| Herbert J.C. Grierson, ed. (1886–1960). Metaphysical Lyrics & Poems of the 17th C. 1921. |
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| Thomas Stanley |
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| 57. The Divorce |
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| DEAR, back my wounded heart restore, | |
| And turn away thy powerful eyes | |
| Flatter my willing soul no more, | |
| Love must not hope what Fate denies. | |
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| Take, take away thy smiles and kisses, | 5 |
| Thy Love wounds deeper then Disdain, | |
| For he that sees the Heaven he misses, | |
| Sustains two Hels, of losse and pain. | |
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| Shouldst thou some others suit prefer, | |
| I might return thy scorn to thee, | 10 |
| And learn Apostasie of her | |
| Who taught me first Idolatry. | |
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| Or in thy unrelenting breast | |
| Should I disdain or coynesse move, | |
| He by thy hate might be releas't, | 15 |
| Who now is prisoner to thy love. | |
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| Since then unkind Fate will divorce | |
| Those whom Affection long united, | |
| Be thou as cruel as this force, | |
| And I in death shall be delighted. | 20 |
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| Thus whilst so many suppliants woe | |
| And beg they may thy pitty prove, | |
| I onely for thy scorn do sue, | |
| 'Tis charity here not to love. | |
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