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Home  »  The Poems of John Dryden  »  “No, no, poor suff’ring Heart, no Change endeavour,” from Cleomenes

John Dryden (1631–1700). The Poems of John Dryden. 1913.

Songs from the Plays

“No, no, poor suff’ring Heart, no Change endeavour,” from Cleomenes

NO, no, poor suff’ring Heart, no Change endeavour,

Choose to sustain the smart, rather than leave her;

My ravish’d Eyes behold such Charms about her,

I can dye with her, but not live without her

One tender Sigh of hers to see me Languish,

Will more than pay the price of my past Anguish:

Beware, O cruel Fair, how you smile on me,

’Twas a kind look of yours that has undone me.

2
Love has in store for me one happy Minute,

And She will end my pain who did begin it;

Then no day void of Bliss, or Pleasure leaving,

Ages shall slide away without perceiving:

Cupid shall guard the Door the more to please us,

And keep out Time and Death, when they would seize us:

Time and Death shall depart, and say in flying,

Love has found out a way to Live by Dying.