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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

DIALOGUE: LUCASTA, ALEXIS by RICHARD LOVELACE

Poet Analysis

First Line: TELL ME, ALEXIS, WHAT THIS PARTING IS
Last Line: BUT TIME NOR FATE CAN PART US JOINED THUS.
Subject(s): FAREWELL; TOGETHERNESS; PARTING;
@3Lucasta.@1 TELL me, Alexis, what this parting is,
That so like dying is, but is not it.
@3Alexis.@1 It is a swounding for a while from bliss,
Till kind "How do you?" calls us from the fit.
If then the spirits only stray, let mine
Fly to thy bosom. @3Lucasta.@1 And my soul to thine.

@3Chorus@1
Thus in our native seat we gladly give
Our right for one where we can better live.

@3Lucasta.@1 But ah this ling'ring, murd'ring farewell!
Death quickly wounds, and wounding cures the ill.
@3Alexis.@1 It is the glory of a valiant lover
Still to be dying, still for to recover.

@3Chorus@1
Soldiers suspected of their courage go,
That ensigns and their breasts untorn show:
Love near his standard when his host he sets,
Creates alone fresh-bleeding bannerets.

@3Alexis.@1 But part we when thy figure I retain
Still in my heart, still strongly in mine eye?
@3Lucasta.@1 Shadows no longer than the sun remain,
But when his beams, that made 'em, fly, they fly.

@3Chorus@1
Vain dreams of love! that only so much bliss
Allow us, as to know our wretchedness;
And deal a larger measure in our pain,
By showing joy, then hiding it again.

@3Alexis.@1 No, whilst light reigns, Lucasta still rules here,
And all the night shines wholly in this sphere.
@3Lucasta.@1 I know no morn but my Alexis' ray,
To my dark thoughts the breaking of the day.

@3Chorus@1
@3Alexis.@1 So in each other if the pitying sun
Thus keep us fix'd, ne'er may his course be run!
@3Lucasta.@1 And oh! if night us undivided make,
Let us sleep still, and sleeping, never wake!

@3The Close@1
Cruel adieus may well adjourn awhile
The sessions of a look, a kiss, or smile,
And leave behind an angry grieving blush;
But time nor fate can part us joined thus.



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