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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


YOU SAY YOU LOVE by JOHN KEATS

Poet Analysis

First Line: YOU SAY YOU LOVE; BUT WITH A VOICE
Last Line: O LOVE ME TRULY!
Subject(s): LOVE;

I.

You say you love; but with a voice
Chaster than a nun's, who singeth
The soft Vespers to herself
While the chime-bell ringeth--
O love me truly!

II.

You say you love; but with a smile
Cold as sunrise in September,
As you were Saint Cupid's nun,
And kept his weeks of Ember.
O love me truly!

III.

You say you love--but then your lips
Coral tinted teach no blisses,
More than coral in the sea--
They never pout for kisses--
O love me truly!

IV.

You say you love; but then your hand
No soft squeeze for squeeze returneth,
It is like a statue's dead--
While mine to passion burneth--
O love me truly!

V.

O breathe a word or two of fire!
Smile, as if those words should burn me,
Squeeze as lovers should--O kiss
And in thy heart inurn me!
O love me truly!



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