Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SONG by SIDNEY GODOLPHIN

Poet Analysis

First Line: OR LOVE ME LESS OR LOVE ME MORE
Last Line: WHICH FOR MY SAKE YOU DO PUT ON.
Subject(s): HAPPINESS; JOY; DELIGHT;
OR love me less, or love me more,
And play not with my liberty,
Either take all, or all restore,
Bind me at least, or set me free,

Let me some nobler torture find
Than of a doubtful wavering mind,
Take all my peace, but you betray
Mine honour too this cruel way.

'Tis true that I have nurst before
That hope of which I now complain,
And having little, sought no more,
Fearing to meet with your disdain:

The sparks of favour you did give,
I gently blow to make them live:
And yet have gain'd by all this care
No rest in hope, nor in despair.

I see you wear that pitying smile
Which you have still vouchsaf't my smart,
Content thus cheaply to beguile
And entertain an harmless heart:

But I no longer can give way
To hope, which doth so little pay;
And yet I dare no freedom owe
Whilst you are kind, though but in show.

Then give me more or give me less,
Do not disdain a mutual sense,
Or you unpitying beauties dress
In their own free indifference.

But show not a severer eye
Sooner to give me Liberty,
For I shall love the very scorn
Which for my sake you do put on.



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