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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


AGNES DE CASTRO, SELECTION by CATHARINE TROTTER

First Line: AH! SHE WHO TOLD ME OF MY HUSBAND'S HEART
Last Line: READ FROM HIS HAND, THE SAD, AMAZING TRUTH.
Subject(s): HATE; HEARTS; LOVE; PLAYS & PLAYWRIGHTS;

@3Princess.@1 Ah! She who told me of my Husband's Heart,
Is all a Charm, to plead for his excuse;
Young, Beautiful, Discreet, and Chast, as Fair;
By Nature form'd to captive ev'ry Heart,
My Reason must approve the Prince's choice,
For I my self, prefer her to my self,
And love her too, as tenderly as he,
@3Agnes.@1 Who can this Angel be?
@3Princess.@1 Are there so many merit more than I,
Thou can'st not guess among 'em?
@3Agnes.@1 Indeed I know not one deserves like you;
And therefore cannot guess.
@3Princess.@1 Have you so long been privy to my Thoughts,
Yet know not her who is so dear to me?
Who with the Prince shares my divided Heart
So equally, I cannot tell my self
To which I have given most; know you not her?
For if you know my Friend, you know my Rival.
@3Agnes.@1 How very Miserable must I be
When I'm reduc'd to wish, you did not love me!
Those marks, of that peculiar, dear affection,
Which ev'ry day your partial kindness gave,
Are Witness which I wou'd disbelieve;
Oh! Let me think your Friendship was divided,
Tell me you have another, nearer Friend,
For I had rather lose your Love forever,
Than be the wretched Cause of your misfortune;
Rather be hated by you, than deserve it;
Oh ease my cruel fears, and name some other.
@3Princess.@1 Too sure, alas, the Prince does love thee, @3Agnes@1
And I'm so vain to think that only thou,
Cou'd gain a Heart, to which I laid a claim.
Read from his Hand, the sad, amazing truth.



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