Giggles, Pearls, and Contemplation
This entry will be in progress for a while. I decided to draw out some of my favorite poetry snippets from recent readings. There's no shame in indulgence, I tell you.
"I hate a fool that starves her love,
Only to feed her pride."
~ 'The Siege', Sir J. Suckling"If of herself she will not love,
Nothing can make her:
The Devil take her!"
~ 'Why So Pale and Wan, Fond Lover', Sir J. Suckling"Faint Amorist! what, dost though think
To taste Love's honey, and not drink
One dram of gall? or to devour
A world of sweet, and taste no sour?
...
He that after ten denials
Dares attempt no further trials,
Hath no warrant to acquire
The dainties of his chaste desire."
~ 'Wooing Stuff', Sir P. Sidney"... her looks are coy and cold,
To mine they ne'er reply,
And yet I cease not to behold
The love-light in her eye:
Her very frowns are fairer far
Than smiles of other maidens are."
~ 'She Is Not Fair To Outward View', Hartley Coleridge
"May the ambitious ever find
Success in crowds and noise,
While gentle love does fill my mind
With silent real joys.
...
Let conquering kings new triumphs raise,
And melt in court delights;
Her eyes can give much brighter days,
Her arms much softer nights."
~ 'May the Ambitious Ever Find', C. Sackville"Biting my truant pen, beating myself for spite,
'Fool,' said my Muse to me, 'look in thy heart and write!'"
~ 'Look In Thy Heart and Write', Sir P. Sidney"... love is such a mystery,
I cannot find it out;
For when I think I'm best resolved,
I then am in most doubt."
~ 'I Prithee Send Me Back My Heart', Sir J. Suckling"'Tis not her birth, her friends, nor yet her treasure,
Nor do I covet her for sensual pleasure,
Nor for that old morality
Do I love her, 'cause she loves me.
Sure he that loves his lady 'cause she's fair,
Delights his eye, so loves himself, not her.
Something there is moves me to love, and I
Do know I love, but know not how, nor why."
~ 'Love Unaccountable', A. Brome"'It is because you were my friend,
I fought you as the devil fights.
Whatever fortune God may send,
For once I set the world to rights.
And that was when I thrust you down,
And stabbed you twice and twice again,
Because you dared take off your crown,
And be a man like other men."
~ 'Mortal Combat', Ethna Carbery (Anna Johnston)"I will and bequeath
To those who believe
That there's life in maturity
My lust, joy, and security.
I will and bequeath
My God to those fools
Who say in their hearts
There's a God and He rules.
I will and bequeath
My love to my lover
Who'll be able to breathe
When my life is over."
~'Testament', F. Tennyson Jesse
"I ask no kind return in love,
No tempting charm to please;
Far from the heart such gifts remove,
That sighs for peace and ease.
Nor ease, nor peace, that heart can know,
That, like the needle true,
Turns at the touch of joy or woe;
But, turning, trembles too.
Far as distress the soul can wound
'Tis pain in each degree;
'Tis bliss but to a certain bound,
Beyond--is agony."
~'Prayer for Indifference', Fanny Greville