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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE SCRUTINY; SONG by RICHARD LOVELACE

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: WHY SHOULD YOU SWEAR I AM FORSWORN
Last Line: EVEN SATED WITH VARIETY.
Subject(s): LOVE;

Why should'st thou swear I am forsworn
Since thine I vowed to be?
Lady, it is already morn,
And 'twas last night I swore to thee
That fond impossibility.

Have I not loved thee much and long,
A tedious twelve hours' space?
I should all other beauties wrong,
And rob thee of a new embrace,
Should I still dote upon thy face.

Not but all joy in thy brown hair
By others may be found;
But I must search the black and fair,
Like skillful min'ralists that sound
For treasure in un-plowed-up ground.

Then if, when I have loved my round,
Thou prov'st the pleasant she,
With spoils of meaner beauties crowned,
I laden will return to thee,
Even sated with variety.




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