Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE LEAN LOVER, by WILLIAM MOTHERWELL


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE LEAN LOVER, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: I paced, an easy rambler
Last Line: "go, faithless woman, go!"
Alternate Author Name(s): Brown, Isaac
Subject(s): Unfaithfulness; Infidelity; Adultery; Inconstancy


I PACED, an easy rambler,
Along the surf-washed shore --
And watched the noble freightage
The swelling ocean bore.
I met a moody fellow
Who thus discoursed his wo --
"Across the inconstant waters,
Deceitful woman, go!

"I loved that beauteous lady --
More truly wight ne'er loved --
I loved that high-born lady,
My faith she long had proved:
Her troth to me she plighted
With passion's amorous show --
Go o'er the inconstant waters,
Ungrateful worldling, go!

"Be mine you cliff-perched chapel
Which beetles o'er the deep;
There, like some way-worn palmer,
I'll sit me down and weep.
I'll note upon the billows
Her lessening sail of snow,
And waft across the waters --
Go, fleeting fair one, go!"

He clambered to the chapel
That toppled o'er the deep --
There, like a way-worn palmer,
He laid him down to weep:
And still I heard his wailing
Upon the strand below --
"Go o'er the inconstant waters,
Go, faithless woman, go!"





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