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TO DELIA: 6, by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Fair is my love, and cruel as she's fair
Last Line: My muse had slept, and none had known my mind.
Variant Title(s): Beauty, Time And Love (1)
Subject(s): Love; Love - Complaints


Fair is my love, and cruel as she's fair:
Her brow shades frowns, although her eyes are sunny,
Her smiles are lightning, though her pride despair,
And her disdains are gall, her favors honey.
A modest maid, decked with a blush of honor,
Whose feet do tread green paths of youth and love;
The wonder of all eyes that look upon her,
Sacred on earth, designed a saint above.
Chastity and Beauty, which were deadly foes,
Live reconciled friends within her brow;
And had she pity to conjoin with those,
Then who had heard the plaints I utter now?
Oh had she not been fair and thus unkind,
My muse had slept, and none had known my mind.




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