Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BATHING IN THE RIVER, by ABRAHAM COWLEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BATHING IN THE RIVER, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: The fish around her crowded, as they do
Last Line: But she, fond maid, shuts and seals up the spring.
Subject(s): Baths & Bathing; Rivers; Showers & Showering


1.

THE fish around her crowded, as they do
To the false light that treacherous Fishers shew,
And with as much ease might taken be,
As she at first took me.
For ne'er did Light so clear
Among the waves appear,
Though every night the Sun himself set there.

2.

Why to Mute Fish should'st thou thy self discover,
And not to me thy no less silent Lover?
As some from Men their buried Gold commit
To Ghosts that have no use of it!
Half their rich Treasures so
Maids bury; and for ought we know
(Poor Ignorants) they're Mermaids all below.

3.

The amorous Waves would fain about her stay,
But still new am'rous waves drive them away,
And with swift Current to those joys they haste,
That do as swiftly waste;
I laugh the wanton play to view,
But 'tis, alas, at Land so too,
And still old Lovers yield the place to new.

4.

Kiss her, and as you part, you am'rous Waves
(My happier Rivals, and my Fellow Slaves)
Point to your flow'ry Banks, and to her shew
The good your Bounties do;
Then tell her what your Pride doth cost,
And, how your Use and Beauty's lost,
When rig'rous Winter binds you up with Frost.

5.

Tell her, her Beauties and her Youth, like thee,
Haste without stop to a devouring Sea;
Where they will mixt and undistinguish'd lye,
With all the meanest things that die.
As in the Ocean thou
No Privilege dost know
Above th' impurest Streams that thither flow.

6.

Tell her, kind Flood, when this has made her sad,
Tell her there's yet one Rem'edy to be had;
Show her how thou, though long since past, dost find
Thy self yet still behind,
Marriage (say to her) will bring
About the self-same thing.
But she, fond Maid, shuts and seals up the Spring.





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