Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, 1640: TO THE KING, by JOHN SUCKLING


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, 1640: TO THE KING, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Awake, great sir, the sun shines here
Last Line: Who cannot wish.
Subject(s): Holidays; New Year


AWAKE, great sir, the sun shines here,
Gives all your subjects a New-Year;
Only we stay till you appear,
For thus by us your power is understood,
He may make fair days, you must make them good.
Awake, awake,
And take

Such presents as poor men can make;
They can add little unto bliss
Who cannot wish.

May no ill vapour cloud the sky,
Bold storms invade the sovereignty,
But gales of joy, so fresh, so high,
That you may think Heav'n sent to try this year
What sail, or burthen, a king's mind could bear.
Awake, awake, etc.

May all the discords in your state
(Like those in music we create)
Be govern'd at so wise a rate,
That what would of itself sound harsh, or fright,
May be so temper'd that it may delight.
Awake, awake, etc.

What conquerors from battles find,
Or lovers when their doves are kind,
Take up henceforth our master's mind,
Make such strange rapes upon the place, 't may be
No longer joy there, but an ecstasy.
Awake, awake, etc.

May every pleasure and delight
That has or does your sense invite,
Double this year, save those o' th' night:
For such a marriage-bed must know no more
Than repetition of what was before.
Awake, awake,
And take
Such presents as poor men can make;
They can add little unto bliss
Who cannot wish.





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