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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO HIS MISTRESS RETIRING IN AFFECTION by THOMAS CAREW

Poet Analysis

First Line: FLY NOT FROM HIM WHOSE SILENT MISERY
Last Line: THEN KNOW MY REASON HATES THEE, THOUGH I LOVE THEE.
Subject(s): LOVE - UNREQUITED;

FLY not from him whose silent misery
Breathes many an unwitness'd sigh to thee,
Who, having felt thy scorn, yet constant is,
And whom thou hast thyself call'd only his.
When first mine eyes threw flames, whose spirit mov'd thee,
Hadst thou not look'd again I had not lov'd thee.

Nature did ne'er two different things unite
With peace, which are by nature opposite.
If thou force Nature, and be backward gone,
O, blame not me, that strive to draw thee on:
But if my constant love shall fail to move thee,
Then know my reason hates thee, though I love thee.



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