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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


CAELICA: 60 by FULKE GREVILLE

Poet Analysis

First Line: CAELICA, YOU SAID, I DO OBSCURELY LIVE
Last Line: MYSELF TO YOU, AND ALL THE REST TO IT.

Caelica, you said, I do obscurely live,
Strange to my friends, with strangers in suspect,
For darkness doth suspicion ever give
Of hate to men or too much self-respect.
Fame, you do say, with many wings doth fly;
Who leaves himself, you say, doth living die.

Caelica, 'tis true, I do in darkness go,
Honor I seek not, nor hunt after fame;
I am thought bound, I do not long to know;
I feel within, what men without me blame;
I scorn the world, the world scorns me, 'tis true;
What can a heart do more to honor you?

Knowledge and fame in open hearts do live,
Honor is pure heart's homage unto these,
Affection all men unto beauty give,
And by that law enjoined are to please;
The world in two I have divided fit,
Myself to you, and all the rest to it.



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