Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Poem
January 12, 1769
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
In this pastoral ballad, Colin courts the reluctant Sylvia while they watch haymakers under an oak. He offers his heart and possessions, lamenting nature's smiles against her frowns, but she teases him to stop complaining and marry instead.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
POET'S CORNER.
BALLAD.
The sun was hot, the hay grew dry,
All gaily minds the work;
The ruddy damsel plied the rake,
The sturdy hind the fork.
When underneath a spreading oak
Colin and Sylvia sat,
View'd in repose the rural toil,
And join'd in amorous chat.
Oft had the youth his suit preferr'd,
The maid as oft deny'd;
A virgin's wishes rul'd her heart,
Her tongue a virgin's pride.
Colin observ'd her eyes, and then
Still unremitting strove;
'Twas there he saw, or else he thought
He saw some signs of love.
How sweetly, softly sing, he cries,
The birds on every tree;
All nature smiles, but I meet nought
But scorn and frowns from thee.
Though smiles the earth, though sweetly sing
The birds on every tree,
All nature frowns if I meet not
Returns of love from thee.
My offering is a faithful heart,
A richer can I make?
If love can ask, can wish for more,
That richer offering take.
These milk-white flocks, these lowing herds
All, all I have is thine;
Much more than these should I possess
If I could call thee mine.
Cease to be cruel, stubborn maid,
Hear and reward my truth;
Cease thus to tease me, she reply'd,
Cease, foolish, foolish youth.
If nought but thee complaining tales
We virgins hear from men,
'Tis better e'en to wed at once
Than hear them o'er again.
BALLAD.
The sun was hot, the hay grew dry,
All gaily minds the work;
The ruddy damsel plied the rake,
The sturdy hind the fork.
When underneath a spreading oak
Colin and Sylvia sat,
View'd in repose the rural toil,
And join'd in amorous chat.
Oft had the youth his suit preferr'd,
The maid as oft deny'd;
A virgin's wishes rul'd her heart,
Her tongue a virgin's pride.
Colin observ'd her eyes, and then
Still unremitting strove;
'Twas there he saw, or else he thought
He saw some signs of love.
How sweetly, softly sing, he cries,
The birds on every tree;
All nature smiles, but I meet nought
But scorn and frowns from thee.
Though smiles the earth, though sweetly sing
The birds on every tree,
All nature frowns if I meet not
Returns of love from thee.
My offering is a faithful heart,
A richer can I make?
If love can ask, can wish for more,
That richer offering take.
These milk-white flocks, these lowing herds
All, all I have is thine;
Much more than these should I possess
If I could call thee mine.
Cease to be cruel, stubborn maid,
Hear and reward my truth;
Cease thus to tease me, she reply'd,
Cease, foolish, foolish youth.
If nought but thee complaining tales
We virgins hear from men,
'Tis better e'en to wed at once
Than hear them o'er again.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ballad
Pastoral
What themes does it cover?
Love Courtship
Nature Seasons
What keywords are associated?
Ballad
Colin
Sylvia
Courtship
Rural Toil
Amorous Chat
Faithful Heart
Virgin Pride
Poem Details
Title
Ballad.
Subject
Colin Courts Sylvia Amid Rural Haymaking
Form / Style
Rhymed Quatrains
Key Lines
How Sweetly, Softly Sing, He Cries,
The Birds On Every Tree;
All Nature Smiles, But I Meet Nought
But Scorn And Frowns From Thee.
'Tis Better E'en To Wed At Once
Than Hear Them O'er Again.