C.
Damon come drive thy flocks this way.
D.
No : 'tis too late they went astray.
C.
I have a grassy Scutcheon spy'd,
Where Flora blazons all her pride.
The grass I aim to feast thy Sheep :
The Flow'rs I for thy Temples keep.
D.
Grass withers; and the Flow'rs too fade.
C.
Seize the short Joyes then, ere they vade.
Seest thou that unfrequented Cave ?
D.
That den?
C.
Loves Shrine.
D.
But Virtue's Grave.
C.
In whose cool bosome we may lye
Safe from the Sun.
D.
Not Heaven's Eye.
C.
Near this, a Fountaines liquid Bell
Tinkles within the concave Shell.
D.
Might a Soul bath there and be clean,
Or slake its Drought?
C.
What is 't you mean?
D.
These once had been enticing things,
Clorinda, Pastures, Caves, and Springs.
C.
And what late change?
D.
The other day
Pan met me.
C.
What did great Pan say?
D.
Words that transcend poor Shepherds skill,
But he ere since my Songs does fill:
And his Name swells my slender Oate.
C.
Sweet must Pan sound in Damons Note.
D.
Clorinda's voice might make it sweet.
C.
Who would not in Pan's Praises meet ?
Chorus
Of Pan the flowry pastures sing,
Caves eccho and the Fountains ring.
Sing then while he doth us inspire;
For all the world is our Pan's Quire.
Beautiful imagery of love and longing presented in a dialogue form. Nicely encapsulated. Thanks, C. Loves Shrine. C. In whose cool bosome we may lye Safe from the Sun.
Dialogue in a poem, smartly told. As oft, poems in this format, the poet needs not to be afraid of mistakes in grammar (the tenses) . This kind of poetry shows more and is easy to understand. BUT to create a most beautiful poem is oft a problem, and herein I dare say that Mr. Marvell has succeeded. In his period only a quarter of the inhabitants of the UK could read. Mind you, poems were only read by that Top part in society, that was a most luxury spending time and the reader as well as the poet at his time got that merit. I like very much this loveliest dialogue between C and D. So very pity you do not live in mine era, otherwise I would have sent you a message. Regards for you in your UK grave, sincerely, Sylvia Frances Chan
His poetic skills are just and right And yes we are still both.. iip.. James
A huge 10 for this poem which I read as many as 12 times but failed to understand how the comments below are at all related to the poem. May be we are not from this trade, so there may be a problem. What was the problem in these previous century poets?
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Love shines and virtue is realized even in grave. We hear echo in caves. Fountains ring and sing in flow with melodious tune. Words of inspiration are ever sweet. This poem is brilliant and excellent poem very well drafted.10