Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE HAPPY SWAIN, by AMBROSE PHILIPS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE HAPPY SWAIN, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Have ye seen the morning sky
Last Line: To my vows, for ever mine.
Alternate Author Name(s): Phillips, Ambrose; Nam-by-pam-by
Subject(s): Love; Marriage; Weddings; Husbands; Wives


HAVE ye seen the morning sky,
When the dawn prevails on high,
When, anon, some purple ray
Gives a sample of the day,
When, anon, the lark, on wing,
Strives to soar, and strains to sing?

Have ye seen the ethereal blue
Gently shedding silvery dew,
Spangling o'er the silent green,
While the nightingale, unseen,
To the moon and stars, full bright,
Lonesome chants the hymn of night?

Have ye seen the broider'd May
All her scented bloom display,
Breezes opening, every hour,
This, and that, expecting flower,
While the mingling birds prolong,
From each bush, the vernal song?

Have ye seen the damask rose
Her unsully'd blush disclose,
Or the lily's dewy bell,
In her glossy white, excell,
Or a garden vary'd o'er
With a thousand glories more?

By the beauties these display,
Morning, evening, night, or day;
By the pleasures these excite,
Endless sources of delight!
Judge, by them, the joys I find,
Since my Rosalind was kind,
Since she did herself resign
To my vows, for ever mine.





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