ON MONSIEUR'S DEPARTURE
by: Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603)
- GRIEVE
and dare not show my discontent,
- I love and yet am forced to seem to hate,
- I do, yet dare not say I ever meant,
- I seem stark mute but inwardly to prate.
- I am and not, I freeze and yet am burned.
- Since from myself another self I turned.
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- My care is like my shadow in the sun,
- Follows me flying, flies when I pursue it,
- Stands and lies by me, doth what I have done.
- His too familiar care doth make me rue it.
- No means I find to rid him from my breast,
- Till by the end of things it be supprest.
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- Some gentler passion slide into my mind,
- For I am soft and made of melting snow;
- Or be more cruel, love, and so be kind.
- Let me or float or sink, be high or low.
- Or let me live with some more sweet content,
- Or die and so forget what love ere meant.
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POEMS BY QUEEN ELIZABETH I |
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