Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ARIADNE TO THESEUS, by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ARIADNE TO THESEUS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Sunlight to the river
Last Line: Be mine the sad alloy!
Alternate Author Name(s): Alleyne, Ellen; Rossetti, Christina
Subject(s): Love - Loss Of; Pain; Theseus; Unfaithfulness; Suffering; Misery; Infidelity; Adultery; Inconstancy


1

Sunlight to the river,
Moonlight to the sea,
As false and as fleeting
Thou hast been to me.

2

And I've been like the lily
That to the summer clings,
Or like the nightingale
That to the sweet rose sings:

3

That wooing never ceases
For her indifference,
And never his beloved flower
Reproaching will incense.

4

But thou more cruel than the rose
Hast left me faithlessly,
To mourn for ever and alone
Over thy perfidy.

5

Soft breezes! waft him not
Across the wide wide sea;
Ingulph, just waves of Ocean!
The wretch who flies from me.

6

Ah no! 'tis vain! Affection
For my false love still remains:
Blow, breezes! Peace, ye waters!
Revenge not ye my pains!

7

May happiness attend thee,
Who hast ta'en from me all joy!
Be thine unmixed pleasure;
Be mine the sad alloy!





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