Love

Shall then hope when faith is fled?

by Thomas Campion 1567–1620

From The Third Book of Airs (c. 1617)

Love

Shall then hope when faith is fled?
Can I seek love when hope is gone?
Or can I live when love is dead?
Poorly he lives, that can love none.
Her vows are broke and I am free
She lost her faith in losing me.

When I compare mine own events,
When I weigh others' like annoy:
All do but heap up discontents
That on a beauty build their joy.
Thus I of all complain, since she
All faith hath lost in losing me.

So my dear freedom have I gained,
Through her unkindness and disgrace:
Yet could I ever live enchained,
As she my service did embrace.
But she is changed, and I am free
Faith failing her, love died in me.

✦ ✦ ✦

The Third Book of Airs (c. 1617)

MLA

Campion, Thomas. “Shall then hope when faith is fled?” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/campion/96/.

Chicago

Campion, Thomas. “Shall then hope when faith is fled?” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/campion/96/.

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