To Lucasta, Going to the Wars
Richard Lovelace * Track #7 On Lucasta
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Album Lucasta
To Lucasta, Going to the Wars by Richard Lovelace
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Richard LovelaceAbout
The poem was written in 1649 during the English Civil War; an example of Cavalier poetry. The essence is that the poet values his love, but is drawn by his sense of duty and honour to fight for his beliefs. He would be a poorer lover if he was untrue to himself.
Lovelace was a soldier who supported...
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To Lucasta, Going to the Wars Annotated
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 thou too shalt adore;
I could not love thee, Dear, so much,
Loved I not Honour more.