Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, DUTY AND LOVE, by THOMAS OSBORNE DAVIS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

DUTY AND LOVE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Oh! Lady, think not that my heart has grown cold
Last Line: I shall fly without sorrow or sin
Subject(s): Love


I.

OH! lady, think not that my heart has grown cold,
If I woo not as once I could woo;
Though sorrow has bruised it, and long years have rolled,
It still doats on beauty and you;
And were I to yield to its inmost desire
I would labour by night and by day,
Till I won you to flee from the home of your sire,
To live with your love far away.

II.

But it is that my country's in bondage, and I
Have sworn to shatter her chains!
By my duty and oath I must do it or lie
A corse on her desolate plains:
Then, sure, dearest maiden, 'twere sinful to sue.
And crueller far to win,
But, should victory smile on my banner, to you
I shall fly without sorrow or sin





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