Classic and Contemporary Poetry
IL INFIDO, by THOMAS FLATMAN Poet's Biography First Line: I breathe, 'tis true, wretch that I am, 'tis true Last Line: And never more my overweening love misplace. Subject(s): Unfaithfulness; Infidelity; Adultery; Inconstancy | ||||||||
I BREATHE, 'tis true, wretch that I am, 'tis true, But if to live be only not to die, If nothing in that bubble, Life, be gay, But all t' a tear must melt away; Let fools and Stoics be cajol'd, say I: Thou that lik'st Ease and Love, like me, When once the world says, Farewell both, to thee, What hast thou more to do Than in disdain to say, Thou foolish world, adieu! II. There was a time, fool that I was! when I Believ'd there might be something here below, A seeming cordial to my drooping heart That might allay my bitter smart: I call'd it Friend: -- but O th' inconstancy Of human things! I tried it long, Its love was fervent, and, I fancied, strong: But now I plainly see, Or 'tis withdrawn, or else 'twas all hypocrisy. III. I saw thy much-estranged eyes, I saw, False Musidore, thy formal alter'd face, When thou betray'dst my seeming happiness, And coldly took'st my kind address: But know that I will live; for in thy place Heaven has provided for me now A constant friend, that dares not break a vow; That friend will I embrace, And never more my overweening love misplace. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A RITUAL AS OLD AS TIME ITSELF by PETER JOHNSON THE RING AND THE CASTLE by AMY LOWELL SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: MRS. MERRITT by EDGAR LEE MASTERS SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: MRS. PURKAPILE by EDGAR LEE MASTERS SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: TOM MERRITT by EDGAR LEE MASTERS IF THERE'S A GOD... by GREGORY ORR AN APPEAL TO CATS IN THE BUSINESS OF LOVE; SONG by THOMAS FLATMAN |
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