Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE RETREAT by CHARLES COTTON

Poet Analysis

First Line: I AM RETURN'D, MY FAIR, BUT SEE
Last Line: NOR SEEK IMPOSSIBILITIES.
Subject(s): LOVE;
I

I AM return'd, my Fair, but see
Perfection in none but thee:
Yet many Beauties have I seen,
And in that search a truant been,
Through fruitless curiosity.

II

I've been to see each blear-ey'd star,
Fond men durst with thy light compare;
And, to my admiration, find,
That all, but I, in Love are blind,
And none but thee, divinely fair.

III

Here then I fix, and now grown wise,
All objects, but thy face, despise,
(Taught by my folly) now I swear,
If you forgive me, ne'er to err,
Nor seek impossibilities.



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