Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, CLOE JEALOUS, by MATTHEW PRIOR


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CLOE JEALOUS, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Forbear to ask me, why I weep
Last Line: My answer to thy dubious verse.
Subject(s): Beauty; Jealousy; Mythology - Classical; Riddles; Tears; Venus (goddess)


Forbear to ask me why I weep,
Vexed Cloe to her shepherd said:
'Tis for my two poor straggling sheep,
Perhaps, or for my squirrel dead.

For mind I what you late have writ?
Your subtle questions and replies,
Emblems to teach a female wit
The ways where changing Cupid flies.

Your riddle, purposed to rehearse
The general power that beauty has:
But why did no peculiar verse
Describe one charm of Cloe's face?

The glass which was at Venus' shrine
With such mysterious sorrow laid;
The garland (and you call it mine)
Which showed how youth and beauty fade --

Ten thousand trifles light as these
Nor can my rage nor anger move;
She should be humble who would please,
And she must suffer who can love.

When in my glass I chanced to look,
Of Venus what did I implore?
That every grace which thence I took,
Should know to charm my Damon more.

Reading thy verse; who heeds, said I,
If here or there his glances flew?
Oh, free forever be his eye,
Whose heart to me is always true!

My bloom indeed, my little flower
Of beauty quickly lost its pride;
For severed from its native bower
It on thy glowing bosom died.

Yet cared I not, what might presage
Or withering wreath or fleeting youth:
Love I esteemed more strong than age,
And time less permanent than truth.

Why then I weep, forbear to know:
Fall uncontrolled my tears, and free:
O Damon, 'tis the only woe,
I ever yet concealed from thee.

The secret wound with which I bleed
Shall lie wrapped up, even in my hearse:
But on my tombstone thou shalt read
My answer to thy dubious verse.





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