Forbear to ask me why I weep, Vexed Cloe to her shepherd said: 'Tis for my two poor straggling sheep, Perhaps, or for my squirrel dead. For mind I what you late have writ? Your subtle questions and replies, Emblems to teach a female wit The ways where changing Cupid flies. Your riddle, purposed to rehearse The general power that beauty has: But why did no peculiar verse Describe one charm of Cloe's face? The glass which was at Venus' shrine With such mysterious sorrow laid; The garland (and you call it mine) Which showed how youth and beauty fade -- Ten thousand trifles light as these Nor can my rage nor anger move; She should be humble who would please, And she must suffer who can love. When in my glass I chanced to look, Of Venus what did I implore? That every grace which thence I took, Should know to charm my Damon more. Reading thy verse; who heeds, said I, If here or there his glances flew? Oh, free forever be his eye, Whose heart to me is always true! My bloom indeed, my little flower Of beauty quickly lost its pride; For severed from its native bower It on thy glowing bosom died. Yet cared I not, what might presage Or withering wreath or fleeting youth: Love I esteemed more strong than age, And time less permanent than truth. Why then I weep, forbear to know: Fall uncontrolled my tears, and free: O Damon, 'tis the only woe, I ever yet concealed from thee. The secret wound with which I bleed Shall lie wrapped up, even in my hearse: But on my tombstone thou shalt read My answer to thy dubious verse. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THERE IS NO NATURAL RELIGION (B) by WILLIAM BLAKE CYMON AND IPHIGENIA by GIOVANNI BOCCACCIO ITALY SWEET TOO! by JOHN KEATS NEURASTENIA by AGNES MARY F. ROBINSON SHADOWS IN THE WATER by THOMAS TRAHERNE CONCLUDING VERSES, AFTER RETURNING HOME FROM AN AUTUMNAL MORNING WALK by BERNARD BARTON S. GREGORIE NAZIANZEN by JOSEPH BEAUMONT |