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Upon Cupid (4)

by Robert Herrick, 1648

Love, like a beggar, came to me
  With hose and doublet torn:
His shirt bedangling from his knee,
  With hat and shoes outworn.

He ask’d an alms; I gave him bread,
  And meat too, for his need:
Of which, when he had fully fed,
  He wished me all good speed.

Away he went, but as he turn’d
  (In faith I know not how)
He touch’d me so, as that I burn[‘d],
  And am tormented now.

Love’s silent flames and fires obscure
  Then crept into my heart;
And though I saw no bow, I’m sure
  His finger was the dart.

Published in Hesperides
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