Classic and Contemporary Poetry
TO HIS MISTRESS, by WALTER RALEIGH Poem Explanation Poet's Biography First Line: Our passions are most like to floods and streams Last Line: And sues for no compassion. Alternate Author Name(s): Ralegh, Walter Variant Title(s): Sir Walter Ralegh To The Queen;to The Queen;to Queen Elizabeth;the Silent Lover Subject(s): Elizabeth I, Queen Of England (1533-1603 | ||||||||
Our passions are most like to floods and streams, The shallow murmur, but the deep are dumb; So, when affections yield discourse, it seems The bottom is but shallow whence they come. They that are rich in words must needs discover That they are poor in that which makes a lover. Wrong not, dear empress of the heart, The merit of true passion With thinking that he feels no smart That sues for no compassion; Since, if my plaints serve not to prove The conquest of your beauty, They come not from defect of love But from excess of duty. For knowing that I sue to serve A saint of such perfection As all desire, yet none deserve, A place in her affection, I rather choose to want relief Than venture the revealing; When glory recommends the grief, Despair distrusts the healing. Thus those desires that aim too high For any mortal lover, When reason cannot make them die Discretion doth them cover. Yet, when discretion doth bereave The plaints that they should utter, Then your discretion mat perceive That silence is a suitor. Silence in love bewrays more woe Than words, though ne'er so witty; A beggar that is dumb, you know, Deserveth double pity. Then misconceive not, dearest heart, My true though secret passion; He smarteth most that hides his smart And sues for no compassion. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ELIZABETH'S WAR WITH THE CHRISTMAS BEAR: 1601 by NORMAN DUBIE TIME TO BE WISE by WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR FAREWELL TO ARMS by GEORGE PEELE THE SHEPHEARDES CALENDER: APRIL by EDMUND SPENSER THE HOUSE-WARMING; A LEGEND OF BLEEDING-HEART YARD by RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM LAST DAYS OF QUEEN ELIZABETH by EDWARD GEORGE EARLE LYTTON BULWER-LYTTON OBSERVATIONS IN THE ART OF ENGLISH POESY: 27 by THOMAS CAMPION A BALLAD TO QUEEN ELIZABETH (OF THE SPANISH ARMADA) by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON A VISION UPON [THIS CONCEIT] OF THE FAERIE QUEENE (1) by WALTER RALEIGH A VISION UPON [THIS CONCEIT] OF THE FAERIE QUEENE (2) by WALTER RALEIGH |
|