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Home  »  The Oxford Book of English Verse  »  319. To Mr. Lawrence

Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.

John Milton. 1608–1674

319. To Mr. Lawrence

LAWRENCE of vertuous Father vertuous Son, 
  Now that the Fields are dank, and ways are mire, 
  Where shall we sometimes meet, and by the fire 
  Help wast a sullen day; what may be won 
From the hard Season gaining: time will run         5
  On smoother, till Favonius re-inspire 
  The frozen earth; and cloth in fresh attire 
  The Lillie and Rose, that neither sow’d nor spun. 
What neat repast shall feast us, light and choice, 
  Of Attick tast, with Wine, whence we may rise  10
  To hear the Lute well toucht, or artfull voice 
Warble immortal Notes and Tuskan Ayre? 
  He who of those delights can judge, and spare 
  To interpose them oft, is not unwise.