DEAR, back my wounded heart restore, And turn away thy powerful eyes; Flatter my willing soul no more! Love must not hope what Fate denies. Take, take away thy smiles and kisses! Thy love wounds deeper than disdain; For he that sees the heaven he misses, Sustains two hells, of loss and pain. Shouldst thou some other's suit prefer, I might return thy scorn to thee, And learn apostasy of her, Who taught me first idolatry. Or in thy unrelenting breast Should I disdain or coyness move, He by thy hate might be releas'd, Who now is prisoner to thy love. Since then unkind Fate will divorce Those whom Affection long united, Be thou as cruel as this force, And I in death shall be delighted. Thus while so many suppliants woo, And beg they may thy pity prove, I only for thy scorn do sue: 'Tis charity here not to love. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ESTRANGEMENT by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON SELF-REJECTED by JEAN STARR UNTERMEYER THE RESPECTABLE BURGHER, ON 'THE HIGHER CRITICISM' by THOMAS HARDY QUATORZAINS: 11. A CLOCK STRIKING AT MIDNIGHT by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES IN THE DARK by FRANCES LOUISA BUSHNELL MASQUE AT THE MARRIAGE OF THE EARL OF SOMERSET: ETERNITY SINGS ALONE by THOMAS CAMPION |