When first I loved, I gave my very soul
Utterly unreserved to Love’s control,
But Love deceived me, wrenched my youth away
And made the gold of life for ever grey.
Long I lived lonely, yet I tried in vain
With any other Joy to stifle pain;
There _is_ no other joy, I learned to know,
And so returned to Love, as long ago.
Yet I, this little while ere I go hence,
Love very lightly now, in self-defence.
(Laurence Hope)
More Poetry from Laurence Hope:
Laurence Hope Poems based on Topics: Love, Life, Pain, Joy & Excitement, Gold- Reverie Of Mahomed Akram At The Tamarind Tank (Laurence Hope Poems)
- The Lament Of Yasmini, The Dancing-Girl (Laurence Hope Poems)
- Oh, Unforgotten And Only Lover (Laurence Hope Poems)
- Two Songs By Sitara, Of Kashmir (Laurence Hope Poems)
- Sher Afzul (Laurence Hope Poems)
- Three Songs Of Zahir-u-Din (Laurence Hope Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Love Poems, Life Poems, Joy & Excitement Poems, Pain Poems, Gold PoemsBased on Keywords: self-defence, unreserved
- Tennants Anster Fair (Joseph Rodman Drake Poems)
- A Poem On The African Slave Trade. Addressed To Her Own Sex. Part II (Mary Birkett Card Poems)
- The Battle Of The Lake Regillus (Thomas Babbington Macaulay Poems)
- Paradise Regain'd : Book I. (John Milton Poems)
- Paradise Regain'd : Book II. (John Milton Poems)