Poem in Your Pocket Day

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This came from one of our freelancers today:

17 April 2008

This is National Poem in Your Pocket Day, when we are supposed to carry around and share a favorite poem, so this one will be the Poem in Your Email. It's not one of all my all-time great poems (those would be from Donne or Dickinson, for me), but one worth enjoying for a combination of style, pleasure, and wit, with a bit of edge. It's by Matthew Prior (17th century), and called variously Chloe and Lisetta, or Question to Lisetta, with the Questioner presumably being the poet. The lady gets the last word, of course.

THE QUESTION

What nymph should I admire or trust,
But Chloe beauteous, Chloe just?
What nymph should I desire to see,
But her who leaves the plain for me?
To whom should I compose the lay,
But her who listens when I play?
To whom in song repeat my cares,
But her who in my sorrow shares?
For whom should I the garland make,
But her who joys the gift to take,
And boasts she wears it for my sake?
In love am I not fully blest?
Lisetta, prithee tell the rest.

LISETTA'S REPLY

Sure Chloe just, and Chloe fair,
Deserves to be your only care;
But, when you and she today
Far into the wood did stray,
And I happen'd to pass by,
Which way did you cast your eye?
But, when your cares to her you sing,
You dare not tell her whence they spring:
Does it not more afflict your heart,
That in those cares she bears a part?
When you the flowers for Chloe twine,
Why do you to her garland join
The meanest bud that falls from mine?
Simplest of swains! the world may see
Whom Chloe loves, and who loves me.
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