today's poem

[angevin2]

I admit it. I can't resist a deposition scene. Even when it's narrated by someone with gender and colonial issues.

Love Deposed
Thomas Stanley

You that unto your mistress' eyes
Your hearts do sacrifice,
And offer sighs or tears at love's rich shrine,
Renounce with me
This idolatry,
Nor this infernal power esteem divine.

The brand, the quiver, and the bow,
Which we did first bestow,
And he as tribute wears from every lover,
I back again
From him have ta'en,
And the imposter now unveiled discover.

I can the feeble child disarm,
Untie his mystic charm,
Divest him of his wings, and break his arrow;
We will obey
No more his sway,
Nor live confined to laws or bounds so narrow.

And you, bright beauties, that inspire
The boy's pale torch with fire,
We safely now your subtle power despise,
And, unscorched, may
Like atoms play
And wanton in the sunshine of your eyes.

Nor think hereafter by new arts
You can bewitch our hearts,
Or raise this devil by your pleasing charm;
We will no more
His power implore,
Unless like Indians, that he do no harm.