE: PASSING THE CHATEAU, JULY 1917 by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN THE SHRUBBERY, WRITTEN IN A TIME OF AFFLICTION by WILLIAM COWPER OUR DAILY BREAD by MALTBIE DAVENPORT BABCOCK LINES TO BE SPOKEN BY THOMAS DENMAN.....WHEN FOUR YEARS OLD by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD MICHAEL ANGELO by AUGUSTE BARBIER |