Classic and Contemporary Poetry
TO A.L.; PERSUASIONS TO LOVE, by THOMAS CAREW Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Think not, 'cause men flattering say Last Line: Both bud and fade, both blow and wither. Subject(s): Love | ||||||||
THINK not, 'cause men flatt'ring say Y' are fresh as April, sweet as May, Bright as is the morning star, That you are so; or, though you are, Be not therefore proud, and deem All men unworthy your esteem: For, being so, you lose the pleasure Of being fair, since that rich treasure Of rare beauty and sweet feature Was bestow'd on you by Nature To be enjoy'd, and 'twere a sin There to be scant, where she hath bin So prodigal of her best graces: Thus common beauties and mean faces Shall have more pastime, and enjoy The sport you lose by being coy. Did the thing for which I sue Only concern myself, not you; Were men so fram'd as they alone Reap'd all the pleasure, women none; Then had you reason to be scant: But 'twere a madness not to grant That which affords (if you consent) To you, the giver, more content Than me, the beggar. Oh, then be Kind to yourself, if not to me. Starve not yourself, because you may Thereby make me pine away; Nor let brittle beauty make You your wiser thoughts forsake; For that lovely face will fail: Beauty's sweet, but beauty's frail; 'Tis sooner past, 'tis sooner done, Than Summer's rain, or Winter's sun; Most fleeting, when it is most dear, 'Tis gone, while we but say 'tis here. These curious locks, so aptly twin'd, Whose every hair a soul doth bind, Will change their auburn hue, and grow White and cold as Winter's snow. That eye, which now is Cupid's nest, Will prove his grave, and all the rest Will follow; in the cheek, chin, nose, Nor lily shall be found, nor rose. And what will then become of all Those whom now you servants call? Like swallows, when your Summer's done, They 'll fly, and seek some warmer sun. Then wisely choose one to your friend Whose love may, when your beauties end, Remain still firm: be provident, And think, before the Summer's spent, Of following Winter; like the ant, In plenty hoard for time of scant. Cull out, amongst the multitude Of lovers that seek to intrude Into your favour, one that may Love for an age, not for a day; One that will quench your youthful fires, And feed in age your hot desires. For when the storms of time have mov'd Waves on that cheek which was belov'd, When a fair lady's face is pin'd, And yellow spread where red once shin'd; When beauty, youth, and all sweets leave her, Love may return, but lover never: And old folks say there are no pains Like itch of love in aged veins. O love me, then, and now begin it, Let us not lose this present minute; For time and age will work that wrack Which time or age shall ne'er call back. The snake each year fresh skin resumes, And eagles change their aged plumes; The faded rose each Spring receives A fresh red tincture on her leaves: But if your beauties once decay, You never know a second May. O then, be wise, and whilst your season Affords you days for sport, do reason; Spend not in vain your life's short hour, But crop in time your beauty's flower, Which will away, and doth together Both bud and fade, both blow and wither. | 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 DEPOSITION FROM LOVE by THOMAS CAREW A PASTORAL DIALOGUE: SHEPHERD, NYMPH, CHORUS by THOMAS CAREW |
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