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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ARNO'S VALE, SELECTION by CHARLES SACKVILLE (1711-1769)

First Line: WHEN HERE, LUCINDA, FIRST WE CAME
Last Line: "ADIEU THE SWEETS OF ARNO'S VALE."
Subject(s): FLORENCE, ITALY; NATURE;

"When here, Lucinda, first we came,
Where Arno rolls his silver stream,
How blithe the nymphs, the swains how gay,
Content inspired each rural lay.
The birds in livelier concert sung,
The grapes in thicker clusters hung;
All looked as joy could never fail
Among the sweets of Arno's Vale.

But since the good Palemon died,
The chief of shepherds and their pride,
Now Arno's sons must all give place
To northern men, an iron race.
The taste of pleasure now is o'er.
Thy notes, Lucinda, please no more;
The Muses droop, the Goths prevail;
Adieu the sweets of Arno's Vale."



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