Classic and Contemporary Poetry
LOVE'S FIRST APPROACH, by JOAN PHILIPS Poet's Biography First Line: Strephon I saw, and started at the sight Last Line: Tis better still than a wild liberty. Alternate Author Name(s): Ephelia Subject(s): Love - Beginnings | ||||||||
Strephon I saw, and started at the sight, And interchangeably looked red and white; I felt my Blood run swiftly to my heart, And a chill Trembling seize each outward part: My Breath grew short, my Pulse did quicker beat, My Heart did heave, as it would change its Seat: A faint cold sweat o'er all my Body spread, A giddy Megrim1 wheeled about my head: When for the reason of this change I sought, I found my Eyes had all the mischief wrought; For they my Soul to Strephon had betrayed, And my weak heart his willing Victim made: The Traitors, conscious of the Treason They had committed 'gainst my Reason, Looked down with such a bashful guilty Fear, As made their fault to every Eye appear. Though the first fatal look too much had done, The lawless wanderers would still gaze on, Kind Looks repeat, and Glances steal, till they Had looked my Liberty and Heart away: Great Love, I yield; send no more Darts in vain, I am already fond of my soft Chain; Proud of my Fetters, so pleased with my state, That I the very Thoughts of Freedom hate. O Mighty Love! thy Art and Power join, To make his Frozen breast as warm as mine; But if thou try'st, and can'st not make him kind, In Love such pleasant, real Sweets I find; That though attended with Despair it be, 'Tis better still than a wild Liberty. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WHY I MIGHT GO TO THE NEXT FOOTBALL GAME by DENIS JOHNSON THE POOL by ALEXANDER ANDERSON COZY APOLOGIA; FOR FRED by RITA DOVE YOU NOW HOLDING THIS BOOK IN HAND by ALICE NOTLEY FALLING IN LOVE IN SPAIN OR MEXICO by RON PADGETT WHEN LOVE WAS BORN by SARA TEASDALE MAIDENHEAD: WRITTEN AT THE REQUEST OF A FRIEND by JOAN PHILIPS |
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