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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE RESTLESS HEART by HENRY HOWARD

Poet Analysis

First Line: THE FANCY, WHICH THAT I HAVE SERVED LONG
Last Line: AGAINST MY WILL, FULL PLEASED WITH MY PAIN.

The fancy, which that I have served long,
That hath alway been enemy to mine ease,
Seemed of late to rue upon my wrong
And bad me fly the cause of my misease.
And I forthwith did prease out of the throng,
That thought by flight my painful heart to please
Some other way, till I saw faith more strong.
And to myself I said: "Alas, those days
In vain were spent, to run the race so long."
And with that thought I met my guide, that plain
Out of the way wherein I wandered wrong
Brought me amids the hills in base Bullayn,
Where I am now, as restless to remain,
Against my will, full pleased with my pain.



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