Poem by John Oldham

Complaining of Absence

TEN days (if I forget not) wasted are
(A year in any lover's calendar)
Since I was forced to part, and bid adieu
To all my joy and happiness in you:
And still by the same hindrance am detained,
Which me at first from your loved sight constrained:
Oft I resolve to meet my bliss, and then
My tether stops, and pulls me back again:
So when our raisèd thoughts to heaven aspire,
Earth stifles them, and chokes the good desire.
Curse on that man whom business first designed,
And by't enthralled a freedom lover's mind!
A curse on fate who thus subjected me,
And made me slave to any thing but thee!
Lovers should be as unconfined as air,
Free as its wild inhabitants from care:
So free those happy lovers are above.
Exempt from all concerns but those of love:
But I, poor lover militant below,
The cares and troubles of dull life must know;
Must toil for that which does on others wait,
And undergo the drudgery of fate.
Yet I'll no more to her a vassal be,
Thou now shalt make and rule my destiny:
Hence troublesome fatigues! all business hence!
This very hour my freedom shall commence:
Too long that jilt has thy proud rival been,
And made me by neglectful absence sin;
But I'll no more obey its tyranny,
Nor that, nor fate itself shall hinder me,
Henceforth from seeing and enjoying thee.

1. A Satire Touching Nobility
2. The Parting
3. Upon the Works of Ben Jonson
4. To the Memory of My Dear Friend, Mr. Charles Morwent
5. David's Lamentation for the Death of Saul and Jonathan, Paraphrased

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