IN the first ruder age, when Love was wild, Not yet by laws reclaim'd, not reconcil'd To order, nor by Reason mann'd, but flew Full-summ'd by Nature, on the instant view Upon the wings of Appetite, at all The eye could fair, or sense delightful call; Election was not yet: but as their cheap Food from the oak, or the next acorn-heap, As water from the nearest spring or brook, So men their undistinguish'd females took By chance, not choice. But soon the heavenly spark That in man's bosom lurk'd broke through this dark Confusion: then the noblest breast first felt Itself for its own proper object melt. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...APPRECIATION by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH INGRATEFUL [OR UNGRATEFUL] BEAUTY THREATENED by THOMAS CAREW KILLED AT THE FORD by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW A DRINKING SONG by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS AN ESSAY TOWARDS A CHARACTER OF HIS SACRED MAJESTY KING JAMES II by PHILIP AYRES STANZAS ON THE DEATH OF SIR SAMUEL ROMILLY by BERNARD BARTON |