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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO DELIA: 25 by SAMUEL DANIEL

Poet Analysis

First Line: REIGN IN MY THOUGHTS, FAIR HAND, SWEET EYE, RARE VOICE
Last Line: AND SERVE ALL THREE, AND YET THEY SPOIL ME TOO.
Subject(s): FREEDOM; LOVE; LIBERTY;

Reign in my thoughts, fair hand, sweet eye, rare voice,
Possess me whole, my heart's triumvirate;
Yet heavy heart! to make so hard a choice
Of such as spoil thy poor afflicted state;
For whilst they strive which shall be lord of all,
All my poor life by them is trodden down;
They all erect their trophies on my fall,
And yield me nought that gives them their renown.
When back I look, I sigh my freedom past,
And wail the state wherein I present stand,
And see my fortune ever like to last,
Finding me reined with such a heavy hand.
What can I do but yield, and yield I do,
And serve all three, and yet they spoil me too.



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