Nay, Romney, nay -- I will not hear you say Those words again: "I love you, love you, sweet!" You are profane -- blasphemous. I repeat, You are no actor for so grand a play. You love with all your heart? Well, that may be; Some cups are fashioned shallow. Should I try To quench my thirst from one of those, when dry -- I who have had a full bowl proffered me -- A new bowl brimming with a draught divine, One single taste thrilled to the finger-tips? Think you I even care to bathe my lips With this poor sweetened water you call wine? And though I spilled the nectar ere 't was quaffed, And broke the bowl in wanton folly, yet I would die of my thirst ere I would wet My burning lips with any meaner draught. So leave me, Romney. One who has seen a play Enacted by a star cannot endure To see it rendered by an amateur. You know not what Love is -- now go away! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CIVIL WAR by CHARLES DAWSON SHANLY GREEN LEAVES AND SERE by MATHILDE BLIND THE LOVE SONNETS OF PROTEUS: 24, ASKING FOR HER HEART (2) by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT TO A TERRIER by PATRICK REGINALD CHALMERS THE TRANSFIGURER by GEORGE HERBERT CLARKE |