The Mower’s Song

written by


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My mind was once the true survey
 Of all these meadows fresh and gay,
 And in the greenness of the grass
 Did see its hopes as in a glass;
 When Juliana came, and she
What I do to the grass, does to my thoughts and me.

 But these, while I with sorrow pine,
 Grew more luxuriant still and fine,
 That not one blade of grass you spy’d
 But had a flower on either side;
 When Juliana came, and she
What I do to the grass, does to me thoughts and me.

 Unthankful meadows, could you so
 A fellowship so true forgo?
 And in your gaudy May-games meet
 While I lay trodden under feet?
 When Juliana came, and she
What I do to the grass, does to my thoughts and me.

 But what you in compassion ought,
 Shall now by my revenge be wrought;
 And flow’rs, and grass, and I and all,
 Will in one common ruin fall.
 For Juliana comes, and she
What I do to the grass, does to my thoughts and me.

 And thus, ye meadows, which have been
 Companions of my thoughts more green,
 Shall now the heraldry become
 With which I shall adorn my tomb;
 For Juliana comes, and she
What I do to the grass, does to my thoughts and me.

© Andrew Marvell