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BEING RETIRED, COMPLAINS AGAINST THE COURT, by             Poem Explanation         Poet's Biography
First Line: Remote from court, where after toil we get
Last Line: Vanquish'd, I triumph; fighting, peace I find.
Subject(s): Courts & Courtiers; Retirement; Royal Court Life; Royalty; Kings; Queens


REMOTE from Court, where after toil we get
More hopes than fruit, I now have chang'd my seat,
And here retir'd with calmer thoughts abide:
As Lea more smooth than troubled Thames does glide.

I need not great men here with flatt'ry please,
No pride nor envy shall disturb my ease;
If Love ensnares my heart, I from its net,
Or servile chain at least, my freedom get.

Since my new flame brake out, my old is dead,
With falsehood kindled, and with scorn 'twas fed;
And here the greatest rigour pleases more
Than all dissembled favours could before.

There Love's all counterfeit, and friendship too,
And nothing else but hate and malice true:
If here my Nymph be cross, or prove unkind,
Vanquish'd, I triumph; fighting, Peace I find.





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