Thomas Humphry Ward, ed. The English Poets. 1880–1918.rnVol. II. The Seventeenth Century: Ben Jonson to Dryden

Thomas Carew (1595?–1639?)

Disdain Returned

HE that loves a rosy cheek,

Or a 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 art 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 nought but pride and scorn;

I have learned thy arts, and now

Can disdain as much as thou!