Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BALLAD TO AN ITALIAN TUNE , by PATRICK CAREY



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BALLAD TO AN ITALIAN TUNE , by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Poor heart, retire!
Last Line: When t'others it's granted, as well as to thee.
Subject(s): Love - Unrequited


I

POOR heart, retire!
Her looks deceive thee;
Soothe not thy desire
With hopes she'll receive thee:
Thyself never flatter;
Her smile was no call;
'Las! there's no such matter,
She looks thus on all.
Meant sh' aught by her smiling (poor heart, credit me)
She'd frown on thy rivals; she'd smile but on thee.

II

Thy flames extinguish,
No more them feeding:
Learn, learn to distinguish
'Twixt love and good breeding.
Fair words are in fashion,
Thou must not them mind;
She spoke not with passion,
To all she's as kind.
Meant sh' aught by those fair words (poor heart, credit me)
She'd speak that dear language to none but to thee.

III

Perhaps she granted
Some few faint kisses;
But ever they wanted
That which makes them blisses.
A kiss has no savour,
If love don't it own,
I count it no favour
'Less I kiss alone.
No kindness obliges (poor heart, credit me)
When t'others it's granted, as well as to thee.





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