Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, CANZONET: TO HIS COY LOVE, by MICHAEL DRAYTON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CANZONET: TO HIS COY LOVE, by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: I pray thee leave, love me no more
Last Line: I cannot live without thee.
Subject(s): Desire; Love


I PRAY thee leave, love me no more,
Call home the heart you gave me,
I but in vain that saint adore,
That can, but will not save me:
These poor half-kisses kill me quite
Was ever man thus served?
Amidst an ocean of delight,
For pleasure to be starved.

Show me no more those snowy breasts,
With azure riverets branched,
Where whilst my eye with plenty feasts,
Yet is my thirst not stanched,
O Tantalus, thy pains ne'er tell,
By me thou art prevented;
'Tis nothing to be plagued in hell,
But thus in heaven tormented.

Clip me no more in those dear arms,
Nor thy life's comfort call me;
Oh, these are but too powerful charms,
And do but more enthral me.
But see, how patient I am grown,
In all this coil about thee;
Come, nice thing, let my heart alone,
I cannot live without thee.





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