Oxford Book of English Verse, Part 3 by  Arthur Quiller-Couch

Anacreontics III: The Swallow

Foolish prater, what dost thou

So early at my window do?

Cruel bird, thou'st ta'en away

A dream out of my arms to-day;

A dream that ne'er must equall'd be

By all that waking eyes may see.

Thou this damage to repair

Nothing half so sweet and fair,

Nothing half so good, canst bring,

Tho' men say thou bring'st the Spring.

— Abraham Cowley
1618–1667   


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