Love

Turn back, you wanton flyer

by Thomas Campion 1567–1620

From A Book of Airs (1601)

Love

Turn back, you wanton flyer,
And answer my desire,
With mutual greeting:
Yet bend a little nearer,
True beauty still shines clearer,
In closer meeting.
Hearts, with hearts delighted,
Should strive to be united;
Either other's arms with arms enchaining
Hearts with a thought,
Rosy lips with a kiss still entertaining.

What harvest half so sweet is
As still to reap the kisses
Grown ripe in sowing?
And straight to be receiver
Of that, which thou art giver,
Rich in bestowing?
There's no strict observing
Of times' or seasons' swerving;
There is ever one fresh spring abiding.
Then what we sow with our lips,
Let us reap, love's gains dividing!

✦ ✦ ✦

A Book of Airs (1601)

MLA

Campion, Thomas. “Turn back, you wanton flyer.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/campion/14/.

Chicago

Campion, Thomas. “Turn back, you wanton flyer.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/campion/14/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Thomas Campion