JOHN FLETCHER'S POEM - LOVE'S EMBLEMS

 

On Day 3 of the Blog chatter’s #WRITEAPAGEADAY, Here is a poem with love as the major theme.

 Poet:  John Fletcher

Poem: Love’s Emblems

 

Now the lusty spring is seen

Golden yellow, gaudy blue,

Daintily invite the view:

Everywhere on every green

Roses blushing as they blow

And enticing men to pull,

Lillies whiter than the snow,

Woodbines of sweet honey full:

All love’s emblems, and all cry,

‘Ladies, if not plucked, we die.’

 

Yet the lusty spring hath stayed;

Blushing red and purest white

Daintily to love invite

Every woman, every maid:

Cherries kissing as they grow,

And inviting men to taste,

Apples even ripe below,

Winding gently to the waist:

All love’s emblems, and all cry,

‘Ladies, if not plucked, we die.’

 

 John Fletcher was born at Rye, in Sussex in 1579. After his brilliant career as a dramatist whether alone or in company with Beaumont and others, he was taken suddenly ill and died. In all, about 52 plays are assigned to this dramatist alone and in collaboration.  It is generally supposed that, in the work of collaboration Fletcher represented the creative force, Beaumont the critical. One thing is certain, they blend in their best work in the happiest way giving the impression of a single mind – and a mind of singular breadth and intensity.