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The Oxford Book of English Verse, 1250-1900

GEORGE LYTTELTON, LORD LYTTELTON

Reading edition

1709-1773

449.

Tell me, my Heart if this be Love

WHEN Delia on the plain appears, Awed by a thousand tender fears I would approach, but dare not move: Tell me, my heart, if this be love? Whene’er she speaks, my ravish’d ear No other voice than hers can hear, No other wit but hers approve: Tell me, my heart, if this be love? If she some other youth commend, Though I was once his fondest friend, His instant enemy I prove: Tell me, my heart, if this be love? When she is absent, I no more Delight in all that pleased before— The clearest spring, or shadiest grove: Tell me, my heart, if this be love? When fond of power, of beauty vain, Her nets she spread for every swain, I strove to hate, but vainly strove: Tell me, my heart, if this be love?

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