Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, AGNES DE CASTRO, SELECTION, by CATHARINE TROTTER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AGNES DE CASTRO, SELECTION, by                    
First Line: Ah! She who told me of my husband's heart
Last Line: Read from his hand, the sad, amazing truth.
Subject(s): Hate; Hearts; Love; Plays & Playwrights


Princess. Ah! She who told me of my Husband's Heart,
Is all a Charm, to plead for his excuse;
Young, Beautiful, Discreet, and Chast, as Fair;
By Nature form'd to captive ev'ry Heart,
My Reason must approve the Prince's choice,
For I my self, prefer her to my self,
And love her too, as tenderly as he,
Agnes. Who can this Angel be?
Princess. Are there so many merit more than I,
Thou can'st not guess among 'em?
Agnes. Indeed I know not one deserves like you;
And therefore cannot guess.
Princess. Have you so long been privy to my Thoughts,
Yet know not her who is so dear to me?
Who with the Prince shares my divided Heart
So equally, I cannot tell my self
To which I have given most; know you not her?
For if you know my Friend, you know my Rival.
Agnes. How very Miserable must I be
When I'm reduc'd to wish, you did not love me!
Those marks, of that peculiar, dear affection,
Which ev'ry day your partial kindness gave,
Are Witness which I wou'd disbelieve;
Oh! Let me think your Friendship was divided,
Tell me you have another, nearer Friend,
For I had rather lose your Love forever,
Than be the wretched Cause of your misfortune;
Rather be hated by you, than deserve it;
Oh ease my cruel fears, and name some other.
Princess. Too sure, alas, the Prince does love thee, Agnes
And I'm so vain to think that only thou,
Cou'd gain a Heart, to which I laid a claim.
Read from his Hand, the sad, amazing truth.





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