Ode 13. On the plains

Barnabe Barnes (1569?–1609)

ON the plains,

Fairy trains

Were a treading measures,

Satyrs played,

Fairies stayed

At the stops’ set leisure.

Nymphs begin

To come in

Quickly, thick, and threefold!

Now the dance!

Now the prance,

Present there to behold!

On her breast

That did best

A jewel rich was placed!

FLORA chose

Which of those

Best the measures graced.

When he had

Measures lad

PARTHENOPHE did get it!

Nymphs did chide

When they tried,

Where the judgement set it.

Thus they said

“This fair Maid,

Whom you gave the jewel,

Takes no pleasure

To keep measure;

But it is too too cruel!”