Poem by Walter Raleigh

The Silent Lover

PASSIONS are liken'd best to floods and streams: 
The shallow murmur, but the deep are dumb; 
So, when affection yields discourse, it seems 
The bottom is but shallow whence they come. 
    They that are rich in words, in words discover 
    That they are poor in that which makes a lover. 
 
WRONG not, sweet empress of my heart, 
     The merit of true passion, 
With thinking that he feels no smart, 
     That sues for no compassion. 
 
Silence in love bewrays more woe 
     Than words, though ne'er so witty: 
A beggar that is dumb, you know, 
     May challenge double pity. 
 
Then wrong not, dearest to my heart, 
     My true, though secret passion; 
He smarteth most that hides his smart, 
     And sues for no compassion.

1. Sestina Otiosa
2. On Being Challenged to Write an Epigram in the Manner of Herrick
3. Farewell to the Court
4. On the Cards and Dice
5. If Cynthia Be a Queen

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