Inconstancy
WHEN from afar I saw your beauty shine,
I thought that my whole life were fitly given,
If by such gift I made your beauty mine,
If by such loss I gained the highest heaven.
But when I stood beside you, and your eyes
Were raised to mine, their brightness all unveiled,
The charm had vanished; with a sad surprise
I found with nearness all desire had failed.
If you had changed, or I had witless grown,
Blind to your beauty, deaf to your sweet speech,
I knew not, when as cold as any stone,
I turned from all that seemed within my reach.
Now near, nor far, no longer I desire
That which of late set all my heart on fire.
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