Calm was the even, and clear was the sky

John Dryden 1631 (Aldwincle) – 1631 (London)



Calm was the even, and clear was the sky,
     And the new budding flowers did spring,
   When all alone went Amyntas and I
     To hear the sweet nightingale sing;
   I sate, and he laid him down by me;
     But scarcely his breath he could draw;
   For when with a fear, he began to draw near,
     He was dash'd with A ha ha ha ha!

    He blush'd to himself, and lay still for a while,
    And his modesty curb'd his desire;
  But straight I convinc'd all his fear with a smile,
    Which added new flames to his fire.
  O Silvia, said he, you are cruel,
    To keep your poor lover in awe;
  Then once more he press'd with his hand to my breast,
    But was dash'd with A ha ha ha ha!

   I knew 'twas his passion that caus'd all his fear;
    And therefore I pitied his case:
  I whisper'd him softly, there's nobody near,
    And laid my cheek close to his face:
  But as he grew bolder and bolder,
    A shepherd came by us and saw;
  And just as our bliss we began with a kiss,
    He laugh'd out with A ha ha ha ha!

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

1:02 min read
147

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABABXCDE FGFGXEXE DHDHGCXE
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 1,008
Words 197
Stanzas 3
Stanza Lengths 8, 8, 8

John Dryden

John Dryden was an English poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright who was made Poet Laureate in 1668. more…

All John Dryden poems | John Dryden Books

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