Sonnet 53. Clear Ankor, on whose silver-sanded shore

Michael Drayton (1563–1631)

[First printed in 1594 (No. 13), and in all later editions.]

Another to the river Ankor

CLEAR Ankor, on whose silver-sanded shore,

My soul-shrined Saint, my fair IDEA lives;

O blessed brook! whose milk-white swans adore

Thy crystal stream, refinèd by her eyes.

Where sweet myrrh-breathing ZEPHYR, in the Spring,

Gently distils his nectar-dropping showers:

Where nightingales in Arden sit and sing

Amongst the dainty dew-impearlèd flowers.

Say thus, fair brook, when thou shalt see thy Queen,

“Lo, here thy shepherd spent his wandering years!

And in these shades, dear Nymph! he oft hath been!

And here to thee, he sacrificed his tears!”

Fair Arden, thou my Tempe art alone!

And thou, sweet Ankor, art my Helicon!