Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE INCURABLE, by ABRAHAM COWLEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I try'd if books would cure my love, but found Last Line: There where they work not well. Subject(s): Love | ||||||||
1. I Try'd if Books would cure my Love, but found Love made them Non-sense all. I apply'd Receipts of Business to my wound, But stirring did the pain recall. 2. As well might Men who in a Feaver fry, Mathematique doubts debate, As well might men, who mad in darkness ly, Write the Dispatches of a State. 3. I try'd Devotion, Sermons, frequent Prayer, But those did worse than useless prove; For Pray'rs are turn'd to Sin, in those who are Out of Charity, or in Love. 4. I try'd in Wine to drown the mighty care; But Wine, alas, was Oyl to th' Fire. Like Drunkards' Eyes, my troubled Fancy there Did double the Desire. 5. I try'd what Mirth and Gaiety would do, And mixt with pleasant Companies; My Mirth did graceless and insipid grow, And 'bove a Clinch it could not rise. 6. Nay, God forgive me for't, at last I try'd 'Gainst this some new desire to stir, And lov'd again, but 'twas where I espy'd, Some faint Resemblances of Her. 7. The Physick made me worse with which I strove, This Mortal Ill t' expel; As wholesome Med'icines the Disease improve, There where they work not well. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE INVENTION OF LOVE by MATTHEA HARVEY TWO VIEWS OF BUSON by ROBERT HASS A LOVE FOR FOUR VOICES: HOMAGE TO FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN by ANTHONY HECHT AN OFFERING FOR PATRICIA by ANTHONY HECHT LATE AFTERNOON: THE ONSLAUGHT OF LOVE by ANTHONY HECHT A SWEETENING ALL AROUND ME AS IT FALLS by JANE HIRSHFIELD |
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