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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BALLAD TO THE TUNE OF TROY TOWN by PATRICK CAREY

First Line: FAIR BEAUTIES! IF I DO CONFESS
Last Line: THEN, KINDLY WE'LL SHAKE HANDS, AND PART.
Subject(s): TROY;
I

FAIR beauties! If I do confess
Myself inconstant in my drink,
You ought not to love me the less,
I say but that which most men think:
And (troth) there is less hurtful art
In a light tongue, than a false heart.

II

Some use to swear that you will find
Nothing but truth within their breasts;
Yet waver more than does the wind,
When in a tempest least it rests;
Nought of my thoughts I say to you,
But what you'll find to be most true.

III

More than I promise, I'll perform;
They give you oaths, but keep them not:
You build i' th' air, whenas you form
False hopes on vows long since forgot.
Leave, leave them, then, and deal with me,
So you will ne'er deceived be.

IV

Fairly beforehand I declare,
That when I'm weary, I shall leave:
Forewarned thus, you'll be aware,
Whilst falser men would ye deceive:
Besides, in this I nothing do
But what I'd swear you will do too.

V

When of your love I weary grow,
Before I change, I'll tell you on't;
Do you the same when you are so,
And give me time to think upon't;
Elsewhere I soon shall place my heart,
Then, kindly we'll shake hands, and part.



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