Song of Thyrsis by Philip Freneau

I have always loved this poem.


Google tells me that Thyrsis was a shepherd in Virgil's Seventh Eclogue, who lost a singing match against Corydon. Virgil was a Roman poet, Corydon was a Greek shepherd. He must have been pretty pissed off losing to a farmer. But here's the poem.

By Philip Freneau

THE TURTLE on yon withered bough, That lately mourned her murdered mate, Has found another comrade now— Such changes all await! Again her drooping plume is drest,         5 Again she ’s willing to be blest And takes her lover to her nest. If nature has decreed it so With all above, and all below, Let us like them forget our woe,         10     And not be killed with sorrow. If I should quit your arms to-night And chance to die before ’t was light, I would advise you—and you might—     Love again to-morrow.