Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE FOFEITURE, by HENRY KING (1592-1669) Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: My dearest, to let you or the world know Last Line: And take myself, as forfeited to you. | ||||||||
MY Dearest, To let you or the world know What debt of service I do truly owe To your unpattern'd self, were to require A language only form'd in the desire Of him that writes. It is the common fate Of greatest duties, to evaporate In silent meaning, as we often see Fires by their too much fuel smother'd be: Small obligations may find vent, and speak, When greater the unable debtor break. And such are mine to you, whose favour's store Hath made me poorer then I was before; For I want words and language to declare How strict my bond, or large your bounties are. Since nothing in my desp'rate fortune found, Can payment make, nor yet the sum compound; You must lose all, or else of force accept The body of a bankrupt for your debt. Then, Love, your bond to execution sue, And take myself, as forfeited to you. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SIC VITA by HENRY KING (1592-1669) THE EXEQUY [ON HIS WIFE] by HENRY KING (1592-1669) UPON THE DEATH OF MY EVER CONSTANT FRIEND DOCTOR DONNE, DEAN OF PAUL'S by HENRY KING (1592-1669) A LETTER by HENRY KING (1592-1669) A PENTITENTIAL HYMN by HENRY KING (1592-1669) A RENUNCIATION by HENRY KING (1592-1669) A SALUTATION OF HIS MAJESTY'S SHIP THE SOVEREIGN by HENRY KING (1592-1669) A SECOND ELEGY ON THE COUNTESS OF LEISTER by HENRY KING (1592-1669) AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT by HENRY KING (1592-1669) AN ELEGY OCCASIONED BY SICKNESS by HENRY KING (1592-1669) AN ELEGY ON SIR CHARLES LUCAS AND SIR GEORGE LISLE by HENRY KING (1592-1669) AN ELEGY UPON MRS. KIRK, UNFORTUNATELY DROWNED IN THAMES by HENRY KING (1592-1669) |
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