Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE EXPECTATION; SONG, by THOMAS FLATMAN


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE EXPECTATION; SONG, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Why did I ever see those glorious eyes
Last Line: And make a virtue of necessity.


I

WHY did I ever see those glorious eyes
My famish'd soul to tantalize?
I hop'd for Heav'n, which I had lately seen,
But ne'er perceiv'd the gulf between:
In vain for bliss did my presumptions seek,
My love so strong
I could not hold my tongue,
My heart so feeble that I durst not speak.

II.

Yet why do I my constitution blame,
Since all my heart is out of frame?
'Twere better, sure, my passion to appease,
With hope to palliate my disease:
And 'twill be something like tranquillity,
To hope for that
I must not compass yet,
And make a virtue of necessity.





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