Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, FOURTH BOOK OF AIRS: SONG 9, by THOMAS CAMPION


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FOURTH BOOK OF AIRS: SONG 9, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Young and simple though I am
Last Line: Love he must or flatter me.
Subject(s): Youth; Love


YOUNG and simple though I am,
I have heard of Cupid's name:
Guess I can what thing it is
Men desire when they do kiss.
Smoke can never burn, they say,
But the flames that follow may.

I am not so foul or fair
To be proud nor to despair;
Yet my lips have oft observed:
Men that kiss them press them hard,
As glad lovers use to do
When their new-met loves they woo.

Faith, 'tis but a foolish mind!
Yet, methinks, a heat I find,
Like thirst-longing, that doth bide
Ever on my weaker side,
Where they say my heart doth move.
Venus, grant it be not love!

If it be, alas, what then!
Were not women made for men?
As good 'twere a thing were past,
That must needs be done at last.
Roses that are overblown,
Grow less sweet; then fall alone.

Yet not churl, nor silken gull,
Shall my maiden blossom pull;
Who shall not I soon can tell;
Who shall, would I could as well!
This I know, whoe'er he be,
Love he must or flatter me.





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