Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SONNET by HENRY KING (1592-1669)

Poet Analysis

First Line: I PRITHEE TURN THAT FACE AWAY
Last Line: WISH THEE LESS FAIR, OR ELSE MORE KIND.
Subject(s): TRANSIENCE; IMPERMANENCE;

I PRITHEE turn that face away
Whose splendour but benights my day.
Sad eyes like mine, and wounded hearts
Shun the bright rays which beauty darts.
Unwelcome is the Sun that pries
Into those shades where sorrow lies.

Go, shine on happy things. To me
That blessing is a misery:
Whom thy fierce Sun not warms, but burns,
Like that the sooty Indian turns.
I'll serve the night, and there confin'd
Wish thee less fair, or else more kind.



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