Song: Love still has something of the sea

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Love still has something of the sea, From whence his Mother rose;No time his slaves from doubt can free, Nor give their thoughts repose.

They are becalm'd in clearest days, And in rough weather tost;They wither under cold delays, Or are in tempests lost.

One while they seem to touch the port, Then straight into the mainSome angry wind in cruel sport Their vessel drives again.

At first disdain and pride they fear, Which, if they chance to 'scape,Rivals and falsehood soon appear In a more dreadful shape.

By such degrees to joy they come, And are so long withstood,So slowly they receive the sum, It hardly does them good.

'Tis cruel to prolong a pain; And to defer a joy,Believe me, gentle Celemene, Offends the winged boy.

An hundred thousand oaths your fears Perhaps would not remove,And if I gaz'd a thousand years, I could no deeper love.

© Sir Charles Sedley