Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE EXCUSE, by WALTER RALEIGH



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE EXCUSE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Calling to mind, my eyes [or mine eyes] long went about
Last Line: I lov'd my selfe, bicause my selfe lov'd you.
Alternate Author Name(s): Ralegh, Walter
Subject(s): Love


Calling to minde mine eyes long went about
T' entice my hart to seeke to leave my brest,
All in a rage I thought to pull it out,
By whose device I liv'd in such unrest,
What could it say to purchase so my grace?
Forsooth that it had seene my Mistres face.
Another time I likewise call to minde,
My hart was he that all my woe had wrought,
For he my brest the fort of Love resignde,
When of such warrs my fancie never thought,
What could it say, when I would him have slaine?
But he was yours, and had forgone me cleane.
At length when I perceiv'd both eie and hart,
Excusde themselves, as guiltles of mine ill,
I found my selfe was cause of all my smart,
And tolde my selfe, my selfe now slay I will:
But when I found my selfe to you was true,
I lov'd my selfe, bicause my selfe lov'd you.









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