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Home  »  The Oxford Book of English Verse  »  411. Song

Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.

Aphra Behn. 1640–1689

411. Song

LOVE in fantastic triumph sate 
  Whilst bleeding hearts around him flow’d, 
For whom fresh pains he did create 
  And strange tyrannic power he show’d: 
From thy bright eyes he took his fires,         5
  Which round about in sport he hurl’d; 
But ’twas from mine he took desires 
  Enough t’ undo the amorous world. 
 
From me he took his sighs and tears, 
  From thee his pride and cruelty;  10
From me his languishments and fears, 
  And every killing dart from thee. 
Thus thou and I the god have arm’d 
  And set him up a deity; 
But my poor heart alone is harm’d,  15
  Whilst thine the victor is, and free!