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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SONNET by HENRY KING (1592-1669)

Poet Analysis

First Line: WHEN I ENTREAT, EITHER THOU WILT NOT HEAR
Last Line: WILT BE TOO SOON WITH AGE OR SORROW NIGHTED.
Subject(s): TRANSIENCE; IMPERMANENCE;

WHEN I entreat, either thou wilt not hear,
Or else my suit arriving at thy ear
Cools and dies there. A strange extremity!
To freeze i' th' Sun, and in the shade to fry.
Whilst all my blasted hopes decline so soon,
'Tis evening with me, though at high noon.

For pity to thyself, if not to me,
Think time will ravish, what I lose, from thee.
If my scorch'd heart wither through thy delay,
Thy beauty withers too. And swift decay
Arrests thy youth. So thou whilst I am slighted
Wilt be too soon with age or sorrow nighted.



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