Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE PENITENT; SONG, by THOMAS FLATMAN Poet's Biography First Line: Had I but known some years ago Last Line: Or never courted, or enjoy'd their love. Subject(s): Regret | ||||||||
I. HAD I but known some years ago What wretched lovers undergo, The tempests and the storms that rise From their Beloved's dangerous eyes, With how much torment they endure That ague and that calenture; Long since I had my error seen, Long since repented of my sin: Too late the soldier dreads the trumpet's sound That newly has receiv'd his mortal wound. II. But so adventurous was I My fortunes all alone to try, Needs must I kiss the burning light, Because it shin'd, because 'twas bright. My heart with youthful heat on fire, I thought some God did me inspire; And that blind zeal embold'ned me T' attempt Althea's Deity. Surely those happy Pow'rs that dwell above, Or never courted, or enjoy'd their love. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DEEP SORRINESS ATONEMENT SONG by GLYN MAXWELL MINOR MIRACLE by MARILYN NELSON A RENUNCIATION OF THE DESERT PRIMROSE; FOR J. ROBERT OPPENHEIMER by NORMAN DUBIE IN RETROSPECT by DAVID IGNATOW LULLABY FOR REGRET by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE AN APPEAL TO CATS IN THE BUSINESS OF LOVE; SONG by THOMAS FLATMAN |
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