"When Westwell Downes I gan to tread, Where cleanely wynds the greene did sweepe, Methought a landskipp there was spread, Here a bush and there a sheepe: The pleated wrinkles of the face Of wave-swolne earth did lend such grace, As shadowings in Imag’ry Which both deceive and please the eye.The sheepe sometymes did tread the maze By often wynding in and in, And sometymes round about they trace Which milkmayds call a Fairie ring: Such semicircles have they runne, Such lynes acrosse so trymly spunne That sheppeards learne whenere they please A new Geometry with ease.The slender food upon the downe Is allwayes even, allwayes bare, Which neither spring nor winter’s frowne Can ought improve or ought impayre: Such is the barren Eunuches chynne, Which thus doth evermore begynne With tender downe to be orecast Which never comes to haire at last.Here and there twoe hilly crests Amiddst them hug¢g a pleasant greene, And these are like twoe swelling breasts That close a tender fall betweene. Here would I sleepe, or read, or pray From early morne till flight of day: But harke! a sheepe-bell calls mee upp, Like Oxford colledge bells, to supp."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
On Westwell Downes
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/William_Strode_(poet)
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
William Strode (poet)
William Strode (c. 1602 – 10 March 1645) was an English poet, Doctor of Divinity and Public Orator of Oxford University, one of the Worthies of Devon of John Prince.
14 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by William Strode (poet) →
Related Quotes
"Returne my joyes, and hither bring A tongue not made to speake but sing, A jolly spleene, an inward feast, A causeles…"
"I know no paynt of poetry Can mend such colourd Imag’ry In sullen inke: yet Fayrford, I May relish thy fayre memory. …"
"Be silent you still musique of the Sphears, And every sense make haste to be all ears, And give devout attention to h…"
"I saw faire Cloris walke alone Where feather’d rayne came softly downe, And Jove descended from his tower To court he…"
"My love and I for kisses play'd, Shee would keepe stake, I was content, But when I wonne shee would be paid; This mad…"
"What thing is that, nor felt nor seene Till it bee given? a present for a Queene: A fine conceite to give and take th…"
"See how the Rainbow in the skie Seems gaudy through the Suns bright eye; Harke how an Eccho answere makes, Feele how …"
"Weep not because this childe hath dyed so yong, But weepe because yourselves have livde so long: Age is not fild by g…"
"If Hercules tall stature might bee guest But by his thumbe, wherby to make the rest In due proportion; the best rule …"
"Tread soft, for if you wake this Knight alone, You raise an Hoast: Religions Champion, His Cuntreys Staffe, Rights bo…"