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

Thomas Carew (1595?–1639?)

The Lady to Her Inconstant Servant

WHEN on the altar of my hand,

Bedewed with many a kiss and tear,

Thy now revolted heart did stand

An humble martyr, thou didst swear

Thus, and the God of Love did hear:—

By those bright glances of thine eye,

Unless thou pity me, I die!

When first those perjured lips of thine,

Bepaled with blasting sighs, did seal

Their violated faith on mine,

From the soft bosom that did heal

Thee, thou my melting heart didst steal;

My soul, enflamed with thy false breath,

Poisoned with kisses, sucked in death.

Yet I nor hand nor lip will move

Revenge or mercy to procure

From the offended god of love;

My curse is fatal, and my pure

Love shall beyond thy scorn endure;

If I implore the gods, they ’ll find

Thee too ungrateful, me too kind.