Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

NOT FAIRE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Tis very true, I thought you once as faire
Last Line: As puritans do the pope, and papists luther do.


'TIS very true, I thought you once as faire,
As women in th' Idea are.
Whatever here seems beauteous, seem'd to be
But a faint Metaphor of Thee.
But then (methoughts) there something shin'd within,
Which cast this Lustre o're thy Skinne.
Nor could I choose but count it the Sun's Light,
Which made this Cloud appear so bright.
But since I knew thy falshood and thy pride,
And all thy thousand faults beside;
A very Moore (methinks) plac'd near to Thee,
White, as his Teeth, would seem to be.
So men, (they say) by Hell's delusion led,
Have ta'ne a Succubus to their bed;
Believe it fair, and themselves happy call,
'Till the cleft Foot discovers all:
Then they start from't, halfe Ghosts themselves with fear;
And Devill as 'tis, it does appear.
So since against my will I found Thee foul,
Deform'd and crooked in thy Soule,
My Reason strait did to my Senses shew,
That they might be mistaken too:
Nay when the world but knowes how false you are,
There's not a Man will think you fair.
Thy shape will monstrous in their fancies be,
They'l call their Eyes as false as Thee.
Be what thou wilt; hate will present thee so,
As Puritans do the Pope, and Papists Luther do.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...



Home: PoetryExplorer.net