Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PLATONIC [OR, PLATONICK] LOVE (1), by EDWARD HERBERT


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PLATONIC [OR, PLATONICK] LOVE (1), by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Disconsolate and sad
Last Line: My chief contentment I will entertain.
Alternate Author Name(s): Cherbury, 1st Baron Herbert Of; Herbert Of Cherbury, Edward Herbert, 1st Baron; Herbert Of Cherbury, Lord
Subject(s): Love - Nature Of


DISCONSOLATE and sad,
So little hope of remedy I find,
That when my matchless mistress were inclined
To pity me, 'twould scarcely make me glad,
The discomposing of so fair a mind
B'ing that which would to my afflictions add.

For when she should repent
This act of charity had made her part
With such a precious jewel as her heart,
Might she not grieve that ere she did relent?
And then were it [not] fit I felt the smart
Until I grew the greater penitent?

Nor were't a good excuse,
When she pleas'd to call for her heart again,
To tell her of my suffering and pain,
Since that I should her clemency abuse,
While she did see what wrong she did sustain
In giving what she justly might refuse.

Vex'd thus with me at last,
When from her kind restraint she now were gone,
And I left to the manacles alone,
Should I not on another rock be cast,
Since they who have not yet content do moan
Far less than they whose hope thereof is past?

Besides, I would deserve,
And not live poorly on the alms of love,
Or claim a favour did not singly move
From my regard if she her joys reserve
Unto some other, she at length should prove,
Rather than beg her pity I would starve.

Let her then be serene,
Alike exempt from pity and from hate;
Let her still keep her dignity and state;
Yet from her glories something I shall glean,
For when she doth them everywhere dilate,
A beam or two to me must intervene.

And this shall me sustain,
For though due merit I cannot express,
Yet she shall know none ever lov'd for less
Or easier reward: let her remain
Still great and good, and from her happiness
My chief contentment I will entertain.





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