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The Works of Mr Abraham Cowley

Consisting of Those which were formerly Printed: And Those which he Design'd for the Press, Now Published out of the Authors Original Copies ... The Text Edited by A. R. Waller

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Called Inconstant.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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103

Called Inconstant.

1

Ha! ha! you think y'have kill'd my fame;
By this not understood, yet common Name:
A Name, that's full and proper when assign'd
To Woman-kind:
But when you call us so,
It can at best but for a Met'aphor go.

2

Can you the shore Inconstant call,
Which still as Waves pass by, embraces all;
That had as leif the same Waves always love,
Did they not from him move?
Or can you fault with Pilots find
For changing course, yet never blame the wind?

3

Since drunk with vanity you fell:
The things turn round to you that stedfast dwell;
And you your self, who from us take your flight,
Wonder to find us out of sight.
So the same errour seizes you,
As Men in motion think the Trees move too.