To Lucasta, Going to the Wars
Richard Lovelace, 1649
Lovelace’s poem in which a man leaving for the war tells the woman he loves that going is no unkindness to her.
I
Tell me not, (sweet,) I am unkinde,That from the nunnerieOf thy chaste breast and quiet mindeTo warre and armes I flie.
II
True: a new Mistresse now I chase,The first foe in the field;And with a stronger faith imbraceA sword, a horse, a shield.
III
Yet this inconstancy is such,As you too shall adore;I could not love thee, dear, so much,Lov’d I not Honour more.