Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SONG, by JOHN DOWLAND


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

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First Line: Faction that ever dwells
Last Line: Fortune, adieu.
Subject(s): Happiness; Joy; Delight


FACTION that ever dwells,
In court where wit excels,
Hath set defiance:
Fortune and love hath sworn,
That they were never born
Of one alliance.

Fortune swears, weakest hearts
The book of Cupid's arts
Turn with her wheel,
Senses themselves shall prove
Venture her place in love
Ask them that feel.

This discord it begot
Atheist that honour not
Nature thought good,
Fortune should ever dwell
In court where wits excel
Love keep the wood.

So to the wood went I
With love to live and die
Fortune forlorn,
Experience of my youth
Made me think humble truth
In desert born.

My Saint is dear to me,
And Joan herself is she
Joan fair and true,
Joan that doth ever move,
Passions of love with love
Fortune, adieu.





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