Ode 1. When I walk forth into the Woods

Barnabe Barnes (1569?–1609)

WHEN I walk forth into the Woods,

With heavy Passion to complain

I view the trees with blushing buds

Ashamed, or grieved at my pain!

There amaranthe, with rosy stain

(Me pitying) doth his leaves ingrain!

When I pass pensive to the Shore,

The water birds about me fly,

As if they mourned! when rivers roar,

Chiding thy wrathful cruelty;

Halcion watcheth warily

To chide thee, when thou comest by!

If to the City, I repair

Mine eyes thy cruelty betray!

And those which view me, find my care:

Swoll’n eyes and sorrows it betray!

Whose figures in my forehead are,

These curse the cause of mine ill fare!

When I go forth to feed my Flocks

As I, so they hang down their heads!

If I complain to ruthless Rocks,

(For that it seems, hard rocks her bred)

Rocks’ ruth, in rivers may be read!

Which from those rocks down tricklèd.

When shepherds would know how I fare,

And ask, “How doth PARTHENOPHIL?”

“Ill,” ECHO answers, in void air;

And with these news, each place doth fill!

Poor herdgrooms, from each cottage, will

Sing my complaints, on every hill!