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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


CAELICA: 21 by FULKE GREVILLE

Poet Analysis

First Line: SATAN, NO WOMAN, YET A WAND'RING SPIRIT
Last Line: FEAR WOMEN THAT SWEAR, NAY, AND KNOW THEY LIE.

Satan, no woman, yet a wand'ring spirit,
When he saw ships sail two ways with one wind,
Of sailor's trade he hell did disinherit;
The Devil himself loves not a half-fast mind.

The Satyr, when he saw the shepherd blow
To warm his hands and make his pottage cool,
Manhood forswears, and half a beast did know;
Nature with double breath is put to school.

Cupid doth head his shafts in women's faces,
Where smiles and tears dwell ever near together,
Where all the arts of change give passion graces;
While these clouds threaten, who fears not the weather?
Sailors and Satyrs, Cupid's knights, and I,
Fear women that swear, nay, and know they lie.



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