Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO AMANDA (1) by JAMES THOMSON (1700-1748)

Poet Analysis

First Line: AH, URGED TOO LATE, FROM BEAUTY'S BONDAGE FREE
Last Line: OR, PITYING, GIVE ME HOPE, OR BID ME DIE!

Ah, urged too late! from beauty's bondage free,
Why did I trust my liberty with thee?
And thou, why didst thou, with inhuman heart,
If not resolved to take, seduce my heart?
Yes, yes, you said, for lovers' eyes speak true;
You must have seen how fast my passion grew:
And, when your glances chanced on me to shine,
How my fond soul ecstatic sprung to thine!
But mark me, fair one -- what I now declare,
Thy deep attention claims and serious care:
It is no common passion fires my breast;
I must be wretched or I must be blest!
My woes all other remedy deny;
Or, pitying, give me hope, or bid me die!



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