WERT thou by all affections sought, And fairer than thou wouldst be thought; Or had thine eyes as many darts As thou believ'st they shoot at hearts; Yet if thy love were paid to me, I would not offer mine to thee. I'd sooner court a fever's heat, Than her that owns a flame as great; She that my love will entertain, Must meet it with no less disdain; For mutual fires themselves destroy, And willing kisses yield no joy. I love thee not because alone Thou canst all beauty call thine own Nor doth my passion fuel seek In thy bright eye or softer cheek: Then, fairest, if thou wouldst know why I love thee, 'cause thou canst deny. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HAMATREYA by RALPH WALDO EMERSON FRIENDS BEYOND by THOMAS HARDY THE OLD CHURCHYARD OF BONCHURCH by PHILIP BOURKE MARSTON THE ROSE (2) by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI MY GARDEN by CLARA MCKEE BEEDE |