Poem Lake | Page 14 | The Greatest Poems of All Time

The Fairies’ Lullaby From “a Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Act II. Sc. 2. Enter TITANIA, with her train. TITANIA.—Come, now a roundel, and a fairy song; Then, for the third part of a minute, hence;— Some, to kill cankers in the musk-rose buds; Some war with rear-mice for their... Poet: William Shakespeare	To the Spring From “Hymnes of Astræa, in Acrosticke Verse” E ARTH now is green, and heaven is blue, L ively Spring which makes all new, I olly Spring, doth enter; S weet young sun beams do subdue A ngry, agèd Winter. B lasts are mild, and seas are calm,... Poet: Sir John Davies	To Mary Stuart From the French by Louise Stuart Costello ALL beauty, granted as a boon to earth, That is, has been, or ever can have birth, Compared to hers, is void, and Nature’s care Ne’er formed a creature so divinely fair. In spring amidst the lilies she was born,... Poet: Pierre de Ronsard	Good Ale I Cannot eat but little meat,— My stomach is not good; But, sure, I think that I can drink With him that wears a hood. Though I go bare, take ye no care; I nothing am a-cold,— I stuff my skin so full within Of jolly good ale and old... Poet: John Still
Hollow Hospitality From “Satires,” Book III. Sat. 3. THE COURTEOUS citizen bade me to his feast With hollow words, and overly 1 request: “Come, will ye dine with me this holiday?” I yielded, though he hoped I would say nay: For I had maidened it, as many use; Loath... Poet: Joseph Hall