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Home  »  The Oxford Book of English Verse  »  415. Constancy

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

John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester. 1647–1680

415. Constancy

I CANNOT change as others do, 
  Though you unjustly scorn; 
Since that poor swain that sighs for you 
  For you alone was born. 
No, Phillis, no; your heart to move         5
  A surer way I’ll try; 
And, to revenge my slighted love, 
  Will still love on and die. 
 
When kill’d with grief Amyntas lies, 
  And you to mind shall call  10
The sighs that now unpitied rise, 
  The tears that vainly fall— 
That welcome hour, that ends this smart, 
  Will then begin your pain; 
For such a faithful tender heart  15
  Can never break in vain.