Love
Cælia: "Were't not for you"
From Pastoral Poetry (Pembroke Booklets)
Were't not for you, here should my pen have rest
And take a long leave of sweet poesy;
Britannia's swains, and rivers far by west,
Should hear no more mine oaten melody;
Yet shall the song I sung of them awhile
Unperfect lie, and make no further known
The happy loves of this our pleasant Isle;
Till I have left some record of mine own.
You are the subject now, and, writing you,
I well may versify, not poetize:
Here needs no fiction: for the graces true
And virtues clip not with base flatteries.
Here could I write what you deserve of praise,
Others might wear, but I should win the bays.
Cite this poem
MLA
Tavistock, William Browne of. “Cælia: "Were't not for you".” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/browne_w/25/.
Chicago
Tavistock, William Browne of. “Cælia: "Were't not for you".” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/browne_w/25/.
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