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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO LUCASTA, [ON] GOING TO THE WARS by RICHARD LOVELACE

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: TELL ME NOT, SWEET, I AM UNKIND
Last Line: LOVED I NOT HONOUR MORE.
Subject(s): ABSENCE; DESIRE; DUTY; HEROISM; HONOR; LOVE; SOLDIERS; WAR; SEPARATION; ISOLATION; HEROES; HEROINES;

Tell me not, sweet, I am unkinde,
That from the nunnerie
Of thy chaste breast and quiet minde,
To warre and armes I flee.
True, a new mistresse now I chase. --
The first foe in the field;
And with a stronger faith imbrace
A sword, a horse, a shield.
Yet this inconstancy is such
As you, too, shall adore;
I could not love thee, deare, so much,
Loved I not honour more.



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