OH not that I am faithless say Or that my love's no more the same, If Cynthia once inspired my lay, And then Licymnia lit the flame One goddess only I adore, Although in different forms I woo her; Nor, though she bid me love no more, Could I be e'er inconstant to her. The sailor, midst the dangerous main, Full many a lovely region sees, Fair islands, bright with golden grain, And rich with ever-blooming trees; But, till the destined port he gains, Those transient charms he little prizes, And quits with joy the happiest plains Soon as a favouring gale arises. My fancy had a mistress drawn, And stamp'd her image on my heart; I roved o'er hill and vale and lawn, But ne'er could find the counterpart: This had the form, the air, the face, That, the sweet smile's bewitching beauty, And every singly winning grace Fix'd for the time my wandering duty. But now 'tis sped -- my fancy's flight: All former trivial, vain desires, Like spectres fade before the light, Or perish in sublimer fires. @3He@1 needs not fear again to fall Before the shadow of perfection, Who for the bright original Has dared avow his soul's election. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...REPULSE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON STUDY FOR A GEOGRAPHICAL TRAIL; 4. NEW JERSEY by CLARENCE MAJOR THE AWAKENING RIVER by KATHERINE MANSFIELD THE CHARGE OF THE BREAD BRIGADE by EZRA POUND I HAVE SEEN THE SPRING' by SARA TEASDALE MARIANNA ALCOFORANDO by SARA TEASDALE OWEN SEAMAN; ESTABLISHES ENTENE CORDIALE IN MANNER GUY WETMORE CARRYL by LOUIS UNTERMEYER |