Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ANSWER TO A CHARGE OF INCONSTANCY, by JOHN HERMAN MERIVALE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ANSWER TO A CHARGE OF INCONSTANCY, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Oh not that I am faithless say
Last Line: Has dared avow his soul's election.
Subject(s): Unfaithfulness; Infidelity; Adultery; Inconstancy


OH not that I am faithless say
Or that my love's no more the same,
If Cynthia once inspired my lay,
And then Licymnia lit the flame
One goddess only I adore,
Although in different forms I woo her;
Nor, though she bid me love no more,
Could I be e'er inconstant to her.

The sailor, midst the dangerous main,
Full many a lovely region sees,
Fair islands, bright with golden grain,
And rich with ever-blooming trees;
But, till the destined port he gains,
Those transient charms he little prizes,
And quits with joy the happiest plains
Soon as a favouring gale arises.

My fancy had a mistress drawn,
And stamp'd her image on my heart;
I roved o'er hill and vale and lawn,
But ne'er could find the counterpart:
This had the form, the air, the face,
That, the sweet smile's bewitching beauty,
And every singly winning grace
Fix'd for the time my wandering duty.

But now 'tis sped -- my fancy's flight:
All former trivial, vain desires,
Like spectres fade before the light,
Or perish in sublimer fires.
He needs not fear again to fall
Before the shadow of perfection,
Who for the bright original
Has dared avow his soul's election.





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