John Dryden (1631-1700)
A Song from the Italian from Limberham: or, the Kind Keeper
1By a dismal cypress lying,
2Damon cried, all pale and dying,
3Kind is death that ends my pain,
4But cruel she I lov'd in vain.
5The mossy fountains
6Murmur my trouble,
7And hollow mountains
8My groans redouble:
9Ev'ry nymph mourns me,
10Thus while I languish;
11She only scorns me,
12Who caus'd my anguish.
13No love returning me, but all hope denying;
14By a dismal cypress lying,
15Like a swan, so sung he dying:
16Kind is death that ends my pain,
17But cruel she I lov'd in vain.
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, The Kind Keeper: or, Mr. Limberham (1678).
First publication date:
1678
RPO poem editor: G. G. Falle
RP edition: 3RP 2.59.
Recent editing: 4:2002/4/3
Rhyme: aabbcdcdefefaaabb
Other poems by John Dryden
