Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
John Milton. 16081674313. From ‘Comus’ i
THE Star that bids the Shepherd fold, | |
Now the top of Heav’n doth hold, | |
And the gilded Car of Day, | |
His glowing Axle doth allay | |
In the steep Atlantick stream, | 5 |
And the slope Sun his upward beam | |
Shoots against the dusky Pole, | |
Pacing toward the other gole | |
Of his Chamber in the East. | |
Mean while welcom Joy, and Feast, | 10 |
Midnight shout, and revelry, | |
Tipsie dance, and Jollity. | |
Braid your Locks with rosie Twine | |
Dropping odours, dropping Wine. | |
Rigor now is gon to bed, | 15 |
And Advice with scrupulous head, | |
Strict Age, and sowre Severity, | |
With their grave Saws in slumber ly. | |
We that are of purer fire | |
Imitate the Starry Quire, | 20 |
Who in their nightly watchfull Sphears, | |
Lead in swift round the Months and Years. | |
The Sounds, and Seas with all their finny drove | |
Now to the Moon in wavering Morrice move, | |
And on the Tawny Sands and Shelves, | 25 |
Trip the pert Fairies and the dapper Elves; | |
By dimpled Brook, and Fountain brim, | |
The Wood-Nymphs deckt with Daisies trim, | |
Their merry wakes and pastimes keep: | |
What hath night to do with sleep? | 30 |
Night hath better sweets to prove, | |
Venus now wakes, and wak’ns Love…. | |
Com, knit hands, and beat the ground, | |
In a light fantastick round. |