Love

The Surprize

by Aphra Behn 1640–1689

From Poems upon Several Occasions (1684)

Love

Phillis, whose Heart was Unconfin’d,
And free as Flow’rs on Meads and Plains,
None boasted of her being Kind,
‘Mong’st all the languishing and amorous Swains.
No Sighs or Tears the Nymph cou’d move,
To pity or return their Love.

Till on a time the hapless Maid
Retir’d to shun the Heat o’th’ Day
Into a Grove, beneath whose shade
Strephon the careless Shepherd sleeping lay:
But O such Charms the Youth adorn,
Love is reveng’d for all her Scorn.

Her Cheeks with Blushes cover’d were,
And tender Sighs her Bosom warm,
A Softness in her Eyes appear;
Unusual Pain she feels from ev’ry Charm:
To Woods and Ecchoes now she cries,
For Modesty to speak denies.

MLA

Behn, Aphra. “The Surprize.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/behn/27/.

Chicago

Behn, Aphra. “The Surprize.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/behn/27/.

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