Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ODE; TO CHLORIS, by CHARLES COTTON


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ODE; TO CHLORIS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Fair and cruel, still in vain
Last Line: Love or death should set me free.
Subject(s): Love


I

FAIR and Cruel, still in vain
Must I adore, still, still persevere,
Languish still, and still complain,
And yet a med'cine for my fever
Never, never must obtain?

II

Chloris, how are you to blame,
To him that dies, to be so cruel
Not to stay my falling frame,
Since your fair eyes do dart the fuel
That still nourishes my flame?

III

Shade those glories of thine eye,
Or let their influence be milder,
Beauty, and disdain destroy
Alike, and make our passions wilder,
Either let me live or die.

IV

I have lov'd thee (let me see;
Lord, how long a time of loving!)
Years no less than three times three,
Still my flame and pain improving,
Yet still paid with cruelty.

V

What more wouldst thou have of me?
Surely I've serv'd a pretty season,
And so prov'd my constancy,
That methinks it is but reason
Love or Death should set me free.





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