Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A DIALOGUE, by WILLIAM HERBERT (1580-1630)



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A DIALOGUE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: If her disdain least change in you can move
Last Line: Which never should to publique tend?
Alternate Author Name(s): Pembroke, 3d Earl Of
Subject(s): Donne, John (1572-1631); Poetry & Poets; Wotton, Sir Henry (1568-1639)


If her disdaine least change in you can move,
you doe not love,
For whilst your hopes give fuell to the fire,
you sell desire.
Love is not love, but given free,
And so is mine, so should yours bee.

Her heart that melts at others moane,
to mine is stone.
Her eyes that weepe a strangers hurt to see,
joy to wound mee:
Yet I so much affect each part,
As (caus'd by them) I love my smart.

Say her disdaynings justly must be grac't
with name of chaste.
And that shee frownes least longing should exceed,
and raging breed;
Soe can her rigor ne'er offend
Unlesse self-love seeke private end.

BEN: RUDDIER
'Tis love breeds love in mee, and cold disdaine
kils that againe,
As water causeth fire to fret and fume,
till all consume.
Who can of love more free gift make,
Then to loves self, for loves own sake.

I'll never dig in Quarry of an heart
to have no part,
Nor roast in fiery eyes, which alwayes are
Canicular.
Who this way would a Lover prove,
May shew his patience, not his love.

A frowne may be sometimes for physick good,
But not for food;
And for that raging humour there is sure
A gentler Cure.
Why barre you love of private end,
Which never should to publique tend?





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