Poems (Lewis)/The Inconstant's Apology

by Matthew Gregory Lewis

THE INCONSTANT'S APOLOGY.

 

Love, I've lov'd you passing well,
Loved you long, and loved sincerely;
How I loved, no tongue can tell,
'Twas so truly, 'twas so dearly;
But my fond delirium o'er,
Love, adieu;—We'll love no more.

When I owned your Beauty's sway,
All my vows were gospel-true, Love;
That I'm changed, no doubt, you'll say;
Ah! believe me, so are you, Love.
Bloom departing, youth removed,
You 're no more the love I loved!

Can I still the casket prize,
Whence the Gem by Time is plundered?
Can the stalk delight mine eyes,
Whence the Rose for aye is sundered?
These possess no charms for Me,
And alas! are types of Thee.

Pouting lip, and melting eye,
Teeth of pearl, and cheek of roses,
Limbs that might with Paphia's vie,
Bosom where delight reposes,
These the Love I love must show.
Say, can you, Love?—No, Love, No!

Now in Aura's blooming form
Charms, once yours, mine eyes discover:
Since my soul they still can warm,
Wherefore call me Faithless Lover?
What You were, and She is now,
Still obtains my fervent vow.

Still my heart remains the same;
Still it doats on youth and beauty:
Still [what-e'er their owner's name]
'Tis to them I pay my duty:
And where-e'er their charms I see,
Still their charms have charms for Me.

Chide no more then; for I vow,
If my heart adores a new love,
'Tis because She gives me now
Joys like those, I shared with you, Love.
Loving Her, I still love you:
Hark! She calls me!—Love, Adieu!