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ASTROPHEL AND STELLA: 54, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Because I breathe not love to every one
Last Line: They love indeed who quake to say they love.
Variant Title(s): "love's Silence;""because I Breathe Not Love To Everie One"";
Subject(s): Love


BECAUSE I breathe not love to everie one,
Nor do not use set colors for to weare,
Nor nourish special locks of vowed haire,
Nor give each speech a full point of a groane, --
The courtlie nymphs, acquainted with the moane
Of them who on their lips Love's standard beare,
"What! he?" say they of me. "Now I dare
sweare
He cannot love. No, no! let him alone."
And think so still, -- if Stella know my minde.
Profess, indeed, I do not Cupid's art;
But you, faire maids, at length this true shall
finde, --
That his right badge is but worne in the hearte.
Dumb swans, not chattering pies, do lovers
prove:
They love indeed who quake to say they love.




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