IF love loves truth, then women do not love; Their passions all are but dissembled shows; Now kind and free of favour if they prove, Their kindness straight a tempest over-throws. Then as a seaman the poor lover fares; The storm drowns him ere he can drown his cares. But why accuse I women that deceive? Blame then the foxes for their subtle wile: They first from Nature did their craft receive: It is a woman's nature to beguile. Yet some, I grant, in loving steadfast grow; But such by use are made, not Nature, so. O why had Nature power at once to frame Deceit and Beauty, traitors both to Love? O would Deceit had died when Beauty came With her divineness every heart to move! Yet do we rather wish, whate'er befall, To have fair women false than none at all. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CASTAWAY by WILLIAM COWPER ELEGY: 9. THE AUTUMNAL [BEAUTY] by JOHN DONNE THE BRONCHO THAT WOULD NOT BE BROKEN by NICHOLAS VACHEL LINDSAY A FATHER OF WOMEN: AD SOROREM E. B. by ALICE MEYNELL EPISTLE TO MISS TERESA BLOUNT, ON HER LEAVING THE TOWN by ALEXANDER POPE |