John Dryden (1631-1700)
Calm was the even, and clear was the sky
1Calm was the even, and clear was the sky,
2 And the new budding flowers did spring,
3When all alone went Amyntas and I
4 To hear the sweet nightingale sing;
5I sate, and he laid him down by me;
6 But scarcely his breath he could draw;
7For when with a fear, he began to draw near,
8 He was dash'd with A ha ha ha ha!
9He blush'd to himself, and lay still for a while,
10 And his modesty curb'd his desire;
11But straight I convinc'd all his fear with a smile,
12 Which added new flames to his fire.
13O Silvia, said he, you are cruel,
14 To keep your poor lover in awe;
15Then once more he press'd with his hand to my breast,
16 But was dash'd with A ha ha ha ha!
17I knew 'twas his passion that caus'd all his fear;
18 And therefore I pitied his case:
19I whisper'd him softly, there's nobody near,
20 And laid my cheek close to his face:
21But as he grew bolder and bolder,
22 A shepherd came by us and saw;
23And just as our bliss we began with a kiss,
24 He laugh'd out with A ha ha ha ha!
Notes
1] From Act II, scene i.
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: John Dryden, An Evening's love (London: T. N. for Henry Herringman, 1671). Wing 2273
First publication date:
1671
RPO poem editor: N. J. Endicott
RP edition: 2RP 1.480.
Recent editing: 4:2002/3/21
Rhyme: ababcded
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