Classic and Contemporary Poetry
AGAINST MODESTY IN LOVE, by MATTHEW PRIOR Poet's Biography First Line: For many unsuccessful years Last Line: Had foolishly denied. Subject(s): Cupid; Fear; Kisses; Love; Modesty; Tears; Eros | ||||||||
For many unsuccessful years At Cynthia's feet I lay; And often bathed them with my tears, Despaired, but durst not pray. No prostrate wretch, before the shrine Of any saint above, E'er thought his goddess more divine, Or paid more awful love. Still the disdainful dame looked down With an insulting pride; Received my passion with a frown, Or tossed her head aside. When Cupid whispered in my ear, 'Use more prevailing charms, Fond, whining, modest fool, draw near, And clasp her in your arms. 'With eager kisses tempt the maid, From Cynthia's feet depart; The lips he warmly must invade Who would possess the heart.' With that I shook off all my fears, My better fortune tried; And Cynthia gave what she for years Had foolishly denied. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MESSAGE FROM THE SLEEPER AT HELL'S MOUTH: 6. ONESELF AT HELL'S MOUTH by ALICIA SUSKIN OSTRIKER SONNET: O HUSBAND! by ANNE WALDMAN EROS by ROBERT SEYMOUR BRIDGES CLEOMENS, OR THE SPARTAN HERO: SONG by JOHN DRYDEN A CELEBRATION OF CHARIS: 5. HIS DISCOURSE WITH CUPID by BEN JONSON CUPID MISTAKEN by MATTHEW PRIOR DEATH AND CUPID; AN ALLEGORY by JOHN GODFREY SAXE A BETTER ANSWER (TO CHLOE JEALOUS) by MATTHEW PRIOR A DUTCH PROVERB by MATTHEW PRIOR A LETTER TO LADY [MISS] MARGARET-CAVANDISH-HOLLES-HARLEY, WHEN A CHILD by MATTHEW PRIOR |
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