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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


HORACE: SONG AT THE END OF ACT 3 by PIERRE CORNEILLE

First Line: BEAUTY THAT IT SELF CAN KILL
Last Line: WHO ARE THE CONQUER'D, WITH THE CONQUEROR.
Subject(s): LOVE; WOMEN;

1

BEAUTY that it self can kill
Through the finest temper'd steel,
Can those wounds she makes endure,
And insult it o'er the brave,
Since she knows a certain cure,
When she is dispos'd to save:
But when a Lover bleeding lies,
Wounded by other arms,
And that she sees those harms,
For which she knows no remedies;
Then Beauty sorrow's livery wears,
And whilst she melts away in tears,
Drooping in sorrow shews
Like roses overcharg'd with morning dews.

2

Nor do women though they wear
The most tender character,
Suffer in this case alone:
Hearts enclosed with iron walls,
In humanity must groan
When a noble Hero falls.
Pitiless courage would not be
An honour, but a shame;
Nor bear the noble name
Of valour, but barbarity;
The generous even in success
Lament their enemy's distress:
And scorn it should appear
Who are the Conquer'd, with the Conqueror.



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