dots-menu
×

Home  »  The Book of Restoration Verse  »  John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester (1647–1680)

William Stanley Braithwaite, ed. The Book of Restoration Verse. 1910.

Constancy

John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester (1647–1680)

I CANNOT change as others do,

Though you unjustly scorn;

Since that poor swain that sighs for you

For you alone was born.

No, Phillis, no; your heart to move

A surer way I’ll try;

And, to revenge my slighted love,

Will still love on and die.

When killed with love Amyntas lies,

And you to mind shall call

The sighs that now unpitied rise,

The tears that vainly fall—

That welcome hour, that ends this smart,

Will then begin your pain;

For such a faithful tender heart

Can never break in vain.