Why so Pale and Wan?

Sir John Suckling 1609 – 1642



WHY so pale and wan, fond lover?
   Prithee, why so pale?
Will, when looking well can't move her,
   Looking ill prevail?
   Prithee, why so pale?

Why so dull and mute, young sinner?
   Prithee, why so mute?
Will, when speaking well can't win her,
   Saying nothing do 't?
   Prithee, why so mute?

Quit, quit for shame! This will not move;
   This cannot take her.
If of herself she will not love,
   Nothing can make her:
   The devil take her!

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on May 03, 2023

24 sec read
103

Quick analysis:

Scheme aBabB aCaxC xaxaa
Closest metre Iambic trimeter
Characters 453
Words 80
Stanzas 3
Stanza Lengths 5, 5, 5

Sir John Suckling

Sir John Suckling was an English poet and one prominent figure among those renowned for careless gaiety wit and all the accomplishments of a Cavalier poet and also the inventor of the card game cribbage He is best known for his poem Ballad Upon a Wedding more…

All Sir John Suckling poems | Sir John Suckling Books

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