Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
Henry King, Bishop of Chichester. 15921669279. A Renunciation
WE, that did nothing study but the way | |
To love each other, with which thoughts the day | |
Rose with delight to us and with them set, | |
Must learn the hateful art, how to forget. | |
We, that did nothing wish that Heaven could give | 5 |
Beyond ourselves, nor did desire to live | |
Beyond that wish, all these now cancel must, | |
As if not writ in faith, but words and dust. | |
Yet witness those clear vows which lovers make, | |
Witness the chaste desires that never brake | 10 |
Into unruly heats; witness that breast | |
Which in thy bosom anchor’d his whole rest— | |
‘Tis no default in us: I dare acquite | |
Thy maiden faith, thy purpose fair and white | |
As thy pure self. Cross planets did envy | 15 |
Us to each other, and Heaven did untie | |
Faster than vows could bind. Oh, that the stars, | |
When lovers meet, should stand opposed in wars! | |
Since then some higher Destinies command, | |
Let us not strive, nor labour to withstand | 20 |
What is past help. The longest date of grief | |
Can never yield a hope of our relief: | |
Fold back our arms; take home our fruitless loves, | |
That must new fortunes try, like turtle-doves | |
Dislodgèd from their haunts. We must in tears | 25 |
Unwind a love knit up in many years. | |
In this last kiss I here surrender thee | |
Back to thyself.—So, thou again art free: | |
Thou in another, sad as that, resend | |
The truest heart that lover e’er did lend. | 30 |
Now turn from each: so fare our sever’d hearts | |
As the divorced soul from her body parts. |