Classic and Contemporary Poetry
PLATONIC [OR, PLATONICK] LOVE (1), by EDWARD HERBERT Poet's Biography First Line: Disconsolate and sad Last Line: My chief contentment I will entertain. Alternate Author Name(s): Cherbury, 1st Baron Herbert Of; Herbert Of Cherbury, Edward Herbert, 1st Baron; Herbert Of Cherbury, Lord Subject(s): Love - Nature Of | ||||||||
DISCONSOLATE and sad, So little hope of remedy I find, That when my matchless mistress were inclined To pity me, 'twould scarcely make me glad, The discomposing of so fair a mind B'ing that which would to my afflictions add. For when she should repent This act of charity had made her part With such a precious jewel as her heart, Might she not grieve that ere she did relent? And then were it [not] fit I felt the smart Until I grew the greater penitent? Nor were't a good excuse, When she pleas'd to call for her heart again, To tell her of my suffering and pain, Since that I should her clemency abuse, While she did see what wrong she did sustain In giving what she justly might refuse. Vex'd thus with me at last, When from her kind restraint she now were gone, And I left to the manacles alone, Should I not on another rock be cast, Since they who have not yet content do moan Far less than they whose hope thereof is past? Besides, I would deserve, And not live poorly on the alms of love, Or claim a favour did not singly move From my regard if she her joys reserve Unto some other, she at length should prove, Rather than beg her pity I would starve. Let her then be serene, Alike exempt from pity and from hate; Let her still keep her dignity and state; Yet from her glories something I shall glean, For when she doth them everywhere dilate, A beam or two to me must intervene. And this shall me sustain, For though due merit I cannot express, Yet she shall know none ever lov'd for less Or easier reward: let her remain Still great and good, and from her happiness My chief contentment I will entertain. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...RESCUE THE DEAD by DAVID IGNATOW BUTTERFLIES UNDER PERSIMMON by MARK JARMAN CHAMBER MUSIC: 27 by JAMES JOYCE CHAMBER MUSIC: 28 by JAMES JOYCE CHAMBER MUSIC: 30 by JAMES JOYCE HE WHO KNOWS LOVE by ELSA BARKER LOVE'S HUMBLENESS by ELSA BARKER SONG (IN THE LUCKY CHANCE) by APHRA BEHN AN ODE UPON A QUESTION WHETHER LOVE SHOULD CONTINUE FOREVER by EDWARD HERBERT DITTY IN IMITATION OF THE SPANISH: ENTRE TANTO QUE L'AVRIL by EDWARD HERBERT EPITAPH FOR SIR PHILIP SIDNEY, AT ST. PAUL'S WITHOUT A MONUMENT ... by EDWARD HERBERT |
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