John Dryden

From Secret Love or The Maiden-Queen

"I Feed A Flame Within"

I feed a flame within, which so torments me

That it both pains my heart, and yet contents me;

'Tis such a pleasing smart, and I so love it,

That I had rather die than once remove it.

Yet he, for whom I grieve, shall never know it;

My tongue does not betray, nor my eyes show it.

Not a sigh, nor a tear, my pain discloses,

But they fall silently, like dew on roses.

Thus, to prevent my Love from being cruel,

My heart's the sacrifice, as 'tis the fuel;

And while I suffer this to give him quiet,

My faith rewards my love, though he deny it.

On his eyes I will gaze, and there delight me;

While I conceal my love no frown can fright me.

To be more happy I dare not aspire,

Nor can I fall more low, mounting no higher.

*

from Cleomenes

"No, No, Poor Suffering Heart"

No, no, poor suffering heart, no change endeavor,

Choose to sustain the smart, rather than leave her.

My ravished eyes behold such charms about her,

I can die with her, but not live without her:

One tender sigh of hers to see me languish,

Will more than pay the price of my past anguish:

Beware, O, cruel Fair, how you smile on me,

'Twas a kind look of yours that has undone me.

Love has in store for me one happy minute,

And she will end my pain who did begin it;

Then no day void of bliss, or pleasure leaving,

Ages shall slide away without perceiving:

Cupid shall guard the door the more to please us,

And keep out Time and Death, when thy would sieze us:

Time and Death shall depart, and say in flying,

Love has found out a way to live, by dying.