To Lucasta, Going To The Wars Poem by Richard Lovelace

To Lucasta, Going To The Wars

Rating: 3.4


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.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Ian Fraser 20 December 2011

Lovelace was a Cavalier (Royalist supporter) during the English Civil War, though it is unlikely he actually fought in it, having been placed under an embargo by Parliament for his previous Royalist activities. The poem nowadays seems rather quaint, though the last two lines are probably his most often quoted.

8 1 Reply
Frieda Werden 18 December 2005

The first line and the last two lines of this poem are probably all in Barlett's, they are so emblematic of the custom wrapped round the patriarchal theft of males from females. What I like most about this is the sudden pairing of an amphibrach foot with an anapest (second line of the second verse) in what is mainly an iambic dawdle.

6 2 Reply
Ramesh T A 18 December 2009

The tempo of poem quite reveals the urgency of matter under consideration!

4 1 Reply
Gajanan Mishra 18 December 2012

The first foe in the field. thanks. I like it.

2 2 Reply
Gajanan Mishra 18 December 2014

Wonderful, I kept it in my heart, thanks.

2 0 Reply
John Richter 18 December 2014

Gallant! and true........

0 0 Reply
Sossi Khachadourian 18 December 2014

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

0 1 Reply
Mariona .c.richard 18 December 2013

I think its awsome! ! I love it espically the begining! !

2 1 Reply
Monai Williams 18 December 2012

Visit my page! Read my poems! I want to be the youngest poet to get poem of the day! ! !

1 3 Reply
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Richard Lovelace

Richard Lovelace

London / England
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