Classic and Contemporary Poetry
OBSERVATIONS IN THE ART OF ENGLISH POESY: 17. AN ELEGY, by THOMAS CAMPION Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Constant to none, but ever false to me Last Line: If graced firm he stands, if not, eas'ly falls. Subject(s): Unfaithfulness; Infidelity; Adultery; Inconstancy | ||||||||
Constant to none, but ever false to me, Traitor still to love through thy faint desires, Not hope of pity now nor vain redress Turns my griefs to tears and renewed laments. Too well thy empty vows and hollow thoughts Witness both thy wrongs and remorseless heart. Rue not my sorrow, but blush at my name, Let thy bloody cheeks guilty thoughts betray. My flames did truly burn, thine made a show, As fires painted are which no heat retain, Or as the glossy pyrop feigns to blaze, But, touched, cold appears, and an earthy stone. True colours deck thy cheeks, false foils thy breast, Frailer than thy light beauty is thy mind. None canst thou long refuse, nor long affect, But turn'st fear with hopes, sorrow with delight, Delaying, and deluding ev'ry way Those whose eyes are once with thy beauty chained. Thrice happy man that entering first thy love, Can so guide the straight reins of his desires, That both he can regard thee, and refrain: If graced firm he stands, if not, eas'ly falls. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A RITUAL AS OLD AS TIME ITSELF by PETER JOHNSON THE RING AND THE CASTLE by AMY LOWELL SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: MRS. MERRITT by EDGAR LEE MASTERS SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: MRS. PURKAPILE by EDGAR LEE MASTERS SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: TOM MERRITT by EDGAR LEE MASTERS IF THERE'S A GOD... by GREGORY ORR A BOOK OF AIRS: SONG 9 by THOMAS CAMPION |
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