Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SONG (2), by JOHN WILMOT


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SONG (2), by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Give me leave to rail at you
Last Line: And makes the slave grow pleased and vain.
Alternate Author Name(s): Rochester, 2d Earl Of
Subject(s): Love


Give me leave to rail at you
(I ask nothing but my due):
To call you false, and then to say
You shall not keep my heart a day.
But, alas! against my will,
I must be your captive still.
Ah! Be kinder, then, for I
Cannot change, and would not die.

Kindness has resistless charms;
All besides but weakly move;
Fiercest anger it disarms
And clips the wings of flying love.
Beauty does the heart invade,
Kindness only can persuade;
It gilds the lover's servile chain
And makes the slave grow pleased and vain.





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