Tune thy cheerful voice to mine; Music helps digesting, Music is as good as wine, And as fit for feasting. Melody now is needful here; It will help to mend our cheer Join then, one joy expressing. Here is a guest for whose content All excess were sparing: All to him present Hourly new delights preparing. Earth and air and sea consent In thy entertaining. All is old which they present, Yet all choice containing. Music alone the soul can feast, It being new and well expressed; Join then sweet cords enchaining: Could we to our wished ends aspire, Joy should crown thy dishes. Proud is our desire If thou dost accept our wishes. Joy at thy board, health in thy dish, Mirth in thy cup, and in thy bed, Soft sleep and pleasing rest we wish. Now is the time, now is the hour, When joy first blest this happy bower: Here is a sight that sweetens every sour. So shines the moon by night, So looks the sun by day; Heavenly is his light, And never shall decay. There is no voice enough can sing The praise of our great King: Fall showers of sweet delight, Spring flowers of pleasant mirth; What heaven hath beams that shine more bright? Here heaven is now; stars shine on earth. In one all honour groweth, From one all comfort floweth, Duty saith that to this one All it hath it oweth. Let then that one of all be praised That hath our fortunes raised. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...EARTH'S ANSWER, FR. SONGS OF EXPERIENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE MOUNTAINEER AND POET by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING THE HILL WIFE: THE SMILE by ROBERT FROST INSULTING BEAUTY by JOHN WILMOT NO SECOND TROY by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS THE BIRDS: THE BUILDING OF CLOUDCUCKOOCITY by ARISTOPHANES HINC LACHRIMAE; OR THE AUTHOR TO AURORA: 25 by WILLIAM BOSWORTH |