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Poetry Archives

A continuing selection of classic and contemporary poems.

What Is Love?

Ernest Dowson

    What is Love? 
Is it a folly,
Is it mirth, or melancholy?
    Joys above,
Are there many, or not any?
    What is Love?

    If you please,
A most sweet folly!
Full of mirth and melancholy:
    Both of these!
In its sadness worth all gladness,
    If you please!

    Prithee where,
Goes Love a-hiding?
Is he long in his abiding
    Anywhere?
Can you bind him when you find him;
    Prithee, where?

    With spring days
Love comes and dallies:
Upon the mountains, through the valleys
    Lie Love’s ways.
Then he leaves you and deceives you
    In spring days.
Online text © 1998-2008 Poetry X. All rights reserved.

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