Love
To Phillis
From Miscellaneous Works (Waller, 1907)
PHILLIS, since we have both been kind.
And of each other had our fill ;
Tell me what pleasure you can find,
In forcing nature 'gainst her will.
'Tis true, you may with art and pain
Keep-in some glowings of desire ;
But still those glowings which remain
Are only ashes of the fire.
Then let us free each other's soul,
And laugh at the dull constant fool,
Who would Love's liberty controul,
And teach us how to whine by rule.
Let us no impositions set,
Or clogs upon each other's heart ;
But, as for pleasure first we met,
So now for pleasure let us part.
We both have spent our stock of love.
So consequently should be free ;
Thyrsis expects you in yon' grove ;
And pretty Chloris stays for me.
Cite this poem
MLA
Prior, Matthew. “To Phillis.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/prior/201/.
Chicago
Prior, Matthew. “To Phillis.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/prior/201/.
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