Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SONGS, SET TO MUSIC BY THE MOST EMINENT MASTERS: 15, by MATTHEW PRIOR


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SONGS, SET TO MUSIC BY THE MOST EMINENT MASTERS: 15, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Once I was unconfined and free
Last Line: When both must quit the field.
Subject(s): Cupid; Freedom; Hearts; Soul; Eros; Liberty


ONCE I was unconfined and free,
Would I had been so still!
Enjoying sweetest liberty,
And roving at my will.

But now, not master of my heart,
Cupid does so decide,
That two she-tyrants shall it part,
And so poor me divide.

Victoria's will I must obey,
She acts without control:
Phillis has such a taking way,
She charms my very soul.

Deceived by Phillis' looks and smiles,
Into her snares I run;
Victoria shows me all her wiles,
Which yet I dare not shun.

From one I fancy every kiss
Has something in 't divine;
And, awful, taste the balmy bliss,
That joins her lips with mine.

But, when the other I embrace,
Though she be not a queen,
Methinks 'tis sweet with such a lass
To tumble on the green.

Thus here you see a shared heart,
But I, meanwhile, the fool;
Each in it has an equal part,
But neither yet the whole.

Nor will it, if I right forecast,
To either wholly yield;
I find the time approaches fast,
When both must quit the field.





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