Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A LETTER OF ADVICE, by THOMAS HOOD JR. Poet's Biography First Line: When you love - as all men will Last Line: "did I write my love a letter?" Alternate Author Name(s): Hood, Tom, The Younger Subject(s): Letters; Love | ||||||||
WHEN you loveas all men will Sing the theme of your devotion, Sueand vowand worship still Overflow with deep emotion, Bow to Cupid's sweet decrees, Lightly wear the happy fetter, Bend the knee and plead! But please, Do not write your love a letter! Ah! most tempting it may be: Ink flows freeand pens will write, And your passion fain you'd see Plainly mapped in black and white. Yet refrain from shedding ink, If you can:'tis wiserbetter. Ere you pen a sentence, think! Do not write your love a letter. Hearts may cool, and views may change Other scenes may seem inviting, But a heart can't safely range If committed 'tis to writing. What you've written is a writ, Holds you closely as a debtor. Will she spare you? Not a bit! Do not write your love a letter! Think of Breach of Promise cause, Think of barristers provoking, Leading you to slips and flaws, Turning all your love to joking. If you've written aught, they'll be Safe to find it as a setter Then you'll wish you'd hearkened me Do not write your love a letter! Oh, those letters read in Court! How the tender things seem stupid! How deep feeling seems but sport! How young Momus trips up Cupid! Take my warning thenor soon, O'er your folly you'll be fretter, Saying, "Why, poor, foolish spoon, Did I write my love a letter?" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE INVENTION OF LOVE by MATTHEA HARVEY TWO VIEWS OF BUSON by ROBERT HASS A LOVE FOR FOUR VOICES: HOMAGE TO FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN by ANTHONY HECHT AN OFFERING FOR PATRICIA by ANTHONY HECHT LATE AFTERNOON: THE ONSLAUGHT OF LOVE by ANTHONY HECHT A SWEETENING ALL AROUND ME AS IT FALLS by JANE HIRSHFIELD IN MEMORIAN TECHNICAM by THOMAS HOOD JR. |
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