Love

The Love Sonnets of Proteus, Juliet, XXXVII: To One who would "Remain Friends"

by Wilfrid Scawen Blunt 1840–1922

From The Poetical Works (1914), vol. I

Love

What is this prate of friendship ? Kings discrowned
Go forth, not citizens but outlawed men.
If love has ceased to give a loyal sound,
Let there at least be silence. Once again
I go, proscribed, exiled, dominionless
Out of your coasts, yet scorning to complain.
I grudge not your allegiance nor my bliss,
I yield the pleasure as I keep the pain.
Rebellion's rights are limited though strong.
The right to take gives not the right to give.
Mine were the sole right and prerogative
To give a title or forgive a wrong.
This gift of friendship was not yours to bring.
As I have lived in love I still will live
Or die, if needs must, and without reprieve,
Your lover yet, and kingdomless a king.

MLA

Blunt, Wilfrid Scawen. “The Love Sonnets of Proteus, Juliet, XXXVII: To One who would "Remain Friends".” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/blunt/94/.

Chicago

Blunt, Wilfrid Scawen. “The Love Sonnets of Proteus, Juliet, XXXVII: To One who would "Remain Friends".” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/blunt/94/.

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