When that I call unto my mind The time of hope that once I had, The great abuse that did me blind Doth force me always to be sad. Yet of my grief I feign me glad; But am assured I was too bold To trust to such a slipper hold. I thought it well that I had wrought, Willing forthwith so to ensue; But he that seeks as I have sought Shall find most trust oft times untrue; For least I recked that most I rue, Of that I thought myself most sure Is now the want of all my cure. Amids my wealth I did not reck, But soon, alas, ere that I wist, The time was come that, all too weak, I had no power for to resist; Now am I proof to them that list To flee such woe and wrongful pain, As in my heart I do sustain. For feigned faith is always free, And doth incline to be unjust, That sure I think there can none be Too much assured without mistrust; But hap what may to them that must Sustain such cruel destiny, With patience for remedy. As I am one which by restraint Abides the time of my return, In hope that fortune by my plaint Will slake the fire wherewith I burn; Since no ways else may serve my turn: Yet for the doubt of this distress, I ask but right for my redress. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...GIANT RED WOMAN by CLARENCE MAJOR ELEGY: THE GHOST WHOSE LIPS WERE WARM; FOR GEOFFREY GORER by EDITH SITWELL FOR A BEAUTIFUL YOUTH by THALIA BELL THE OLD TRAMP by PIERRE JEAN DE BERANGER LIFE OR DEATH by EDMUND BOLTON WORDS ARE NEVER ENOUGH by CHARLES TORY BRUCE TO A LADY, ON BEING ASKED MY REASON FOR QUITTING ENGLAND by GEORGE GORDON BYRON |