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Small poems of Divers sorts

Written by Sir Aston Cokain

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144

14. Of my Mistress, written at Venice.

I thought when I was far remov'd,
My Mistress I should not have lov'd;
But having seen another Fair
(As in all Cities Beauties are)
My former passions should forget,
And here a new affection set.
But Venice, though fam'd every where
For matchless Ladies; cannot bear
My thoughts from her whom I unkind
(Though she the cause) have left behind.
Had she not been a cruel One,
But lov'd, I then had stai'd at home:
And be she far more harsher then
Tigers half starv'd, or salvage men;
Abroad she shall not kill me, I
In my own Countrey will go die;
And vow some true friend to engrave
Upon my Stone this Epitaph:
Here lies the Man, whose faith him slew;
Who still had liv'd if been untrue.