Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THIRD BOOK OF AIRS: SONG 18. THE CHARM, by THOMAS CAMPION


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THIRD BOOK OF AIRS: SONG 18. THE CHARM, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Thrice toss these oaken ashes in the air
Last Line: She hath an art to break them with her eyes.
Variant Title(s): Spells;charms;the Third Book Of Ayres: 28;love-charms
Subject(s): Love; Seduction; Supernatural


Thrice toss these oaken ashes in the air,
Thrice sit thou mute in this inchanted chair;
And thrice three times tie up this true loves knot,
And murmur soft, she will, or she will not.

Go burn these pois'nous weeds in you blue fire,
These screech-owl's feathers and this prickling briar;
This cypress gathered at a dead man's grave;
That all thy fears and cares an end may have.

Then come, you Fairies, dance with me a round;
Melt her hard heart with your melodious sound:
In vain are all the charms I can devise:
She hath an art to break them with her eyes.





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