The short Wooing

Henry King 1592 (Worminghall, Buckinghamshire) – 1669 (Chichester)



Like an Oblation set before a Shrine,
Fair One! I offer up this heart of mine.
Whether the Saint accept my Gift or no,
Ile neither fear nor doubt before I know.
For he whose faint distrust prevents reply,
Doth his own suits denial prophecy.
Your will the sentence is; Who free as Fate
Can bid my love proceed, or else retreat.
And from short views that verdict is decreed
Which seldom doth one audience exceed.
Love asks no dull probation, but like light
Conveyes his nimble influence at first sight.
I need not therefore importune or press;
This were t'extort unwilling happiness:
And much against affection might I sin:
To tire and weary what I seek to win.
Towns which by lingring siege enforced be
Oft make both sides repent the victorie.
Be Mistriss of your self: and let me thrive
Or suffer by your own prerogative.
Yet stay, since you are Judge, who in one breath
Bear uncontrolled power of Life and Death,
Remember (Sweet) pity doth best become
Those lips which must pronounce a Suitors doome.
If I find that, my spark of chast desire
Shall kindle into Hymens holy sire:
Else like sad flowers will these verses prove,
To stick the Coffin of rejected Love.

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

1:03 min read
39

Quick analysis:

Scheme AABBCDEFGGHHIJKKDLMNOOPPLLQR
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 1,171
Words 211
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 28

Henry King

Henry King was an English poet who served as Bishop of Chichester. more…

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