Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A DIALOGUE, by THOMAS RANDOLPH Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: My lalage, when I behold Last Line: And thou canst make us freeze beneath the line. Subject(s): Passion | ||||||||
THIRSIS. LALAGE. Thir. MY Lalage, when I behold So great a cold, And not a spark of heat in thy desire, I wonder what strange power of thine Kindles in mine So bright a flame, and such a burning fire. Lal. Can Thirsis in philosophy A true knight be, And not have learn'd the power of the sun? How he to sublunary things A fervour brings, Yet in himself is subject unto none? Thir. But why within thy eyes appear Never a tear, That cause from mine perpetual showers to fall? Lal. Fool, 'tis the power of fire, you know, To melt the snow, Yet has no moisture in itself at all. Thir. How can I be, dear virgin, show, Both fire and snow? Do you, that are the cause, the reason tell; More than [a] miracle to me It seems to be, That so much heat with so much cold should dwell. Lal. The reason I will render thee Why both should be. Audacious Thirsis, in thy love too bold, 'Cause thy sauciness durst aspire To such a fire. Thy love is hot; but 'tis thy hope is cold. Thir. Let pity move thy gentle breast To one opprest; This way or that, give ease to my desire, And either let love's fire be lost In hope's cold frost, Or hope's cold frost be warm'd in love's quick fire. Lal. O, neither, boy, neither of these Shall work thy ease! I'll pay thy rashness with immortal pain: As hope doth strive to freeze thy flame, Love melts the same: As love doth melt it, hope doth freeze't again. Thir. Come, gentle swains, lend me a groan To ease my moan. Chorus. Ah, cruel Love, how great a power is thine! Under the poles although we lie, Thou mak'st us fry: And thou canst make us freeze beneath the line. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...APPULDURCOMBE PARK by AMY LOWELL FIVE ACCOUNTS OF A MONOGAMOUS MAN by WILLIAM MEREDITH ON PASSION AS A LITERARY TRADITION by JOHN CIARDI LES GRANDES PASSIONS MANQUEES by IRVING FELDMAN FAIRIES' SONG by THOMAS RANDOLPH ODE TO MASTER ANTHONY STAFFORD [TO HASTEN HIM INTO COUNTRY] by THOMAS RANDOLPH |
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