Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE INCONSTANT, by ABRAHAM COWLEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE INCONSTANT, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: I never yet could see that face
Last Line: Since that by every spark is set on fire.
Subject(s): Fidelity; Faithfulness; Constancy


1.

I Never yet could see that face
Which had no dart for mee;
From fifteene yeares, to fiftie's space,
They all victorious bee.
Love, thou'rt a Devill; if I may call thee One;
For sure in Mee thy name is Legion.

2.

Colour, or Shape, good Limbes, or Face,
Goodnesse, or Wit in all I finde:
In Motion or in Speech a grace,
If all faile, yet 'tis Womankind;
And I'me so weake, the Pistoll need not bee
Double, or treble charg'd, to murther Mee.

3.

If Tall, the Name of Proper slays;
If faire, shee's pleasant as the Light;
If Low, her Prettinesse does please;
If Black, what Lover loves not Night?
If yellow-hair'd, I Love, lest it should bee
Th' excuse to others for not loving Mee.

4.

The Fat, like Plenty, fills my heart;
The Leane, with Love makes me too so.
If Streight, her Bodie's Cupid's Dart
To mee; if Crooked, 'tis his Bow.
Nay, Age it selfe does me to rage encline,
And strength to Women gives, as well as Wine.

5.

Just halfe as large as Charitie
My richly-landed Love's become;
And judg'd aright is Constancy,
Though it take up a larger roome.
Him, who loves alwaies one, why should they call
More Constant, then the Man loves Alwaies All?

6.

Thus with unwearied wings I flee
Through all Love's Gardens and his Fields;
And, like the wise industrious Bee,
No Weed, but Honey to me yields!
Honey still spent this dil'igence still supplies,
Though I return not home with laden Thighes.

7.

My Soul at first indeed did prove
Of prety Strength against a Dart,
'Till I this Habit got of Love;
But my consum'd and wasted Heart,
Once burnt to Tinder with a strong Desire,
Since that by every Spark is set on Fire.





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