BY all thy glories willingly I go, Yet could have wish'd thee constant in thy love; But, since thou needs must prove Uncertain, as is thy beauty, Or as the glass that shows it thee, My hopes thus soon to overthrow Shows thee more fickle; but my flames by this Are easier quench'd than his Whom flattering smiles betray: 'Tis tyrannous delay Breeds all this harm, And makes that fire consume that should but warm. Till Time destroys the blossoms of thy youth Thou art our idol, worshipp'd at that rate; But who can tell thy fate, Or say that when thy beauty's gone Thy lover's torch will still burn on? I could have serv'd thee with such truth Devoutest pilgrims to their saints do owe Departed long ago, And at thy ebbing tide Have us'd thee as a bride: Who's only true 'Cause you are fair, he loves himself, not you. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CHANSON INNOCENTE: 1, FR. TULIPS by EDWARD ESTLIN CUMMINGS THE CHARACTER OF A HAPPY LIFE by HENRY WOTTON SPRING'S UNFOLDING by IRENE ARCHER EMBLEMS OF LOVE: 19. THE HEART, LOVE'S BUTT by PHILIP AYRES THE 'STAY AT HOME'S' PLAINT, 1878 by GEORGE AUGUSTUS BAKER JR. UNVEILING THE MONUMENT by LEVI BISHOP |