Classic and Contemporary Poetry
FALSE LOVE, by WALTER RALEIGH Poet's Biography First Line: Farewell, false love, the oracle of lies Last Line: Dead is the root whence all these fancies grew. Alternate Author Name(s): Ralegh, Walter Variant Title(s): A Farewell To False Love Subject(s): Love | ||||||||
Farewell, false love, the oracle of lies, A mortal foe and enemy to rest; An envious boy, from whom all cares arise, A bastard vile, a beast with rage possessed; A way of error, a temple full of treason, In all effects contrary unto reason. A poisoned serpent covered all with flowers, Mother of sighs and murtherer of repose, A sea of sorrows from whence are drawn such showers As moisture lends to every grief that grows; A school of guile, a net of deep deceit, A gilded hook that holds a poisoned bait. A fortress foiled which reason did defend, A siren song, a fever of the mind, A maze wherein affection finds no end, A raging cloud that runs before the wind, A substance like the shadow of the sun, A goal of grief for which the wisest run. A quenchless fire, a nurse of trembling fear, A path that leads to peril and mishap; A true retreat of sorrow and despair, An idle boy that sleeps in pleasure's lap, A deep distrust of that which certain seems, A hope of that which reason doubtful deems. Sith then thy trains my younger years betrayed, And for my faith ingratitude I find, And sith repentance hath my wrongs bewrayed Whose course was ever contrary to kind -- False love, desire, and beauty frail, adieu! Dead is the root whence all these fancies grew. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE INVENTION OF LOVE by MATTHEA HARVEY TWO VIEWS OF BUSON by ROBERT HASS A LOVE FOR FOUR VOICES: HOMAGE TO FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN by ANTHONY HECHT AN OFFERING FOR PATRICIA by ANTHONY HECHT LATE AFTERNOON: THE ONSLAUGHT OF LOVE by ANTHONY HECHT A SWEETENING ALL AROUND ME AS IT FALLS by JANE HIRSHFIELD A VISION UPON [THIS CONCEIT] OF THE FAERIE QUEENE (1) by WALTER RALEIGH A VISION UPON [THIS CONCEIT] OF THE FAERIE QUEENE (2) by WALTER RALEIGH |
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