Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE REQUITAL, by HERBERT TRENCH


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE REQUITAL, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: What shall I give you, woman dear?
Last Line: He will not give you faithfulness.
Subject(s): Fidelity; Love - Unrequited; Faithfulness; Constancy


WHAT shall I give you, woman dear?
Kiss for your eyes, pearl for your ear,
Praise to requite you,
Toils to delight you,
Or trophies that shall leave your name
Canopied by outlasting fame?
Ah no! much less!
Give me, O give me faithfulness!

Kindness I'll give -- with sovran care
Harbour you like some temple fair,
With care that shields
Your way through fields
Flower-soft, and makes the wise of ages
Only your ministers and mages . . .
Nay, would you bless,
Give me, O give me faithfulness!

Take this instead -- this throbbing rose,
Passion, whose cloudy cups disclose,
Core within core,
Sea-and-moon-lore,
And the breath of lovers, whose exchange
Of being and worship still is strange . . .
Fair it is, yes . . .
But give, O give me faithfulness!

'Tis true, you came with silvery zone
All the world's dayspring in your own;
True that you gave
All he could crave;
True, on your bosom warm and pure
His children smile in sleep secure;
But no! Ask less --
He will not give you faithfulness.





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