Love

Fire that must flame is with apt fuel fed

by Thomas Campion 1567–1620

From The Third Book of Airs (c. 1617)

Love

Fire that must flame is with apt fuel fed,
Flowers that will thrive in sunny soil are bred.
How can a heart feel heat that no hope finds?
Or can he love on whom no comfort shines?

Fair! I confess there's pleasure in your sight!
Sweet! you have power, I grant, of all delight!
But what is all to me, if I have none?
Churl, that you are, t'enjoy such wealth alone!

Prayers move the heavens but find no grace with you;
Yet in your looks a heavenly form I view,
Then will I pray again, hoping to find,
As well as in your looks heaven in your mind!

Saint of my heart, Queen of my life and love,
O let my vows thy loving spirit move!
Let me no longer mourn through thy disdain;
But with one touch of grace cure all my pain.

✦ ✦ ✦

The Third Book of Airs (c. 1617)

MLA

Campion, Thomas. “Fire that must flame is with apt fuel fed.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/campion/82/.

Chicago

Campion, Thomas. “Fire that must flame is with apt fuel fed.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/campion/82/.

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