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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


FRANK LEIGH'S SONG, A.D. 1586 by CHARLES KINGSLEY

First Line: AH TYRANT LOVE, MEGAERA'S SERPENTS BEARING
Last Line: ON MINE OWN PASSIONS' EVER-BURNING WHEEL.

AH tyrant Love, Megaera's serpents bearing,
Why thus requite my sighs with venom'd smart?
Ah ruthless dove, the vulture's talons wearing,
Why flesh them, traitress, in this faithful heart?
Is this my meed? Must dragons' teeth alone
In Venus' lawns by lovers' hands be sown?

Nay, gentlest Cupid; 't was my pride undid me;
Nay, guiltless dove; by mine own wound I fell.
To worship, not to wed, Celestials bid me:
I dreamt to mate in heaven, and wake in hell;
For ever doom'd, Ixion-like, to reel
On mine own passions' ever-burning wheel.



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