Nature

Why Should I Pine?

by Madison Cawein 1865–1914

From Myth and Romance (1899)

Nature

Why should I pine? when there in Spain
Are eyes to woo, and not in vain;
Dark eyes, and dreamily divine:
And lips, as red as sunlit wine;

Sweet lips, that never know disdain:
And hearts, for passion over fain;
Fond, trusting hearts that know no stain
Of scorn for hearts that love like mine.--
Why should I pine?

Because all dreams I entertain
Of beauty wear thy form, Elain;
And e'en their lips and eyes are thine:
So though I gladly would resign
All love, I love, and still complain,
"Why should I pine?"

MLA

Cawein, Madison. “Why Should I Pine?” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/cawein/882/.

Chicago

Cawein, Madison. “Why Should I Pine?” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/cawein/882/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Madison Cawein