Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A QUARREL WITH LOVE, by NICHOLAS BRETON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Oh that I could write a story Last Line: While his only heart abides it. Subject(s): Love | ||||||||
OH that I could write a story Of love's dealing with affection! How he makes the spirit sorry That is touch'd with his infection. But he doth so closely wind him, In the plaits of will ill-pleased, That the heart can never find him Till it be too much diseased. 'Tis a subtle kind or spirit Of a venom-kind of nature, That can, like a coney-ferret, Creep unawares upon a creature. Never eye that can behold it, Though it worketh first by seeing; Nor conceit that can unfold it, Though in thoughts be all its being. Oh! it maketh old men witty, Young men wanton, women idle, While that patience weeps, for pity Reason bite not nature's bridle. What it is, in conjecture; Seeking much, but nothing finding; Like to fancy's architecture With illusions reason blinding. Yet, can beauty so retain it, In the profit of her service, That she closely can maintain it For her servant chief on office? In her eye she chiefly breeds it; In her cheeks she chiefly hides it; In her servant's faith she feeds it, While his only heart abides it. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE INVENTION OF LOVE by MATTHEA HARVEY TWO VIEWS OF BUSON by ROBERT HASS A LOVE FOR FOUR VOICES: HOMAGE TO FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN by ANTHONY HECHT AN OFFERING FOR PATRICIA by ANTHONY HECHT LATE AFTERNOON: THE ONSLAUGHT OF LOVE by ANTHONY HECHT A SWEETENING ALL AROUND ME AS IT FALLS by JANE HIRSHFIELD A SWEET LULLABY by NICHOLAS BRETON PHYLLIDA AND CORYDON by NICHOLAS BRETON THE PASSIONATE SHEPHERD: PASTORAL 3. THE HAPPY COUNTRYMAN by NICHOLAS BRETON |
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