dots-menu
×

Home  »  The World’s Best Poetry  »  “O, do not wanton with those eyes”

Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry. 1904.

I. Admiration

“O, do not wanton with those eyes”

Ben Jonson (1572–1637)

O, DO not wanton with those eyes,

Lest I be sick with seeing;

Nor cast them down, but let them rise,

Lest shame destroy their being.

O, be not angry with those fires,

For then their threats will kill me;

Nor look too kind on my desires,

For then my hopes will spill me.

O, do not steep them in thy tears,

For so will sorrow slay me;

Nor spread them as distract with fears;

Mine now enough betray me.