Calm was the even, and clear was the sky



Calm was the even, and clear was the sky,
     And the new budding flowers did spring,
   When all alone went Amyntas and I
     To hear the sweet nightingale sing;
   I sate, and he laid him down by me;
     But scarcely his breath he could draw;
   For when with a fear, he began to draw near,
     He was dash'd with A ha ha ha ha!

    He blush'd to himself, and lay still for a while,
    And his modesty curb'd his desire;
  But straight I convinc'd all his fear with a smile,
    Which added new flames to his fire.
  O Silvia, said he, you are cruel,
    To keep your poor lover in awe;
  Then once more he press'd with his hand to my breast,
    But was dash'd with A ha ha ha ha!

   I knew 'twas his passion that caus'd all his fear;
    And therefore I pitied his case:
  I whisper'd him softly, there's nobody near,
    And laid my cheek close to his face:
  But as he grew bolder and bolder,
    A shepherd came by us and saw;
  And just as our bliss we began with a kiss,
    He laugh'd out with A ha ha ha ha!

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

1:02 min read
148

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABABXCDE FGFGXCXE DHDHGCXE
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 1,008
Words 197
Stanzas 3
Stanza Lengths 8, 8, 8

John Dryden

 · 1631 · Aldwincle
 · 1631 · London

John Dryden was an English poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright who was made Poet Laureate in 1668. more…

All John Dryden poems | John Dryden Books

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    "Calm was the even, and clear was the sky" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 24 Dec. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/22650/calm-was-the-even,-and-clear-was-the-sky>.

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