THE ISLE OF UNREST


BY
HENRY SETON MERRIMAN




TO LUCASTA


GOING TO THE WARS

Tell me not, sweet, I am unkind
That from the nunnery
Of thy chaste breast, and quiet mind,
To war and arms I fly.

True: a new mistress now I chase,
The first foe in the field;
And with a stronger faith embrace
A sword, a horse, a shield.

Yet this inconstancy is such
As you too shall adore;
I could not love thee, dear, so much
Lov'd I not honour more.

RICHARD LOVELACE.