Love

Young and simple though I am

by Thomas Campion 1567–1620

From The Fourth Book of Airs (c. 1617)

Love

Young and simple though I am,
I have heard of Cupid's name:
Guess I can what thing it is
Men desire when they do kiss.
Smoke can never burn, they say,
But the flames that follow may.

I am not so foul or fair
To be proud nor to despair;
Yet my lips have oft observed:
Men that kiss them press them hard,
As glad lovers use to do
When their new-met loves they woo.

Faith, 'tis but a foolish mind!
Yet, methinks, a heat I find,
Like thirst-longing, that doth bide
Ever on my weaker side,
Where they say my heart doth move.
Venus, grant it be not love!

If it be, alas, what then!
Were not women made for men?
As good 'twere a thing were past,
That must needs be done at last.
Roses that are overblown,
Grow less sweet; then fall alone.

Yet not churl, nor silken gull,
Shall my maiden blossom pull;
Who shall not I soon can tell;
Who shall, would I could as well!
This I know, whoe'er he be,
Love he must or flatter me.

✦ ✦ ✦

The Fourth Book of Airs (c. 1617)

MLA

Campion, Thomas. “Young and simple though I am.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/campion/105/.

Chicago

Campion, Thomas. “Young and simple though I am.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/campion/105/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Thomas Campion