Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, HARK, HARK! O'ER THE PLAINS, by EDWARD MOORE (1712-1757)


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

HARK, HARK! O'ER THE PLAINS, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Hark, hark! O'er the plains how the merry bells
Last Line: O then let me die an old maid.
Subject(s): Marriage; Spinsters; Weddings; Husbands; Wives; Old Maids


DAMON.

HARK, hark! o'er the plains how the merry bells ring,
Asleep while my charmer is laid;
The village is up, and the day on the wing,
And Phillis may yet die a maid.
PHIL. 'Tis hardly yet day, and I cannot away;
O Damon! I'm young and afraid;
To-morrow, my dear! I'll to church without fear,
But let me to-night lie a maid.
DAM. The bridemaids are met, and mamma's on the fret;
All, all my coy Phillis upbraid:
Come open the door, and deny me no more,
Nor cry to live longer a maid.
PHIL. Dear shepherd! forbear, and to-morrow I swear,
To-morrow I'll not be afraid;
I'll open the door, and deny you no more,
Nor cry to live longer a maid.
DAM. No, no, Phillis, no; on that bosom of snow
To-night shall your shepherd be laid:
By morning my dear shall be eas'd of her fear,
Nor grieve she's no longer a maid.
PHIL. Then open the door, 'twas unbolted before;
His bliss silly Damon delay'd;
To church let us go, and if there I say No,
O then let me die an old maid.





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