Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume V. Nature. 1904. | | | | VI. Animate Nature | | To the Nightingale | | John Milton (1608–1674) |
| | | O NIGHTINGALE, that on yon bloomy spray | |
| Warblest at eve, when all the woods are still, | |
| Thou with fresh hopes the lover’s heart dost fill, | |
| While the jolly hours lead on propitious May. | |
| Thy liquid notes, that close the eye of day, | 5 |
| First heard before the shallow cuckoo’s bill, | |
| Portend success in love. Oh, if Jove’s will | |
| Have linked that amorous power to thy soft lay, | |
| Now timely sing, ere the rude bird of hate | |
| Foretell my hopeless doom in some grove nigh; | 10 |
| As thou from year to year hast sung too late | |
| For my relief, yet hadst no reason why. | |
| Whether the Muse or Love call thee his mate, | |
| Both them I serve, and of their train am I. | | | | |
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