Another of the Same Author, John Dickenson

edited by Michael Funk

The following poem was written probably by John Dickenson, and was published in the first edition of England's Helicon in 1600. This and two other preceding poems in the collection may represent Dickenson's complete extant poems. All three poems are written in the pastoral convention but "Another of the Same Author" also employs Petrarchan conventions.



	 Fields were overspread with flowers,			
	 Fairest choice of  Flora's treasure:
	 Shepherds there had shady bowers,
	 Where they oft reposed with pleasure.
                Meadows flourished fresh and gay			5
                where the wanton Herds did play.

	Springs more clear than crystal streams,
	Seated were the groves among:
	Thus not Titan's scorching beams,                                  
	Nor earth's drouth could shepherds wrong.		10		
                Fair Pomona's fruitfull pride
                did the budding branches hide.

	Flocks of sheep fed on the plains,
	Harmless sheep that roamed at large;                                     
	Here and there sat pensive swains			15
	Waiting on their wandering charge.
                Pensive while their Lasses smiled,
                Lasses which had them beguiled.

	Hills with trees were richly dight,                                
	Valleys stored with Vesta's wealth;			20
	Both did harbor sweet delight,
	Nought was there to hinder health.
                Thus did heaven grace the soil
                Not deformed with workmen's toil.                     

	Purest plot of earthly mold,				25
	Might that land be justly named:
	Art by Nature was controlled,
	Art which no such pleasures framed.
                Fairer place was never seen:                       
                Fittest place for Beauty's Queen.			30

2. Flora] ancient Roman goddess of fertility.
3. bower] a place closed in with foilage.
9. Titan] the sun-god.
11. Pomona] the Roman goddess of fruits.
15. swain] a country labourer, a shepherd.
19. dight] arrayed, dressed.
20. Vesta] the Roman goddess of the hearth and household

Return to
Author Index
Title Index
Index of First Lines
MAIN PAGE