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Home  »  Parnassus  »  Thomas Carew (1595?–1639?)

Ralph Waldo Emerson, comp. (1803–1882). Parnassus: An Anthology of Poetry. 1880.

Disdain Returned

Thomas Carew (1595?–1639?)

HE that loves a rosy cheek,

Or a coral lip admires,

Or from star-like eyes doth seek

Fuel to maintain his fires;

As old Time makes these decay,

So his flames must waste away.

But a smooth and steadfast mind,

Gentle thoughts and calm desires,

Hearts, with equal love combined,

Kindle never-dying fires.

Where these are not, I despise

Lovely cheeks, or lips, or eyes.