Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A DIALOGUE BETWEEN STREPHON AND DAPHNE, by JOHN WILMOT


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A DIALOGUE BETWEEN STREPHON AND DAPHNE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Prithee now, fond fool, give o'er
Last Line: Making fools, than keeping lovers.
Alternate Author Name(s): Rochester, 2d Earl Of
Subject(s): Women


STREPHON.

Prithee now, fond fool, give o'er.
Since my heart is gone before,
To what purpose should I stay?
Love commands another way.

DAPHNE.

Perjured swain, I knew the time
When dissembling was your crime;
In pity now employ that art
Which first betrayed, to ease my heart.

STREPHON.

Women can with pleasure feign;
Men dissemble still with pain.
What advantage will it prove
If I lie, who cannot love?

DAPHNE.

Tell me, then, the reason why
Love from hearts in love does fly;
Why the bird will build a nest
Where he ne'er intends to rest?

STREPHON.

Love, like other little boys,
Cries for hearts, as they for toys --
Which, when gained, in childish play
Wantonly are thrown away.

DAPHNE.

Still on wing, or on his knees,
Love does nothing by degrees:
Basely flying when most prized,
Meanly fawning when despised,
Flattering or insulting ever,
Generous and grateful never.
All his joys are fleeting dreams,
All his woes severe extremes.

STREPHON.

Nymph, unjustly you inveigh:
Love, like us, must fate obey.
Since 'tis nature's law to change,
Constancy alone is strange.
See the heavens in lightnings break,
Next in storms of thunder speak,
Till a kind rain from above
Makes a calm -- so 'tis in love.
Flames begin our first address;
Like meeting thunder we embrace;
Then, you know, the showers that fall
Quench the fire, and quiet all.

DAPHNE.

How should I these showers forget?
'Twas so pleasant to be wet!
They killed love, I knew it well:
I died all the while they fell.
Say, at least, what nymph it is
Robs my breast of so much bliss!
If she's fair, I shall be eased:
Through my ruin you'll be pleased.

STREPHON.

Daphne never was so fair,
Strephon scarcely so sincere:
Gentle, innocent, and free,
Ever pleased with only me.
Many charms my heart enthrall,
But there's one above them all:
With aversion she does fly
Tedious, trading constancy.

DAPHNE.

Cruel shepherd, I submit:
Do what love and you think fit.
Change is fate, and not design;
Say you would have still been mine.

STREPHON.

Nymph, I cannot; 'tis too true,
Change has greater charms than you.
Be by my example wise:
Faith to pleasure sacrifice.

DAPHNE.

Silly swain, I'll have you know
'Twas my practice long ago.
Whilst you vainly thought me true,
I was false in scorn of you.
By my tears, my heart's disguise,
I thy love and thee despise.
Womankind more joy discovers
Making fools, than keeping lovers.






Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net