Advice To Lovers.

I knew an old man at a Fair
Who made it his twice-yearly task
To clamber on a cider cask
And cry to all the yokels there:,

"Lovers to-day and for all time
    Preserve the meaning of my rhyme:
    Love is not kindly nor yet grim
    But does to you as you to him.

"Whistle, and Love will come to you,
    Hiss, and he fades without a word,
    Do wrong, and he great wrong will do,
    Speak, he retells what he has heard.

"Then all you lovers have good heed
    Vex not young Love in word or deed:
    Love never leaves an unpaid debt,
    He will not pardon nor forget."

The old man's voice was sweet yet loud
And this shows what a man was he,
He'd scatter apples to the crowd
And give great draughts of cider, free.

Robert von Ranke Graves

Robert von Ranke Graves was a British poet, historical novelist, critic, and classicist. His father was Alfred Perceval Graves, a distinguished Irish poet and figure in the Gaelic revival. Known for his war poetry, love poems, and scholarly works, he created a lasting literary legacy, including his interpretations of the Greek myths. Graves was also a soldier in World War I, an experience that profoundly influenced his writing.

Robert von Ranke Graves

Nine O'Clock.

Robert von Ranke Graves, Simple Poetry

Allie.

Robert von Ranke Graves, Simple Poetry

Sullen Moods

Robert von Ranke Graves, Simple Poetry

Give Us Rain.

Robert von Ranke Graves, Simple Poetry

English

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Dear Heart, this is my book of boyish song,
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The love it sought and sang astray so long
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Take it and love it, 'tis the prophecy
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Mr. Robert Herrick: His Farewell Unto Poetry.

I have beheld two lovers in a night
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