Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO A GENTILWOMAN, by O. R.



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO A GENTILWOMAN, by                    
First Line: Some women fayne that paris was
Last Line: Then men forsooth must bear the blame.
Subject(s): Fidelity; Helen Of Troy; Man-woman Relationships; Mythology - Classical; Paris (mythology); Faithfulness; Constancy; Male-female Relations


That said: All men must be false, they think not what they say.

Some women fain that Paris was
The falsest lover that could be:
Who for his life did nothing pass,
As all the world might plainly see:
But ventured life and limbs and all,
To keep his friend from Greekish thrall:
With many a broyle he dearly bought,
His Helen whom he long had sought.
For first Dame Venus granted him,
A gallant gift of beauties fleece:
Which boldly for to seek to win,
By surging seas he said to Greece:
And when he arrived there,
By earnest suit to win his dear
No greater pains might man endure,
Than Paris did for Helen sure.
Besides all this when they were well,
Both he and she arrived at Troy:
King Menelaus wrath did swell,
And swore, by sword, to rid their joy:
And so he did for ten years' space,
He lay before the Trojan face;
With all the haste he could make,
To be revenged for Helen's sake.
Love? Thus much did poor Paris bide,
Who is accounted most untrue:
All men be false it hath been said,
They think not what they speak (say you)
Yes Paris spoke, and sped with speed,
As all the heavenly Gods decreed
And proud himself a lover just
Till stately Troy was turned to dust.
I do not read of any man,
That so much was unfaithful found.
You did us wrong, to accuse us then,
And say our friendship is not sound:
If ant fault be found at all,
To women's lot it needs must fall:
If Helen had not been so light
Sir Paris had not died to fight.
The falsest men I can excuse
That ever you in stories read:
Therefore all men for to accuse,
Methinks it was not well decreed:
It is a sign you have not tried
What steadfastness in men both bide:
But when your time shall try them true,
This judgment then you must renew.
I know not every man's devise
But commonly they steadfast are:
Though you do make them of no price,
They break their vows but very rare:
They will perform their promise well,
And specially where love doth dwell:
Where friendship doth not justly frame,
Then men forsooth must bear the blame.





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