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TO MARGUERITE by PIERRE DE RONSARD

First Line: IN MY HEART THERE IS NOT SET
Last Line: FOR WHOSE SAKE THIS HUE I BEAR.

IN my heart there is not set
Rose or other flower soe'er;
Through thee only, Margaret,
I this hue of pallor wear.

Thou art she whose conquering eyes
By a gracious look,
With a sudden swift surprise,
All my spirit took;
For thy sister, though she brook

Scarce a peer for beauty, yet
She has caused not my despair--
'Tis for thee, bright Margaret,
I this hue of pallor wear.

Sprang this fever on the eve
When my raptured heart
Thee did for its queen receive;
But the while did dart
Love-born languor--longing smart,

The swift fruit my love doth get.
Hence this pallor on me fell,
All because, bright Margaret,
I thy roses loved too well.

Ah! what magic has the power
From my heart to move
Pangs that do my life devour,
Sprung alone from love:
Of my torment nought can prove

(Save requital of Love's debt)
Any cure for such despair,
Caused by thee, bright Margaret,
For whose sake this hue I bear.



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