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

Aphra Behn (1640–1689)

Song (from Abdelazar): ‘Love in fantastic triumph sate’

LOVE in fantastic triumph sate,

Whilst bleeding hearts around him flowed,

For whom fresh pains he did create,

And strange tyrannic power he showed;

From thy bright eyes he took his fires,

Which round about in sport he hurled;

But ’twas from mine he took desires

Enough to undo the amorous world.

From me he took his sighs and tears,

From thee his pride and cruelty,

From me his languishment and fears,

And every killing dart from thee;

Thus thou, and I, the god have armed,

And set him up a deity,

But my poor heart alone is harmed,

While thine the victor is, and free.