IL PENSEROSO. Come, pensive nun, devout and pure, Sober, steadfast, and demure, All in a robe of darkest grain, With a sad leaden downward cast, Thou fix them on the earth as fast; And join with thee calm Peace and Quiet, Aye round about Jove's altar sing. That in trim gardens takes his pleasure. But first, and chiefest, with thee bring, Sweet bird, that shunn'st the noise of folly, Most musical, most melancholy!". Thee, chantress, oft, the woods among, I woo, to hear thy even-song; |