The Spring
The Spring
Original Text
Thomas Carew, Poems (J. D. for T. Walkley, 1640). STC 4620.
1Now that the winter's gone, the earth hath lost
2Her snow-white robes, and now no more the frost
4Upon the silver lake or crystal stream;
5But the warm sun thaws the benumbed earth,
7To the dead swallow; wakes in hollow tree
8The drowsy cuckoo, and the humble-bee.
9Now do a choir of chirping minstrels bring
10In triumph to the world the youthful Spring.
11The valleys, hills, and woods in rich array
12Welcome the coming of the long'd-for May.
13Now all things smile, only my love doth lour;
14Nor hath the scalding noonday sun the power
15To melt that marble ice, which still doth hold
16Her heart congeal'd, and makes her pity cold.
17The ox, which lately did for shelter fly
18Into the stall, doth now securely lie
19In open fields; and love no more is made
20By the fireside, but in the cooler shade
22Under a sycamore, and all things keep
23Time with the season; only she doth carry
24June in her eyes, in her heart January.
Notes
3] Candies: forms crystals upon, like candied fruit. Back to Line
6] sacred birth / To the dead swallow. Swallows were sacred to the Penates or household gods of the Romans and it was thought unlucky to kill one. It was believed that they did not migrate but became torpid and hibernated in river banks until roused by the sun. Back to Line
21] Amyntas and Chloris: recurrent names in pastoral poetry. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1640
RPO poem Editors
N. J. Endicott
RPO Edition
3RP 1.224.
Form