Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
William Alexander, Earl of Stirling. 1580?1640221. Aurora
O HAPPY Tithon! if thou know’st thy hap, | |
And valuest thy wealth, as I my want, | |
Then need’st thou not—which ah! I grieve to grant— | |
Repine at Jove, lull’d in his leman’s lap: | |
That golden shower in which he did repose— | 5 |
One dewy drop it stains | |
Which thy Aurora rains | |
Upon the rural plains, | |
When from thy bed she passionately goes. | |
Then, waken’d with the music of the merles, | 10 |
She not remembers Memnon when she mourns: | |
That faithful flame which in her bosom burns | |
From crystal conduits throws those liquid pearls: | |
Sad from thy sight so soon to be removed, | |
She so her grief delates. | 15 |
—O favour’d by the fates | |
Above the happiest states, | |
Who art of one so worthy well-beloved! |