No

John Milton (1608-1674)

On May Morning

the bright Morning Star, day's harbinger, Comes dancing from the east, and leads with her The flowery May, who from her green lap throws

The yellow cowslip, and the pale primrose.
Hail, bounteous May, that dost inspire
Mirth, and youth, and warm desire!
Woods and groves are of thy dressing,
Hill and dale doth boast thy blessing:
Thus we salute thee with our early song,
And welcome thee, and wish thee long!

O'er the Smooth Enamelled

O

Green

'ER the smooth enamelled green,
Where no print of step hath been,
Follow me, as I sing

And touch the warbled string:

Under the shady roof

Of branching elm star-proof

Follow me.

I will bring you where she sits,
Clad in splendour, as befits
Her deity.

Such a rural queen

All Arcadia hath not seen.

From Arcades.

Nymphs and Shepherds, Dance

NT

no More

YMPHS and shepherds, dance no more
By sandy Ladon's lilied banks;
On old Lycæus or Cyllene hoar,
Trip no more in twilight ranks:
Though Erymanth your loss deplore,
A better soil shall give ye thanks.
From the stony Mænalus

Bring your flocks and live with us;
Here ye shall have better grace,

To serve the Lady of this place.
Though Syrinx your Pan's mistress were,

Yet Syrinx well might wait on her.

Such a rural queen

All Arcadia hath not seen.

From Arcades.

B

Y the rushy-fringèd bank,

Where grows the willow and the osier dank,
My sliding chariot stays,

Thick set with agate, and the azure sheen

Of turquoise blue, and emerald green,
That in the channel strays;

Whilst from off the waters fleet
Thus I set my printless feet
O'er the cowslip's velvet head,
That bends not as I tread;
Gentle swain, at thy request

I am here.

From Comus.

O

On the Nightingale

NIGHTINGALE, that on yon bloomy spray Warblest at eve, when all the woods are still, Thou with fresh hope the lover's heart dost fill, While the jolly hours lead on propitious May. Thy liquid notes that close the eye of day, First heard before the shallow cuckoo's bill, Portend success in love. Oh, if Jove's will