| Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900. |
| |
| Matthew Prior. 1664–1721 |
| |
| 425. On My Birthday, July 21 |
| |
| I, MY dear, was born to-day— | |
| So all my jolly comrades say: | |
| They bring me music, wreaths, and mirth, | |
| And ask to celebrate my birth: | |
| Little, alas! my comrades know | 5 |
| That I was born to pain and woe; | |
| To thy denial, to thy scorn, | |
| Better I had ne'er been born: | |
| I wish to die, even whilst I say— | |
| 'I, my dear, was born to-day.' | 10 |
| I, my dear, was born to-day: | |
| Shall I salute the rising ray, | |
| Well-spring of all my joy and woe? | |
| Clotilda, thou alone dost know. | |
| Shall the wreath surround my hair? | 15 |
| Or shall the music please my ear? | |
| Shall I my comrades' mirth receive, | |
| And bless my birth, and wish to live? | |
| Then let me see great Venus chase | |
| Imperious anger from thy face; | 20 |
| Then let me hear thee smiling say— | |
| 'Thou, my dear, wert born to-day.' | |
|
|
