Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE HEART ENTIRE, by WILLIAM HERBERT (1580-1630)


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE HEART ENTIRE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Canst thou love me, and yet doubt
Last Line: Love being only soul to both.
Alternate Author Name(s): Pembroke, 3d Earl Of
Subject(s): Hearts; Love - Loss Of


CANST thou love me, and yet doubt
So much falsehood in my heart,
That a way I should find out
To impart
Fragments of a broken love to you,
More than all being less than due;
O no, love must clear distrust,
Or be eaten with that rust;
Short love-liking may find jars
The love that lasteth knows no wars.

There, belief begets delight,
And so satisfies desire,
That in them it shines as light—
No more fire;
All the burning qualities appeased,
Each in others' joying pleased,
Not a whisper, not a thought,
But 'twixt both in common's brought;
Even to see two they are loath,
Love being only soul to both.





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