Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE CHANGE, by HENRY KING (1592-1669)



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THE CHANGE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: We lov'd as friends now twenty years and more
Last Line: When friends are frail and dropping to the grave.
Subject(s): Death; Dead, The


WE lov'd as friends now twenty years and more:
Is't time or reason, think you, to give o'er?
When, though two prenti'ships set Jacob free,
I have not held my Rachel dear at three.

Yet will I not your levity accuse;
Continuance sometimes is the worse abuse.
In judgement I might rather hold it strange,
If, like the fleeting world, you did not change:
Be it your wisdom therefore to retract,
When perseverance oft is folly's act.

In pity I can think, that what you do
Hath Justice in't, and some Religion too;
For of all virtues Moral or Divine,
We know, but Love, none must in Heaven shine:
Well did you the presumption then foresee
Of counterfeiting immortality:
Since had you kept our loves too long alive,
We might invade Heaven's prerogative;
Or in our progress, like the Jews, comprise
The Legend of an earthly Paradise.

Live happy, and more prosperous in the next.
You have discharg'd your old friend by the text.
Farewell, fair Shadow of a female faith,
And let this be our friendship's Epitaph:

Affection shares the frailty of our fate,
When (like ourselves) 'tis old and out of date:
'Tis just all human loves their period have,
When friends are frail and dropping to the grave.





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