I HENCE, fond Disease, I say forbear, And strive t' afflict my Fair no more, In vain are thy attempts on her, She was, alas! so cold before. II Yet thou at once, by sympathy, Disturb'st two persons in one ill; For when she freezes, then I fry, And so complete her ague still. III Sure thou my choice would'st fain disgrace, By making her look pale and green, Had she no beauties, but her face, I never had a lover been. IV For sparkling eyes, and rosy cheeks Must, as her youth does fade, decay: But virtue, which her bosom decks, Will, when they're sunk and wither'd, stay. V Thou would'st eclipse that virtue too, For such a triumph far too dear, Making her tremble, as they do, Whom jealous guilt has taught to fear. VI I wish thy malice might so thrive To my advantage, as to shake Her flinty breast, that I might live, And on that part a battery make. VII But since assaults without some fire Are seldom to perfection brought, I may like thee baffled retire, Thou hast her burning fit forgot. VIII Since thy attempts then never can Achieve the power to destroy This wonder, and delight of man, Hence to some grosser body fly. IX Yet, as returning stomachs do Still covet some one dish they see: So when thou from my Fair do'st go Kind Ague, make her long for me. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE BARMAID AND THE ALEXANDRITE by KAREN SWENSON FATIGUE; EPIGRAM by HILAIRE BELLOC THE VOICE OF THE BANJO by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR THE VICTOR AT ANTIETAM [SEPTEMBER 17, 1862] by HERMAN MELVILLE THE FIRST PROCLAMATION OF MILES STANDISH [NOVEMBER 23, 1620] by MARGARET JUNKIN PRESTON FELISE by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE |