One Happy Moment

John Dryden

No, no, poor suff’ring Heart, no Change endeavour,
Choose to sustain the smart, rather than leave her;
My ravish’d eyes behold such charms about her,
I can die with her, but not live without her:
One tender Sigh of hers to see me languish,
Will more than pay the price of my past anguish:
Beware, O cruel Fair, how you smile on me,
’Twas a kind look of yours that has undone me.

Love has in store for me one happy minute,
And She will end my pain who did begin it;
Then no day void of bliss, or pleasure leaving,
Ages shall slide away without perceiving:
Cupid shall guard the door the more to please us,
And keep out Time and Death, when they would seize us:
Time and Death shall depart, and say in flying,
Love has found out a way to live, by dying.

Next 10 Poems

• John Dryden : Religio Laici
• John Dryden : Secular Masque, The
• John Dryden : Song ( Sylvia The Fair, In The Bloom Of Fifteen )
• John Dryden : Song For Saint Cecilia's Day, 1687
• John Dryden : Song From Amphitryon
• John Dryden : Song From An Evening's Love
• John Dryden : Song From Marriage-a-la-mode
• John Dryden : Song To A Fair Young Lady Going Out Of Town In The Spring
• John Dryden : The Medal
• John Dryden : To My Dear Friend Mr. Congreve On His Commedy Call'd The Double Dealer

Previous 10 Poems

• John Dryden : Ode
• John Dryden : Marriage A-la-mode
• John Dryden : Mac Flecknoe
• John Dryden : Hidden Flame
• John Dryden : Heroic Stanzas
• John Dryden : Happy The Man
• John Dryden : Farewell, Ungrateful Traitor!
• John Dryden : Consecrated To The Glorious Memory Of His Most Serene And Renowned Highness, Oliver, Late Lord Protector Of This Commonwealth, Etc.
• John Dryden : Calm Was The Even, And Clear Was The Sky
• John Dryden : An Ode, On The Death Of Mr. Henry Purcell