DEAR, back my wounded heart restore, And turn away thy powerful eyes; Flatter my willing soul no more! Love must not hope what Fate denies. Take, take away thy smiles and kisses! Thy love wounds deeper than disdain; For he that sees the heaven he misses, Sustains two hells, of loss and pain. Shouldst thou some other's suit prefer, I might return thy scorn to thee, And learn apostasy of her, Who taught me first idolatry. Or in thy unrelenting breast Should I disdain or coyness move, He by thy hate might be releas'd, Who now is prisoner to thy love. Since then unkind Fate will divorce Those whom Affection long united, Be thou as cruel as this force, And I in death shall be delighted. Thus while so many suppliants woo, And beg they may thy pity prove, I only for thy scorn do sue: 'Tis charity here not to love. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE FINDING OF LOVE by ROBERT RANKE GRAVES THE BAYADERE by FRANCIS SALTUS SALTUS THE CITY OF DREADFUL NIGHT: 21 by JAMES THOMSON (1834-1882) YARROW UNVISITED by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH THE ARGONAUTS (ARGONATUICA): EROS AND HIS MOTHER by APOLLONIUS RHODIUS ON THE DEATH OF A DAUGHTER by RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM THE LAY OF SAINT MEDARD; A LEGEND OF AFRIC by RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM TO ROBERT CALVERLEY TREVELYAN & ELIZABETH TREVELYAN by GORDON BOTTOMLEY |