Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, HORACE: SONG AT THE END OF ACT 1, by PIERRE CORNEILLE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

HORACE: SONG AT THE END OF ACT 1, by                    
First Line: So wretched are the sick of love
Last Line: Whether in hope, or in possession.
Subject(s): Love - Complaints


1

So wretched are the sick of Love,
No herb has virtue to remove
The growing ill:
But still,
The more we remedies oppose
The fever more malignant grows.
Doubts do but add unto desire,
Like oil that's thrown upon the fire,
Which serves to make the flame aspire;
And not t' extinguish it:
Love has its trembling and its burning fit.

2

Fruition which the sick propose
To end, and recompense their woes,
But turns them o'er
To more.
And curing one, does but prepare
A new, perhaps a greater care.
Enjoyment even in the chaste
Pleases, not satisfies the taste,
And licens'd Love the worst can fast.
Such is the Lovers' state,
Pining and pleas'd, alike unfortunate.

3

Sabina and Camilla share
An equal interest in care,
Fear hath each breast
Possest.
In different fortunes one pure flame
Makes their unhappiness the same.
Love begets fear, fear grief creates;
Passion still passion animates,
Love will be Love in all estates:
His power still is one,
Whether in hope, or in possession.





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