The Maiden Refuses

A PASTORAL DIALOGUE spoken between Stephan, an eager, young swain, and Sarine, a charming, but cautious maiden, in the early 17th-century style

Stephan to Sarine

Come, Sarine, and linger
In the Garden by the Lane;
While Light falls softly dimmer,
We'll sup on fresh Purslane;
We'll sip from Lily's scarlet Throat
Rich, nectar'd Drops so rare;
And look on Peonia's glowing Face
To mark our Day's End there.

Sarine to Stephan

Ah! Stephan! Dark Clouds rumble
On the Edges of the East;
The Breezes stir ungently—
How they'd blast your Herbal Feast!
Though thoughts of Garden Suppers charm,
Your Troubles I'll forgo;
Since in such idle Pleasantness,
I see slick Ice, deep Snow.

Joseph Carr, a traveling artist who bounces between Boston and Boca Rotan, writes poems occasionally. But he doesn't write this anymore.