Love

The Complaint

by Aphra Behn 1640–1689

From Poems upon Several Occasions (1684)

Love

Amyntas that true hearted Swaine,
Upon a Rivers Banck was lay’d,
Where to the Pittying streames he did Complaine
On Silvia that false Charming Maid
While shee was still regardless of his paine.
Ah! Charming Silvia, would he cry;
And what he said, the Echoes wou’d reply:
Be kind or else I dy: Ech:--I dy.
Be kind or else I dy: Ech:--I dy.

Those smiles and Kisses which you give,
Remember Silvia are my due;
And all the Joyes my Rivall does receive,
He ravishes from me not you:
Ah Silvia! can I live and this believe?
Insensibles are toucht to see
My Languishments, and seem to pitty me:
Which I demand of thee: Ech:--of thee.
Which I demand of thee: Ech:--of thee.

MLA

Behn, Aphra. “The Complaint.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/behn/8/.

Chicago

Behn, Aphra. “The Complaint.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/behn/8/.

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