Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

LOVE AND REVERENCE by THOMAS RANDOLPH

Poet Analysis

First Line: I HAVE A MISTRESS, FOR PERFECTIONS RARE
Last Line: AND COME UNTO MY COURTSHIP AS MY PRAYER.
Subject(s): LOVE;
I HAVE a mistress, for perfections rare
In every eye, but in my thoughts most fair.
Like tapers on the altar shine her eyes;
Her breath is the perfume of sacrifice;
And wheresoe'er my fancy would begin,
Still her perfection lets religion in.
We sit and talk, and kiss away the hours
As chastely as the morning dews kiss flowers:
I touch her, like my beads, with devout care,
And come unto my courtship as my prayer.



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