Poem by Robert Herrick

To Dianeme (Dear, though to part it be a hell)

Dear, though to part it be a hell,
Yet, Dianeme, now farewell!
Thy frown last night did bid me go,
But whither, only grief does know.
I do beseech thee, ere we part,
(If merciful, as fair thou art;
Or else desir'st that maids should tell
Thy pity by Love's chronicle)
O, Dianeme, rather kill
Me, than to make me languish still!
'Tis cruelty in thee to th' height,
Thus, thus to wound, not kill outright;
Yet there's a way found, if thou please,
By sudden death, to give me ease;
And thus devised,—do thou but this,
—Bequeath to me one parting kiss!
So sup'rabundant joy shall be
The executioner of me.

1. His Last Request to Julia
2. Things Mortal Still Mutable (Epigram)
3. The Rock of Rubies, and the Quarry of Pearls
4. To Sapho
5. To Anthea (Anthea, I am going hence)

Print

1200 Views

Last Poems

To Russian version