Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SONG by NATHANIEL COTTON

First Line: TELL ME, MY CAELIA, WHY SO COY
Last Line: NOR KNOW A SECOND SPRING.
Subject(s): MAN-WOMAN RELATIONSHIPS; SPINSTERS; YOUTH; MALE-FEMALE RELATIONS; OLD MAIDS;

TELL me, my Cælia, why so coy,
Of men so much afraid;
Cælia, 'tis better far to die
A mother than a maid.

The rose, when past its damask hue,
Is always out of favour;
And when the plum hath lost its blue,
It loses too its flavour.

To vernal flow'rs the rolling years
Returning beauty bring;
But faded once, thou'lt bloom no more,
Nor know a second spring.



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