Select poems of Edward Hovel Thurlow :: :: University of Virginia Library

Yes, I wish, I wish to love:
Cupid of old the thought did move;
But I, that had no prudent mind,
To my true int'rest then was blind,
And nothing to his speech inclin'd.

Then he lift up his bow to view,
And his golden quiver too:
Then he provok'd me to the fight;
And I arm'd me for my right:
My shining breast-plate I put on,
And, like a new Achilles, shone,
And shield and spear I brought with me,
To wrest from Love the victory.

He threw, and I too threw my dart:
But soon the God had play'd his part:
No other darts he had to throw:
Then took it ill, the angry foe!

And threw himself, i' th' shape of a dart,
Into the middle of my heart:
Life and body then did part.

In vain I held my shield on high:
Why outwards should we fortify,
When the war within doth lie?