The Poetical Works of John Milton


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Eld. Bro: Why prethee Shepherd  
How durst thou then thy self approach so neer  
As to make this relation?  
Spir: Care and utmost shifts  
How to secure the lady from surprisal,  
Brought to my mind a certain Shepherd Lad  
Of small regard to see to, yet well skill'd  
In every vertuous plant and healing herb  
That spreds her verdant leaf to th'morning ray,  
He lov'd me well, and oft would beg me sing,  
Which when I did, he on the tender grass  
Would sit, and hearken even to extasie,  
And in requitall ope his leather'n scrip,  
And shew me simples of a thousand names  
Telling their strange and vigorous faculties;  
Amongst the rest a small unsightly root,  
But of divine effect, he cull'd me out;  
620  
630  
The leaf was darkish, and had prickles on it,  
But in another Countrey, as he said,  
Bore a bright golden flowre, but not in this soyl:  
Unknown, and like esteem'd, and the dull swayn  
Treads on it daily with his clouted shoon,  
And yet more med'cinal is it then that Moly  
That Hermes once to wise Ulysses gave;  
117  


Page
115 116 117 118 119

Quick Jump
1 198 395 593 790