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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TAKING LEAVE OF CHLORIS by CHARLES COTTON

Poet Analysis

First Line: SHE SIGHS AS IF SHE WOULD RESTORE
Last Line: AND I AM PAID MY FULL ARREAR.
Subject(s): LOVE;
I

SHE sighs as if she would restore
The life she took away before;
As if she did recant my doom,
And sweetly would reprieve me home:
Such hope to one condemn'd appears
From every whisper that he hears;
But what do such vain hopes avail,
If those sweet sighs compose a gale,
To drive me hence, and swell my sail?

II

See, see, she weeps! who would not swear
That love descended in that tear,
Boasting him of his wounded prize
Thus in the bleeding of her eyes?
Or that those tears with just pretence
Would quench the fire that came from thence?
But oh! they are (which strikes me dead)
Crystal her frozen heart has bred,
Neither in love nor pity shed.

III

Thus of my merit jealous grown,
My happiness I dare not own,
But wretchedly her favours wear,
Blind to myself, unjust to her
Whose sighs and tears at least discover
She pities, if not loves her lover:
And more betrays the tyrant's skill,
Than any blemish in her will,
That thus laments whom she doth kill.

IV

Pity still (Sweet) my dying state,
My flame may sure pretend to that,
Since it was only unto thee
I gave my life and liberty;
Howe'er my life's misfortune's laid,
By love I'm pity's object made.
Pity me then, and if thou hear
I'm dead, drop such another tear,
And I am paid my full arrear.



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