Andrew Marvell (1621-1678)
The Mower's Song
1 My mind was once the true survey
2 Of all these meadows fresh and gay,
3 And in the greenness of the grass
4 Did see its hopes as in a glass;
5 When Juliana came, and she
6What I do to the grass, does to my thoughts and me.
7 But these, while I with sorrow pine,
8 Grew more luxuriant still and fine,
9 That not one blade of grass you spy'd
10 But had a flower on either side;
11 When Juliana came, and she
12What I do to the grass, does to me thoughts and me.
13 Unthankful meadows, could you so
14 A fellowship so true forgo?
15 And in your gaudy May-games meet
16 While I lay trodden under feet?
17 When Juliana came, and she
18What I do to the grass, does to my thoughts and me.
19 But what you in compassion ought,
20 Shall now by my revenge be wrought;
21 And flow'rs, and grass, and I and all,
22 Will in one common ruin fall.
23 For Juliana comes, and she
24What I do to the grass, does to my thoughts and me.
25 And thus, ye meadows, which have been
26 Companions of my thoughts more green,
27 Shall now the heraldry become
28 With which I shall adorn my tomb;
29 For Juliana comes, and she
30What I do to the grass, does to my thoughts and me.
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 A11681A Robarts Library
First publication date:
1681
RPO poem editor: N. J. Endicott
RP edition: 2RP 1.462.
Recent editing: 4:2002/2/23
Composition date note: before 1653?
Rhyme: aabbcc
Other poems by Andrew Marvell
