Love
The Scrutinie
From Metaphysical Lyrics & Poems of the Seventeenth Century, ed. H. J. C. Grierson (1921)
Why should you sweare I am forsworn,
Since thine I vow'd to be?
Lady it is already Morn,
And 'twas last night I swore to thee
That fond impossibility.
Have I not lov'd thee much and long,
A tedious twelve houres space?
I must all other Beauties wrong,
And rob thee of a new imbrace;
Could I still dote upon thy Face.
Not, but all joy in thy browne haire,
By others may be found;
But I must search the black and faire
Like skilfull Minerallist's that sound
For Treasure in un-plow'd-up ground.
Then, if when I have lov'd my round,
Thou prov'st the pleasant she;
With spoyles of meaner Beauties crown'd,
I laden will returne to thee,
Ev'n sated with Varietie.
Cite this poem
MLA
Lovelace, Richard. “The Scrutinie.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/lovelace/152/.
Chicago
Lovelace, Richard. “The Scrutinie.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/lovelace/152/.
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