Disdain Returned -
Thomas Carew
circa 1630
He that loves a rosy cheek,
or coral lip admires,
Or from star-like eyes doth seek
Fuel to maintain his fires:
As old
Time makes these
decay,
So his flames must waste away.
But a smooth and steadfast
mind,
Gentle thoughts, and calm desires,
Hearts with equal
love combined,
Kindle never-dying fires:--
Where these are not, I
despise
Lovely
cheeks, or
lips, or
eyes.
No tears,
Celia,now shall win
My resolved
heart to return;
I have searched thy
soul within,
and find naught but
pride and
scorn;
I have learned thy
arts, and now
Can
disdain as much as thou.
Some
power, in my
revenge, convey
That love to her I cast away.