by John Donne (1572 - 1631)
Confined love
Language: English
Some man unworthy to be possessor Of old or new love, himself being false or weak, Thought his pain and shame would be lesser, If on womankind he might his anger wreak; And thence a law did grow, One might but one man know; But are other creatures so? Are sun, moon, or stars by law forbidden To smile where they list, or lend away their light? Are birds divorced or are they chidden If they leave their mate, or lie abroad a night? Beasts do no jointures lose Though they new lovers choose; But we are made worse than those. Who e'er rigg'd fair ships to lie in harbours, And not to seek lands, or not to deal with all? Or built fair houses, set trees, and arbours, Only to lock up, or else to let them fall? Good is not good, unless A thousand it possess, But doth waste with greediness.
Authorship:
- by John Donne (1572 - 1631), "Confined love" [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Hale Smith (b. 1925), "Confined love", published 195-? [soprano and instrumental ensemble (9 instruments)], from Two Love Songs [text not verified]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2009-01-05
Line count: 21
Word count: 154