Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THESEUS AND ARIADNE by LLOYD MIFFLIN

First Line: NAY, I HAVE LOVED THEE!
Last Line: YE GODS! HE LEAVES ME AND MY BABE TO BE!
Subject(s): ARIADNE; MYTHOLOGY - CLASSICAL; THESEUS;

Thes. Nay, I have loved thee!
Ari. Thou hast loved, didst say?
Thes. I loved thee well at Crete.
Ari. Lov'st me no more?
Thes. Ah! who can hold the wave upon the shore?
Ari. Thou, if thou wouldst; and oh! is that the way
Thou speak'st to me, who gave thee, on that day,
My flower of life?
Thes. My ship is ready -- sail and oar! . . .
Ari. Did I not save thee from the Minotaur, --
And wilt thou leave me?
Thes. Who can make love stay? . . .
Wax is my heart and takes full easily
The last print on 't. Past love is past recall.
Adieu! . . . Love has the helm -- he guides, not we . . .
Ari. Beloved Traitor! May thy black sail pall
Deep in the brine, thee, and thy maidens all! . . .
Ye gods! he leaves me and my babe to be!




Home: PoetryExplorer.net