Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE MISTRESS; A SONG, by JOHN WILMOT Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: An age in her embraces passed [past] Last Line: And make us blessed at last. Alternate Author Name(s): Rochester, 2d Earl Of Variant Title(s): Of His Mistress Subject(s): Absence; Separation; Isolation | ||||||||
AN age, in her embraces passed, Would seem a winter's day; Where life and light, with envious haste, Are torn and snatched away. But oh! how slowly minutes roll, When absent from her eyes, That fed my love, which is my soul; It languishes and dies. For then, no more a soul but shade, It mournfully does move; And haunts my breast, by absence made The living tomb of love. You wiser men despise me not, Whose love-sick fancy raves, On shades of souls and Heaven knows what; Short ages live in graves. Whene'er those wounding eyes so full Of sweetness you did see, Had you not been profoundly dull, You had gone mad like me. Nor censure us, you who perceive My best-beloved and me, Sigh and lament, complain and grieve; You think we disagree. Alas! 'tis sacred jealousy. Love raised to an extreme; The only proof, 'twixt them and me, We love, and do not dream. Fantastic fancies fondly move, And in frail joy believe: Taking false pleasure for true love; But pain can ne'er deceive. Kind jealous doubts, tormenting fears, And anxious cares, when past, Prove our heart's treasure fixed and dear, And make us blessed at last. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE EVENING OF THE MIND by DONALD JUSTICE CHRISTMAS AWAY FROM HOME by JANE KENYON THE PROBLEM by CHARLOTTE FISKE BATES WHEN A WOMAN LOVES A MAN by DAVID LEHMAN THIS UNMENTIONABLE FEELING by DAVID LEHMAN |
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