Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO THOMALIN, by PHINEAS FLETCHER


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO THOMALIN, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Thomalin, since thirsil nothing ha's to leave thee
Last Line: That given, nothing now remaineth more.


Thomalin, since Thirsil nothing ha's to leave thee,
And leave thee must; pardon me (gentle friend)
If nothing but my love I onely give thee;
Yet see how great this Nothing is, I send:
For though this love of thine I sweetest prove,
Nothing's more sweet then is this sweetest love.

The souldier Nothing like his prey esteems;
Nothing toss'd sailers equal with the shore:
Nothing before his health the sick man deems;
The pilgrim hugges his countrey; Nothing more:
The miser hoording up his golden wares,
This Nothing with his precious wealth compares.

Our thoughts ambition onely Nothing ends;
Nothing fills up the golden-dropsied minde:
The prodigall, that all so lavish spends,
Yet Nothing cannot; Nothing stayes behinde:
The King, that with his life a kingdome buyes,
Then life or crown doth Nothing higher prize.

Who all enjoyes, yet Nothing now desires;
Nothing is greater then the highest Jove:
Who dwells in heav'n, (then) Nothing more requires;
Love, more then honey; Nothing more sweet then love:
Nothing is onely better then the best;
Nothing is sure: Nothing is ever blest.

I love my health, my life, my books, my friends,
Thee; (dearest Thomalin) Nothing above thee:
For when my books, friends, health, life, fainting ends,
When thy love fails, yet Nothing still will love me:
When heav'n, and aire, the earth, and floating mains
Are gone, yet Nothing still untoucht remains.

Since then to other streams I must betake me,
And spitefull Chame of all ha's quite bereft me;
Since Muses selves (false Muses) will forsake me,
And but this Nothing, nothing els is left me;
Take thou my love, and keep it still in store:
That given, Nothing now remaineth more.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net