Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE FAIR BEGGAR, by RICHARD LOVELACE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE FAIR BEGGAR, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Commanding asker, if it be
Last Line: I starve your body you my mind.


COMMANDING asker, if it be
Pity that you fain would have,
Then I turn beggar unto thee,
And ask the thing that thou dost crave;
I will suffice thy hungry need,
So thou wilt but my fancy feed.

In all ill years was't ever known
On so much beauty such a dearth,
Which, in that thrice-bequeathed gown,
Looks like the sun eclips'd with earth,
Like gold in canvas, or with dirt
Unsoiled ermines close begirt?

Yet happy he, that can but taste
This whiter skin, who thirsty is;
Fools dote on satin motions lac'd,
The gods go naked in their bliss;
At th' barrel's head there shines the vine,
There only relishes the wine.

There quench my heat, and thou shalt sup
Worthy the lips that it must touch;
Nectar from out the starry cup,
I beg thy breath not half so much:
So both our wants suppli'd shall be,
You'll give for love, I charity.

Cheap then are pearl-embroideries,
That not adorn, but clouds thy waist;
Thou shalt be cloth'd above all price,
If thou wilt promise me embrac'd;
We'll ransack neither chest or shelf,
I'll cover thee with mine own self.

But, cruel, if thou dost deny
This necessary alms to me,
What soft-soul'd man but with his eye
And hand will hence be shut to thee?
Since all must judge you more unkind:
I starve your body you my mind.





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