Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A BOOK OF AIRS: SONG 16, by THOMAS CAMPION


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A BOOK OF AIRS: SONG 16, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Mistress, since you so much desire
Last Line: I climb to crown my chaste desire.
Subject(s): Cupid; Ambition; Love


MISTRESS, since you so much desire
To know the place of Cupid's fire,
In your fair shrine that flame doth rest,
Yet never harboured in your breast.
It bides not in your lips so sweet,
Nor where the rose and lilies meet;
But a little higher, but a little higher;
There, there, O there lies Cupid's fire.

Even in those starry piercing eyes,
There Cupid's sacred fire lies.
Those eyes I strive not to enjoy,
For they have power to destroy;
Nor woo I for a smile or kiss,
So meanly triumphs not my bliss;
But a little higher, but a little higher,
I climb to crown my chaste desire.





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