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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SONNET: 16 by RICHARD BARNFIELD

First Line: LONG HAVE I LONG'D TO SEE MY LOVE AGAINE
Last Line: THUS WITH IXION, FEELE I ENDLES PAINE.
Subject(s): ABSENSE; LOVE;

Long have I long'd to see my Love againe,
Still have I wisht, but never could obtaine it;
Rather than all the world (if I might gaine it)
Would I desire my loves sweet precious gaine.
Yet in my soule I see him everie day,
See him, and see his still sterne countenaunce,
But (ah) what is of long continuance,
Where Maiestie and Beautie beares the sway?
Sometimes, when I imagine that I see him,
(As love is full of foolish fantasies)
Weening to kisse his lips, as my loves fee's,
I feele but Aire: nothing but Aire to bee him.
Thus with Ixion, kisse I clouds in vaine:
Thus with Ixion, feele I endles paine.



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