Horace to phyllis

Eugene Field 1850 (St. Louis) – 1895 (Chicago)



Come, Phyllis, I've a cask of wine
 That fairly reeks with precious juices,
And in your tresses you shall twine
 The loveliest flowers this vale produces.

My cottage wears a gracious smile,--
 The altar, decked in floral glory,
Yearns for the lamb which bleats the while
 As though it pined for honors gory.

Hither our neighbors nimbly fare,--
 The boys agog, the maidens snickering;
And savory smells possess the air
 As skyward kitchen flames are flickering.

You ask what means this grand display,
 This festive throng, and goodly diet?
Well, since you're bound to have your way,
 I don't mind telling, on the quiet.

'Tis April 13, as you know,--
 A day and month devote to Venus,
Whereon was born, some years ago,
 My very worthy friend Maecenas.

Nay, pay no heed to Telephus,--
 Your friends agree he doesn't love you;
The way he flirts convinces us
 He really is not worthy of you!

Aurora's son, unhappy lad!
 You know the fate that overtook him?
And Pegasus a rider had--
 I say he had before he shook him!

Haec docet (as you must agree):
 'T is meet that Phyllis should discover
A wisdom in preferring me
 And mittening every other lover.

So come, O Phyllis, last and best
 Of loves with which this heart's been smitten,--
Come, sing my jealous fears to rest,
 And let your songs be those I've written.

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

1:13 min read
88

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF GHGH IJIB BKJK LMLM DNDN OPOP
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 1,282
Words 238
Stanzas 9
Stanza Lengths 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4

Eugene Field

Eugene Field, Sr. was an American writer, best known for his children's poetry and humorous essays. more…

All Eugene Field poems | Eugene Field Books

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