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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE FAIR INCONSTANT by FRANCIS THOMPSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: DOST THOU STILL HOPE THOU SHALT BE FAIR
Last Line: I LOOKED THEE INTO LOVELINESS!
Subject(s): UNFAITHFULNESS; INFIDELITY; ADULTERY; INCONSTANCY;

DOST thou still hope thou shalt be fair,
When no more fair to me?
Or those that by thee taken were
Hold their captivity?
Is this thy confidence? No, no;
Trust it not; it can not be so.

But thou too late, too late shalt find
'Twas I that made thee fair;
Thy beauties never from thy mind
But from my loving were;
And those delights that did thee stole
Confessed the vicinage of my soul.

The rosy reflex of my heart
Did thy pale cheek attire;
And what I was, not what thou art,
Did gazers-on admire.
Go, and too late thou shalt confess
I looked thee into loveliness!



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