Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, AGAINST THEM WHO LAY UNCHASTITY TO THE SEX OF WOMAN, by WILLIAM HABINGTON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AGAINST THEM WHO LAY UNCHASTITY TO THE SEX OF WOMAN, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: They meet but with unwholesome springs
Last Line: Tis majesty to rule alone.
Subject(s): Fidelity; Lust; Women; Faithfulness; Constancy


They meet but with unwholesome springs,
And summers which infectious are;
They hear but when the mermaid sings,
And only see the falling star,
Who ever dare
Affirm no woman chaste and fair.
Go cure your fevers, and you'll say
The dog days scorch not all the year;
In copper mines no longer stay,
But travel to the West, and there
The right ones see,
And grant all gold's not alchemy.
What madman, 'cause the glow-worm's flame
Is cold, swears there's no warmth in fire?
'Cause some make forfeti of their name,
And slave themselves to man's desire,
Shall the sex free
From guilt, damned to the bondage be?
Nor grieve Castara, though 'twere frail,
Thy virtue then would brighter shine
When thy example should prevail,
And every woman's faith be thine:
And were there none,
'Tis majesty to rule alone.





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