To Lucasta

on Going to the Wars

by RICHARD LOVELACE (1618–1657)

Tell me not, Sweet, I am unkind,
That from the Nunnery
Of thy chaste breast, and quiet mind,
To War and Arms I flee.

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 you too shall adore;
I could not love thee, Dear, so much,
Loved I not Honour more.

Richard Lovelace Contemporaries
Thomas Carew
Sir John Suckling
Robert Herrick
Andrew Marvell