Andrew Marvell (1621-1678)
The Mower to the Glow-Worms
1Ye living lamps, by whose dear light
2The nightingale does sit so late,
3And studying all the summer night,
4Her matchless songs does meditate;
5Ye county comets, that portend
6No war nor prince's funeral,
7Shining unto no higher end
8Than to presage the grass's fall;
9Ye glow-worms, whose officious flame
10To wand'ring mowers shows the way,
11That in the night have lost their aim,
12And after foolish fires do stray;
13Your courteous lights in vain you waste,
14Since Juliana here is come,
15For she my mind hath so displac'd
16That I shall never find my home.
Notes
9] officious: zealous.
Online text copyright © 2009, Ian Lancashire (the Department of English) and the University of Toronto.
Published by the Web Development Group, Information Technology Services, University of Toronto Libraries.
Original text: Andrew Marvell, Miscellaneous Poems, ed. Mary Marvell (1681). Facs. edn.: Scolar Press, 1969. PR 3546 A1 1681A ROBA.
First publication date:
1681
RPO poem editor: N. J. Endicott
RP edition: 3RP 1.359-60.
Recent editing: 4:2002/2/23
Form: Long Hymnal Measure
Rhyme: abab
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