Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ODES: BOOK 1: ODE 3. TO A FRIEND UNSUCCESSFUL IN LOVE, by MARK AKENSIDE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ODES: BOOK 1: ODE 3. TO A FRIEND UNSUCCESSFUL IN LOVE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Indeed, my phaedria, if to find
Last Line: Some happier love, some truer fair.
Subject(s): Love - Unrequited


I.

INDEED, my Phædria, if to find
That wealth can female wishes gain,
Had e'er disturb'd your thoughtful mind,
Or cost one serious moment's pain,
I should have said that all the rules
You learn'd of moralists and schools
Were very useless, very vain.

II.

Yet I perhaps mistake the case—
Say, though with this heroic air,
Like one that holds a nobler chase
You try the tender loss to bear,
Does not your heart renounce your tongue?
Seems not my censure strangely wrong,
To count it such a slight affair?

III.

When Hesper gilds the shaded sky,
Oft as you seek the well-known grove,
Methinks I see you cast your eye
Back to the morning scenes of love:
Each pleasing word you heard her say,
Her gentle look, her graceful way,
Again your struggling fancy move.

IV.

Then tell me, is your soul entire?
Does wisdom calmly hold her throne?
Then can you question each desire,
Bid this remain, and that begone?
No tear half-starting from your eye?
No kindling blush you know not why?
No stealing sigh, nor stifled groan?

V.

Away with this unmanly mood;
See where the hoary churl appears,
Whose hand hath seized the favourite good
Which you reserved for happier years:
While, side by side, the blushing maid
Shrinks from his visage, half afraid,
Spite of the sickly joy she wears.

VI.

Ye guardian powers of love and fame,
This chaste, harmonious pair behold;
And thus reward the generous flame
Of all who barter vows for gold.
O bloom of youth, O tender charms,
Well buried in a dotard's arms!
O equal price of beauty sold!

VII.

Cease then to gaze with looks of love:
Bid her adieu, the venal fair:
Unworthy she your bliss to prove;
Then wherefore should she prove your care?
No: lay your myrtle garland down;
And let awhile the willow's crown
With luckier omens bind your hair.

VIII.

O just escaped the faithless main,
Though driven unwilling on the land;
To guide your favour'd steps again,
Behold your better genius stand:
Where truth revolves her page divine,
Where virtue leads to honour's shrine,
Behold, he lifts his awful hand.

IX.

Fix but on these your ruling aim,
And time, the sire of manly care,
Will fancy's dazzling colours tame;
A soberer dress will beauty wear:
Then shall esteem by knowledge led
Enthrone within your heart and head
Some happier love, some truer fair.





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