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Home  »  The Poems of John Dryden  »  Song of Venus, from King Arthur

John Dryden (1631–1700). The Poems of John Dryden. 1913.

Songs from the Plays

Song of Venus, from King Arthur

1
FAIREST Isle, all Isles Excelling,

Seat of Pleasure, and of Loves;

Venus here will chuse her Dwelling,

And forsake her Cyprian Groves.

2
Cupid, from his Fav’rite Nation,

Care and Envy will Remove;

Jealousy that poysons Passion,

And Despair that dies for Love.

3
Gentle Murmurs, sweet Complaining,

Sighs that blow the Fire of Love;

Soft Repulses, kind Disdaining,

Shall be all the Pains you prove.

4
Ev’ry Swain shall pay his Duty,

Grateful ev’ry Nymph shall prove;

And as these Excel in Beauty,

Those shall be Renown’d for Love.